Above: Rose, left, and Pauline from Woop’s A Daisy in High Street, Cranbourne, believes tradition is the secret of love.Right: Settlers Run head chef Nathan Walsh thinks a romantic dinner is the best way to a loved one’s heart. On display is his pine-nut crusted Atlantic salmon with a rocket and goat’s cheese salad.
By Glen Atwell
LOVE will definitely be in the air in Cranbourne on Valentine’s Day, but for some modern romantics, one pressing questions remains unanswered.
Flowers or food?
The traditional bunch of red roses is now under threat by a number of local restaurants putting on gourmet grub as part of a Valentine’s Day menu.
So is it smell the roses or swill the bubbly?
Settlers Run Golf and Country Club head chef Nathan Walsh said a great dinner was an unforgettable experience.
“A romantic meal can create wonderful memories, on the other hand, flowers come and go,” he said.
Mr Walsh promised sweethearts would be swept off their feet during an evening of fine dining at Cranbourne’s newest golf course, in Pearcedale Road.
“My style of cuisine is modern Australian with an Italian influence,” he said.
“Everything is homemade, nothing is purchased, and all our ingredients are sourced locally whenever possible.”
Mr Walsh said bookings for the Valentine’s Day dinner were strong.
“Most of our customers come in on the night though, because husbands and boyfriends get home and realise that flowers just aren’t enough,” he said.
Settlers Run general manager Jane Bell said the Valentine’s Day dinner promised to impress.
“Nathan has designed a delectable menu featuring fresh and locally sourced produce,” she said.
“The menu includes dishes such as an entree of goat cheese-filled zucchini flowers with salsa verde and a main of herb and mustard crusted chicken breast on avocado and roasted capsicum remoulade.
“There will also be a selection of deserts to top off the evening, like chocolate pannacotta with strawberries macerated in creme de cocoa or the Jindi cheese selection.”
For those who prefer flowers instead of food, Pauline Cargill from Woop’s A Daisy in High Street, Cranbourne, said her store had a floral range to suit every traditional romantic.
“Our trade will triple in the lead-up to, and on, Valentine’s Day,” she said. “We’re extremely busy, especially on the day.
“You’d expect a lot of boyfriends and husbands to be prepared, but they’re not.
“Most of our customers during the rush are men, and many wait until the day before, or even on the day, before deciding what they want.”
Ms Cargill said the traditional bunch of a dozen red roses remained the popular choice among customers.
“They’re very romantic, but gerberas and white lilies are also great choices,” she said.
“I think flowers are still the number one.
“People can go out for a meal on any night, but a bunch of red roses is definitely a once-off treat.”
