Esperanza Atlanta

Face it guys, Valentine's Day isn't goin' anywhere.  And no matter how chill your bird is, you better come up with something to make her feel special today. We're far from authority on the matter, but this year, we've culled a couple little ideas to help you work smarter, not harder. 

POLIÇA is the new CHANNY MOON CASSELLE fronted project that features members of GAYNGS, BON IVER, and the STNNG. On the debut album, GIVE YOU THE GHOST, CASSELLE's airy, auto-tuned voice slinks around thick bass lines and marching band snares just so. It's pretty sexy stuff and the video for the first single, LAY YOUR CARDS OUT, doesn't hurt their case. Put it on the stereo and move along to step 2.

Ok, so you've got tunes setting the mood. Now it's time for a cocktail. The NEGRONI is an absolute classic and if you spend any time in one of your city's finer watering holes, you'd know that it's back in vogue. Thought to have originated in 1919, the Italian aperitif is traditionally made with equal parts dry gin, Campari, and sweet vermouth. Liquid culture magazine, IMBIBE, offers an effervescent twist on the recipe with a splash of dry prossecco:

1 1/2 oz. gin
1 oz. sweet vermouth
3/4 oz. Campari
1 1/2 oz. Prosecco (as dry as you can find)
Ice cubes
Tools: mixing glass, barspoon, strainer
Glass: Old Fashioned
Garnish: orange peel

Combine all ingredients with ice and stir until chilled. Strain over fresh ice into a chilled glass and garnish. 

If that doesn't impress her, you're in for a long night.

Food. Valentine's Day is a terrible night to eat out, second only to New Year's Eve. That fancy restaurant you've read so much about turns into a price-gouging cafeteria where flipping tables becomes paramount. Sure there are exceptions and plenty of places that maintain their integrity, but why not skip the crowds and make her something better at home? Hit the farmer's market and get some good red meat and keep it bloody.

Chocolate is kind of a Valentine staple, but instead of those grocery store heart-shaped boxes, check out CACAO, Atlanta's premier bean-to-bar chocolatier.  The difference in a good piece of chocolate is remarkable and totally lends crédo to the old adage of it being an aphrodisiac.  Check out their new location in Virginia Highlands. No prob if you're not close. Whole Foods carries some amazing stuff as well. We like OLIVE & SINCLAIR CHOCOLATE CO.'s sea salt bar... and so will she. (picture above courtesy of food blog fav, SavoryExposure)

OK. So, tunes, cocktails, dinner, dessert, now what? Perhaps a movie? I'm constantly blown away by how many of my peers have never seen ANNIE HALL. It beat STAR WARS for Best Picture in 1977 for crying out loud. I don't know if it's the quality of people I associate with, or if the movie is lost on our generation, but I find it's an often over-looked comedy perfect for a night like this. Just watch it, it's hilarious and she'll love it.

So there you have it. No need to spend a fortune, or come up with some elaborate plan, keep it simple and thoughtful and interesting... like you, right? Happy Valentine's day to all the lovely ladies out there, and especially the ones who put up with us ESPERANZA knuckleheads.