For many, going out for a romantic dinner on Valentine’s Day is a tradition but, what about if you made it a date night every month? Or even every week?

I am not talking about a steak’n cheese burrito at Carls Jr, but a wonderful meal with that special ambiance at perhaps your favorite dining establishment. No way you say? Well, if you go to Restaurant.com there is a way to get significant discounts at restaurants in your neighborhood.  Maybe even your favorite one.

I thought that everyone knew about Restaurant.com, but in mentioning it to a few friends of late, I realized that it’s still a well kept secret. Now that you know, don’t wait a minute longer. Here’s what you do: register and subscribe to email. You will receive emails that announce 60 to 80% off promotion. Usually sold in $25, $50, $75 and $100 gift certificates, these can now cost you only $2, $4, $6 and $8 respectively.  Hard to believe but it is true! I have used the Restaurant.com certificates at the most reputable restaurants without ever a hint of hesitation from the staff. There are some restrictions, such as needing a minimum purchase and an 18% gratuity added to the final bill. For instance, for a $25.00 certificate can only be used towards a minimum purchase of $35.00. With the discount the total is $12.00 plus tip!  With the current promotion, simply use code MEAL at checkout to receive the discount.

If for some reason you just can’t wait for the promotion, Restaurant.com certificates are always at least 50% off their face value. With more than 15,000 restaurants across the country  involved in the program, I am sure that you will find a restaurant where you can take your sweetie for that amorous date without looking cheap in the slightest. We promise we won’t tell.

PS: great for when you are traveling too. Just double check the restaurant’s ratings with Yelp or something like it.

PPS: Oh, and great gift idea too!!!

I went to Italy with a girlfriend of mine last spring.  Lori was there to do research for her book and I gladly tagged along as her, ahem, “research assistant”. Lori has traveled to Italy on many occasions and is quite familiar with the Italian fare. She introduced me to the Italians’ answer to sparkling wine: Prosecco is dry, lemony and frizzante! I was hooked on my first sip. It was a perfect drink after a full day of walking around Rome. Italians consider it the ideal apperitivo. It is also, of course, used to make their famous cocktail, the Bellini.

Prosecco is created predominately with Prosecco grapes that grow in the foothills of the Alps, in the Northern Veneto region of Italy. It’s is light, fun and very affordable. It is now becoming widely available in stores and restaurants here in the United States and Canada. I can find a good bottle starting at $5.99, like Zonin sold at Trader Joe’s. Most brands are very good and under $20. I have never had a bad tasting Prosecco yet, since the grapes used are consistent and the production techniques vastly improved over previous years, all of which certainly accounts for the new popularity of this wine. Unlike, champagne, however, Prosecco does not age well and should be enjoyed within 2 years of being bottled. Compared to other sparkling wines, Prosecco is lower in alcohol, about 11 to 12 percent.

So, go out and get a bottle. Enjoy it with a friend.  Have a toast to the kids being back in school (not a minute too soon) and/or imagine yourself in Rome sipping Prosecco in one of the famous piazzas.

Cool bistro decor. We were immediately welcomed by one of the restaurant owners of this casually chic restaurant. As always,I like the know “the story” behind everything (a weird obsession and kinda the premise behind The Succulent Wife’s Gift Company) so I peppered the gentleman with questions. He was proud to say that he and his partner were the real deal real Italians. No Fettuccine Alfredo here. Although we did get some balsamic vinegar in our dipping oil. They traditionally don’t do that in Italy…

Although we were in wine country, I could not resist the invitation to try the Champagne Mojito. Wow, that was wonderful and the perfect aperitif to get me to focus on the meal to come. I started with the Heirloom Tomato Trio. Nice presentation and a great sampling of their tomato favorites. Hubby had the organic baby beet salad with caramelized pecans.

It was Porcini mushroom month with a tasting menu dedicated to the little fungi. I selected a simple mushroom risotto from that menu. The flavor was anything but simple. Totally savory and dare I say, succulent? I forget what my husband had (guess that the mojito had taken effect by then…) and he’s not around for me to ask, but I remember him raving.

Service was friendly and efficient without being hurried. Atmosphere was pleasant, unfussy and relaxed. Food was fantastic and pricing very acceptable. If this restaurant was in my neighborhood, I’d definitely become a regular.

Do make it a destination in you are in the Santa Rosa or Sonoma area.