Valentine’s Dinner and Brunch offered at Brookfield Zoo

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Updated: April 10, 2012 11:53AM

Bring out your animal magnetism and treat your significant other to a romantic Valentine’s dinner at Brookfield Zoo on Feb. 11.

The unique dining adventure begins at 6:30 p.m. as the Catered Events staff greets guests at the zoo’s South Gate, where they will board the heated Snowball Express for a cozy ride to the Seven Seas Underwater Viewing gallery. Once there, diners can enjoy cocktails and hors d’oeuvres while watching bottlenose dolphins swimming gracefully past.

Afterwards, a five-course dinner, prepared by the zoo’s executive chef, will be served in Bocaditos restaurant. The evening’s menu features sweet corn chowder followed by a Greek-style salad with a vinaigrette dressing. An intermezzo of lemon sorbet precedes the main course of petit filet mignon with wild mushroom ragout and port demi glaze paired with lobster tail. Accompaniments include garlic mashed potatoes and fresh vegetables. Be sure to save room for the chef’s sinfully delicious red velvet heart-shaped cake for two. In addition to open bar service, premium wine and champagne will be served during dinner. The night continues with dancing ‘til midnight. The cost for the Valentine’s dinner is $225 per couple.

New this year, the zoo is also offering a more family-friendly brunch at 11 a.m. Feb. 12, in the Discovery Center. The brunch features breakfast items, including eggs Benedict, pancakes, hash brown potatoes, sausage links, bacon, and an assortment of pastries, bagels, muffins, and croissants. Additionally, there will be butternut squash soup, a variety of fresh salads, peel-and-eat shrimp, smoked salmon, herb-roasted free-range chicken, crab cakes, baked rigatoni Bolognese, and omelet and carving stations, as well as a sweet table featuring a decadent chocolate fountain and other scrumptious treats. Champagne will be served to adults. The brunch, which includes admission to the zoo, costs $55 for adults and $35 for children ages 3-11 years. Children two and under eat for free.

For reservations and information on the Valentine’s dinner and brunch at Brookfield Zoo, call the Catered Events Department at (708) 688-8355.