"ValentinesDay" news and stories

For five years, we've been reading about White Castle's most successful marketing campaign: Valentine's Day at White Castle. On this day, lovers walk into a transformed chain restaurant: red tablecloths, waiters, candles and roses. Well, enough reading; last night we went to see for ourselves.

Walking into a New Jersey-based location at around 7 p.m., we were greeted by a smiling manager who happily showed us to our seats. Sitting at our red-plastic-covered table, we couldn't help but laugh and smile. Our tea-candle was lit and the faux smell of roses filled the air as our waitress came over to hand us the menus. Yes, menus! She, too, had a huge smile on her face and was excited to tell us that this was her first Valentine's Day with the company. She explained the menu to us and even promoted the "Sweetheart Special," which consisted of 10 hamburgers, two fries and two regular drinks. Priced at just $12.49, it was a deal. However, I decided to go with three classic cheeseburgers and take a chance on the Surf & Turf burger with cheese, the fish sandwiched between two burger patties, served with tartar sauce.

After ordering, I took a moment to look around. Every seat was filled with happy people, enjoying their burgers and getting a kick out of the décor. More than half the room was dressed in their date-night best -- women in red sparkling sweaters and men in suits with Valentine's Day-themed ties. There was one group of eight that had been coming to the chain for five years during this special promotion and they were pros -- they even brought their own wine. Who knew White Castle was BYOB?

• Happy Valentine's Day! Chocolate desserts cure everything, you know.
• Next holiday: Mardi Gras. Ready for king cake?
• Speaking of French-inspired traditions, try knocking back a French 75.
• One can always use a refresher course in chicken and dumplings.

For Valentine's Day this year you could give your sweetheart one of our favorite boxes of chocolates or take our advice on a bottle of great sparkling wine. Or, you can celebrate humor and wit with one of these bottles. Each of the five labels we've selected is tongue-in-cheek, funny or downright obnoxious. But they're romantic all the same.

Without further ado, here are five of our favorite quirky, romantic wine labels.

Cycles Gladiator 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon, California ($10)
The red-haired woman cycling naked through a midnight sky is borrowed from a vintage (1895) French poster by G. Massias. In 2009 the state of Alabama deemed this logo -- from Hahn Family Wines -- pornographic and consequently banned its sale there. (Note, you can also purchase a Chardonnay, Syrah, Merlot and Pinot Grigio with the same label.)

Naughty Cellars 2004 "Racy Red" Blend, Napa Valley, California ($50)
Is the cherub on the label creepy or naughty? You decide. Since it's Napa Valley red fruit you probably can't go wrong with this wine. Buddies Steve Reynolds (owns Reynolds Family Winery) and Oscar Renteria (a seasoned member of Renteria Vineyard Management) teamed up to create this juicy blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel and Cabernet Franc, as well as its very suggestive label. And it doesn't stop with "Racy": the collection also includes "Sticky" (Semilion and Sauvignon Blanc), "Inky" (Petite Sirah and Syrah) and two "Naughty Bubblies" (Rose and Brut).

On Valentine's Day the last thing you want to give your sweetheart is the impression that you're cheap. But if $75 for a bottle of French Champagne seems a little stiff, we have a delicious solution for you.

Here are four sparkling wines from around the world, all $50 and under and all sure to impress your date. If good food is going to be part of the Valentine's Day celebration, take special note of our pairings suggestions, too. If red-meat dishes are on the menu, and you must have sparkling wine, choose one made from red-wine grapes, such as the Mumm Napa Bru Rose below. (Also see our "Bargain Bubblies" post on sparkling wines.)

Appetizers:
Saint-Hilaire 2007 Blanquette de Limoux White Sparkling Wine, Limoux, France ($14)
More than 450 years ago, Benedictine monks at the Abbey of Saint-Hillaire created France's oldest sparkling wine, 100 years before the very first bottle of Champagne was produced. Approachable and yet very complex, this is also a good bottle to open during a new relationship -- you'd be surprised how many people are turned off by bad wine -- or to kick off a fabulous meal. Green-apple notes slide effortlessly into a soft finish.

• One blogger is eating her way through the hundreds of menu items at the Hollywood's Jitlada. Hey, it's a tough job, but somebody's gotta do it.
• What's the best focaccia topping? (Trick question!)
• Ready for Valentine's Day? Los Angeles restaurateurs are.
• French toast: It's not just for breakfast anymore.