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Not even falling on a Monday diminished the strength of this year’s Valentine’s Day. It was even better: restaurants are anticipating their themed events, harmonized with wine, creating a weekend full of romantic experiences to celebrate the date with a glass in hand. (Photo: Divulgação) Check out some options:
TO GO TOGETHER
● The wine bar Vinking Wine Concept has prepared an 8-course menu for Valentine’s Night. Created by chef Karine Poggio, the menu features desserts by pastry chef Cecília Moura (Le Lapin) and can be paired with labels from Susana Balbo Wines. With amuse-bouche, three appetizers, three main course options, and dessert, the menu is priced at R$ 320 per person (with wine pairing) and R$ 250 (without wine pairing). Highlights from the menu include Jamón Serrano, Cassava Gnocchi, and Lemon Cream. Reservations can be made through the link https://www.dguests.com/vinkingwine. (Photo: Pedro Mascarenhas) ● Prefer enjoying a nice dinner before the official day? From June 9th to 12th, Bistrô das Artes, located in Santo Antônio Além do Carmo, offers two menu options starting at 7 p.m.: appetizer, main course, and dessert + soft drink (water, juice, or soda) for R$ 140/person; or appetizer, main course, and dessert + water and a bottle (per couple) of Brazilian sparkling wine Bossa, from Hermann winery, for R$ 180/person. The nights will be accompanied by singer and songwriter André Caldeira, and the cover charge is included in the final price. Reservations can be made through WhatsApp at (71) 99991-4478.
● Terroir Bar de Vinhos, which has resumed operations on Mondays, will welcome couples with a complimentary glass of sparkling wine for each person on the night of June 12th. The suggestion is to enjoy the delights of the house – such as Filezinho with gorgonzola sauce served on Italian bread and a platter of artisanal cheeses from Minas Gerais – with the natural, organic, biodynamic, and low-intervention wines available. Reserve your table through WhatsApp at (71) 999579505.
● On June 12th, the gourmet area of Almacen Pepe will offer a special menu for R$ 149/person. For the appetizer, there will be Prosciutto Bruschettas with shrimp, roasted green apple, and hollandaise sauce. The main course is a Seafood Moqueca Fondue, combining the romantic atmosphere of the date with the flavor of Bahia. For dessert, a Brie cheese in crust with cold strawberry soup, dried fruits, and nuts will be served. Located in the Horto Florestal unit, the space also allows customers to choose a wine from Pepe’s diverse wine cellar. Opt for dry whites and rosés for a successful pairing, and a Moscatel for dessert. Reservations: (71) 98173-6847.
● How about a more relaxed Valentine’s Day lunch? On June 12th, Boteco Português, located on the waterfront of Rio Vermelho, will keep the Salvador Restaurant Week menu available and offer a 20% discount on wine glasses, ensuring a special toast for two. If you prefer to go at night, the promotion remains valid, and from 7 p.m., artist Rodrigo Espina will create live caricatures of customers who choose the service, at an additional cost.
The special toast for two. If you prefer to go at night, the promotion remains valid, and from 7 p.m., artist Rodrigo Espina will create live caricatures of customers who choose the service, at an additional cost.
TO ENJOY AT HOME:
● Do you prefer to avoid the rush of restaurants and celebrate love at home? The tip is to bet on Coffeetown gift boxes. The Dinner Lover Box comes with everything you need for a gastronomic and romantic evening: starters, main course, desserts, a good wine/sparkling wine and even a scented candle to set the perfect mood. Box Wine, in turn, has that relaxed happy hour energy: it comes with cold cuts, bread, spreads and jams and a little wine. Options range from R$ 289 to R$ 299 and can be ordered via WhatsApp (71) 99991-4478. (Photo: Athos) TO GIFT:
● If you’re reading this column, chances are both you and your love are winelovers and love to study the subject. How about giving your loved ones a course in the area? Enocultura, considered one of the largest wine schools in Latin America, is promoting the Amor, Vinho e Cashback promotion until June 12th. When purchasing a WSET level 1, 2 or 3, ISG, Essential or Tasting Experience course, the student earns up to R$700 in cashback to use when purchasing another course. The amount is valid for six months. Learn more on the Eno Cultura website!
● Do you prefer wine as a gift? Importadora Decanter and poet Fabrício Carpinejar joined forces in the exclusive collab ‘Vinho & Verso’, created especially for Valentine’s Day. Master in matters of the heart, he wrote four verses to accompany, in a beautiful tag, the wine chosen for the beloved. My favorite is “Hold a Hand and Face the World”. The wines selected for this action will be sold with a 20% discount and, among them, are the delicious Alambre Moscatel de Setúbal, Bourgogne Chardonnay Maison Labet, Les Vins Bréban Lavendette and Lafou El Sender.
TO HARMONIZE AT HOME:
● Are you going to enjoy kisses, cheese and a cold cuts board? Choose a wine or sparkling wine with good acidity and keep your mouth watering. I suggest the Chandon Excellence Brut Branco (R$179.90 at Divvino) or the Calvet Cotês de Provence Murmure de Rosé (R$139 at Empório Augusta).
● To accompany meats with slightly sweet sauces, choose a semi-dry red wine from Portugal or Italy. The San Marzano Talò Primitivo de Manduria DOP (R$221.90 in Grand Cru) is a potent dry medium, with 14% alcohol, but quite balanced.
● Chose a classic filet mignon with risotto for dinner? The UVVA Cordel (R$ 215 on the winery’s website), from Chapada Diamantina, brings complexity and power in the right measure to accompany the classic.
● Is the evening menu Japanese food such as sushi and sashimi? Or even a pasta with pesto? Ask for the Morandé Estate Reserve Sauvignon Blanc 2022, which costs, on average, R$ 75 and just received a Gold Medal at the Decanter World Wine Awards.
● Programming fondue or pasta with creamy or cheese sauce? There’s nothing like a full-bodied and buttery Chardonnay like Horizon de Bichot Chardonnay (R$130 at Carrefour). Or the slightly unctuous Amitié Viognier (R$99.80 on the winery’s website), also Gold at the Decanter World Wine Awards.
● Finally: does the menu have red sauce pasta? Don’t give up a Barbera. The Parole di Famiglia Barbera Piemonte (R$74 at Vinhos e Vinhos), made by Brazilian winery Don Affonso, is a nice surprise for your romantic evening.