Attention, good couples of Boston: The scent of manufactured love is in the air – whether you like it or not – and Valentine’s Day is fast approaching. If you have a special someone in mind who you’d like to spend the holiday with, it’s important to plan ahead so you don’t end up with the only reservation available at your boo’s favorite restaurant (the not-so-prime times of 4 p.m. or 11:30 p.m.) or worse, at the Cheesecake Factory. And with Valentine’s Day just a little over two weeks away, the time to plan ahead is now. No seriously, now.
So what fine restos of Boston should be on your V-Day radar? We gathered some of the best specialty menus happening around the Hub to ensure that even if you hate the holiday, you’ll at least eat like a Valentine’s King or Queen. And trust us, fellas – it doesn’t matter if your lady insists she wants nothing special for February 14. Foregoing a special dinner is against the rules of Relationship Law.
Prix Fixe
Back Bay Harry’s – 5:30 to 10:30 p.m. – 142 Berkeley Street, Boston
The new Back Bay spot is offering a three-course Valentine’s Day menu in addition to their full dinner menu, including dishes like Oysters on the Half Shell, Espresso-Rubbed Veal NY Strip and a Chocolate Obsession for Two. Cost: $55 per person.
Abby Lane – 5:30 to 10:30 p.m. – 255 Tremont Street
In addition to the regular dinner menu, Abby Lane is offering three specialty courses with Scallop Ceviche, Pan-Seared Sea Bass and Boston Cream Pie. Cost: $55 per person.
Legal Harborside – 5:30 to 10:30 p.m. – 270 Northern Avenue, Boston
Head to the second floor of Legal Harborside for a six-course chef’s tasting menu with a waterfront view, featuring dishes like the French Kiss Oysters, Butter Poached Lobster and a Creekstone Beef Trio. Cost: $85 per person or $125 with a wine pairing.
Ristorante Olivio – 5 to 10 p.m. – 201 Massachusetts Avenue, Arlington
The Arlington restaurant is serving a special three-course Valentine’s Day menu, with dishes to choose from like Prosecco Risotto, Chicken Rollettine and Manzo, plus a selection of house desserts. Cost: $65 per person, does not include beverages.
Strega Waterfront – 4 p.m. to Midnight – One Marina Park Drive, Boston
Strega’s Chef’s Tasting Menu includes three courses of dishes like the Heart Shaped Ravioli, Stuffed Lobster Tail and Chocolate Covered Strawberries. Cost: $65 per person or $85 with a wine pairing.
Beacon Hill Hotel & Bistro – 5:30 to 11 p.m. – 25 Charles Street, Boston
Five courses will be served exclusively on Valentine’s Day at the Beacon Hill Hotel and Bistro, with Duck Liver Mousse, Roast Sirloin, Local Cheeses and Lemon Chiffon Cake all appearing on the menu. Cost: $68 per person, add an optional wine pairing for $32.
Biltmore Bar & Grille – 4 p.m. to Midnight – 1205 Chestnut Street, Newton
The Valentine’s Day Dinner for Two at the Biltmore in Newton is a four-course dinner meant to share, with dishes like Nantucket Bay Scallop Carbonara and a Basil Ice Cream Sandwich. Cost: $100 per couple, tax and gratuity not included.
Bistro du Midi – 5 to 10 p.m. – 272 Boylston Street, Boston
The French-inspired restaurant reared by Chef Robert Sisca is offering an indulgent four-course prix fixe menu featuring Seared Foie Gras, Duck and Chicken Liver Barbajuan, Grilled Rack of Venison, a Chef’s Black Truffle course and more. Additionally, a Valentine’s Day tasting menu with items from the prix-fixe will be available February 12 through 16. Cost: $95 per person.
Boston Chops – 5 to 11 p.m. – 1375 Washington Street, Boston
One of Boston’s best steakhouses manned by up and coming Executive Chef Chris Coombs is serving a three course prix-fixe menu, plus a la carte options from the raw bar. The Valentine’s dinner includes items like an 8 oz. Filet Mignon, Crab Cakes and a Chocolate Molten Cake. Cost: $89 per person.
BOKX 109 – 5 to 10:45 p.m. – 399 Grove Street, Newton
The four-course prix fixe menu at BOKX was created with romance in mind and features dishes like Quail on Quail, Prime Strip Loin and a Heart-Shaped Marble Cake for Two. The items can be ordered prix-fixe in the dining room or a la carte in the bar. Cost: $70 per person.
Forum – 5 to 10:30 p.m. – 755 Boylston Street, Boston
At Forum, you’ll be served three courses of indulgent dishes like the Tuna and Escolar Tartare, Surf and Turf Grilled Sirloin with Oysters and a Foie Gras Crčme Brulée. Cost: $75 per person with an optional wine pairing for $30.
dbar – 5 to 11 p.m. – 1236 Dorchester Avenue, Dorchester
Neighborhood spot dbar and Chef Chris Coombs invite Valentine’s guests to a four-course menu with themed courses like the Sweetheart Ravioli, Rib Eye Love You and A Chocolate & Caramel Love Affair. Cost: $69 per person or $89 with an optional wine pairing.
Deuxave – 5 to 11 p.m. – 371 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston
This refined French menu is designed to sweep lovebirds off their feet, with a four-course menu featuring Jonah Crab & Heart of Palm, Coeur de Foie Gras and Love Bird (pheasant). Cost: $125 per person, with an optional wine pairing for $75.
L’Espalier – 5:30 to 10:30 p.m. – 774 Boylston Street, Boston
L’Espalier knows how to put together a fantastic prix-fixe, and this Valentine’s Day is no exception. Chef Frank McClelland has designed an all-out Valentine’s Day fete, complete with eight-courses. Cost: $195 per person.
Local 149 – 4 p.m. to Midnight – 149 P Street, South Boston
Local’s five-course tasting menu is fit for friends and couples alike, featuring dishes like a Roasted Lamb Loin Tonnato and Slow Braised Beef Short Ribs. Cost: $55 per person and $75 with a wine pairing.
Restaurant dante – 5:30 to 11 p.m. – 40 Edwin H. Land Boulevard, Cambridge
Restaurant dante is offering four themed courses inspired by the “Perfect Date” with courses named after a Smooch, Menage a Foie, Foreplay and Climax. Cost: $75 per person or $110 with a wine pairing.
Ŕ la Carte
Gather – 5 to 11 p.m. – 75 Northern Avenue, Boston
District Hall’s rustic restaurant is serving a special Valentine’s Day menu with a la carte options like a Cheese Plate for Two ($12), a Grilled T-Bone Steak for Two ($46) and Tiramisu ($9).
City Table – 5 p.m. to 1 a.m. – 65 Exeter Street, Boston
City Table’s a la carte Valentine’s menu features Champagne Poached Oysters ($15), Smoked Duck Breast ($26), Dark Chocolate Profiteroles ($9) and more.
MET Back Bay – February 13 through February 15, 5 to 11 p.m. – 279 Dartmouth Street, Boston
A meal fit for star-crossed lovers, MET Back Bay’s “Romeo and Juliet” prix-fixe dinner includes three courses with a la carte options like Osteria Polenta Tartufo ($15), Chicken Parmigiana ($24) and Cannolis for Two ($18). Menu also available at The Metropolitan Club in Chestnut Hill.
Beat Hotel – 5 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. – 13 Brattle Street, Cambridge
Beat Hotel in Harvard Square is celebrating Valentine’s Day with Four Days of Heart Beats featuring cocktails, bites and performances. On February 14, expect dishes like the “My Heart Beets” salad and Crčme Fraiche & Caviar with performances by Vanisha Gould and Karma Exchange.
Estelle’s – February 14 through February 16, 5 p.m. to 1 a.m. – 782 Tremont Street, Boston
Estelle’s is offering up seven Southern-inspired seafood specials for Valentine’s Day weekend, with a la carte options including Peppered Yellowfin Tuna, Raw Tuna Tartare and Molten Chocolate-Chile Cake.
Prezza – 5 to 10 p.m. – 24 Fleet Street, Boston
Exclusive a la carte specials will be available at Prezza this Valentine’s Day only, with items like Nantucket Bay Scallop Crudo, Red Snapper Milanese and Grilled Rack of Lamb making an appearance on the restaurant menu.
This is far from all of the specialty Valentine’s Day menus happening – we’ll continue to update with more as the date comes closer.
