Well of course I’ve got a big ‘ol grin on my face– I’m surrounded by the most decadent of decadent Valentine’s Day treats!  Alon’s has become an iconic bakery in the Atlanta area, and every year, they sell thousands of individual desserts.  I love this concept because you can pick and choose, mix and match whatever your taste buds tell you to!  Among my favorites— chocolate covered caramels with maldon salt, the chocolate and raspberry mini macaroon tower, the flourless chocolate cake heart with raspberry cream, hand rolled truffles (including a scrumptious Single Malted Scotch truffle that will sweeten the day of any Valentine’s Day suitor!  (Dudes, I’m talking to YOU guys.)

Alon’s has so much to choose from if you want to build a gift basket as well– from their signature 9 piece Chocolate Boxes to wine, champagne and accessories!  This year, they’re offering a 7 course Romantic Dinner for 2 available for pickup at both of Alon’s Locations!  Here’s a sneak peek at the menu:

• Amuse Bouche
  Salmon and Tuna Tartare with Avocado Glaze on Brioche Toast

• Soup
  She-crab soup with lump crab meat

• Choice of Entrée
  Seared Bay of Fundy Salmon in Carrot Harissa Broth with caramelized root vegetables
  (or)
  Grilled Tenderloin with fingerling potatoes and brussel sprouts served with a balsamic reduction and blue cheese compound butter

• Salad
  Kale with granny smith apples, celery and a lemon agave vinaigrette

• Cheese
  Green Hill (Thomasville GA), Perorino with Chamomile, Marcona Almonds and Orange cranberry Marmalade

• Dessert
  Flourless Chocolate Cake with hazelnut cream and raspberry coulis

• Chocolate
  Assorted Chocolate Bon Bons and Cookies           
  

If you tag “Alon’s Romantic Dinner for 2” photo on Facebook, you have a chance to win a $100 gift card!  Check out their locations: 

ALON’S DUNWOODY – PERIMETER 

4505 Ashford Dunwoody Road

Mon-Fri: 7a-9p

Sat: 8a-9p Sun:9a-7p

ALON’S INTOWN – MORNINGSIDE

1394 North Highland Avenue

Mon-Fri: 7a-8p

Sat: 8a-8p Sun: 9a-4p

Moving on to cocktails….You can make a romantic toast this Valentine’s Day with some of my favorite brands…

Amarula Cream is the second largest cream liqueur in the world.  It has such a luxurious finish with exotic tangy notes of citrus and nuts with a rich, velvety texture.  It comes from the fruit of the wild marula tree, indigenous to South Africa– more commonly known as the “marriage tree!”  How romantic is that?  Enjoy it neat or over ice…

My man likes to call himself a Rum Connoisseur– and Diplomatico Reserva Exclusiva is now our GO-TO Rum.  You don’t even need a cocktail mixer– this is an award winning sipping rum from Venezuela, crafted from the purest of sugar cane honeys. The aromatics are amazing– you can smell (and taste) the distinctive notes of maple syrup, orange peel, brown sugar and licorice.  The finish is a toffee fudge– the perfect rum to pair with a decadent dessert— from chocolate to cheesecake!

Prosecco is the most famous Italian sparkling wine in the world– but believe it or not, similar to how champagne can only be produced in the Champagne region of France, true Prosecco can only be produced in a very small area of Italy’s Veneto and Fruili-Venezia Giulia regions.  Bisol is a family owned company– they’ve been managing all phases of the winemaking process since 1542.

The grapes used to make Prosecco DOC are mainly Glera, which has been around since Roman times.  The result is a stunning yellow wine with fine, consistent perlage and aromas of white flowers, apple and pear.  It’s perfect for a Valentine’s Day brunch!

Click here for the video on Atlanta & Company!