If music be the food of love, as Shakespeare suggests, play on. For many of us, though, food itself feeds love, laughter and pretty much everything else we mark on Valentine’s Day. Blood oranges are ideal for the holiday of love. They look ordinary, a little mottled maybe, among the other citrus fruits. But cut one open, and the ruby juices come forth. They’re a metaphor for all the people we know who, dressed in dark winter coats and hats, keep their passion under wraps…until Valentine’s Day, that is. “Blood” orange can sound more Halloween than happy. The word sangre, Spanish for blood, …

The Victorians have a reputation for stodgy propriety that has outlived Queen Victoria’s reign by a century. Maybe they deserve to be remembered for modestly covering piano legs with frills, but let me tell you; they knew how to say it with flowers. Floriography is the language of flowers, a fitting lesson for Valentine’s Day.  Victorian suitors sent single flowers or bouquets of carefully-chosen posies, each of which signified a particular message. Etiquette books such as the 1883 “Our Deportment, or the Manners, Conduct, and Dress of the Most Refined Society; including Forms for Letters, …

Valentine's Day means different things for different folks.  I offer wines for every approach to the day.First, let me focus on a wine for those who see February 14th is a dark day.  Perhaps the darkest of wines are the wines of the Cahors region in France.  They are malbec-based, but not nearly as approachable as the malbecs of Argentina.  Besides, if you are anti-Valentines Day, who wants approachable?  Marketed over one hundred years ago as "the black wines of Cahors," if you plan to brood, this is a brooding wine.  Of course, if wine won't do the trick, may I suggest a pint (or two) of …

Confidence comes from within...or underneath. That special Valentine's Day outfit might need a little something extra, and Antoinette Wade knows what it is. The secret to perfecting a woman’s outfit, especially that special occasion ensemble, is a good bra.  In 2007, the former computer programmer and longshorewoman stepped out on faith and opened Toni’s Lingerie and Accessories at 328 Glenwood Ave. in Bloomfield.  The shop has become a haven for plus-sized women in search for hard-to-find bra sizes and figure-flattering lingerie and other undergarments at reasonable prices. Yet the store …

With Valentine's Day around the corner, lots of us are thinking sweets and treats. Local restaurants have a lot to offer for that memorable meal, and a homemade and custom-decorated dessert might just make you the cupid of county.  Last year, Paula Tosonotti of Cake Fiction showed Patch how to decorate cakes and cupcakes with a professional flair. We revisit Cake Fiction for tips, just in time for Valentine's Day.  For hints on working with fondant, watch the video.  Paula Tosonotti is a baker and a cook, who uses inspiration from all over the world for her Cake Fiction creations. The …

Here are some cute, clever ways to express your sentiments come Valentine’s Day without breaking the bank - or the hearts of those you’re gifting! First stop, South Orange! Victors Florist: When it comes to Valentine’s Day, a rose by any other name will still cost you an arm and a leg. “It’s about supply and demand,” explains florist and owner Lenny Zieff. “I pay almost double for my roses this time of year.” A basic dozen roses will set you back $85, but there are plenty of other less costly - albeit less traditional - floral options ready for romance like lilies, irises, carnations and …

When we enrolled my daughter at her school two years ago, I fully expected the laundry list of “parent must-do” activities: Bake fairs, parent-teacher nights, conferences, etc. What I was not expecting, and what caught me completely off guard the first year, was the request by teachers at Valentine’s Day. As mentioned before, I do not consider myself particularly crafty. I have learned to overcome the panic attacks that used to suffocate me when entering a craft store and I have learned to just let some things go in the middle of craft time at our house (paint on the table, glitter on the …

The world's most famous love scene isn't exactly, you know. When Romeo calls to Juliet on her balcony, he is in love with love. Hours earlier, he was moping around Verona pining for Rosaline, who wasn't taking his calls anymore. He went to Juliet's house, hoping to see Rosaline at a party. Instead, as we know, he fell for Juliet. Juliet is a practical sort. Just before the party, her father talked to her about marriage, specifically marriage to County Paris, one of Verona's established, stable noblemen.  "It is an honor that I dream not of," says Juliet drily to her father when he proposes …

"You're a writer. Why don't you do a Valentine's Day piece about how to write a love letter?" my wife suggested to me a few days ago. "Oh, is Valentine's Day coming up?" I could see why she had thought of me for the job. Actually, I am not much for composing letters of any kind. What may have been the last one I wrote went like this: "Dear Aunt Sylvia, thank you for the baseball mitt you gave me for my birthday. Fifth grade is fun, Love, David." Now technically this could be called a "love letter" since the word "love" does appear in it. But it didn't seem quite the right model for an …

No one, but no one, sings love like Old Blue Eyes. Despite his own roller coaster of romance , Frank Sinatra is the voice of love for many listeners. His story is told, most recently in Frank: The Voice, by South Orange native and CHS grad James Kaplan. Kaplan will be speaking at Words on Saturday night, with music by Sarah Partridge, making for a unique Valentine's Day celebration.  Kaplan considers Sinatra an ideal subject for a Garden State writer or reader. As he told Patch,  "I heard the Jersey in his voice as a very familiar sound," says Kaplan, who moved to South Orange as a young …

There will be a Monday night moon over Luna Stage Theater Company this month. Next Monday, Feb.14, is what Luna is calling a twisted Valentine — a benefit reception at 7 p.m. with a reading following at 8 p.m. of "MURDER TOO" by David Wiltse. The  murder-comedy benefits the not for profit Luna Stage and stars the actors equity company's  Artistic Director Jane Mandel, Board President Frankie Faison — her real life Valentine; they've been married since 1988 — and managing director Mona Hennessey — actors all. The "New Moon Series"  allows audiences to hear bare stage readings of new works in …

For a top meal, how about a Top Chef? Ariane Duarte, Top Chef contestant and chef at Orange Lawn Tennis Club, also owns the very romantic Culin Ariane in Montclair. The restaurant is one of many local options for this Valentine's Day weekend.  You’ll really start your romantic evening off on a good foot by choosing to dine at Culin Ariane, 33 Walnut St., Montclair, because it’s off the beat and path, and therefore you won’t be driving around for ages looking for a parking spot.  Voted as one of the best restaurants in the area by Zagat, the dining room is relatively small, only seating 48 …

"Men think women are so mysterious. They have no idea what to buy her for the holidays, even though he lives with her and she's probably been dropping hints all over the place." - Laura, self-described Expert on the Art of Buying Gifts for Women I'm just going to go on a limb and say it: Men hate to shop.  And women are picky. Of course there are exceptions. Only those aren't the people I'm referring to. Valentine's Day is eight days away and notoriously shopping-hating husbands are trying to think of way to avoid the unavoidable. The sands of time are not cooperating with this plan. Decisive…