I've been happily married three times.

So I know a little about what it takes spark or spike a romance, at least from a woman's point of view.

I'm not talking about the material girl. If you're with someone who likes the hard goods, spring for the silk and the diamonds, and be sure to get a pre-nup.

But most of us really just want an experience in togetherness. Yep, your time. For Valentine's Day, that usually means dinner.

Of course, you've got a lot of options. Elegant, casual, luxurious, comfy, exotic, homey...take your pick.


The Spicy Option

(The card's from Zazzle; order it here.)

One phrase springs immediately to mind, right? “Latin lover.” Z’Tejas Southwestern Grill's Sweetheart Meals will be availableValentine’s Day weekend, from Thursday, Feb. 11, through Tuesday, Feb. 14.

Z’Tejas’ Valentine Sweetheart Dinner features:

- Ancho Grilled Pork Tenderloin — atop sweet potato hash, served with rosemary demi-glace and

crispy poblano rings

- Peppercorn Crusted Filet — topped with roasted mushroom herb demi-glace, au gratin potatoes

and grilled asparagus

- Jalapeno Bacon Wrapped Scallops — with green chile polenta, basil-mint chimichurri sauce and

sautéed vegetables

- Pepita Crusted Chicken — layered with sweet potato, spinach, artichokes and mushrooms with

roasted poblano cream sauce

Plus dessert

- White Chocolate Mousse — with raspberries and PAMA pomegranate syrupWill

and Specialty Drinks:

- PAMA ‘Rita’ — PAMA Pomegranate Liqueur floated on top of Z’Tejas’ famous 6th Street

Margarita

- Love on the Rocks — Prairie Organic Vodka, PAMA Pomegranate Liqueur, cranberry juice,

Herradura Agave Nectar, fresh lime juice, and club soda.

For reservations, call 801-456-0450.


The Classic Option

 

(Yep. Roses. Pick'em up at a florist or have'em sent from FTD.)

Chef Will Pliler's been cooking Valentine’s Day Dinners for 30 years at The New Yorker. He's had practice. This year, he suggests starting with Kusshi Oysters on the half shell with Champagne Mignonette with a flute of bubbly.

Choose from entrees like

-Sautéed Alaskan King Salmon Filet

-Steamed Hong Kong Style with Chinese Broccoli, Shiitake Mushrooms Soba Noodles and Dashi Broth

-Seared Sea Scallops and Spinach Goat Cheese Ravioli with Tomato-Caper-Calamata Olive Sauce

-Steamed Australian Lobster Tails

For reservations, call 801-363-0166.


The Stay at Home in Bed with a Bottle of Champagne Option

(You'll need a couple of bottles of sparkles–this one's French and affordable at DABC wine stores. Read about it here.)

New at Caputo's: Artisanal, locally made chocolate luxury for topping a Dessert or spreading around: Monkey Bizzness showcases Amano Artisan Chocolate’s wonderful flavors in a thick triple combination of 70% dark, milk and white chocolate, with a hint of banana sautéed in fresh squeezed organic orange juice. 


The Sushi Option

(How cute is this? It's from Trifecta in Sugar House.)

Yuki Arashi in Park City is offering two special Valentine's Day items: Oyster Shooters (four per order) for $12 and a Pomegranate Valentine's Day Martini for $10. The regular menu will also be available.

Call 435-649-6293 for reservations.


The Red-checked Tablecloth Option

(After dinner: gelato. Ice cream is the single sexiest food there is, just because of all the tongue work involved. Slide down to Dolcetti Gelato in New Park.)

Sometimes, cheesy works. Like “when the moon hits your eye like a big pizza pie.” Al Dente Trattoria and Bar, Park City's newest Italian eatery, will offer a four-course prix fixe Valentine's Day menu for $55.

The menu features a choice of soup:

-Wild Mushroom or Butternut Squash

-Al Dente's Classic Caesar, Arugula and Prosciutto or Mozzarella Caprese Salad

-Filetto alla Piedmonte, Pollo al Mattone or Sea Bass Livornese

and dessert

-Tiramisu or Olive Oil Gelato

Call 435-200-0260 for reservations.

The Oyster Option

(Pearls. They just kinds go with oysters.)

Everyone knows oysters are one of Nature's aphrodisiacs. So go stuff yourselves with a a dozen of the finest raw at Market Street Grill and Oyster Bar on Valentine’s Day. To sweeten the situation, enjoy a complimentary long-stemmed, chocolate dipped strawberry. A rose is a rose is a rose, but you can't say the same about strawberries.

Call your favorite Oyster Bar for reservations. Here are the phone numbers.