VALENTINE'S DAY TIPS

Even though Valentine’s day is now days pretty far from its religious origins, and very close to the perfect capitalistic celebration. Where the amount spend in the gift measures the love of your valentine.... I still think it is the perfect occasion for couples to find the excuse to enjoy each other.

Most people wouldn't think that Denver is the most romantic city in the world, and honestly they may be right. However, there are tons of activities that could make your Red roses and heart shape chocolate box day a unique, exciting experience.

For the ones with Olympic potential:

Start training right now for the next Winter Olympics by the hand of your love one. Head to downtown to the Southwest Rink at the Skyline Park, this is the last weekend you will have the chance to grab your partner and make fool of yourself while pretending to be Meryl Davis & Charlie White. This is a FREE activity so take your Valentine for a cup of Hot Chocolate after to The Market at Larimer Square.

For the Gluttons:

A culinary Date Night can be the best option for you. Spice up your Valentine with a dinner for two, cooked by each other. If you are not a good cook, no worries, first of all you are there to learn; second it is time for your partner to find out that painful true, third, there is wine involved so by the time you finish stirring up that date, he/she might not notice your seasoning abilities are not right on.

AN ITALIAN PARTY

When someone is married with an Italian, as it is my case, you learn 2 basics; family is the most important thing in life and food can’t be poorly executed.

My husband is one of those Italians who does not speak Italian, has never been in Italy and knows nothing about wine. But what he knows very well is the perfect recipe for meatballs (sponsored by his mom Diane), the best stuffed artichokes (sponsored by grandma Roslyn) and the best “gravy” which for all of us is tomato sauce (sponsored by grandma Rose) He knows exactly the difference between a good and bad canolli, italian sausage with pepper and onions and penne a la vodka. 

I remember the first time I met the family, it was a thanksgiving week where grandma Roslyn made me chop tones of onions, garlic and parsley for which I did not complaint a bit, because like people say “you never get a second chance to make a first impression.” We made an Italian feast that the ladies cooked for 2 days and the gentleman ate in 2 hours. But that is Italian, a great homemade meal in a long table filled with family and infallible olive oil for the bread.

I miss it all.

That is one reason I am very excited about the Festival Italiano at Belmar. An entire weekend where I feel I might have the chance to enjoy all those homemade Italian specialties I usually enjoy with La Famiglia. The festival promises to have great live music, kids activities, like grape stomping (so bad I am not a kid anymore) a bocce tournament 

and much more. 

Don’t miss the chance to have a slight idea of what La Famiglia means to Italians and to try the richness of their cuisine. It is a free event.

Mangiare! ! !

Belmar

408 South Teller Street
Lakewood, CO 80226

For more info click here.

By Loren Escandon