Valentine's Day makeover at The Garlic Tree

Valentine's Day is this coming Tuesday, and so Cupid will be working overtime as unsuspecting folks learn of a secret admirer and couples indulge in a romantic evening. The truth of it is that Valentines is an excellent commercial opportunity, and The Garlic Tree is going all out to capture this significant market.

My restaurant has had a thorough makeover ahead of Valentine's Day, starting with the foyer.

Foyer at The Garlic Tree

Pink is the colour of the day, with the Light Bar wallpaper illuminated by Neon Hearts and Beads. While waiting for your table there's plenty to do, including having a glass of bubbly from the Date Night Drinks ice bucket while relaxing on the Pink Couch and watching the Flamenco Dancers go through their most risqué routines. Or if you'd rather you could just feed the Love Pug something from the Ice Cream Dream stand - he looks like he could do with some love!

Meanwhile My Fair Gran-Gran is dressed to impress and is overseeing proceedings from the Heart Host Stand. However don't be surprised if your waiting time increases as she is being seduced by Action Chef Lee who is doing his own unique little jig in time to the guitarist's strings.

Once you do get a table make yourself comfortable in the main section.

Main section at The Garlic Tree

Each Romantic Dinner Table has been scattered with rose petals to bump up the romance and on a Mandalas floor there's a real sense that the place has been fitted for Valentine's Day. The String Quartet and Crooner provide the musical accompaniment to the many hot dates, and the centrepiece will be a regular topic of conversation. Marble Columns have been installed along with Rose Drape Counters, all flanking a Romantic Pond. Rose petals are drifting around the surface along with many delicate tealights, all aimed to get everyone in the mood.

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And it seems to be working - even the staff are coming over with a severe case of infatuation! The Fancy Waiter and Fancy Waitress have locked eyes, and it's almost as if they've never spoken before. There's an instant connection there, and this could be the start of something special. How lovely!

Back to the customer experience, and those willing to cough up a little more cash can step into a separate section specially designed for a romantic dinner for two.

Romantic dinner for two at The Garlic Tree

The Fondue Couple are currently occupying this ambient room, and are able to enjoy exclusive access to the Romantic Robot, their very own chef for the evening. That's the food accounted for, and with the Wine Bar nearby the drink is sorted too.

In fact there's everything you need for the perfect romantic meal in this section, including the talents of the Violinist and classic tunes from Gran's Phonograph. But its the classy surroundings that make this a really attractive proposition - the Modern Romance walls and Fancy Windows exude elegance, while the Candle Holders set the atmosphere.

But not every couple enjoys an intimate dinner for two. Some prefer something raucous which can offer them equally special memories. We've got that covered at The Garlic Tree with a nightclub.

Nightclub at The Garlic Tree

It's not the biggest establishment in town, but our Crystal Room is expansive and has been decorated lavishly to make party-goers as chilled out as possible. True Love Trees twinkling under Carnival Lights are a quirky inclusion as we look to make this nightclub stand out from the crowd, and the Digital Solar System ensures that there's a unique selling point.

And just for Valentine's Day the drinks are on us! The Midnight Glasses only come out after 12 so feel free to intoxicate yourselves deep into the night. Indeed it appears that the Lounge Lizard has done just that and is making eyes at... the solar system?!

Now I realise that none of the eating locations we've visited so far have been particularly suitable for first dates. That's where it all begins, and a great place to get to know your date is at the Bowling Alley.

Bowling alleys at The Garlic Tree

The lanes are open this Valentines and we encourage you to take your crush for a few rounds. There's a Pinball Machine too, so there's lots of opportunity to get to know one another. And of course some food is a must, so you have a choice - either keep it fairly casual by stopping by the Popcorn Cart or take a Diner Seat and share a greasy burger.

And it looks like this section is seeing some success. The Jock has had trouble nailing down a long term relationship, but I've got a really good feeling as Bella Beekeeper walks in. They're about have a bowl and hopefully it could be the start of something!

And from those who are in the market for love we now cater for those who couldn't give a toss. For you it's sports all the way.

Sports section at The Garlic Tree

A week on from perhaps the most dramatic Super Bowl in history, there's plenty of passion for sports at the moment, so we thought we'd give visitors the perfect setting for a sports themed meal. The Bagel Gal will keep you fed with Halftime Snacks from the buffet, and with a Track marked out on the floor you can recreate your favourite sporting moments to your heart's content.

Once you've eaten far too much and are ready to keel over, the Referee Waitress will step in and escort you to the Football Couch where you can wash it all down with a stiff drink from the Sports Bar. Who cares about love?!

It is Valentine's though, and thus the outdoor area of The Garlic Tree has been coordinated with precision to make those romantic walks the kind which you reminisce of for years to come.

Romantic garden at The Garlic Tree

There are three Garden Archways dressed with wild ivy which couples can take a saunter under after they've spent some time relaxing at the Kissing Swans. A spotless pond occupied by two loving swans, this is the perfect place to bring your loved one. Or is it?

At the other end of the archways is a Grape Pergola rich with colour and bearing an endless supply of juicy grapes. You can laze around all day here picking grapes and sipping ice cold drinks from the Patio Drink Cart. But I warn you, this is a popular spot! So much so that it appears to currently be occupied - the Cowboy Greeter is meeting up with the Mexican Dancer. Here's hoping things go well for them!

There's plenty of other space outdoors, we just need to do an about-turn and make our way back to the Kissing Swans.

Romantic river at The Garlic Tree

The pond is at the end of a river which seems to be a fashionable place to be seen. The Little Love Boat is currently out in the water, with the paddling pair careful to steer clear of the Flamingos. On dry land there's more love to be found with the Love Boat Crew and the Tandem Bike riders. Plus the Romantic Lounge is directly connected to The Garlic Tree's kitchen, and is therefore the optimum location for an exquisite Valentine's meal, even if the Rose Seller pesters you with her Giant Rose Basket.

However the most moving display of adoration is reserved for downriver where 'love at first sight' is being exercised. The Lake Fisher is making use of the good weather to bring his Lake Dog down for a promising fishing session, while the Playful Parasol is stretching her legs with her Frisbee Dog. The two of them (and their pooches) have clocked one another across the river, and I suspect they'll be making their way to the romantic dinner for two section at The Garlic Tree this evening!

 Recent posts from The Garlic Tree

 24/12/16 Christmas 2016
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 16/08/16 Olympics 2016
 13/02/16 Valentine's Day 2016

And on that high note we've reached the end of the tour. Love comes in many forms, and I hope I've managed to capture that with my Valentine's layout. I was a bit later with my redesign this year than usual, mostly because I didn't have any clear ideas going into it. However I'm pretty pleased with the outcome and hope you enjoyed taking a look around.

Now it's the turn of my neighbours! Valentine's Day is on Tuesday, and four of my great friends are preparing to wow everyone with their fabulous creations in a Valentine's showcase. But it will be a Valentine's showcase with a difference - there are plenty of other events going on around the world at this time and it would be a shame not to allow such occasions to be given some recognition. So as well as Valentine's prepare yourself for some outstanding homages to Chinese New Year and Mardi Gras!