The Ultimate Valentine’s Day Dining Guide 2014
Do you want to show your significant other that you really care this Valentine’s Day? Then you’d be wise not to wait until the last minute to make a dinner reservation. Granted, it’s still January, but you can bet that all the best holiday tables will get snapped up… fast. So make your phone calls now if you want to treat your sweetheart to White Sturgeon Caviar at Ristorante Morini on the Upper East Side, Lobster and Sea Urchin at Juni in Midtown, or a selection of succulent Oysters from Maison Premiere in Brooklyn.
Ristorante Morini
The newest addition to Michael White’s Italian dynasty, Ristorante Morini has the perfect pastas associated with Osteria Morini, Costata’s hulking, mineral steaks, and the effortlessly elegant, fine dining trappings of Ai Fiori and Marea. Sounds like the ideal spot for a romantic Valentine’s Day dinner, no? The $135 four-course menu appears to be on the pricier side, until you consider your choices; start with Marsala-braised Snails with Porcini Mushrooms and Black Truffles, followed by Pressed White Sturgeon Caviar with Chives and Lemon Crème Fraiche, Tagliata Steak with Rosemary Potatoes and Bordelaise, and a Chocolate Semifreddo with Gianduja Cream and Hazelnut Meringue for dessert.
Read MoreJuni
Shaun Hergatt made a point of going with muted tones and understated interiors for his five-month-old Juni at The Chandler Hotel, assuring that everyone’s attention is squarely where it belongs… on the sexy, vibrant flavors and sheer edible artistry of his food. For $165 per person, prepare to be seduced by five intricately plated, eye-popping courses this Valentine’s Day, including luscious Foie Gras sprinkled with Hibiscus Almond Dust, an expertly cooked Feather Ridge Farm Egg cloaked in ethereal Sunchoke Espuma, New York Squab strewn with Rose Petals and drizzled with Lovage Oil, and a celebratory Passion Fruit dessert from pastry chef Mina Pizarro, accented with flourishes of Cranberry and Coconut.
Read MoreMaison Premiere
This Williamsburg oyster house manages to be both sizzlingly sexy and utterly romantic, with a candlelit bar, marble-topped tables and an ivy-ringed garden, where patrons can enjoy seaweed-strewn tiers of briny oysters, and crystal goblets of intoxicating absinthe dispensed from a brass fountain. And Maison Premiere’s Valentine’s Day offerings promise to be every bit as sultry; think a $95 prix fixe of Black Bass Crudo with Apples and Lemon Preserve, Foie Gras Torchon with Celery Root Remoulade and Pickled Beets, Beef Tenderloin a la Rossini with Potato Fondant and Black Truffle, and a selection for desserts for the table, like adorable Meringue Kisses, a decadent Dark Chocolate Raspberry Tart, smooth Almond Sablé, and a deliciously wicked Absinthe Panna Cotta.
Read MoreEmpellón Cocina
With Smoked Cashew Salsa, Short Rib Pastrami Tacos and Bone Marrow Tamales, Empellón Cocina isn’t exactly your run-of-the-mill Mexican restaurant. And Alex Stupak’s sumptuous, 6-course Valentine’s Day menu (only $85 per person!) includes some truly luxurious dishes, like Pistachio Guacamole with Masa Crisps, Razor Clam Ceviche with Guava, Rock Shrimp with Nixtamalized Popcorn, Lamb Tartare with Avocado Leaf Oil, a chefs selection of desserts, and an elegant (yet still enjoyably gooey) Lobster Fundido to share, paved with Tomate Frito (roasted tomato puree) and Kol, a traditional Mayan white sauce made with heavy cream, cider vinegar and allspice.
Read MoreThe Lambs Club
With its flickering fireplace, red leather banquettes, and graceful chrome and crimson lamps, Geoffrey Zakarian’s lush, cloistered Lambs Club looks like something straight out of a Valentine’s Day card. And the five-course, tasting menu for $125 per person promises to be every bit as festive, showcasing savory dishes, such as Wapsie Valley Polenta and Mascarpone Agnolotti, Butter Poached Nova Scotia Lobster and Grilled Calotte de Boeuf. Oh… and major bonus points if you order a bouquet of roses, which will be delivered to your sweetheart tableside at the end of the meal. They’ve got it all thought out for you. All you have to do is make a reservation asap.
Read MoreButtermilk Channel
While chef Ryan Angulo is one tasty bit of eye candy for swinging singles (he came in second on Eater’s most recent Hottest Chef’s list), committed couples can just focus on his fantastic, yet simple Americana food. For $85 per person, Angulo’s three-course progression will include multiple choices, like Country Ham Terrine or Maine Lobster Tart, Pan Roasted Day Boat Sea Scallops or an elevated version of his infamous Duck Meatloaf (accompanied by Cast Iron Grilled Foie Gras, King Trumpet Mushrooms and Bittersweet Chocolate Jus), and a Tasting of Local Cheeses or the decadent Pecan Pie Sundae, layered with Van Leeuwen Vanilla Ice Cream.
Read MoreAtrium DUMBO
You’d be hard-pressed to find a restaurant offering a four-course prix fixe as affordable as this one (merely $55 per person), and with a prettier view. Chef Laurent Kalkotour will prepare a French-inspired feast at the glass-walled, waterfront eatery overlooking the iconic New York skyline, featuring housemade Duck Pate with freshly baked Sourdough, Wild Mushroom Risotto with Parmesan and Black Truffle, Roasted Chicken for Two with Herbs de Provence, Crispy Potato and Dill Crème Fraiche, and Winter Spiced Panna Cotta with Quince Compote and Honey Ice Cream.
Read MoreChez Oskar
There’s no rule that you need to go to the biggest, buzziest, flashiest or most expensive restaurant on Valentine’s Day. There’s a reason that this funky French bistro in Fort Greene has long been a neighborhood favorite, and it’s a great place to spend an intimate, low key Valentine’s Day snuggled up with the one you love. The convivial eatery will offer a prix fixe menu for only $90 per couple, featuring rustic, regional staples like Languedoc-style Bourride (fish stew) and Duck Confit-studded Cassoulet from the Pyrenees, paired with Kir, Cognac, and Crème de Cassis-based cocktails.
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