Valentine’s Day Dining Guide 2017
A Valentine’s Day dinner booking is probably the most important restaurant reservation you’ll make all year. Since everyone’s angling to earn brownie points with their significant others, it’s a battle royale to score seats at the city’s sexiest, most critically-acclaimed spots. So if you don’t want to be relegated to the doghouse this holiday, time to make your move on sought-after tables at Le Coucou, Contra and more.
Le Coucou
You’ll hit a total home run if you snag a spot at the most critically revered restaurant of 2016, offering a $165 prix fixe of Fruits de Mer to share, Caviar and buckwheat blini, Gratin de Homard aux Truffles, Warm Truffled Lobster, Beef Filet with foie gras, and an assorted selection of treats.
Read MoreFowler & Wells
Here’s a sultry proposition; book a suite at the gloriously restored Beekman Hotel, then pop down for a $135 Valentine’s Day feast at Tom Colicchio’s Fowler & Wells, featuring turn-of-the-century inspired eats like Oysters topped with spinach, fennel and bacon, Dover Sole paired with grapes and verjus, Muscovy Duck plated with kumquats, and Venison “Wellington” with chestnuts.
Read MoreContra
Little sibling Wildair may have stolen some of its thunder, but the reliably envelope-pushing Contra is still one of the hottest tables in town. And co-chefs Jeremiah Stone and Fabian von Hauske have planned a Valentine’s Day menu that goes far beyond your basic filet mignon and heart-shaped molten cake. For $90 (not bad for the holiday), six courses include Crab with black trumpets and kohlrabi, Lobster layered with lardo and nasturtium, Short Ribs doused in dulse-red wine sauce and a Chocolate, banana and yogurt dessert.
Read MoreMa Peche
David Chang’s most high-end restaurant, Ma Peche, is offering a five-course menu designed for sharing amongst parties of 2-12. For $85 per person, you and your love-struck crew will tuck into Uni Toast with caviar, nori and citrus, Carrot and Ricotta Ravioli, Branzino En Papillote, a Gochu Glazed Pork Rack, and Chocolate Layer Cake piped with passion fruit and white chocolate ganache.
Read MoreCagen
Raw fish is definitely sexy, especially at the tasting menu-only, Michelin-starred, New York Times-approved Cagen, where you’ll find a six-course Valentine’s Day Omakase. Commanding $170 per person, each dish at this East Village gem is specially selected and prepared by Chef Tomita, including Sashimi with Oyster Caviar, Wagyu Beef with truffles, and a seafood flight of Toro, Zuke, King Salmon and Hamachi.
Read MoreLe Coq Rico
In addition to launching a special Valentine’s Week Wine menu, (featuring French and American vinos named after love, such as Francois Crochet Sancerre ‘Les Amoureuses’), Flatiron’s “Bistro of Beautiful Birds” is serving a four-course food progression for $118, including Stuffed Brune Landaise for Two, and Chocolate and Ginger Millefeuille.
Read MoreL’Appart
Le District’s intimate, in-house restaurant is celebrating “Le Jour des Amoureaux” (The Day of Lovers) with an aphrodisiac-focused menu for $175. Stoke your passion with saffron-scented Oysters (a double dose of arousing ingredients), Lobster with avocado (renowned for their sensuous shape), a Lychee dessert with rose and honey (which brings to mind bees, those ardent pollinators), and of course, dopamine-spiking Chocolate Mignardises, served with sensual Chai Tea.
Read MoreMassoni
Why should couples have all the fun? Massoni in the Arlo hotel is taking the stigma out of being single on Valentine’s Day by throwing a date-free pizza party showcasing their Detroit-style squares — topped with charred brussels sprouts, clams and bacon, and smoked onion mascarpone — and paired with creative cocktail specials.
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