Valentine's Dinner

cutting board, Lobster tails, heart headband, My Life in France, Yours Mine glasses, mini cocotte

Instead of going out to eat, the husband and I are going to cook dinner at home. The hubs has gotten really into cooking over the past year (yessss!) so we're taking it up a notch (baAAM!) and making broiled lobster tails. Don't worry, he's done this before. I'm in charge of desserts. We keep to what we know. If you're in Milwaukee, the St. Paul Fish Co. in the Public Market is a good place to shop for fresh seafood. And if you want to buy desserts, the Milwaukee Cupcake Co. would be a perfect stop.

There's still a little over a week to plan (I hope my heart headband gets here in time). So here are some more ideas for a V-day dinner here and here.

Valentine's Day cards

It might be a little early, but I should plan way ahead if I expect to actually do it. Let's be real, embracing procrastination and saying "I do better under stress" has a success rate in the micro-digits. So, if you're planning on sending out Valentine's Day cards right now is the perfect time to start thinking about it (yes, self, i'm talkin' to you!). And who wouldn't love getting these adorable cards from Rifle Paper Co..

Valentine's Day: Latte Heart Demo

Aurora Coffee - Latte Art - Striped Heart from Aurora Coffee on Vimeo.

When I first started dating my husband I had hundreds of gift ideas swarming in my head. Then I went and used them all up. I also can't justify upping the ante every, so I'm always on the lookout for more "heartwarming gifts". Making a homemade latte with that espresso machine (gift #35) I bought topped off with a perfect little Valentine's day heart sounds pretty good to me.

Happy Valentine's Day everyone!

Top 5: MKE Restaurants on Valentine's Day

1. Coquette

I love walking into the classic Euro-french atmosphere at Coquette. It makes you feel like you're in Paris and you know, just having a casual night out with your lover, no big deal. And they have a special Valentine's Day menu with plenty of aphrodisiacs like oysters and dark chocolate.

2. Sanford

It took me years to even know this place existed. If you didn't think Milwaukee had one of the best restaurants in the world, think again. This place, the food and the atmosphere, rival anything downtown Manhattan has to offer. It's a tiny place and the tables are close together (we had a lady at the next table drop in on our conversation), but trust that when the chef has won a whole wall of awards, including a James Beard award, you're going to have one of the best meals of your life.

3. Lake Park Bistro

Speaking of James Beard awards, chef Adam Siegel has one, too. Lake Park Bistro is the "go-to" romantic dining restaurant in Milwaukee. If Coquette is Paris, Lake Park Bistro is the french countryside. It doesn't disappoint.

4. Crazy Water

The kitchen at Crazy Water is a 5x5 crowded corner right in the front window. Red velvet drapes keep out the front door draft, the tables are dimly lit and the napkins are french dish towels. I really love this place. The food is a mix of local, american and french fusion. My favorite dish is the endive and apple with nueskes bacon, candied walnuts and creamy cheddar dressing. I keep trying to recreate it at home, but it's never the same.

5. Roots Restaurant and Cellar

Roots' dining room has one of my favorite views of the city. I also love their hearty, organic, slow food. If a farmer's market had a gourmet restaurant attached, this is what Roots is like. And they have a truffle seared tenderloin with chevre whipped potatoes, oh my. And they have Vegan and Gluten Free options, if you're into that, too.

Runner's Up: Mason Street Grill, La Merenda, Tenuta's, Centro Cafe