Raines Realm

Going out to dinner can be a wonderful way to celebrate Valentines' day, but it can also be a hassle. Poor food or inattentive waitstaff, even heavy traffic can really put a damper on the mood. Here are some ideas to help you celebrate with your love while staying in. Few things beat the romance of a picnic at home, preferably in front of the fireplace. The coziness and intimacy of it can create the perfect atmosphere. Put on a romantic movie or music in the background, pour some wine, and you've got the right foundation for a special night. Cooking together can be an activity filled with affection and anticipation. Think creativity, such as making a thin crust pizza together. (You don't want anything too heavy.) Keep it simple and buy the crust, sauce, and toppings. That way you can jump right in to assembling it together. If you're looking for something sweeter, you can get a variety of fruit and some chocolate chips. You can cut up the fruit and melt the ...

Though the evening was overcast, wet and dreary, I couldn’t help but feel optimistic as I saw the warm and inviting light of Accent on Wine in Summerville. As I walked up to the outdoor seating, I was compelled to experience the small town atmosphere while enjoying what I anticipated to be a very pleasurable meal. Nestled in the historic downtown Summerville on a quiet street, I perused what was an impressive, yet comprehensive menu. There were so many choices and all of them seemed so elegant and well thought-out, (not the montage of items thrown together that one encounters on a lot of menus in this day and age).  I ended up, after careful consideration, choosing the Monday beer flight and the duck and orange pâté. Both arrived very quickly and I was impressed by the attentiveness of the staff. The music was the perfect combination of optimistic, yet relaxing and set the perfect tone as I took in the culinary artwork that was displayed before me on a modest wooden platter. Such...