Escaping those Mid-Winter Blues!
Think February, and what immediately comes to mind is Valentine’s Day. Taking a day to celebrate love and romance with an abundance of hearts, flowers, and of course, chocolates, crosses all boundaries of race, religion, age and nationality. It also adds color to the traditionally bleak days of winter.
In case you’ve ever wondered how it all began, the origins of Valentine’s Day, though shrouded in the mists of time, seemingly go back to ancient Rome. A festival in honor of Juno, Queen of the Gods, was held in February, with a special feast day on 14th. On that day girls’ names were placed in jars, to be randomly drawn out by young men, and the two would then be partners for the duration of the festivities.
The custom continued until the 5th century AD, when early Christians, who deeply disapproved of such goings-on, decided to try and shift the focus from rollicking to romance by substituting a saint in place of the pagan goddess. They came up with Valentine, who, although little known at the time, had recently been declared a saint and had conveniently been martyred on February 14th.
According to popular legend, Valentine, a priest, refused to obey a decree put out by Emperor Claudius II, banning all marriages and betrothals. Claudius wanted to swell the ranks of his fighting men, and considered marriage and family unwelcome distractions. What happened next is an inextricable blur of fact and fiction, but makes a very satisfactory tale, nevertheless.
Valentine, who continued to perform wedding ceremonies in secret, was uncovered, thrown into prison and sentenced to death. While in prison, the future saint performed a miracle by restoring the sight of the jailer's blind daughter. The two fell in love, but even she was unable to save his life. On the eve of his execution, he wrote her a parting note and signed it, 'From Your Valentine.'
However it evolved, the celebration of Valentine's Day has become one of the best things for restaurants, turning an ordinary mid-winter day into one of the busiest nights of the year. Chefs circle the date and start planning menus long before February rolls around, and reservations tend to fill up weeks in advance.
Chef Joseph’s inspired artistry really shines on Valentine’s Day, when the menu takes on a whole new look. Dishes appear that are nowhere to be seen at other times of the year, such as oysters, lobster, caviar and osso buco, plus of course, irresistible, chocolate-inspired desserts. The cozy restaurant is the perfect environment for a romantic evening, enhanced by candlelit tables, dimmed lighting, and no live music to disrupt intimate conversations. The cost is just $85 for a three- course meal, beverages not included. Click here to see the full menu.
If you are unable to get a reservation for Valentine’s Day, there’s another opportunity coming up for you to experience Joseph’s originality on full display. Santa Fe Restaurant Week opens on March 2nd, celebrating an event that was created 15 years ago to encourage locals and visitors alike to experience the city’s exceptional cuisine. Watch out for chef Joseph’s menu, soon to be posted on the restaurant’s website. It will again consist of a prix-fixe, three-course meal, with choices that include meat, fish and vegetarian options. Restaurant Week has grown to become the most popular premier dining event during an otherwise slow time of year, and reservations are strongly advised.