So, I was on the set of the TODAY Show yesterday to observe one of the cooking segments. Owner of SD26 Restaurant and Wine Bar, Marisa May, gave a great unconventional spin to Valentine’s Day. Her take: You don’t need a Valentine for the festive occasion. Throw a chic cocktail party for your best buds and serve these easy-to-prepare fares*:

• Shrimp skewers with passion fruit
• Tramezzini with mortadella and roasted peppers
• Tramezzini with spinach and mozzarella
• SD26 and Marisa May’s Torta di Ricotta and Nutella (a decadent chocolate cake with a Nutella icing)
• MM’s Hibiskiss (a Pomegranate Juice based cocktail)

Check out these pictures and a link to the video.

* All recipes are available on the TODAY Show link (below the video)

Want to visit SD 26? Go ahead! I would strongly urge you to partake in anything with white truffle (a rare French, delicate, white mushroom.) Just a note, SD 26 is definitely a “splurge surge” candidate as its worthy offerings exceed the Canny Candi repertoire. If you have had an excellent payday, it is imperative that you try:

• Bufala mozzarella appetizer offered with golden beets, roasted red onion and arugula oil
• Uovo – a soft egg yolk filled raviolo with truffled butter (a must for those who enjoy sunny side up eggs)

TODAY Show video: http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/46329501/ns/today-celebrates_valentines_day/

Restaurant website: http://sd26ny.com