Money is tight, nerves are shot, and then comes Valentines Day. But here's a plan that can actually make you feel good about forking out the cash for a romantic meal: You can enjoy a totally unique dining experience at the Gardens at Kennesaw for $65 bucks a person, including drinks and live music. But wait, that’s not all. Buying tickets for "Lusting for Local Food" really is money well spent. The food will be locally grown, which means you'll be helping a neighbor keep a job. Plus, even the venue is green. Its power is solar and its water low-flow.
"Lusting for Local Food" is an idea cooked up by Georgia Organics and Marc Sommers of Parsley's Catering.
"Instead of Valentine's being the big red event, we'll make it the big green event" says Alice Rolls, executive director of Georgia Organics. Rolls says not to expect the usual. "We like to set up the long farm tables and build community," she says. So you'll be sharing a table with others who are getting their green on.
"It's not a couples thing, it's really a community event," Sommers says. In fact, some of the people sharing that table will be the very farmers who grew the food you'll be eating.
And what will you eat at that table? Sommers has that covered. "We will have passed hors d'oeuvres and then a family-style dinner. We are thinking 'eat locally, think globally' with dishes inspired by our diverse staff," he said. Diverse, certainly. The staff of Parsley's Catering hails from locales as far as Russia, South America, Mexico, Argentina and the Middle East. The dinner menu will include beef, pork, chicken, fish, as well as an array of seasonal vegetables and vegetarian options.
As for the venue, The Gardens at Kennesaw hosts weddings and events all year long and is run by Sommers, with green practices in mind. "We are the first low-impact event facility in the area," he explains.
The Gardens has many energy-saving measures in place, such as low-flow sinks, Energy Star appliances, compact fluorescent lighting and solar panels. The facility recycles and uses biodegradable and compostable plates and utensils to limit its consumption of plastic.
Here are 10 reasons to eat green at The Gardens at Kennesaw on Valentine's Day:
1. Enjoy great Food. Ever had farm fresh veggies? The taste is unmistakable and out-of-this-world.
2. Have a romantic night, but also meet and talk with other like-minded Atlantans.
3. It's something different. Chances are, you haven't done this on Valentine's Day before.
4. Enjoy live music, then tunes from a DJ, for a perfect blend of sophistication and all-out fun.
5. Feel good about the money you'll be spending.
6. Savor the excellent chocolate that will be served.
7. Stroll around the grounds, which are idyllic and romantic, even in the dead of winter.
8. Instead of making a choice between beef or chicken, you can have them both.
9. Haven't got a date? No problem. There are no tables for two, anyway. Everyone will sit together at one big community table.
10. And no matter what the night brings, you'll feel the love for Mother Earth.
INFO
What: "Lusting for Local Food: Green Valentine's Day Dinner"
When: 6 p.m. Feb. 14
Where: The Gardens at Kennesaw, 1127 White Circle NW, Marietta, GA 30060
Cost: $65. Reservations are required.
Call 678-702-0400 or visit www.georgiaorganics.org.
