Yes, just like last year and the year before, Valentine’s Day sneaks up on us, hiding in the bushes, just waiting for us to relax from the hectic holiday months, and then it pounces! Caught off guard, we flounder, casting our nets wildly in hopes of collaring some vagrant boxes of chocolate or a dozen forgotten roses. But to no avail!

Does this sound remotely familiar? If not, go away; you’re clearly a robot. If yes, then maybe consider an easy alternative to the upcoming scramble this February 14th: a romantic evening at Twist, our hotel’s humble yet obviously fantastic top restaurant, with a special Valentine’s Day menu for you and that special someone.

Okay, enough with the foreplay. Start with a glass of champagne and a duo of appetizers – Seared Scallop with mango relish and lotus root chip, and Braised Boneless Shortrib Beef with potato puree and cocoa sauce – followed by a choice of entrees: Grilled Skin on Wild Salmon with a cocunut curry broth, a Petite Filet with mashed pancetta taro root, or a Spinach Stuffed Chicken Breast with sundried tomato cous cous. And then something about a chocolate cake dessert – I hear it’s popular with the kids these days – Raspberry Chocolate Ganache Tart… Does sound good? Is it a good alternative to a broken heart? Histrionic or no, I say yes, yes, yes!

So, I hope to see you there, even if you plan ahead and already bought the flowers and chocolates. Heck, even robots need romance in their lives.

This is Bruce, signing off.