The 14 Days of Valentine's Day: February 11th: My Top 5 Places to Have "That" Romantic Meal

Hi Friends,

Well, I'm back on track with my "14 Days of Valentine's Day" series. I can't believe it's been 11 days of posts already. Thank you for your continued support in reading. Only 3 more days left until the big "Valentine's Day!"

Anyway, as I was driving home from work yesterday - I realized that I was hungry. After a long working day - my stomach was feeling the "hunger vibes." I was craving anything and everything - but then finally settled on Chinese food - complete with an assortment of vegetables. Moo Goo Gain Pan is my favorite! Small pieces of chicken sautéed and tossed with broccoli, bok choy, water chestnuts, and pea pods.

Speaking of which: here are my top 5 restaurants you should try with that "special someone." 

1. The Old Canteen (Providence, RI). Okay, I'm Italian and this is my favorite restaurant. It's nice to dress up once in a while and go out, and that's exactly what you have to do at this fancy place. I also have a pink blazer this matches the walls inside, which is another reason why it's a top spot for me. They serve the best 7 course meal and it's filled with so many memories for me. Located right by the "pineapple" on Federal Hill, it's sure not to disappoint!

2. Quito's Seafood Restaurant  (Bristol, RI). They are located right on the water in Bristol, at the end of East Bay Bike Path. One summer, my friend and I ran and rollerbladed on this path. I made the mistake of using my rollerblades from when I was in the fifth grade. They still fit, but the padding inside was worn and I had blisters for days!!! If I was to rollerblade again, I'd totally buy new ones. Quito's has the best jumbo sea scallops and it's the only place where I can have French fries that are cooked in their own fry pan. It's beautiful in April, May and in the breezy summer months.

3.  Public Kitchen (downtown Providence) right next to The Vets. It's a great place to eat after watching a show in that beautifully restored building! Public has a giant spiral staircase leading into the main room and it's so regal and just simple. I get lost in the bathrooms because they are incredibly huge, and the experience is memorable.

4. Providence G (G Pub) - Orange Street in Providence. This place is wonderful! My favorite part is the rooftop. It's the place to be in the summer, to watch the sun set on the roof. It's relaxing and reminds you of just how small we are compared to the world. And let me tell you, the sunsets from that roof are amazing. It's a little pricey, but you're paying for the ambiance and beauty of an amazing experience.

5. Which brings me to number 5. As you look out from the roof at the Providence G, you will spot the red sign of the "Biltmore" staring back. It's beautiful and has a personal significance for me.

It's important to know that any place/restaurant with music (particularly jazz), is a plus for me!

But aside, from these recommendations - the best place to be with your "significant other" or that "dreamy guy" that you like, is the place where you two have established a connection. It's a place where you both feel comfortable and call home. And, it's at that place where you should celebrate your love, appreciation, and value for each other this February 14th.

-until tomorrow, friends.
cheers!

The 14 Days of Valentine's Day: Commerciality of Feb. 14th

Hi Friends and Faithful Readers,

I walked into CVS today and was completely overcome by the red Valentine's Day balloons, teddy bears sitting atop the shelves, the Russell Stover's candy heart boxes and the scent of the many (many!) flowers waiting patiently to be purchased at the front counter. (This whole experience has been quite overwhelming for your single, gluten-free gal!) Not to mention, the candy (with the exception of the sweet tarts and the cherry hearts - not cinnamon!), which is not gluten and dairy free. Thank goodness for establishments like Wildflour. They are truly a life saver! No pun intended.

Anyway, after being completely overcome by my singleness as a young, twenty-something woman, I realized, yet again, that Valentine's Day is highly over commercialized. My grandfather used to say that your love for a person should be celebrated/acknowledged throughout the year and not just on one day. Sure, it's a great day for a "culmination" of appreciation that you have for one person, your significant other, or, for a group of people like your family, but, perhaps it's the material things that overwhelm me, rather than the holiday itself.

In recent years, Valentine's Day seems to be highly focused on the "money" aspect of supporting companies and manufacturers with the typical cost and demand of selling pink and red and white fluffy and sweet things :) Greeting cards are a whole other subject that deserves a separate post altogether. At times, Valentine's Day seems like a "money making holiday" and I wish that it could return to the simplicity of a single rose instead of a dozen, from homemade chocolates instead of store bought, to thoughtful and intelligent conversations that talk about the world and life and the future instead of circling around the "material" things.

Just because I am single as this Valentine's Day is approaching, doesn't mean that I should be feeling like I am "missing" something. Honestly, I take joy and happiness in listening to my friends and co-workers. I take joy in lighting up their day, in seeing their the corners of their mouths turn up into a smile and in their caring thoughts and words. To me, making a family member happy and seeing a neighbor have food on their table when they've been at the hospital all day, is a symbol and a selfless sign of love itself.

Someday, I hope to experience that "romantic" kind of love, but until then - I'm pleasantly enjoying this teacher life as your single, gluten-free gal.

-cheers!