The Kent State University Hotel and Conference Center
is offering guests a Romance Package to celebrate
Valentine's Day.

Valentine’s Day is rapidly approaching. Hopefully, by now you have some idea of what you plan on doing for the big day. But if not, don’t worry. Whether you feel like going out or staying in, here are some suggestions for how you and that special someone can spend Valentine’s Day.

Wine and Dine at Home

For those tired of the crowds and traffic, staying in, preparing a delicious meal and pairing it with the right wine sounds like a perfect evening. Enologist and Professor Tony Carlucci teaches a food and wine-pairing course at Kent State.

“The overall goal in selecting a wine to accompany a meal is to have the wine and food balance,” says Carlucci. “You don’t want the wine to overpower the food or vice versa. The food leads the wine. Start by looking at your food and thinking about how you’re going to prepare it. The sauce, seasonings and spices are the bridge ingredients, which you’ll look at to see which wine will go with it.

“There are a number of options depending on what you’re able to cook or what you enjoy eating,” Carlucci adds.

Here are some classic pairings that are sure to impress your dinner date and make you look like a food and wine-pairing expert:

• Cabernet Sauvignon with grilled steak
• Champagne with sautéed scallops
• Pinot Noir with pan-seared salmon
• Chardonnay with roasted or lemon chicken
• Full-bodied Chardonnay with thick cream- or butter-based sauces
• Sauvignon Blanc with fish
• Chianti with fresh tomato sauce
• Sauternes with foie gras
• Riesling with spicy Asian dishes
  

Start with champagne and cheese for the appetizer; for dessert, use sweet sparkling red wine to go with chocolate-covered strawberries.

“You’ve got to do champagne for Valentine’s Day,” says Carlucci. “It’s romantic.”

A Night on the Town

If you feel like venturing out for the evening, then look no further than downtown Kent.

The Kent State University Hotel and Conference Center has many offers for guests this year. For a little pre-Valentine’s fun, take part in the Ohio Wines Love Kent wine-tasting event Wednesday, Feb. 11, featuring wine from Barrel Run Crossing Winery and Vineyard. The event starts at 5 p.m. and is open to the public. The cost of attendance is $10 plus tax.

The Kent State Hotel and Conference Center also will be offering a Romance Package, as well as a Valentine’s Day dinner for two. The dinner comes complete with an appetizer sampler, house salad, choice of entrée and dessert to share. The cost of the dinner is $64, or throw in a bottle of wine for $69. The Romance Package includes overnight accommodations in a king or double guestroom, bottle of wine, gourmet cheese and cracker display upon arrival and parking. The cost is $149 for two guests plus tax.

For more information or to make reservations at the Kent State Hotel, call 330-346-0100 or visit www.KentStateHotel.com.