Valentine's Day Dinner Party 2023 - Life at Bella Terra

Valentine’s Day Dinner Party
2023
Happy Sweet Valentine’s Day to you and yours! As you may
recall, we host an intimate dinner party for 10 to celebrate
Valentine’s Day. I wish we could invite many more people, but
since it is more formal and a sit down dinner event, the
maximum number we can accommodate comfortably is 10. This
tradition started in 1998 and what was once an annual event,
now occurs every 2 to 3 years.

The Invitation
Normally, our style for entertaining is casual and
comfortable. But for our Valentine’s Day dinner, we step it up
a bit, starting with the invitation. Since there is one
invitation per couple, I try and make it one of a kind and
extra special.

Dinner party invitation
This year, I use watercolors and hand paint the front of the
card. Inside are instructions on time, date and the attire,
which is Dazzling and Dapper.

Using a white satin ribbon and a fabric covered button, the
invitation is finished.

The invitations are hand delivered with a homemade gift of
Meyer lemon Marmalade and freshly baked heart-shaped scones.

I have several lovely white boxes (from my quarterly
subscription to My French Country Home box). With the jar of
marmalade and scones in tissue paper, the invitation goes on
top. The box is hand delivered, fun trips for my husband and
I.

Special delivery box with marmalade, scones and the invitation

Guest Homework
Since some of the guests know each other and others do not, I
like to get the conversation going during the cocktail hour.
Each guest is asked to provide the answers to 3 questions.
With a glass of Champagne, the guest is handed a sheet of
paper with some of those answers. They are tasked with
matching the person with the answer.

Gifts for Guests
Since my husband and I do not buy gifts for each other for
Valentine’s Day, we love providing a little something for our
guests. One of my favorite virtual friends, Tanya Lochridge
creates and makes exquisitely designed, meticulously handmade

jewelry (that is affordable!).

Handmade bracelet from Tanya Lochridge
Please check out her online store. She is a dear and always
willing to make something unique and extra special for you.
Each of the bracelets she made for our guests are similar in
color but one of a kind. You can find Tanya’s website here or
on Instagram @tanyalochridgejewelry

For the men, I found these useful, yet fun, rechargeable
flashlight gloves on Amazon. Perfect for working in small
spaces and even for night time walks with your dog.

Menu Planning
Most years we hire a caterer to help with the meal, just so I
can fully participate. However, our caterer is not available
this year (somewhat due to our last minute decision to hold
this party), so I think “I can do this”. Aye-yai-yai!

Making the Wellingtons
Of   course,   I   want   something   elegant   and   a   choice   of
entrèes~beef or salmon. To take it up a notch, we choose
Wellingtons, for both the beef (Gordon Ramsey’s recipe) and
the salmon (recipe by Tasty). The sides will be potatoes au
gratin (by Serious Eats) and snow peas with sesame seeds.

Making the menu
Even though I have never made it before, my friend, Rick
highly recommends this salad and it sounds delicious~Apple and
Pomegranate Quinoa and Kale Salad with Feta in a curried maple
dijon dressing. See recipe here from Closet Cooking.

Lemon Pots de Creme
Dessert will be Lemon Pots de Creme, which is light and
refreshing. You can find that recipe here.

With menu in hand, I go to Total Wine and meet with Peter, who
helps me select the wine pairing with each course. My husband
researches each wine and shares the information with our guest
in between courses.

Successful trip to Total Wine
On Friday and early Saturday morning, I try and pre-make
everything that I can. The goal is to participate in the
dinner as much as possible and not be tied to the kitchen.
Timing everything is the key and I write a schedule so I know
what to put in the oven when so everything comes out hot at
the same time.

Cocktail Hour

This year, the cocktail hour is in the entry, dining and
living room. Typically we hold it on the front porch, but
daylight hours are still short. With a starting time of 6:00
p.m., sunset is at 6:09 not providing enough light to make

gathering outside enjoyable.

In addition to a bit of bubbly, I serve homemade cheese
straws, shrimp cocktail and a variety of vegetables and
hummus. Of course, I didn’t take any pictures of the final
presentation…

Cheese straws

The Table
On the back terrace, we have a table that comfortably seats
10. With the addition of gas ceiling heaters and 2 portable
heaters, it is perfectly lovely to dine outside here in
February.

Flowers from Torchio Nursery
The flowers are from Torchio Nursery in San Francisco, which
they ship overnight to me. I find it easier to buy large
quantities of flowers this way and their quality is excellent.
Since this post is getting quite long, I will share how I
built the centerpiece at a later time.

Hydrangeas, tulips, stock, peonies, carnations, gardenias and
seeded eucalyptus make up this abundant and fragrant
centerpiece.

An abundant and fragrant centerpiece
Gift bags are at each place setting.

Gifts at each place setting
My sweet daughter, Julianna and her boyfriend, Dalton, are big
helpers the night of the event. Just before guests arrive,
they inflate 50 balloons with long pink ribbons. This provides
a festive look to the table!

I should have hired a photographer because I am far too busy
and preoccupied to remember to take pictures! But here is one
photo with our guests opening their gifts. With the fireplace
going in the background, the setting looks so magical with
those balloons!

Needless to say, the evening is a resounding success. The food
is just delicious (that salmon Wellington!). We are so lucky
to share moments like this with our friends and each time we
learn more about each other. Toasts are made to peace, health,
love, happiness and prosperity. Conversation is lively and
thoughtful.

To see the details of our last Valentine’s Day dinner party in
2021, click here. That post was so long that I wrote it in 2
parts.

Have a loving and warm Valentine’s Day. My husband and I are
still a bit pooped after this event, so I’m hoping it’s cozy
clothes and a good movie for us.

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