Dark Romance: An Evening of Opulence

Dark Romance: An Evening of Opulence

Step inside The Sunflower House & Retreat for an intimate October evening of Victorian elegance, candlelight, culinary artistry, and a touch of beautifully macabre charm. 

Dark Romance: An Evening of Opulence pairs a chef-curated multi-course dinner by Chef Dillan with thoughtfully selected wines and a welcome craft cocktail presented by The Shaker Theory. Guests will experience the Sunflower House transformed for one unforgettable evening of exceptional food, beautiful wine pairings, craft cocktails & atmospheric surroundings - Elegant, mysterious inspired by the darker side of Victorian Beauty. 

Attire

Dinner attire encouraged. Color themes for the evening: deep reds & purples, black. Victorian inspired touches are always welcome but never required. 

Saturday, October 10, 2026
6:00 PM
The Sunflower House & Retreat
1702 Ball Street, Galveston, Texas

Seating is limited to preserve the intimate nature of the experience.

Featuring Chef Dillan

Chef Dillan will lead guests through a thoughtfully composed menu created specifically for the evening, moving from delicate hors d’oeuvres through rich autumn flavors and finishing with an indulgent dark chocolate dessert.

Each course has been intentionally paired with wine, creating a progression designed to complement both the food and the atmosphere of the evening.

The Menu

Welcome Craft Cocktail
A seasonal welcome cocktail presented by The Shaker Theory

Hors d’Oeuvres
Goat cheese stuffed dates
Mini lox bites
Parmesan crab bites

Wine Pairing: Laurent-Perrier La Cuvée Champagne

Starter
Smoked green chile cheddar polenta cake, grilled shrimp, seared scallop, roasted red pepper coulis

Wine Pairing: Bruno Giacosa Roero Arneis

Stacked Salad
Burrata cheese, spring mix, heirloom tomatoes, basil pesto, balsamic vinaigrette

Wine Pairing: Dakota Shy Rosé

Entrée
Braised short rib, pumpkin gnocchi, parsnip cream sauce, brown butter, fried sage, onion nest

Wine Pairing: Stéphane Ogier Côte-Rôtie

Dessert
Raspberry dark chocolate mousse cake

Wine Pairing: Marenco Brachetto d’Acqui

Craft Cocktails & Wine Pairings

Craft cocktail service and wine pairings are presented in collaboration with The Shaker Theory, bringing an additional layer of flavor and presentation to the evening.

Guests will begin with a specially crafted welcome cocktail before enjoying wines selected to complement each course.

The Setting

Built in 1888, The Sunflower House provides the perfect backdrop for an evening inspired by Victorian elegance and October’s darker beauty.

Parking: Complimentary street parking is available in the surrounding area. Please be respectful of neighboring residences and avoid blocking driveways or entrances.

Important Details

This is an intimate, seated dining experience. Please plan to arrive on time so that all guests may enjoy the courses and wine pairings as intended.

If you or anyone in your party has a food allergy or dietary restriction, please contact us prior to the event so we can determine whether accommodations are possible.

Cancellation & Refund Policy

Because this is an intimate, limited-seating dining experience, preparations and purchases are made in advance for each guest.

Tickets are non-refundable. If you are unable to attend, you may transfer your ticket to another guest at no additional charge. Please contact us with the name of the new attendee prior to the event.

In the event that Sunflower House & Retreat cancels or reschedules the dinner, guests will be offered a full refund or the option to transfer their ticket to the rescheduled date.

Accessibility

Please note: The Sunflower House is a historic Victorian home built in 1888. Due to the original architecture and historic nature of the property, some areas of the home may have limited accessibility, including stairs, narrow passages, raised thresholds, and uneven surfaces. The home does not have an elevator or ramps. 

Guests with mobility or accessibility needs are encouraged to message us prior to purchasing tickets so we can discuss the layout of the home and any available accommodations.

Dietary restrictions and food allergies should be communicated at the time of booking. Due to the nature of the curated menu, we cannot guarantee that all dietary substitutions can be accommodated.

Guests must be 21+ to participate in alcoholic beverage pairings.

Your Ticket Includes

Your Dark Romance Experience includes the welcome craft cocktail, hors d’oeuvres, chef-curated multi-course dinner, curated wine pairings, and the full Victorian-inspired evening at The Sunflower House. Gratuity is included in the price. 

Extraordinary Food • Beautiful Company • Timeless Surroundings

For questions or additional details, message The Sunflower House & Retreat on Facebook