Area restaurants plan for those observing Lent on Valentine's Day

Ash Wednesday � the beginning of Lent � falls on Valentine�s Day this year, so it might take some extra planning to satisfy those taste buds while staying true to one�s religious beliefs. But don�t worry, local restaurants have you covered.

Celebrations Restaurant & Bar in downtown Cape Girardeau will be serving its regular menu Wednesday, in addition to an array of seafood options, chef and owner Dewayne Schaaf said.

�I try to have a number of seafood appetizers and seafood entrees. I usually have two fish, depending on what I can get from my purveyor, because I always get my stuff brought in, and it changes weekly,� Schaaf said. �I might have oysters, clams or something like that for a first course, and I almost always have scallops.�

The Rev. Allan Saunders distributes ashes during a lunchtime Ash Wednesday Mass on Feb. 10, 2016, at St. Mary's Cathedral in Cape Girardeau.Southeast Missourian file

Schaaf said he hasn�t really had to adapt at all for this week, since he already has several food options available.

�In the last month, one of my big things has been pushing for a �date night� bottle of wine. So I added nearly 25 or 30 wines that are $50 and under that are diverse around the world,� Schaaf said. �I want anyone, no matter the price point, to be able to come in and enjoy a fantastic transcendental wine. It doesn�t matter price; I can fit anything. And that�s what my thinking is for Valentine�s. ...�

And speaking of adult beverage choices, Schaaf said the �cocktail list is already pretty diverse.�

Schaaf said Celebrations is fully booked for Valentine�s Day, and �has been for a few days.�

Schaaf said for him, Valentine�s Day is about the occasion, not necessarily about the specific calendar date.

Deacon Jim Long places ashes on Carol Beussink's forehead during Ash Wednesday Mass on Feb. 13, 2013, at Immaculate Conception Church in Jackson.Southeast Missourian file

�You can do the same things Valentine�s-related throughout the week, just make sure it�s with the person you care about, and go to a place to spend time with them,� Schaaf said. �And I think, at the dinner table like this, is a fantastic way to do it.�

Gordonville Grill in Gordonville also is prepared to serve a lot of seafood starting Wednesday, according to manager Dillan Max.

�What�s cool about Lent is we sell a lot of catfish here. A lot of people come out for catfish, and also our clam chowder,� Max said. �So we are usually super busy for Lent.�

The Bar, a now iconic downtown Cape Girardeau location made famous by the movie �Gone Girl,� also has quite a tasty, eclectic lineup for Valentine�s Day, including bison T-bone steak, pistachio-crusted salmon, chicken cordon bleu and red velvet cheesecake, general manager Rob Befus said. He added that this year�s featured cocktails include �The Cupid� and �Opposites Attract.�

Minglewood Brewery on Broadway in Cape Girardeau is offering a couples� special for Valentine�s Day, as well as something for the singles.

�We�re doing a Valentine�s Day special for a couple. It�s a smoked oyster pizza in the shape of a heart, with appetizer bruschetta, dessert for two and two beers for $30,� owner Stuart Matthews said. �We�re also doing a beer special for the singles, because we want to do something for them. It�s half-off beers all day.�

Tractor�s Classic American Grill in uptown Jackson also will have a drink special planned for Valentine�s Day � featuring �Love Potion� � in addition to a social-media giveaway, manager Jaimie Lynn said.

�We have a Facebook contest going on, and we will be choosing a random winner to receive a free dinner for Valentine�s Day,� Lynn said. �The drawing will be held Tuesday.�

Tractor�s official Valentine�s Day menu will feature tomato basil salmon and a fillet with a strawberry balsamic sauce.

jhartwig@semissourian.com

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