Decadent desserts highlight Valentine's Day at The Atrium

Each night, just before closing time at The Atrium in Port Huron, proprietors Rock and Gayle Stevens share an ice cream sundae with one spoon.

As the kitchen and wait staff close up shop around them, they reminisce about the lifetime they've shared, starting as high school sweethearts and now as the owners of one of St. Clair County's most iconic eateries. Together more than 50 years, Rock still calls Gayle his "sweetie," and it's obvious they cherish each other. So truly, there's no one in Port Huron — or perhaps all of Michigan — more qualified than these two to offer a romantic Valentine's Day dinner experience, and this year, they're pulling out all the stops.

Valentine's Day dinner, prepared by head chef Eric Moreland, will be divine. He's offering several scrumptious entrees with sides, including hand-cut 12-ounce ribeye steaks, champagne-vanilla bean shrimp, and a spicy seafood linguine. Moreland, who hails from Atlanta, is perfecting his offerings, promising a range of culinary delights to start the evening.

Of course, no Valentine's Day would be complete without dessert, and Gayle's already imagining her home-made dessert tray. Chances are, she says, there will be The Atrium's signature dessert, bumpy cake (possibly even tiny, heart-shaped, made-to-share bumpy cakes). There will also be a cheesecake, with some sort of delightful, delicious twist — a fruit topping, perhaps? Then there will be carrot cake, maybe a banana split cake or Boston cream cake, almost certainly chocolate-dipped strawberries. There will also be at least one gluten-free dessert on the menu, so everyone can enjoy a specially-made sweet treat.

If you'd like to join Gayle and Rock at The Atrium to celebrate Valentine's Day, they recommend making reservations in advance by calling (810) 989-6002.

But what if you can't make it to The Atrium? No worries. It's possible to take the romance, ambiance, and delicious food home instead of dining in. Of course, then you'll miss the unique joy of spending the most romantic day of the year with two true love experts, but then again, there's always next year.

The Atrium is at 1519 Military St. in Port Huron. It is open 8:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays; 8:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; and 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Sundays.