Valentine’s at the Aquarium – love, love and more love

By Amina Hoosain / 16 March 2011

Gorgeous Jadee Fernandes in front of our <em>I&J Predator Exhibit</em> on Valentine's Day. All photos courtesy Jadee Fernandes

Gorgeous Jadee Fernandes in front of our I&J Predator Exhibit on Valentine's Day. All photos courtesy Jadee Fernandes

On 14 February, 2011, the Two Oceans Aquarium opened its doors to celebrate one of Cape Town’s most unique Valentine’s Day experiences. Twenty-eight couples celebrated Valentine’s in our romantic aquatic venue. Welcomed with glasses of Pongracz (compliments of Distell), these lucky-in-love couples strolled though the Aquarium to view the sea life before sitting down for a delicious three-course meal.

The Aquarium closes at 18h00 to the general public, so our guests had the opportunity to meander unhurried through the Aquarium and view, among others, moon jellies, pipefish, sea horses, pufferfish and juvenile ragged-tooth sharks.

Guests were shown to their seats at the Kelp Forest Exhibit or the I&J Predator Exhibit. Seated at intimate and elegant tables for two, everyone could relax and take in the magnificent scenery.

Popular duo Louise Howlett (vocals) and Albert Combrink (piano) serenaded our guests with a variety of love songs, like As Time Goes By, My Funny Valentine, Fly Me to the Moon, The Rose and Love Changes Everything.

The delectable dinner's menu

Our couples thoroughly enjoyed the evening, finishing their meal with scrumptious chocolates (sponsored by Lindt), and then many of them took a late-night stroll through the Aquarium before heading home.

If you missed out on this romantic experience then diarise “Valentine’s at the Aquarium” for next year!

What our guests said

We asked some of our geusts what they loved mosts about the Valentine’s dinner with a difference.

“Da fish of course … In da tank and on da plate!” Darryl Wesson

“The location. The backdrop was spectacular.” Maryke Wilson

“The atmosphere and the fact that it is such a different experience. And being able to walk around the Aquarium beforehand.” Anne Kurzewski

“The setting was amazing and so different! Very well organised!” Candice Klotz

“The welcome drinks and being able to walk around the Aquarium on our own.”Matthew Gruter

“The food was out of this world.” Tsuoise Mokete

I loved being able to share the aquarium with my wife and enjoying a meal while watching the fish and sharks swim around.” Gus Pauw

Jadee and her partner in our Nemo exhibit

Comments

Christo.Lourens
08/01/2012 #

Is there still a table for 2 available for Valentine’s Day?
Admin
09/01/2012 #

Hi Christo! We are running Valentine’s again this year but have not launched sales! Please watch this space - our blog and website - the announcement will be made any day now.
Gilbert Fernandes
11/01/2012 #

hi when will the bookings open for the valentines day dinner?
Admin
11/01/2012 #

Hi Gilbert, by the latest next week! We will be blogging about it so keep an eye on our website.
Leozette
24/01/2012 #

Hi there, what is the best area to book for from the following?
I&J Predator Exhibit pit
Lower I&J Predator Exhibit
Upper I&J Predator Exhibit
I&J Predator Exhibit tunnel
Kelp Forest Exhibit
Atlantic Ocean Gallery

And is it possible to see a menu?
Gfer
24/01/2012 #

I am hoping it is Gay Friendly
Admin
24/01/2012 #

Hi Leozette:

Presently we have tables available at the following areas:
- I & J Predator Exhibit – lower level (1 table remaining)
- I & J Predator Exhibit – upper level (8 tables remaining)
- Kelp Forest Exhibit (4 tables remaining)
- Atlantic Oceans Gallery (11 tables remaining)
Should you wish to watch the ragged-tooth sharks and shoals of leervis and yellowtail while having supper, then a table at the I & J Predator Exhibit lower or upper level would be best. However the Kelp Forest Exhibit and Atlantic Oceans Gallery are also intimate atmospheres for a Valentine’s evening dinner.

The menu is as follows:

Starter
Baked mushrooms stuffed with camembert cheese, topped with onion and strawberry marmalade
Main course
Line fish of the day served with polenta cakes, Italian grilled vegetables and a creamy sundried tomato and goats cheese sauce.
Or
Peppered fillet served with crushed baby potatoes, English spinach and sauce espagnole
Vegetarian option for vegetarians only:
Polenta and parmesan cakes with grilled vegetables and chakalaka
Dessert
Chocolate mousse and strawberry cheesecake

Book here to avoid disappointment: https://www.aquarium.co.za/shop/buy/general/valentines/
@Gfer: Absolutely!
Nico
26/01/2012 #

Hi Gfer, of course it’s gay friendly. Some of the best fish are gay themselves. Do you think that big gish in Nemo was called Bruce for nothing? :-)
Stacey
26/01/2012 #

Hi there,

My boyfriend has never been to the aquarium but we are working so won’t be able to get there a lot earlier.

How long do we get to walk around for and can we look around after dinner? I think this will make the experience even better as I have been nagging him to come with me to the aquarium for ages now:)

Looking forward to your reply.

Stacey