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Valentine’s Day

Here at Guest Services, Inc.

We appreciate your time

Be our valentine

Valentine’s Day, or St Valentine’s Day, is celebrated every year on February 14. It’s the day when people show their affection for others by sending cards, flowers, or chocolates with messages of love.

But where did valentine’s day come from?

Emperor Claudius II had banned marriage because he thought married men were bad soldiers. Valentine felt this was unfair, so he broke the rules and arranged marriages in secret. When Claudius found out, Valentine was thrown in jail and sentenced to death. In jail, he fell in love with the jailer’s daughter, and when he was taken to be killed on 14 February, he sent her a love letter signed “from your Valentine.”

Enjoy a Sweet Treat!

  • Traverse, Breckenridge, CO

Take a trip to the Centennial State! You’ll be surrounded by breathtaking mountain views and spectacular romantic sunsets as you dine on delectable dishes that are prepared fresh daily. Make a reservation today 

  • Restaurant 1915, Bear Mountain, NY

Not interested in the big apple? Keep on going past Manhattan, past Yonkers, and you’ll reach the wooded Bear Mountain State Park. Enjoy a tasty piece of locally sourced meat at Restaurant 1915 & Blue Roof Bar.

  • Homestead Restaurant, Big Sur, CA

When you dine at our Restaurant and Bar, you dine surrounded by redwoods. You can enjoy either inside or while relaxing with a glass of local California wine or craft beer on the outdoor patio that overlooks the Big Sur River. Redwoods are waiting!

  • Sculpture Garden, Pavilion Café, DC

Come hungry, leave happy. Whether you’re hungry for snacks, meals or shareable plates, we have it all! Come and grab a bite before you walk around the National Mall. Call us at 202-289-3361

Valentines Around the World

Wales – Residents of Wales celebrate St. Dwynwen’s Day on January 25. St. Dwynwen is the Welsh patron saint of lovers, and men traditionally gift women with hand-carved wooden spoons. The tradition is based on the notion that Welsh sailors carved designs into wooden spoons while at sea to bring back to their lovers at home.

Japan – In Japan, women make the first move on Valentine’s Day. They give men gifts; a popular gift being honmei-choco, homemade chocolate. Men return the gesture on March 14. Known as White Day, men give women white chocolate and other white gifts as a sign of their affection

Plant-Based Friendly Tastes

In the day of the health-conscious consumer, it is important for any food provider to stay updated with what is necessary to meet the consumer needs. Veganism continues to gain popularity as consumers begin to understand some of its amazing benefits, such as nutrient-rich eating, reduced waste, weight loss, lower risk of diseases, and so many more!

We spoke to Guest Services executive chefs, Jeff Trefry, and Roland Markart, to see how they are pushing to meet the standard in our GSI units, and offering inclusive options for all of our vegan friends!

“All units and chefs are very flexible because these types of diets are becoming more popular, and we are very open-minded in providing food that tastes great and includes those with restrictive diets.” Roland Markart expressed his willingness and eagerness to jump right on board with the trend in saying,

Take a look at our list of units that proudly offer vegan selections!

Air and Space Museum– National Mall Kiosks

The Air and Space Museum kiosk is full of vegan-friendly items to enjoy today! Some options at the kiosk include Morning Star Farms Black bean burger, house salads, and a veggie sandwich with fries.

Big Sur Lodge

At Big Sur Lodge, you can look forward to vegan options that will satisfy cravings! “The Local” is a vegan dish with miso-glazed grilled tofu, grilled peppers, avocado, grilled eggplants, Portobello mushroom, grilled radicchio, Vidalia onions, and balsamic vinaigrette. The lodge has a vegan Mediterranean masa, and many vegetarian options to choose from, easily adjusted to fit any need you may have.

Bear Mountain Inn

As a beautiful wedding destination, the Inn strives to cater to all tastes and preferences by offering several vegan-friendly options for their wedding menu. It also includes an ENTIRELY vegan menu by wedding request.

The vegan menu created by Bear Mountain Inn’s own catering chef, Armondo Aviles, includes hors d’oeuvres, a cold station, and an interactive station including vegan sliders and a fa-waffle station.  Yum!

Staples for creating a vegan-friendly alternative at the Bear Mountain Inn consist of fruits, vegetables, and nut substitutes – like their delicious cashew “cheese” quesadillas! Some of the delectable dishes include: vegan ceviche, empanadas, pulled “pork,” dips and salsas, sliders, and so much more.

Mount Rainier

Vegan options at the Paradise Inn Restaurant and the National Park Inn Restaurant do not come in short supply! The options include a Cauliflower Pie Fold, Volcanic Vegan Mac n’ Cheese, Falafel Sandwich, Field of Wildflowers Salad, Tacoma Tofu Scramble, and more! Mount Rainier also has a variety of vegetarian options. Substitutions can be made to accommodate a vegan or vegetarian diet.

The Lodge at Breckenridge

The Lodge offers a beautifully colored Vegetable Terrine, full of in-season produce such as tomatoes, basil, squash, and more! This summer staple will have you coming back for more every time.

The National Emergency Training Center

Some menu items at the National Emergency Training Center (NETC) that can regularly be seen include falafel, grilled tofu with rice noodles and Chili Garlic Sauce; cauliflower options, potato-based options, and Pea Curry. The NETC also offers Three Grain Sliders and Marinated Grilled Portobello Mushrooms as burger/sandwich meat substitutes.

Russ Fetting, the Executive Chef at NETC in Emmetsburg, Maryland, describes the unique way that they provide inclusive options to their students.

“We offer a vegan choice on our menu daily. We also work with special diets on a case-by-case basis. When the students arrive on campus, part of the “Welcome” packet is a form asking about any special diet or allergen concerns they may have. We then meet with them one on one and come up with a plan that will accommodate their needs while they are here, ” Chef Fetting said.

The Sculpture Garden – Pavilion Café

The Pavilion Café at the Sculpture Garden proudly offers a wide variety of options for vegan and vegetarian tourists and locals alike. Some vegetarian options include Mediterranean Salad, Mexican Corn Flatbread, and Eggplant Caprese.  Executive Chef Edward Verber states, “We also accommodate to our vegan guests with the other vegetarian options and can easily omit the cheese in the Eggplant Caprese and the Mediterranean to further give options to our guests.”

A Vegan Veggie Wrap consists of Balsamic-roasted eggplant, zucchini, and yellow squash. Another chef’s favorite is bruschetta tomatoes, fresh basil, baby arugula, and a garlic white bean puree wrapped in a locally produced spinach tortilla. Another vegan option is the delicious Citrus Quinoa salad with pineapple, oranges, grapes, watermelon, and sweet and spicy glazed almonds.

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We encourage you to try out any of these menu items! Even if you’re new to veganism, give it a go! You won’t be disappointed with all the variety.

“It is not just our responsibility to provide a variety of accommodating foods, but it is also the guests’ responsibility to tell us how we can improve their experience with us. Don’t be afraid to mention your food restrictions to our staff,” says Roland Markart, Corporate Chef of the Hospitality Division.

When vegan options cannot be found, there are vegetarian options at every Guest Services’ unit, both on the menu and upon request. Ask your chef what they can do to make your meals more accommodating and satisfying to your needs.

For allergens or other intolerances, Guest Services is here to help. “With those with very strict dietary restrictions, such as a peanut allergy, we accommodate by having certain foods prepared in a different environment to avoid cross-contamination in the kitchen,” says Roland Markart

Gifting Memories

We know how difficult it can be to choose the perfect gift for someone who means so much to you. So, why not gift your loved ones with something that will last them a lifetime?

Whether you are giving a gift for an adventurous wanderer, that special someone, or the whole family, we know there is something here for everyone.

Gifts for the adventurer:

  • Give a gift that lasts all summer long! Boating in DC and Boating in Boston both offer season passes, available to purchase at any time of the year, even the offseason. Visit the DC website or the Boston website for more information.
  • Giants Ridge is the perfect destination for a winter break ski trip with the family. Gift them ski lift passes, rentals, or season passes this Holiday season. Visit Giants Ridge’s website for more information.

  • Get them out of the house and on the water with Lake Roosevelt Adventures houseboat rentals. Check out the website to see all the options.

  • Send them down south to Flamingo Adventures in the Everglades to warm up their winter season. With beautiful weather, views, kayak and canoe rentals, their newly-built eco-tents, or houseboats, what more would they need? Visit the Flamingo Adventures website to book a room and rent their floats!

Gifts for the romantic:

  • Wakulla Springs dinner cruise is the perfect evening out for you and your loved one, or to gift to the happy couple in your life! For more details, Wakulla Springs’ website.

  • A night’s stay that will surely make memories is at the gorgeous Lodge at Breckenridge in beautiful Breckenridge, Colorado. Visit the website to see so many options for their next stay. (Best part? They are pet-friendly!)

Gifts for the whole family:

  • Need an activity to get the kids working together? Take the family down to East Potomac Tennis Center for junior tennis lessons. What a great way to get them outside and enjoying each other’s company! Visit their website to learn more.

  • Does your family love animals and the outdoors? Rock Creek Park Horse Center is the perfect location for riding lessons, trail rides, and even family volunteering! Gift the kids’ an experience and get the whole family out there! Visit the website.

Of all the presents, the best is the gift of knowing you gave the perfect gift without the stress of the stores!