Okay, I will answer the Emails/Our Valentine's Dinner at Home

Two questions that I am frequently asked is do Henri and I eat at home , and who cooks. He loves to cook but I do cook at home . This is not the usual steak and potatoes that we eat but trying to outwit the master . I cannot bring frozen whip topping into the house - he claims that it tastes chemical to him as well as too sweet. Fortunate for me,  real whipped cream is easy to make.
This is Sunday and the cafe is closed. Both partners are prepping for tommorrow's Valentine's dinner as well as the truffles that have to be made. I am surprising His Nibs with dinner this evening . Research has taken me weeks. So here is the office manager's menu for Valentine's Day. I included sources for recipes.
Sangria real (Royal Sangria)
Crabmeat Crema Fresca (http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/video/chefs-table-queso-fundido-casserole-12722919?tab=9482930&section=4806329&playlist=1539475&page=1)(appetizer)
Garlic Smeared Rosemary Roast Chicken (http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/recipe?id=7299407)He loves garlic, so do I !)
Ramen Noodle Salad  (http://www.easysaladrecipes.com/ramennoodlesaladrecipe.html)
Mango with Chocolate Meringue  (http://www.healthy-eating-made-easy.com/easy-valentine-day-dessert-recipes.html)  Remember he bakes all day- cupcakes hold no appeal for him. He likes dessert with fruit or just fruit.
The garlic in the chicken is fine-we will both be eating it. I picked everything up the other day when I got called to temp in the accounting department of a law office where my Aunt was also temping. So I think my secret is safe so far.
Finish off the evening with some mulled wine, and its been chilly so I will light the fireplace, I think.
So not a word to Chef. Tommorrow is Valentine's Day and I can't wait to see who is the mystery Valentine .
Bon Soir et Bon Apetit,
Arina Copain
Office Manager

Looking forward to Valentine's Day

Its been an interesting afternoon , here at the cafe. Right after Henri called the order for the scallops into our supplier, the weatherman started to predict the worse storm of the year for Valentine's weekend. As the scallops are to be fresh not frozen , he was less than pleased with the news.

When I opened the cafe this morning, there were flyers from an organization ,Avaaz ,against Valentine's Chocolates, taped to our door.Our official stance on this is this- if you care so much about Human Rights, what about the right of the small business person to make a living. Anyone who does any kind of chocolate work , sells candy, or even, hot chocolate is hurt by such a boycott. Yes, we may be doing business with the major suppliers such as Godiva, Herseys, Lindt, Cadbury but we aren't they. To declare a major boycott after orders have been placed is, I feel, counterproductive. There are only so many suppliers, even fewer that don't taste as if they have been hanging out in a cow barn. There are five major confection holidays Halloween/Samhain, Yule/Christmas, Valentine's Day , Easter/Ostara, and Mother's Day. If you care about Human Rights, why not declare your boycott in July and let the retailers think about it till they place orders for Fall. Give them time to investigate the claims. Because the chocolate that Avaaz is protesting has already been purchased by the little guy or woman-so you aren't hurting the suppliers or the evil government forces that is claimed in the flyers and on the website but your neighbors and local stores. So the effect of the boycott won't even be felt for six months at best at the supplier's level and may , a year if ,at all on the governmental. When did initiative become a sin? You haven't saved a single life over seas but you may have been instrumental in harming a small American business. Count me as one of the sinful.

So speaking of sin- I asked about the price of the truffles as we had not quoted one . $2.50 each or 6 for $12.00 . Call if you are placing multiple orders because I think Chef can be persuaded into a better price for larger orders, especially if allotted more time to assemble, Saturday would be an excellant day to place those orders as I intend that we step out for an evening out and a bite on Friday.

Even wicked Capitalists have to have some fun and a good meal from time to time.

Bon Soir et Bon Apetit ,
Arina Copain
Office Manager

The Valentine's Day Menu

Hot off the presses, as they say . The Valentine's Menu
Your choice of : Roasted Vegetable Soup over Brown Rice
Wild Mushroom Tart with Broccoli Rabe and Goat Cheese
Passion Fruit and Citrus Salad
Entrees: Scallops in Sage Cream for Two
Chicken with Black Mushroom Coulis
Filet Mignon with Red Wine Sauce
Desserts: Cinnamon-scented minibundt cakes
with peaches and sour cream
Chocolate-Espresso Mousse Tart
White Chocolate Creme Brulee
We have had several calls asking if Henri will be making chocolate truffles for Valentine's Day.
Yes, but orders must be placed by February 11th by close of business (9pm)
They are available in liquor filled : (Frangelico,Baileys,Goldiva,Kahlua,Amaretto)
Mexican Chocolate
Toffee & Fleur de Sel
Mint
Reservations for Valentine's Day are recommended . ( we will do our best to accomodate walk ins.)

Telephone is (508)-555-93328

Fax is (508)-555-95533

For those who have asked about our little mystery. No, we have not solved it. We did get a graphic on the computer this afternoon of an unfolding heart ,which after playing As Time Goes By , revealed a giant bold ? . The heart morphed into a pair of giant lips which emitted the dialogue balloon " WHO AM I?"

Bon soir et bon apetit,
Arina Copain
Office Manager
                                      

The Valentine Mystery

We should have expected it. After all , we do pride ourselves as being intelligent people. For the last two weeks , there have been random deliveries to the cafe . Imagine our confusion as they were all addressed to Mr Copain,  We have two Mr Copain here, my husband Henri and his father , Jean Paul.
Opening the packages did not lend a clue as to whom the presents were intended. The first arrived about two weeks ago asking Mr Copain to be her Valentine in a bunch of a dozen red roses in a crystal vase. They are currently sitting on the counter on the corner by the window. Lovely present but the card came unsigned and did not say which Mr. Copain.
Last week,  there was this huge blue Teddy bear  propped up in a chair by the door holding a big red heart box of  chocolates. He came with a card. BE MINE VALENTINE! Again it was unsigned .  Neither of the gentlemen in question is admitting to knowledge of who the mystery person is. I am assuming that it is a woman.
This morning was the kicker. A bottle of red wine, a cd of romantic music , and a pair of women's panties size 5. There was a typewritten note inside saying that they would email instructions on where to meet them for Valentine's Day dinner the morning of Valentine's Day.
I look forward to learning who the mystery person is. And I make a promise to all of you who follow this blog, if its the wrong Mr Copain, I intend to have this person for dinner.
Speaking of which , we will be running a special limited menu for Valentine's Day. I expect to have it posted this week. I am just waiting for Henri to finalize it.
Bon soir et bon appetit,
Arina Copain
Office Manager.

Okay, I spoke too soon

Henri chided me for boasting about the passing of the recent N'orEasters by picking me up this morning and dumping me ,while I was still comtemplating life at the top of my first cup of coffee , into a large snowdrift outside our backdoor. Its cold and wet, I get it!!!
We feature three kinds of hot chocolate at our cafe. My favorite is the white chocolate ( which monsieur le chef tells me isn't a chocolate at all but cocoa butter) with lavender and myrtle. He likes the dark chocolate with just a touch of Vietnamese cinnamon and ancho chili. We also offer the more traditional milk chocolate. We have real marshmallows and homemade whipped cream, if that is your pleasure.
Bon soir et bon appetit!
Arina Copain,
Office Manager

Excitement-Come see our cat cake.

I am glad that last week's Nor'Easters are behind us. Everything is in readiness for the cafe to open. The final inspection is on Tuesday. So there are no post holiday blahs around here.

Henri has been experimenting with some decorations for cupcakes. I swear that he can find ideas just about everywhere. I was impressed by the flower of the month idea . Its like an early Spring. He did a dummy cake for the window. Its a orange tabby cat sitting at a black upright piano as if he were playing it , there is a tuxedo cat sitting on top who is singing his little heart out. I will tell you a secret- if you look closely at the metronome on top, you will see two eyes. There is a mouse inside and when the mechanics move , you can see his tail keep the beat in time with the metronome. I think that he is planning to start the dummy cake up after the inspection so, do wander by and take a look

I learned something the hard way this week, as I said I am the new kid on the block. Did you know that you should not put good knives into the dishwasher? I didn't , and tried Henri's patience this week when I thought that I was helping. So I thought  I would share the information. It dulls and may damage the knives and may damage the silverware basket. I won't do it again . They were rescued in the nick of time.

Bon Soir,
Arina Copain
Office Manager

Happy New Year from Cafe Copain

I have heard so many drills this week that some days I think  I live in a dentist's office. But it was worse for about two weeks , just before the Solstice/Yule holidays when we had the case of the missing workmen. Nothing permanent just holiday-itis. Fortunately, my husband is a patient man and no one was laid off. The Tudor lights have been installed , and the stainless steel kitchen appliances have arrived. We should be facing our final inspection in two weeks. I had hoped to share the menu design this post but they have yet to arrive from the printer. Very graceful cover with Fleur de lys across the top. I admit that I am the new kid on the block ,(no relation to the band) and find this both nerve wrecking and exciting. But my father in law assures me that everything is under control, that they have moved before and it always takes longer than planned.


Arina Celeste Copain
Office Manager