THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1997, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, January 26, 1997 TAG: 9701230030
SECTION: FLAVOR PAGE: F1 EDITION: FINAL
COLUMN: Morsels
SOURCE: Ruth Fantasia
LENGTH: 71 lines
VALENTINE'S DAY doesn't have to mean a dozen red roses and a heart-shaped box of chocolates. If you want to do something different this year, try a custom-designed basket from Omni Presents of Norfolk.
The folks at Omni Presents will create a basket to your specifications. If your romantic interest is someone who loves to cook, they can design a basket like the one pictured here with muffin mix, cookbook note cards, a chocolate bar, a tin of cinnamon chip cookies and a copy of ``Cooking in the Nude: Quickies'' by Debbie and Steve Cornwell (Howell Press, 1995). Little too risque for your taste? No problem. They'll leave out the book and put in a coffee mug, bookmark or picture frame.
``I like baskets that have something left over once the food is gone,'' says Omni Presents co-owner Clay Barr. That something could be most anything, depending on the theme you choose. Have a wine lover in your life? Omni Presents has leather-bound wine cellar logs, cuff links that look like bottle corks and even a desk clock with a wine motif.
Even the food included in the baskets is a bit different from the usual. Barr says she and co-owners Diana Feldman and Charlotte Ford travel to specialty food shows searching for items such as cinnamon cappuccino cookies and apple pie-flavored cream cheese to use.
Basket prices start at about $35; the only limit is your budget.
Omni Presents is located inside Cofers on Olney Road. For a catalog and more information call 627-6664. Outside the calling area dial (800) 317-4438.
Lucky reunion
The Lucky Star restaurant in Virginia Beach has been good fortune for more than owners Butch Butt and Amy Brandt. Several former employees have gone on to run their own notable kitchens. Now, they are returning, at least for a night.
Chef Amy Brandt has invited sous chef Ethel Pangborn, now chef and owner of Thyme Square Market and Deli in Norfolk, to be guest chef Feb. 1 and prepare a special menu that's sure to accent Pangborn's South Carolina style.
Then, on Valentine's Day, Joanne Genoble, who left the Lucky Star to start Giannobili's Cakes and Confections in Virginia Beach, will return and create her specialties for diners that romantic evening.
The Lucky Star is at 1608 Pleasure House Road. Make reservations for either night or you'll be left wishing on a star. Call 363-8410.
Diner din
If you haven't been able to get into the Atlas Diner for dinner - we hear the lines have been long - try lunch, or brunch. Atlas now opens at 11:30 a.m. Monday through Friday and at 11 a.m. Sunday. The kitchen switches to the dinner menu at 4 p.m.
This 6-week-old restaurant is in the Farm Fresh Shopping Center at Great Neck and First Colonial roads in Virginia Beach. Call 496-3839.
Also new
In Norfolk, La Bolangerie Cafe and Bakery opened recently on Colonial Avenue, just north of 21st Street. Afternoon visits have found the few tables in this quaint little storefront filled. La Bolangerie offers sandwiches ($4.25-$5.57), salads ($3.95-$5.95), soups and chili ($2.25-$4) and light-style platters such as grilled salmon or tuna ($5.95-$6.50). In addition, La Bolangerie has tarts, fruit-filled pastries and breads, espresso and cappuccino. Call 533-9000. ILLUSTRATION: [Color Photo]
VICKI CRONIS
The Virginian-Pilot
Looking for that something different for Valentine's Day? Omni
Presents of Norfolk will create a basket to your specifications.