New York City Opens Its Heart For Valentines Day

1/30/08

NEW YORK CITY OPENS ITS HEART FOR VALENTINE�S DAY


City Businesses Prepare to Welcome Visitors and Couples with Special Offers and Promotions



New York, NY (January 30, 2008) New York City is one of the most romantic places to celebrate Valentine�s Day. The excitement of everything the City has to offer coupled with the cold weather will make you want to cozy up with the one you love. Start with a stroll along the Brooklyn Heights Promenade or around Central Park, or visit the Ice Rink at Rockefeller Center or the Cloisters�all romantic destinations. Finish with dinner for two at a quaint spot, followed by a concert of love songs, and close off your night in one of the City�s most luxurious hotels. New York City has something for everyone on this special day.


�With a variety of love-themed events and breathtaking cityscapes, it�s no surprise that lovers from around the globe will be planning their Valentine�s Day rendezvous right here in New York City,� said NYC & Company CEO George Fertitta. �Even those without a Valentine will find themselves smitten, as each romantic occasion is sure to bring about a new love affair with NYC.�


Dining and Culinary EventsThey say that the way to one�s heart is through their stomach. That�s why many of the City�s most esteemed culinary institutes and dining establishments will feature distinctive Valentine�s Day menus and specials, as well as unique events designed to tempt the palate.


February 14, from 6pm�10:30pm, Institute of Culinary Education will offer couples the opportunity to participate in a Valentine�s Day instructional cooking class, where they will create and devour dishes like Coq au Vin, Steak au Poivre, flamb�ed Bananas Foster, Coeur a la Cr�me, and Dark Chocolate Mousse.


February 9, from 11am�1pm, Caf� Centro will host a tasteful event with Executive Chef Franck Deletrain who will show couples how to make delectable dishes like Oysters with Champagne Mignonette, Sea Scallop Ceviche, Crabmeat Ravioli, and Filet Mignon.

February 14, Rise Bar at Ritz-Carlton, Battery Park will captivate chocolate lovers with the Chocolate Bar by award-winning pastry chef Laurent Richard. Lovers will enjoy this buffet of decadent chocolate desserts while taking in breathtaking views of Manhattan and bottomless glasses of champagne.


February 14, Peanut Butter and Co. is back by popular demand this Valentine�s Day with the celebrated Sweetheart�s Snack special. This fun and inexpensive treat features heart-shaped sandwiches, snacks, glasses of milk, cookies and candy. Couples will go home with a head full of romantic tunes from Sirius Satellite Radio�s love station, as well as a delicious jar of Peanut Butter and Co.�s signature product.


Dining Valentines should also take a peek at special menus from Water�s Edge, Chez Josephine, Eleven Madison Park, Osteria del Circo, and Greenhouse Caf�.


Arts & CultureObservations of love through artist expression can be seen and heard throughout the City, with events at Radio City Music Hall, Lincoln Center, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and Carnegie Hall, to name a few. February 14�16, 8pm, Jazz at Lincoln Center presents Ellington Love Songs, a concert of mood-setting, smooth jazz favorites, featuring the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis, Wess �Warmdaddy� Anderson, Houston Person and Scott Hamilton.

February 14, 10am, Metropolitan Museum of Art will present �A Closer Look: Mars and Venus United by Love by Paolo Veronese.� This gallery talk will analyze the symbolic expression of love�s triumph over aggression by one of the greatest painters of the 16th Century. February 14, 8pm, Radio City Music Hall will host the final performance of Rufus Wainwright�s Release the Stars World Tour, featuring special guest opener Sean Lennon.


February 14, 8pm, Carnegie Hall, as part of its �Great Artists I� series, welcomes violinist Joshua Bell and pianist Jeremy Denk, performing the works of legendary composers and musicians Tartini, Prokofiev, Dvo?�k and Grieg.


Hotel PackagesOf course it wouldn�t be a true romantic getaway without a night or two at one of New York�s extraordinary hotels. That�s why hotels across the City- ranging from modestly priced to the ultimate luxury- are offering special rates, and packages that feature lavish goodies such as truffles, roses, champagne, to help set the mood and enhance the romance. Evenings of February 14-16, The Roosevelt Hotel will show guests just why New York is known as one of the most romantic cities in the world when they enjoy the Made in Manhattan package. From mouth-watering chocolate covered strawberries and bubbling champagne, to a romantic Valentine�s Day dinner for two at Roosevelt Grill and intimate breakfast in bed, soul mates fall in love all over again at this legendary City landmark. Evenings of February 14-17, Dream Hotel will entice guests with a package that includes champagne and luxurious spa services, followed by a decadent breakfast for two in the morning. Check out other exciting packages at The London NYC, Jumeirah Essex House, Trump International Hotel & Tower, H�tel Plaza Ath�n�e, and Hilton Garden Inn Staten Island.

Family EventsFor those planning to make it a family affair, New York City also offers Valentine-themed events that even our youngest Loves can enjoy. February 9, from 11am- 2pm, Bartow-Pell Mansion, will educate young participants on the tradition behind the holiday as they make traditional Victorian Valentines at the Victorian Valentine Family Workshop. This activity is free to children under six years old. February 10, 1pm, Blue Heron Park Preserve welcomes kids of all ages to the Valentine�s Day Eco-Crafts Workshop. Families will learn to make heartfelt crafts using natural materials at this breathtaking natural preserve in Staten Island. For more information on Valentine�s Day events and promotions, log on to nycgo.com, under the Holidays section of Plan Your Visit.



About NYC & CompanyNYC & Company is the official marketing, tourism and partnership organization for the City of New York, dedicated to maximizing travel and tourism opportunities throughout the five boroughs, building economic prosperity and spreading the positive image of New York City worldwide.





Contacts
Kimberly Spell
NYC & Company
tel 212 484 1270
kspell@nycgo.comChris Heywood
NYC & Company
tel 212 484 5458
cheywood@nycgo.com