Taste, sight, and sound; experience Valentine’s Day

By Kady Weddle

February has long been celebrated as a month of romance. By the middle of the 18th, it was common for friends and lovers of all social classes to exchange small tokens of affection or handwritten notes. Now, across the United States and in other places around the world, candy, flowers and gifts are exchanged between loved ones, all in the name of St. Valentine. If you’re looking to spice up tradition, we’ve got a few that hit the mark. 

Art Inspired Taste Experience

Searching for something to impress that certain art lover? Experience this cultural twist on the traditional box of chocolates, sure to ignite all the senses.

Inspired by iconic works in the collection of The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, André’s Chocolates & Confiserie Suisse has created chocolates to correspond with custom coffee blends from local coffee maker, The Roasterie, for an all-encompassing sensory experience of food, drink, and art.

Located just South of the Country Club Plaza, André’s first collaboration in the series was inspired by Claud Monet, and includes Milk Chocolate Raspberry Bâtons and The Roasterie’s Lily Blend Coffee.

Caravaggio inspires the second collection, including Wilderness Dark Chocolate Bâtons and The Roasterie’s Wilderness Coffee Blend, to be enjoyed together for a sensory experience that emulates the dramatic artistry of Caravaggio’s Saint John the Baptist in the Wilderness.

And last but not least, the third combination is a taste experience to correspond with the visual artistry of Vincent Van Gogh. Lemon Mocha Bâtons are served alongside The Roasterie’s Rispal Blend, mirroring the evolutionary experience in the bright yet relaxed visual art of Restaurant Rispal at Asnières.

Coffee is sold by the pound at $15.75 and Bâtons are $7 for a 2oz package (10 sticks).

Located just south of the Country Club Plaza as well on 119th St and Roe, André’s also offers custom Kansas City themed sweets – from pastries with KC logo décor to chocolate disks complete with embossed local landmarks. 

Find more at andreschocolates.com or give them a call at 816-561-3440.

Travis & Two Dozen

Want to step up your flower game? Why not send a professional singer along with those stems? Local florist, Sidelines Custom Floral is doing just that by teaming up with Kansas City country music artist Travis Marvin for their Travis & Two Dozen… roses that is. 

Alongside an arrangement of two dozen roses, customers can schedule their delivery to include a live rendition of one of five iconic country music songs performed by Marvin. Roses will include accent greenery and have the option of being wrapped for $399 or arranged in a vase for an additional $50. 

“You may have already started planning something special for your special person,” said Marvin. “Why not take it one step further than the norm? And this is how we’re gonna do it … myself, showing up to your special someone, in true cowboy form.”

Marvin can be heard on stations such as Q104 and in local venues across Missouri and Kansas, even opening for lead singers such as Aaron Lewis – lead vocalist for the band Staind – and Walker Hayes. 

Reservations are limited and only available on February 13-14 during certain times. For more information or to schedule your singing cowboy, visit www.heysidelines.com or call their shop at 816- 941-8814.

For the Love of Music 

If a single song isn’t enough for you and your special someone, how about an entire concert? Heat up your Valentine’s Day with dinner, and a concert of heartwarming music by the Kansas City Chamber Orchestra!

For the Love of Music will be held at The Magnolia – Brookside, located on E 63rd Street, on February 14 at 6:30pm.

The concert will follow a private-table dinner for two including chocolate and champagne. An option for concert, dessert and champagne only is also available. Tickets range from $35-$70 per seat with discounts for students and military.

Orchestra performances include a duet by Chair of Instrumental Studies at UMKC, Dr. Jane Carl and Woodwinds Area Coordinator for the University of Kansas, Eric Stomberg.

Vaccination cards will be required for attendance. Masks are requested when entering or away from your table. For more details visit http://www.kcchamberorchestra.org.