By Muriel Smith
Whether it’s recognized as a Christian feast honoring an imprisoned priest who miraculously cured the daughter of his jailer several centuries ago, or a Chaucer poem about courtly love in the Middle Ages, make no mistake about it. Valentine’s Day is celebrated with Cupids, hearts, doves, diamonds, chocolate, lobster and special evenings out for candles, champagne and dinner. And shops and restaurants in the two river area are up to meet the challenge.
Beach Tavern in Monmouth Beach, located on the site of what was Sally T’s up until last year, is one of numerous restaurants who are ready to help couples celebrate the feast with a special dinner out. The Tavern, which caters to an upscale casual crowd rather than the formal set, is offering a special four course meal Saturday evening from 5 to 10 p.m., complete with Champagne to sip and a rose for the lady. Reservations are not necessary to enjoy the $80 per person special, but would be wise and are definitely recommended.
Both the Molly Pitcher Inn and the Oyster Point are sold out for their overnight and dinner packages for Saturday night, but are offering special packages for Valentine’s Eve, according to Linda Black Wolfe, reservations manager at the popular Red Bank hotel and restaurant. Linda has added her own flair to the fine dining and hotel scene, having grown up as part of the Brothers Black family clan who owned and operated Conners Hotel in Highlands. According to Wolfe, for $275 for Friday night, a couple will be greeted with a bottle of Champagne when they arrive, followed by a special Valentine’s Dinner in the hotel dining room, a bedroom for two for the night, and topped off with breakfast in the dining room in the morning. “We can’t promise the best views of ice boating on the Navesink,” she laughed, “because we don’t control the weather. What we can guarantee is a wonderful, relaxing, romantic and unforgettable celebration of a lover’s holiday.”
For those who prefer to dine at home and avoid Saturday evening crowds at restaurants, the Lusty Lobster on Bay Avenue in Highlands is offering a special, multi-course dinner for two to take home, heat and enjoy. For $59, the homemaker who doesn’t want to prepare a special meal from scratch can order up a pair of appetizers such as shrimp or crabmeat cocktail, oysters on the half shell or clams casino, two steamed one and a half pound lobsters, complete with roasted red bliss potatoes and mixed vegetables for the entree, and a surprise dessert that office manager Laurie Devine promises to be both unique and delicious. Each of the courses comes fully packed in boxes ready to pop in the oven at home for that last minute touch and feel of a home cooked meal. Because of the popularity of this special, it’s wise to make reservations prior to noon on Friday for a Saturday pick-up anytime between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. “Married couples in particular like to spoil each other on special days,” Devine said, “and lobsters for dinner have always been the perfect way to spoil each other. Besides, they’re fun to eat.” Laurie also notes the Valentine’s specials give way the following week to the Ash Wednesday and Fish Friday selections available at the seafood market every year throughout Lent.
John Baghasarian, general manager of Earth Treasurers in Eatontown, said the holiday definitely means an upswing in engagements. He conceded he has made arrangements for several suitors who plan to pop the question on Valentine’s Day, but declined to elaborate and “spoil their secret.” But, he added, “there are some ladies who will be most pleased.”
Baghasarian said the store has seen an increase in shoppers lately who are looking for a gift that is lasting and will be a memento of the special occasion for a long time. “Chocolates melt,” he laughed, “and diamonds are forever.” In between, he pointed out Earth Treasures also offers real Juliet roses dipped in 14 carat gold, “making this a floral gift that will last forever.” The flowers are completely dipped in gold, he said, from bloom to leaves to stem, and many times are purchased by a husband and father. “The dad will buy a special something for his wife, then pick up a rose or two for the children to give her.” The roses come in two sizes, and are for sale for just under $100 or just under $80 each.
While the store has a diversified array of pins, necklaces, earrings, rings, and other specialized jewelry, diamond hearts and diamond stud earrings are two of the most popular purchases this time of year. “Diamonds may be the birthstone for April,” he said, “but they are popular any time of year for any holiday or any special occasion.”
Back to the St. Valentine who allegedly started the entire celebration. Tradition holds that he wore an amethyst ring that Christian soldiers, who were forbidden to marry, could identify and go to him in secret to solemnize their vows with the women they loved. It was while he was imprisoned and scheduled to be executed that he wrote his jailer’s daughter a farewell note and signed it, “your Valentine,” thus beginning the tradition of written messages of affection. By the late 19th century, the missives in hand writing were replaced with the fancy lace and romanticized Victorian greeting cards.
As for Chaucer, who lived in the 1300s, he knew more about love than he did about birds; if Valentine’s Day was really celebrated in February, a time when birds don’t generally mate. The poet of the Canterbury Tales wrote in his singular poetic style, one not particularly felt to be romantic in 21st America:
”For this was set on Valentine’s Day, When every bird comes there to choose his mate; All kinds that have a name that men can say, And such a noise they made, a din so great, And earth, air, tree and shore were such a spate Of clamoring birds that I could scarce command, In all that crowd a place on which to stand.”
