Be my Classical Valentine… Emerald Coast Chamber Ensemble presents Valentine's Day concert as South Walton restaurants get romantic

Carol Wolowsky has a passion and wants to share it with the community.

Wolowsky, an international freelance violinist, and founder of the Emerald Coast Chamber Ensemble will be performing a Valentine's Day concert at Christ the King Episcopal Church in Santa Rosa Beach at 3 p.m.

"The intention is to afford the community the opportunity to listen to and hear some of the finer repertoires by the great composers that are not presented too much in this area," Wolowsky said. "This is the opportunity to hear nice chamber music from some very talented artists."

"This music can tap into every type of emotion you have," Wolowsky said.

Wolowsky is partnering with Enzo's Italian restaurant to complete the romantic affair.

Lovers of fine music and food may combine the concert with dinner at Enzo's after the performance, featuring complimentary champagne cocktail, fettuccini, lobster tail and filet mignon. Advance purchase ticket holders receive a $5 discount for the concert and a $10 discount for dinner subject to a reservation by calling Enzo's at 850-267-3003.

"There are a couple of Italian selections in the performance," Wolowsky said. "I really think it is going to tie in nicely."

The concert will feature leading Emerald Coast artists Wolowsky and Kate Kelly, on violin, Chun-Hisn Chang, on cello and guest violist Rebecca Henry from The Peabody Institute at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore. They will perform a special program which includes Bach's Brandenburg Concert No. 3 and Prelude from an Unaccompanied Suite; a Mozart Duo for violin and viola; Vivaldi's Four Seasons (spring and autumn); music from Titanic and other romantic favorites.

"This will be our second Valentines concert," she said. "It has been one of the more popular concerts we have done."

Concert tickets may be purchased in advance for $20 at Playground Music in Fort Walton Beach, Bayou Books in Niceville, Kitchenique in Destin, 3 Graces Taverna in Sandestin's Marketplace and Sun Dog Books in Seaside. Cash or check only.

Tickets may also be purchased at the door for $25 or $10 for ages 18 and under.

Christ the King Episcopal Church is located at 480 North County Road 393, and Enzo's Italian Restaurant at 1598 South County Road 393 in the Sunset Promenade Center in Santa Rosa Beach.

For concert information call 850-650-5448.

"Can you think of a better thing to do on Valentine's Day?" Wolowsky said. "You can go to a concert and hear wonderful music performed by wonderful musicians and then go enjoy a romantic dinner at a great restaurant."

Other area restaurants are also trying to lure your valentine with a romantic dinner.

•Kick the romance off early with Sinfonia’s Going PINK wine dinner Feb. 11 at Café Thirty-A. Celebrate the music of Pink Martini at a four-course wine dinner and reception in honor of Sinfonia's Gala Event taking place March 23. The dinner will feature a pink martini reception. View the menu online at the Sinfonia Web site. Dinner is $75 per person and includes all food, wine pairings, one pink martini, tax and gratuity. Patrons may purchase and print tickets online at www.SinfoniaGulfCoast.org or call (850) 269-7129.

Sinfonia continues celebrating with its third annual fundraiser Valentine’s Brunch with Maestro Demetrius Fuller Feb. 13 at Kitchenique at 11 a.m. Fuller joins Vicki McCain, director Kitchenique Cooking School, in preparing great food paired with champagne and fun for $55. Fuller prepares his famous Crab Cakes Benedict with Blood Orange Hollandaise paired with McCain's Garlic Cheese Grits and Tropical Fruit Compote with Vanilla Bean Paste. A champagne-tasting menu will be available "a la carte" with proceeds going to support Sinfonia Gulf Coast. Seating is limited. Call (850) 837-0432.

•Dine, dance and cruise aboard the Solaris yacht Feb. 13 or 14 from 6 - 9 p.m. Enjoy a three-course dinner for $150 a couple. Call (850) 650-2519 or online at www.sunquestcruises.com. A full-service bar and appetizers will be available for purchase onboard.

•Join Fleming’s Prime Steak House at Grand Boulevard Feb. 12 - 14 for a romantic sharing menu and receive a $25 card for a future rendezvous. Dinner is $99 a couple for a complete three-course dinner featuring filet mignon and Australian lobster tail. Call (850) 269-0830.

•Santa Rosa Beach Club is offering a special Valentine’s menu Feb. 13 featuring all aphrodisiac foods from 5 – 8 p.m., for $60 per person, which includes champagne. On Valentine’s Day, a special brunch is offered from 9:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. for $20.95. Call (850) 267-1240.

•The Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa is giving local couples a cause for romantic celebration with Just the Two of Us … A Valentine Interlude at the Hilton Sandestin on Feb. 13. Enjoy music and dancing, a complimentary 5 x 7 photograph, intimate tables for two, including grilled filet of beef and herb-crusted grouper Oscar-style dinner. Lovers can choose from several special packages, customized to include overnight accommodations, breakfast or spa services at Serenity by the sea Spa starting at $159 per couple. For more information or to book call (800) 367-1271.

•Seagar’s Prime Steaks & Seafood and Serenity by the sea – the Spa at Hilton Sandestin Beach are both getting into the romantic spirit with special Valentine’s offerings. For details, visit www.seagarsdestin.com and www.serenitybytheseaspa.com, respectively.

•Enzo’s Italian Restaurant is offering a special Valentine’s Day five-course dinner for $55. Call (850) 267-3003 for reservations.

•Restaurant Fire at Grayton Beach will be open for dinner Feb. 14 for Valentine's Day, offering a three-course menu for $45 as well as their normal dinner menu. Call (850) 231-9020 for reservations.

• Henderson Park Inn, an adults-only property, is offering rooms for $149 any night in February. Included are free breakfast, lunch, snacks, bikes, unlimited drinks during daily happy hour, and wine, grapes and flowers on arrival. Call (866) 398-4432 for reservations.   

•A Valentine’s Day concert featuring Roman Street will be held at 5:30 p.m. Feb. 14 at the Meeting Hall Theatre in Seaside.