Valentine’s Day Dining – NYC’s Great Choices
Have you made your dinner plans for Valentine’s Day? Woman Around Town is making it easy for you. Here are some favorites around the city that offer wonderful and creative meals. We have included a variety of price points and cuisine styles so you can dine with your favorite people, whether it’s your bestie, significant other or a special family member. Valentine’s Day celebrations are also for the love of good food and drink. Click on the restaurant’s name to go to the website.
The Lambs Club (Midtown) Geoffrey Zakarain’s chic restaurant in the heart of the theatre district will be presenting a three-course lunch for $55.00 per person or a four course dinner for $115 per person. Chefs Geoffrey Zakarain and Galen Zamarra have curated a special menu with tempting items that include Wellfleet Oysters with Mango-Parsnip Mignonette and Paddlefish Caviar; Turbot Crusted with Spaghetti Squash, Watercress Puree, and Saffron-Miso Glazed Salsify; Stuffed Veal Breast Roulade with Sweetbreads and Truffle Jus; and desserts that include Passion Fruit Panna Cotta with Coconut, Lime and Champagne Sorbet.
Junoon (Flatiron) For $135 per person, the highly acclaimed, gourmet Indian restaurant will be offering a six-course tasting menu with optional wine pairing for $90 per person. Guests will enjoy 3 Lentil Shorba with daal tadka, pickled onion, carrots, turnips, radishes, and parsnips; Salmon Rassam, Scottish salmon, tomato rassam, and butternut squash or the Celery Root Rassam with celery root, tomato rassam, butternut squash; Truffle Khichdi, potato papad, black truffles, garlic naan with black truffle butter; Black Lime Chicken with rose braised leeks, rutabaga puree or Sloppy Pao, pao, tomato, potato, cilantro butter, garlic chili chutney; Tandoor Lobster, saffron marinated lobster, braised celery, butter pepper garlic sauce or Winter Terrine, sunchoke, carrot, eggplant, turnip, peanut tamarind sauce. Finish your meal with a choice of desserts that include Bhapa Doi, Kulfi Baked Alaska, or a Sorbet Selection.
Ben & Jack’s Steakhouse (Midtown East) The Steakhouse will be offering an unforgettable Valentine’s Day experience this year in partnership with Judges For Love, Inc. Retired New York State Supreme Court Justice Alan Marrus will be on-hand to perform private, personalized civil weddings or vow renewal ceremonies in a private dining area at Ben & Jack’s. Wedding packages start at $399 per couple and include the desired wedding service, a 4-course dinner and varying champagne options. Family and friends are invited to join the celebration and enjoy a special Valentine’s Day prix fixe menu, along with guests not participating in wedding activities. The 4-course menu with highlights that include Tuna Tartare, Porterhouse Steak, Filet Mignon, Chilean Sea Bass and Chocolate Covered Strawberries is priced at $99 and includes a complimentary glass of champagne.
Lexington Brass (Midtown East) Celebrate the romantic evening at Lexington Brass, a new age American Brasserie known for providing an authentic New York City experience with its locally sourced organic ingredients, fresh seasonal produce, and relaxed upscale environment. Special Valentine’s Day menu items will be available including Truffle Farro Risotto with Tri-Colored Cauliflower, Burrata, Pickled Grape and Parmesan, Grilled Half Maine Lobster with Chanterelle & Maitake Mushrooms, Garlic and Heirloom Tomatoes, and White Chocolate Raspberry Cheesecake with Strawberry Ice Cream.
Cantina Rooftop and Cantina 48 (Midtown West) From February 14th to the 17th the restaurant will feature their special dinner and brunch menus, with authentic Mexican creations courtesy of Chef Saul Montiel. The four-course pre-fixe menu costs $50, and for $25 comes with select wine pairings. Guests start with an amuse-bouche of yellowfin tuna tostaditas, caviar, avocado mousse, and mandarin orange and complimentary glass of champagne. For appetizers, there are sweet and spicy chicken lollipops, crispy oysters with cucumber and mango pico de gallo. For a hearty main, diners can choose from the braised short ribs, Maine lobster enchiladas, or slow oven roasted Cornish hen. Desserts include a strawberry shortbread, basil gelato and strawberry consommé, which is a perfect sharing size for two. Cantina Rooftop, well-known for their extensive tequila and mezcal cocktail menu have pulled out all the stops for V. Day. Cantina offers mimosas, Bloody Marys, and a wide range of fun and flirty margaritas to spice things up this season. For those looking for something a bit bolder, opt for the Frosty Mexican Bulldog Margaritas.
Scarpetta (Nomad) The restaurant is offering a four-course dinner for $125 per person. Dine on house specialties like Scarpetta’s Branzino with Salsa Verde, Braised Endive and Charred Onions and Spaghetti with Tomato & Basil. If you’re looking to do something special on Valentine’s Day weekend, LDV Hospitality’s Scarpetta in NoMad is hosting their very first Pasta Making Class Valentine’s Day weekend on Saturday, February 16th. Guests are invited to bring their loved one for a fun day of pasta making in the kitchen followed by lunch and a wine tasting.
Dirty French (Lower East Side) Major Food Group’s irreverent French Bistro, is excited to announce an indulgent prix fixe menu perfect for impressing a significant other. In their true style, the $98 Valentine’s Day menu features classic French bistro dishes enlivened with unexpected global flavors. Highlights include the Tuna Tartare – Bird’s Eye Chile, Crepe Indochine; Vin Blanc-black bass, berbere spice, mushroom; and the Tarte-preserved lemon, almond, toasted meringue. Those looking to double down on the luxury can choose a decadent Caviar Omelette for a supplement. And Dirty French’s lavishly-appointed interior supplies all of the romance necessary for a memorable night.
DIA (East Village) Offering Roman-style cuisine, cozy seating and a novel wine selection, DIA is an excellent spot for a romantic dinner. On Valentine’s Day and throughout the weekend, DIA will be offering delicious specials including Steamed Italian Lobster Dumplings and Heart-Shaped Italian Cheesecake. For every entrée ordered, guests will receive a complimentary glass of prosecco. DIA will also be serving their regular menu which features unique Roman-style pizzas like Black Squid Ink and Anchovy; entrées like Branzino Milanese for Two and Braised Lamb Neck; and other delectable desserts such as Chocolate Pot de Crème or Broken Pistachio Cannoli featuring imported pistachio cream from Italy.
Bell Book & Candle(Greenwich Village) will serve up a 7-Course Vegan Tasting Menu in addition to a 7-Course Non-Vegan Tasting menu so that vegans and meat lovers alike can enjoy their very own individual tasting menus together, side by side. The concept at Bell Book & Candle finds inspiration from the regions of America and revolves around local, organic, sustainable and overall responsible procurement. The menu cycles are seasonal and heavily influenced on production from the restaurant’s Aeroponic Rooftop garden. Executive Chef John Mooney will prepare Caramelized Tofu, Roasted Cauliflower Soup with Toasted Hazelnuts & Black Truffle and Spinach and Wild Mushroom Taco for the vegan menu. Non Vegan items include Surf & Turf with grass fed beef filet & Crab Stuffed Montauk Fluke with potato gratin, wilted spinach, and Old Bay butter, a Quail Egg Benedict with Osetra, house cured salmon and béarnaise as well as Lobster Tacos with tomatillo avocado salsa. Both menus are $75 per person or $200 per couple, which includes a bottle of Cremant de Bourgogne Brut.
Rahi (Greenwich Village) Featuring modern Indian cuisine, vibrant décor and a top cocktail list, Rahi in the West Village is an ideal choice for Valentine’s Day dining. The restaurant will be offering a five-course prix-fixe menu for $85 per person that will include an amuse bouche on the house, two appetizers, two entrées, and a dessert to share. Over the course of the meal, diners will enjoy flavorful dishes like ILU ILU Chaat, Dahi Chili Paneer, Mangalorean Duck, Chili Chocolate Cake, and more.
TORIKO NY (Greenwich Village) This is the first U.S. location of a top Japanese yakitori (grilled chicken skewers) & wine concept in Greenwich Village from Tokyo Restaurants Factory (MIFUNE New York, sushi AMANE), on your radar. The hot spot will be serving up a special menu featuring: Amuse (East Coast Oyster, Tosazu Jelly; Steamed Chicken, Vegetables, Mustard, Vinegar; Salmon Sushi; Egg Cake with Miso Vinegar; Salmon Caviar, Flower Lotus Root; Chicken Bone Soup;Smoked Firefly Squid); Seasonal Salad with Onion Dressing ; Yakitori (5 Chicken Skewers; 2 Vegetable Skewers; Chicken Meat Ball (Tsukune); Duck); Shiizakana (A5 grade Miyazaki Wagyu, Uni); Rice (Porcini Mixed Rice, Truffle); Dessert (Fondant Chocolate, Pain d’épices). The menu is priced at $100 or $160 with six wine pairings. There will be two seating options at either 5 p.m. or 8 p.m.
Del Frisco’s Grill (At Rockefeller Center and Brookfield Place) For guests seeking a little romance this February 14th, look no further than Del Frisco’s Grill. Available all day, the intimate offering will be complete with shareable appetizers like the Artichoke Beignets and Cheesesteak Eggrolls, along with savory entrees including the Broiled Twin Lobster Tails served with Miso Butter and the 45-Day 16 oz. Dry Aged Prime Strip. To top off the romantic dining experience, guests can enjoy a sweet treat for two like the Nutella Bread Pudding served with Coffee Ice Cream and the Molten Chocolate Cake drizzled with Raspberry Sauce.
Wolfgang’s Steakhouse (5 NYC Locations) The steakhouse offers a sharable feast for cozy twosomes or large groups of friends. Share Wolfgang’s signature Porterhouse for two or more – dry-aged in the restaurant’s aging room, seasoned and cooked to perfection. Round out your steak dinner with Oysters on the Half Shell, Sizzling Canadian Bacon, or Crab Cake for appetizers, Lobster Mac and Cheese, Sauteed Spinach or Jumbo Baked Potato for sides and, of course, Apple Strudel, Key Lime Pie or Cheesecake for dessert — to name just a few options. Enjoy a nice bottle of red wine from an extensive list, or one of Wolfgang’s signature cocktails – such as the XO Martini Stoli Vanil, Patron XO, and cold brew.
Or just take out……Maybe you’d rather stay in and enjoy some good company. Here are three suggestions that make it happen.
Petrossian and Luke’s Lobster (Multiple NYC Locations) knows this year will be amazing, at home, where you and your partner can savor the moment and celebrate your love together – not in a room full of strangers all drinking the same sub-par sparkling. After the very popular caviar lobster roll debuted last month, Petrossian and Luke’s Lobster decided to put something extra special together. Complete with all of the fixings and directions to create two caviar lobster rolls, this is the perfect at-home romantic experience. Alexandre Petrossian has also hand-picked an assortment of Petrossian’s classic chocolates as a sweet treat for dessert.
Sen Sakana (Midtown) Order a heart-shaped sushigram. Available in six different packages, Sen Sakana’s sushigrams will be available for free delivery in Midtown or pickup February 11th through February 15th. Options include, The Double XX Maki Set ($28) which includes a spicy tuna roll and a spicy salmon avocado roll, The Tuna Sushi Set ($32) with four salmon sushi pieces, three tuna sushi and one salmon avocado cucumber roll, The Sushi Set Delux ($34) with eight pieces of sushi nigari (two tuna, two salmon, one shrimp, one striped bass, one yellowtail, one eel, one California maki roll), The Sushi + Sashimi Set ($36) with six pieces of sashimi (two tuna, two salmon, two striped bass), six pieces of sushi (two tuna, two salmon, two striped bass) and a California maki roll, The Nikkei Maki/Nigiri Set ($42) with their signature Andes Yama Maki and Nikkei nigiri with hamachi, hotate, tuna and salmon, and last but not least, Sen Sakana will also offer the Sweetheart Set ($79) for two which includes 16 pieces of sashimi (four tuna, four salmon, four yellowtail, four striped bass), 12 pieces of sushi (two tuna, two salmon, two yellowtail, two striped bass) and two hand rolls (tuna and California). Orders can be made online or can be placed at the hostess stand in the restaurant. Orders must be made at least 10 hours before delivery.
Junior’s Restaurant (Multiple locations in NY and online) Get some sweets for the sweet. Special Valentine’s Day items include their “White Chocolate Strawberry Cheesecake Heart.” This is Junior’s New York cheesecake is blended with premium white chocolate and swirled with fresh strawberry puree. This beautiful creation is hand-finished with a border of homemade white chocolate mousse. Then Junior’s sprinkles red chocolate shavings for festive touch. The “Chocolate Covered Heart Cheesecake” is Junior’s Original New York cheesecake baked in a sweetheart shape and covered with chocolate ganache and red stripes. Perfect for your special someone.
Top photo: Bigstock
