It’s not supposed to be hard, but finding the right restaurant is! That once a year date should be perfect so bring your loved one to the best restaurant on Valentine’s Day.
Valentine’s Day is that one date out of the year where all cosmic and real collide in one night of bliss and romance for you and the one you love. To date, Valentine’s Day is so sacred among lovers, partners, husbands, and wives, or any couple in the world, mainly because it’s that one day out of the year that people get to celebrate love and romance, and all the cheesiness in the universe without being taboo.
It’s a must for every couple, or even wannabe couples, that that date should only be in the perfect place: the ultimate romantic dinner in the best restaurant. Most guys would prefer proposing on Valentine’s Day too.
There is an art in selecting the proper place and not break your wallet. It will also depend on presentation, and the overall feel that you want to convey – it could be classy and well thought of, well-prepared and ultra-posh, while your date can be laid back, easy and comfy for a small price and a small space.
Before picking up the phone and dialing in a reservation, here are a few recommendations.
Valentine’s Day dining guide.
Blue Hill
This quaint restaurant near Washington Square Park is the best for intimate and comfortable dinners, and with the freshest ingredients, straight from the farm. Appetizers like homemade pancetta and grilled shiitake mushrooms and entrees such as a milk-fed pig with shelling beans, mushrooms, almonds and parsley are must-orders. Go to bluehillfarm.com for reservations.
Charlie Bird
When in SoHo, do it the chic way at this 90s hip-hop inspired resto. The food is American/Italian and the chef is fabulously surprising with his dishes. Taste the grilled octopus and spaghetti topped with a duck egg or roasted chicken. Having your Valentine’s Day date here will be fun and more stylish than usual as famous celebrities flock to this restaurant with much gusto. Be sure to make early reservations. Charlie Bird is at 5 King Street, New York, NY 10012.
1313 Main
If you are at wine central, then the best place in Napa is this multi-awarded restaurant with a selection of over 1900 labels of 50 types of wines. The best of what wine from Napa has to offer, 1313 Main has a special Valentine’s Day offer of $85 per person for a five-course prix fixe meal. Mostly suggested is the Lavender-smoked Duck Breast or the Preigord Black Truffle. For a full view of their Valentine’s Day menu and wine selection, go to 1313main.com
Acabar
For a more old Morocco feel, try this resto. They have open spaces and a romantic dining atmosphere with a mixture of Marakesh culture. Their specialties are African basil pannacotta with citrus and pomegranate salad and foraged mushrooms. It’s one of the most sought-after in LA so book now at acabar-la.com or visit 1510 North Stanley Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90046. Call them at (323) 876-1400.
Toro-Toro
In Washington, this resto the tops everybody’s list. The look of the restaurant is contemporary with a flair of Latin American and the food is as exciting as the ambiance. With their smoked guacamole with chipotle chili or Chilean sea bass paired with shrimp, scallops, and calamari, it’s worth the date on Valentine’s, that’s for sure. Toro-Toro can be reached at (202) 682-9500 or go to www.richardsandoval.com for more information.
Acquerello
The finest Italian food in Sacramento is found here. Discover the wine list of over 500 brands. Try the cauliflower budino or butterflied cuttlefish. Their house special would be the ridged pasta in foie gras and Marsala sauce. Their Prix Fixe menu is seen at acquerello.com and the restaurant is located at 1772 Sacramento Street, San Francisco.
Balena
In the Chicago area, this is the most exciting resto to date. And for Valentine’s Day, they are offering an interesting menu of 3 and 4 courses, that include appetizers like smoked trout and citrus salad. Their entrée is fabulous with polenta and chicken cacciatore. Visit their website and select a 3 or 4-course meal. Balena is at 1633 N. Halsted St. (North Ave.), Chicago, and you can call 312-867-3888. Look through their Valentine’s specials at balenachicago.com.
If budget is your major issue at the moment, then opt for something more low key but equally romantic. Steaks at the Capital Grille is worth the visit. Their restaurant is classy and comfortable without the sky-rocket price. Try the best selection of steaks, proven by almost 25 years of dry-aged steak grilling or the bone-in dry aged sirloin steak or the sliced filet mignon with cipollini onions and wild mushrooms.
The Cheesecake Factory is another option. Now, it’s a restaurant chain complete with hors-d’oeuvres to main courses to desserts. For the more laid-back Valentine’s dinner date, the Cheesecake Factory is the best, and yet not really compromising the romance with affordable but delicious food. With a low budget, enjoy a serving Angus hanger steak with shiitake mushrooms or herb crusted salmon and shrimp scampi.
Wherever the place of choice, Valentine’s Day would not be complete if the love isn’t there to make the ambiance all worth the while. No amount of cash can match this up and no amount of money in the world can buy the happiness that your loved one will truly feel. So, go on and pick the best restaurant for your date, but don’t forget – it should always be with someone you truly care for.
