The Ariel Broadway Hotel in downtown Lorain is preparing to celebrate love and friendship with two special dining events, a Galentine’s Day brunch and a Valentine’s Day dinner, both curated by Executive Chef Mark Wilson.
The Galentine’s Brunch will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Feb. 1 at The Anchor restaurant inside the hotel.
Priced at $38 per person, the brunch includes one mimosa for guests age 21 and older, along with a buffet featuring both sweet and savory offerings.
“Tickets are moving fast,” Wilson said. “I’m just so amazed at the response to this.
“We wanted to do a cool kind of women’s day out, really great food in a great setting, and we’re pulling out all the stops.”
The brunch menu includes fresh fruit and berries with whipped yogurt, homemade granola and syrup, Belgian pearl sugar waffles, eggs Benedict Oscar with crab, crispy herb-crusted chicken, savory breakfast potatoes, thick-sliced bacon and maple sausage, along with a chef’s selection of beignets and pastries.
A mimosa bar also will be available.
“It’s going to be so much fun,” Wilson said. “We’re just going to have a great time.”
From 5-9 p.m. Feb. 14, The Anchor will host a Valentine’s Day Dinner.
The three-course dinner is priced at $145 per couple and includes a bottle of sparkling wine.
“We thought, what a great place to share a date night on Valentine’s Day,” Wilson said. “A romantic space with great views of the lighthouse and Lake Erie.”
The first course offers a choice of winter salad greens with blood orange vinaigrette, hearts of romaine Caesar salad or lobster bisque with champagne crème fraîche.
Entrée options include bistro filet paired with butter-poached cold-water lobster tail, herb-crusted chicken or a vegetarian winter vegetable pavé.
“One of the things I’ve always been very adamant about, is doing things that are seasonal and local when possible,” Wilson said.
He described the vegetarian option as “a very nice upscale lasagna.”
Dessert choices include chocolate soufflé, vanilla bean cheesecake or red velvet cake.
Wilson said the menu was designed to feel special without being overwhelming.
“I have such a great romance with food,” he said. “I love being able to provide people with special things they don’t get every single day.
“But, I also want the food to be excellent in a way that it doesn’t get in the way, so people focus on each other.”
Wilson emphasized the importance of offering moments of connection, especially during the winter months.
“Life gets busy,” he said. “It’s important to say, ‘Come enjoy each other. Get away from the busyness and the stress.’
“That’s hospitality.”
Both events are open to the public.
Guests who do not drink alcohol will have non alcoholic options available, and the full dinner menu also will be offered alongside Valentine’s specials.
Registration for both events is available at www.arielbroadwayhotel.com.