Jackson Free Press

Valentine's Day makes us think about love, which quite naturally leads many of us to thoughts of enjoying food with our significant others. Jeanne Losey, former poet laureate of the Indiana State Federation of Poetry Clubs, penned a delightful poem on love, with a twist. "One Valentine's I just thought of it and wrote a silly poem," Losey, 80, told me when we talked on the phone last week. She was tickled that I'd found the poem on the Internet and agreed that I could share it with those celebrating Valentine's Day in the Deep South.

Valentine Food For Thought
Cabbage always has a heart; Green beans string along.
You're such a cute tomato, Will you peas to me belong?
You've been the apple of my eye, You know how much I care;
So lettuce get together, We'd make a perfect pear.
Now, something's sure to turnip to prove you can't be beet;
So, if you carrot all for me let's let our tulips meet.
Don't squash my hopes and dreams now, Bee my honey, dear;
Or tears will fill potato's eyes, While sweet corn lends an ear.
I'll cauliflower shop and say, Your dreams are parsley mine.
I'll work and share my celery, So be my valentine.
— Jeanne Losey

Isn't that the greatest? I can just imagine the tasty and satisfying soup that some creative cook might concoct using many, if not all, of those vegetables. Served properly with a chewy baguette and the right wine, I can see two lovers thoroughly enjoying a romantic dinner at home. If I were you, I'd follow dinner with a snuggle session on the couch, maybe even watch my favorite romantic movie "Love Actually," even if it is a Christmas movie.

If staying home is just not your romantic cup of tea, here's an alphabetical list that includes many of Jackson's restaurants and their plans for Valentines' Day.

AJ's Seafood Grille, 900 E. County Line Road, 601-956-2588

The home of Jackson's best seafood offers a special menu that includes their best entrees—filet, pasta, sea bass—along with live music from The Crossroads, all in their romantic Valentine's evening setting. Reservations will be taken on the hour, and the first 100 ladies get a free pearl necklace.

Bon Ami, 1220 E. Northside Drive, #230, 601-982-0405

Guitarist Barry Leach, Jackson's favorite local musician, provides entertainment at both the 6 and 9 p.m. seatings on Valentine's Day. The special menu is $75 each. Make your reservations now and then shop for a special bottle of wine to take with you to the restaurant.

Bravo!, 4500 I-55 N. #244, 601-982-8111

Take your pick of four different nights at Bravo!—Feb. 10-12, or Feb. 14. They're offering nightly Valentine special dinner entrees, along with special cocktails and wine selections. No reservations, please.

Copeland's, 6390 Ridgewood Drive, 601-899-0100

Come on over on Feb. 14 for their seafood sampler for two, with your choice of appetizer and dessert, a bottle of champagne or sparkling grape, all for $49.95. Call for reservations.

DeLuca's, 6791 Siwell Road, Byram, 601-376-0777, 601-376-4677

Their steak, seafood and pasta menu for Valentine's Day includes appetizers and salads at $69.95 per couple. Dinner each night is from 5-10 p.m. Feb. 11 and 12, there's live entertainment from 9 p.m.-1 a.m. from The Mutha Load, while on Feb. 14, you can hear renowned blues musician Sunny Ridell from 6:30-10:30 p.m.

Elixir, 4800 I-55 N. #6B, 601-981-7896

It's highly suggested that you make reservations for their Valentine's four-course prix-fixe menu. It's $50 per person and only on Valentine's itself. An additional wine pairing is available for $25 each.

Jake's Seafood Grill, 7049 Old Canton Road, Ridgeland, 601-898-4554

You cannot go wrong with what Jake's is offering for $80 per couple. The five-course meal includes appetizer, soup, salad, a choice of three entrees—filet mignon, fish, or "duck on a pond" which is half a duck served on a Blue Curacao lake with edible orchids—and a special Valentine's Day dessert. For an additional $20, wine pairings will be available, one half glass each for appetizer, soup and salad and a full glass for the entrée. If you'd like, each special will be available a la carte. Call for reservations.

Nick's, 1501 Lakeland Drive, 601-981-8017

One of Jackson's favorite fine dining restaurants plans special a la carte items for your Valentine's evening out.

Olga's Restaurant, 1679 Old Fannin Road, Flowood, 601-992-1092

Olga and Yuriy offer their Valentine's Sweetheart Dinner at $50 per person. That includes a four-course meal and live piano music. The first seating is 5:30-7:30 p.m., while the second one is 8 p.m. until. Olga's is easy to find—turn off Old Fannin onto Lakeland Drive, go past the Kroger, through the next traffic light and turn right into Olga's parking lot.

Pan Asia, 862 Avery Blvd., Ridgeland, 601-956-2686

According to chef Grant Nooe, you can take your pick of lobster tail or soft shell crab, or have both. Plus, he's got a special featured Valentine's dessert in the works. No reservations—it's first come, first served.

Parker House, 104 S. E. Madison Drive, Ridgeland, 601-856-0043

On Feb. 13 and Feb. 14, make your selections for a romantic Valentine's dinner from their menu featuring special items for the holiday. Make your reservations soon.

Schimmel's, 2615 N. State St., 601-981-7077

Valentine's Day at Schimmel's begins with lunch when a duet plays for your enjoyment. They'll return at dinner-time along with dinner specials and the regular menu. Make your reservations now for dinner out with your loved one.

Walker's Drive-In, 3016 N. State St., 601-982-2633

Jackson's Best Chef Derek Emerson has plenty up his sleeve for your Valentine's dining pleasure. On Monday, Feb. 13, you can enjoy their regular menu. Or on Valentine's evening, you can take your pick from the special set four-course menu. With each course, you can make a selection from 4 to 6 items, so the price of $70 for food only will be well worth it. They're taking reservations from 5:30 p.m. until 9:30 p.m. on both nights.

If your favorite restaurant isn't on this list, it could be that they'll be open as usual, serving from their regular menu for your pleasure, like Bonefish Grille, Char, Del Sol, Etc., Mayflower Café, Rossini's, Sakura Bana, Scrooge's, Shapley's, Steam Room Grille and Tico's.

Before you blow a gasket, I know this is not an exhaustive list. Hopefully other restaurants around town will post their plans at the end of this article once it appears online at the JFP Web site. Check and see, then enjoy your Valentine's.

Previous Comments

ID

84462

Comment

Restaurants and other venues, please feel free to post additional Valentine's Day options here in the run-up to the big day. Our readers want to know!

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2006-02-12T12:38:14-06:00