Around The Islands With Anne

When Valentine’s Day Bookends A Weekend, It’s Typically good for Both Restaurants and Diners

By Anne Mitchell

According to a new survey released this week by OpenTable, a leading provider of online restaurant reservations, restaurants are poised to be busy with diners celebrating love not only on Thursday, February 14, but on the weekend following Valentine’s Day. Diners also indicated that they plan to celebrate in a big way with a projected check average of $139, which is 63 percent more than the typical OpenTable check of $85 per couple.

For island restaurants, this most romantic of holidays this year offers the possibility of a three-day dining opportunity – but also points up the need to make reservations as soon as possible. Valentine’s Day falls at the peak of winter high season, and Sanibel and Captiva restaurants are jammed every night.

The survey also examined dating habits and trends related to the busiest holiday for dining out.

·         51 percent of respondents said they plan to dine out on Thursday, February 12, while 35 percent said they plan to celebrate Valentine’s Day on Friday, February 15, or Saturday, February 16

·         5 percent of diners said they plan to celebrate on Wednesday, February 13

·         8 percent of respondents plan on dining out more than once for Valentine’s Day

Island restaurants – many of them more romantic than most – are ready to offer special hospitality to make the occasion special.

For example, Traditions on the Beach at the Island Inn has planned an evening of dinner with gulf front views, dancing, live entertainment and perhaps even a sunset stroll on the beach if you time it right. A complimentary long stem rose will be given to each Valentine.

Traditions is located steps from the water. If you want to be sure of an after-dinner stroll on the beach, book the 5 to 5:30 p.m. seating. Dinner specials will be served in addition to the regular menu.

For those who want to dance or just listen to romantic ballads, Pianoman Joe McCormick will be playing popular favorites, smooth vocal stylings, R&B jazz and pop.

Traditions is housed in the historic Island Inn at 3111 West Gulf Drive, phone 472-4559.

Cupid is expected to boost the sale of jewelry this year, too.

The 2013 Valentine’s Day spending survey conducted by BIGinsight for the National Retail Federation found that those who intend to purchase jewelry as a gift accounted for 19.7 percent of shoppers and that figure is up from 18.9 percent in 2012, according to the survey. The NRF expects sales of jewelry and watches to increase 7 percent year on year for Valentine’s Day at $4.4 billion.

Lily & Co. Jewelry Gallery on Sanibel is ready for love. The store will celebrateromance, fine jewelry and fine art with five days of special events the week of Valentine’s Day.

For the fifth year, the Sanibel jewelry store has geared up to help men make perfect choices for the Valentines with a four-day Save The Males event February 11 to 14. Receive Godiva chocolates, a Valentine’s card and roses from Floral Artistry with any purchase. Make a purchase of over $500 and receive the Platinum Valentine’s Gift package, which includes all of the above, plus dinner for two at Trader’s Store & Café on Sanibel.

Lily & Co co-owner Dan Schuyler calls it, “a one-stop shop to create that perfect romantic evening.”

During Save The males, Lily & Co will host a trunk show on Tuesday, February 12 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. with award-winning designer Denny Wong showcasing the Hong Kong native’s entire line of elegant pieces. Since 1974, Wong has made Hawaii his home, where his passion of jewelry design and love for the islands unite to create many fine lines of jewelry. Hawaiian-themed fare and refreshments will be service.

Also, Sanibel artist Myra Roberts will unveil her new collection during a cocktail reception from 5 to 9 p.m. on Friday, February 15 at Lily & Co. Roberts is known for her vintage-style oil paintings that convey the mood and style of the 1920s to the 1950s. In her new collection, Roberts introduces glittery iridescent mermaids.

Roberts’ new Tamiami painting will be up for raffle during the reception with proceeds benefiting Friends In Service Here (FISH) of Sanibel. Tickets are $25 each and can be purchased at Lily & Co. The winner will be announced at the close of the reception and does not need to be present to win.

Lily & Co is now carrying Nantucket Lightship Baskets handmade by Martha Lawrence, a third generation of a family of artists who draw inspiration from the whaling history of Nantucket.

“When you purchase one of her baskets, you are taking home a piece of history,” said Schuyler.” It is like when people visit Sanibel to go shelling; people go to Nantucket to take home a piece of the island through baskets. They represent the culture of its era.”

Lily & Co. is at 520 Tarpon Bay Road, Sanibel, phone 472-2888.

You’ve probably noticed the proliferation of stand-up paddleboards. This is perhaps the fastest growing sport since snowboarding.

If you’re interested in learning the techniques, YOLO Watersports on Captiva is holding classes on Sundays at 10 a.m. Participants are asked to arrive by 9:45 a.m. The cost is $30 per student. This is a one-hour session with yoga instructor Micaela Solomon.  This class includes use of a stand-up paddle.

YOLO offers a wide variety of boards for every age and skill level, from beginner to advanced. According to YOLO owner Marcel Ventura, “It is the perfect combination of surfing and traditional canoeing or kayaking. Using a canoe-like paddle and standing atop a larger version of a traditional longboard surfboard, paddlers push themselves through the water with perfectly choreographed side to side paddle storkes.”

He added, “Stand-up paddling offers a phenomenal core workout with a cadence much like swimming or cycling.”

Reservations for the classes may be made by calling 472-9656. YOLO – which is an acronym for You Only Live Once – is at 11534 Andy Rosse Lane, Captiva.

Island Sun (February 8, 2013)