You want to do something special for your valentine, but this year Valentine’s Day is on a Wednesday. Making dinner reservations the weekend before or the weekend after is great, but if your schedule is too hectic for that mid-week dinner date, Papageno’s Wine & Provisions has solutions that are simple, elegant, and tasty; all sorts of ways to make your Valentine’s at home memorable.

Let’s start off with a little Asian flair. Korean food continues to gain popularity, but the mystery of it can be unnecessarily intimidating. Papageno’s Wine & Provisions has Kisoondo’s Strawberry Gochujang, a sauce that is sure to surprise and delight you and your valentine. This version is milder than a traditional gochujang, and the strawberry gives it a unique finish. Stir-fry beef, chicken, pork, or your favorite vegetables and serve it with Two Brook’s Farms Mississippi Blue Jasmoon Rice. Now that you have the main course taken care of, let’s figure out the rest of the meal. Get your favorite combination of greens and vegetables and toss them in Acid League Pink Peppercorn Honey Yuzu Vinaigrette for a delightful salad that sets the pace for a flavorful and fun meal. A memorable wine pairing for this meal is Tozai Snow Maiden Junmai Nigori, with subtle notes of honeydew. This Nigori sake is best served chilled, then shaken for the ultimate experience. For dessert, try Chocolat Moderne’s Kimono Collection; Asian inspired bonbons with flavors such as Honey & Yuzu, Shisho Lime, and Matcha Green Tea. You and your valentine can share these with Deutz Brut Rosé Champagne. The perfect way to complete this perfect meal.

If you’re looking for something a bit more traditional, let’s talk pasta, because pasta is always perfect for date nights. Semolina Artisanal Pasta makes such incredible pasta, and it begs to be topped with Bio Orto pasta sauces. While the pasta is cooking and the sauce is simmering, you and your valentine should enjoy your favorite Italian cheese: Bel Paese, Asiago, or even Gorgonzola with Paul & Pippa Black Salt Crackers and Maui Fruit Jewels Passionfruit fruit paste; a fun variation on traditional membrillo.   A simple and elegant salad of chopped romaine dressed with MNMLST Balsamic Vinaigrette partners well with your pasta, and the Ser Lapo Chianti Classico Riserva completes the experience. Now that you’ve enjoyed your pasta, let’s move on to dessert. House of Knipschildt Signature Collection is six flavorful bonbons for you and your valentine to enjoy with a chilled bottle of Rosetto Moscato.

If you are able to manage mid-week dinner reservations, but still want a little treat waiting for you when you get home, we recommend chilling a bottle of the Laherte Frère Brut Nature Blanc de Blancs. This organic champagne is full-bodied and brilliantly balanced, giving notes of nougat and fresh bread. Pair this magnificent sparkling wine with Chocolat Moderne’s Strawberry Balsamic Hearts. A whole strawberry that is soaked in balsamic vinegar and strawberry syrup before being enrobed in milk or dark chocolate—sweet, tangy, and memorable.

Many of our best memories are centered around food, and this Valentine’s Day should be no different. Whether you’re at a five-star restaurant or at home with candlelight, it’s important to have fun. After all, the fun is what creates new memories, for Valentine’s Day or any other day of the year.

Papageno’s Wine & Provisions recently opened in the Victoria Park neighborhood of Fort Lauderdale. We aim to provide a compelling experience for the culinary curious as well as the everyday shopper, one that feeds the imagination as well as the palate. We believe that food and wine are friends and family, celebration and fun, and honor them as such. Stop by Papageno’s Wine & Provisions for culinary delights that are fun and provide a sense of discovery.

Papageno’s Wine & Provisions
1201 North Federal Highway, Suite 1B
Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33304

Marco Gomez and Douglas Haines are co-owners of Papageno’s Wine & Provisions.