Mobile Post: Stress free Valentine's DAY meal is lunch!
Posted by lemonjelly on:
The Arts and Letters Cafe is my top pick for a romantic spot for a meal. Why? Oh, let me list the reasons.
1. Beautiful ambiance. It's a lovely courtyard. It's open air, but with an awning, so you get the fresh air and light, but protection from elements if you need it. Plus, they have heaters.
2. Inside an art gallery. When did this country become anti-intellectual? I stand against that. People need to be in art galleries more often. Sullivan Goss is a good art gallery to hang out in. They support good art, local art, education, and are generally arty approachable folks.
3. Locally owned. I know of another really nice romantic-y place for lunch downtown, but it's in a national department store, so if I had to pick between the two of best value for local money, it's here.
4. Affordable. Sometimes the difference between an ordinary meal and an extraordinary one is just $5 (hat tip to Risa for pointing that out to me). The lunches here are $15 average instead of $10, and look at what you get. Not only all the above, but locally sourced, sustainably sourced where possible. Grass-fed beef, farmers market produce, seasonal menus. For just $5 more? You can't explain that.
5. Valentine's Day, oh, if you must succumb to the consumer pressure of the Hallmark holiday this day has become, at least you can be spared a high-pressure high-price average meal of the dreaded prix fixe that a Valentine's Day dinner offers. I'm not dissing the restaurants for doing this, btw, today's a crazy insane day for restaurants and they need some way to manage the load and expectations. But since I'd rather be romantic 'n stuff year round than on a day a year (when roses aren't actually supposed to be in bloom), here's the best way to hit a balance of good quality and a good experience. Lunch plates for two, shared dessert and coffee, under $45.
6. Their dessert was a warm chocolate chipotle cake with vanilla ice cream and harissa icing. Sure beat a whulp-man sampler.
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