A Valentine's Day Getaway

In what is becoming an annual tradition, Kathy and I spent the Valentine's Day weekend in Greenwich at the Hyatt Regency. Our first visit to the Hyatt came in 2007 after our trip to California for a wedding was canceled due to a severe snow storm. We had made it all the way to the Bronx when we finally got confirmation that our flight was canceled. Not wanting to lose the weekend getaway we had planned, we searched for a place to stay and found the Hyatt. We became hooked.

The Hyatt offers many great things for a short getaway. It is within an hour of our home, has an indoor pool and a great restaurant but most importantly it has a huge four-story atrium with paths winding among the trees found within. Winfield's, the hotel's restaurant, and a bar both located in the atrium, offer plenty of opportunities to spend time in this relaxing setting. This year our trip started by arriving late in the afternoon on Valentine's Day. After checking in, we proceeded to the heated indoor pool for a relaxing swim. There's something right about swimming while it is 40 degrees outside.

That night we headed to Winfield's for a romantic dinner for two in the atrium. Having enjoyed excellent meals there on past visits, we had high expectations and Winfield's did not disappoint. For the Valentine's Day holiday, the restaurant had a special dinner menu for the night. Kathy and I decided to start out with the seafood martini for two. This was a unique idea: shrimp, crab and lobster arranged in a martini glass with cocktail sauce on the side. The seafood was fresh, well prepared, and the cocktail sauce had just the right zing to it. A good way to begin the meal.

For the main course, Kathy had the Chilean Sea Bass on a bed of mac and cheese orzo. Sea Bass has become one of Kathy's favorites, and this one was on the mark. The mac and cheese orzo was an interesting side, having just the right amount of cheese while, at the same time, not being too overwhelming. I decided to try something different and ordered the lamb chops with mashed potatoes. This was the first time I ordered lamb and I really enjoyed it. The meat was tender and full of flavor. I am looking forward to trying it again.

To top the evening off, we had dessert (what's Valentine's Day without some sweets?). Kathy had an excellent slice of Junior's cheesecake with strawberry compote and I had a chocolate heart filled with a mix of berries. We had a great time with excellent food and good conversation in this beautiful setting.

We awoke Sunday morning and went swimming again (I can't pass up a pool these days). We had selected a hotel package which included the Sunday brunch at Winfield's. All I can say is Wow! The spread was impressive: several stations, a good range of cold and warm buffet foods, and a enormous dessert table.

We started the brunch off with some mimosas. After surveying the room, we both settled on some eggs and sausage as a first course. Some of the other food highlights were the sushi bar, the roast beef carving station and the omelet station. But the star of the show for me was the pancake station with it's three foot round griddle! I have to admit I made two visits to this station, well rewarded each time with some excellent fluffy pancakes with syrup and whipped cream. Needless to say we ended brunch feeling quite stuffed and looking for a nap. Thank goodness our package included a late checkout.

In the end, I can't say enough about Winfield's. Whether for dinner, breakfast or brunch, we have never had a bad meal there in the 3 visits we've made to the Hyatt. This, plus the wonderful environment have us looking forward to the next visit.