Friday the 13th may not be lucky, but there is nothing in the old wives' tales to say it should not be romantic. One novel way to celebrate Valentine's Day this year is to have dinner on Friday 13th, traditionally the unluckiest day of the calendar. There is space for 18 couples ($2,220 per couple) at The Wine Institute of Hong Kong's Valentine's Fine Wine Dinner at the Grand Hyatt. Prepared by the chefs at Italian restaurant Grissini, it includes Moet et Chandon Champagne, French Chardonnay and Chateau Beychevelle 1990. Call 2804-2293.
Valentine dining There is no shortage of more conventional Valentine's Day celebrations, complete with all the red-heart knick-knacks, cliched menus and gushing sentimentality.
A new restaurant, The Avenue (tel: 2369-1111), at the Holiday Inn Golden Mile in Tsim Sha Tsui, is offering a five-course set dinner for $1,188 per couple. Gifts include a half-bottle of Piper Heidseck Champagne, a set of Champagne glasses, a $400 photography coupon from Kowloon Madam King's Bridal Studio and a Christian Dior gift set for the ladies.
The Rotisserie (tel: 2842-7504) at the Furama hotel in Central and Scala (tel: 2802-8888) at the New World Harbour View in Wan Chai are not so generous. The former offers only a complimentary photograph and a free cocktail as part of its five-course dinner package ($998 per couple). The menu includes dishes such as 'Romeo and Juliet' (salmon and tuna tartar), 'Roll in the Hay' (beef and lamb), and the 'wickedly tempting dessert - Lover's Kiss'.
Scala's dinner ($1,480 per couple) includes a photograph and a gift for the ladies. The 'romantic candlelit dinner' also has live entertainment. Tickets are required. If you want the complimentary half-bottle of Champagne, head for the hotel's Oasis Lounge (tel: 2802-8888), where the set dinner is $998 per couple.
Viewless in HK All the talk of cutbacks and economic downturn does not appear to have hit Hong Kong restaurants with a harbour view.