Celebrate With Your Soul Mate

by Stephanie and Juliann
on Friday, August 21, 2009

Valentine's Day in China falls on the seventh day of the seventh month in the Chinese lunar calendar - which this year means Wednesday 26 August. The legend behind the romantic celebration revolves around two star-crossed lovers, the seventh daughter of the Emperor of Heaven and an orphaned cow herder. The disapproving Emperor separated these soul mates by sending one to the star Vega and the other to the star Altair. They were permitted to meet only once a year - you guessed it, on the seventh day of the seventh lunar month - when their two stars become closely aligned in the skies.

This Chinese Valentine's Day, celebrate your own love story with a special romantic dinner. Mesa is hosting a three-course tasting menu for two (RMB538), including a glass of bubbly or Kir Royal for each.

For a more casual approach to romantic wining and dining, head to a Future Perfect for their buy-one-get-one-free house pour wines while feasting on favorite dinner entrees. Alternatively, treat your loved one to a slow, handheld walk through People's Park to Barbarossa for an intimate five-course Moroccan dinner (RMB520 per couple), violin serenade, rosé wine and free "flaming kiss" shot by the lake.

Diners at Origin can toast their enduring love with a glass of Champagne, a five-course "couples" menu and free-flow red wine (RMB688). The menu features crispy duck with mango relish, seared scallops with vanilla Champagne vinaigrette, beef tenderloin with truffle mashed potatoes or Ahi tuna with Mediterranean salsa. The delectably rich chocolate desserts and gelato are perfect for sharing.

Purple's passionate four-course dinner (RMB498 per couple) starts with two glasses of bubbly and includes choices of king prawn rolls, salmon tartar, veal, spring roasted chicken and papaya cod fillet. Meanwhile, down by the Huangpu waterside, BinJiang One's executive chef Maik Damm will serve up a sumptuous five-course menu to share.

If your love is an artsy date, begin the evening with a tour of the Shanghai Art Museum and wind slowly upwards to Kathleen's 5 on the rooftop. Australian chef Peter Gong is creating a delectable four-course menu (RMB788 per couple) complemented by dreamily romantic views over People's Square.

So, star-crossed lovers - there are seven super-romantic options for this seventh day of the seventh month. Enjoy!