Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - A February holiday has been recognized for thousands of years. Its history has several beginnings.

The tradition of Valentine's Day is believed to have originated from the pagan customs of the third or fourth century BC when the Parentalia and Feralia Festivals of Purification were celebrated in ancient Rome between February 13 and February 18. This was also the time of a Fertility Festival which celebrated a young man's rite of passage and involved animal sacrifices and fertility rituals.

With the appearance of Christianity, priests attempted to replace such ancient heathen practices. In the fifth century AD, the church resolved to abolish this pagan celebration by creating its own holiday around the same date and selecting a saint who was remembered for his devotion to love. Saint Valentine became the official Patron Saint of Love and the holiday continued to evolve.

You can celebrate this sweetheart of a holiday at Kaiser Maximilian with a tempting special a la carte menu or you can order off of the regular menu, either way it will be a wonderful evening. Executive Chef Juan Carlos Palomer created extraordinary selections for this occasion.

The restaurant is normally closed on Sundays, but will open for dinner starting at 4 pm at the Espresso Bar and it will remain open until 11 pm. The Main Dining Room will open for dinner starting at 6 pm and will stay open until 11 pm.

Here is the special a la carte menu. The regular menu is also available.

Appetizers

• Smoked Mushroom Soup with Quinoa and Roasted Chilies
• Risotto with Shrimp and Chipotle Sauce

Main Courses

• Beef Tenderloin with Red Flannel Hash topped with a Pepper and Hollandaise Sauce
• Herb Crusted Salmon Fillet with Angel Hair Pasta tossed in Asparagus & Port Wine Sauce

Dessert

• Cottage Cheese Strudel with Berry Compote and Vanilla Ice Cream

Please make reservations for February 14, 2016, so you can secure the table, time and Espresso Bar or Main Dining Room selection, 223-0760 or 222-5058. The special a la carte Valentine's Day menu will be featured until February 29, 2016.

Spend a romantic evening at Kaiser Maximilian Restaurant in Vallarta's Zona Romantica.

Open Monday-Saturday from 8 am to 11 pm for breakfast, lunch and dinner, Kaiser Maximilian Restaurant & Cafe is located at Olas Altas #38B in the Zona Romántica of Puerto Vallarta. For reservations call (322) 223-0760 or visit KaiserMaximilian.com

Click HERE to read more about Kaiser Maximilian.