Area restaurants are being struck by Cupid’s arrow this Valentine’s Day. From tasting, sharing and prix fixe menus to specialty cocktails and decadent desserts, these Boston spots have something for everyone this year.
Restaurants celebrating with Valentine’s Day specials include:
Aura at the Seaport Hotel (One Seaport Lane, Boston – 617-385-4300)
Feb. 14 – 16: 5:30 – 10pm
Three-course prix fixe: $100 per couple ($145 per couple w/wine pairings)
For three nights at Aura at the Seaport Hotel, Chef Robert Tobin will prepare a Valentine’s Day feast for couples featuring a decadent amuse bouche of Salsify Tempura with Wakame Broth (ruffino, prosecco, wild hibiscus) followed by a choice of three starters, three entrees, and a dessert trio with optional wine pairings. For starters, guests will have the following options: Seafood Panache (cauliflower, curry, cream, razor clams, prawns, calamari, finnan haddie); Surf N’ Turf “Pops” for Two (beef tartare, tuna tartare, foie gras mousse); or, Crispy Pannequet of Roasted Winter Vegetables. For entrees, there is: Roasted Beef Shoulder Tenderloin for Two (barley risotto, Brussels sprouts, red wine-wild mushroom sauce); Grilled Scallops (braised bacon, spaghetti squash, sauce Maltaise); or, Roasted Baby Chicken for Two (pave of turnips, carrots, parsnips, Seaport honey-spiked sauce). A Dessert Trio of Braised Cherry Tart (brown butter filling), Grand Mariner Brûlée and Chocolate Ganache Cake will round out this three night celebration.
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Estelle’s Southern Cuisine (782 Tremont St., Boston - 857-250-2999)
Feb. 14 – 16 beginning at 5pm
Specials: a la carte pricing
Executive Chef Eric Gburski is gearing up to spend his first Valentine’s Day at Estelle’s Southern Cuisine in the South End. Featuring a series of southern-style a la carte specials, Chef Gburski’s “Get Your (G)rub On” menu will be available for three nights. With bold flavors and creole-inspired tastes and rubs, Chef Gburski will offer a trio of appetizers and of entrées, alongside a specialty dessert, all rooted in comfort cuisine. For starters, there is: Crab (chipotle bisque with sherry & cream - $9.95); Arugula Salad (candied walnuts, pomegranates, goat cheese, champagne vinaigrette - $8.95); and, Lump Crab Cake (tomato, mustard jam, garlic-seared spinach - $12.95). The entrées also come threefold: Coriander Grilled Lamb Sirloin (apricot, lager mustard, roasted root vegetables, asparagus - $23.95); Roasted Whole Trout (cornbread, sausage stuffing, green beans almondine, remoulade sauce - $21.95); and, Creole Bouillabaisse (shrimp, scallops, mussels, crispy catfish, spicy tomato-white wine broth with rouille, grilled bread - $24.95). To round out this southern excursion, there is Chocolate Mousse (peach caramel sauce, bourbon cream - $6.95).
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Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar (217 Stuart St., Boston - 617-292-0808)
Feb. 14 – 17: 5 – 11pm; Feb. 17: 4–9pm
Specials: a la carte pricing
In addition to serving Fleming’s regular a la carte menu, guests will be able to enjoy specially created Valentine’s Day specials from February 14th through February 17th. To sweeten the deal, each couple who dines at Fleming’s on any of the four nights will receive a $25 Dining Card valid toward a future rendezvous. Start the evening with a toast to your Valentine with the Venetian Valentine (a romantic sparkler with Quady Elsysium, St. Germain Elderflower and Mionetto Prosecco - $10.95) or the Mint to Be (Gentleman Jack Tennessee Whiskey, Domaine de Canton Ginger Liqueur, POM Wonderful juice with fresh mint garnish, served on the rocks - $11.95). After, indulge in some of Fleming’s Valentine’s weekend entrees ($69.95 each) that each come with two appetizers (Heirloom Tomato & Housemade Burrata with baby red and golden beets, arugula, lemon-pistachio vinaigrette and Citrus Marinated Salmon Tartare with capers, parsley, Meyer lemon oil, pickled cucumber, smoked jalapeño aioli, served with herbed crostini): Roasted Lobster Tail (split in the shell, vanilla lemon butter, mac & cheese with crispy pancetta); or, Chateaubriand with Crab Glaçage (center cut tenderloin, creamy jumbo lump crab, madeira sauce, asparagus spears). For dessert, treat yourselves to the Chocolate Budino (rich chocolate tartlet, salted mascarpone whipped cream, olive oil drizzle, cocoa nibs - $9.95).
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Legal Harborside (270 Northern Avenue, Boston – 617-477-2900)
Feb. 14 from 5:30 – 10pm
Three-course tasting menu: $75 per person
Legal Harborside will host a Valentine’s Day celebration by exclusively featuring a customizable three-course menu specially designed for the occasion by executive chefs Richard Vellante and Robert Fathman. Guests will indulge in this chef’s tasting menu on the second floor while overlooking the scenic Boston Harbor. There is a choice of six first course options: Fire Licked Geoduck Clam (juicy melons, yuzu, poppy & chorizo dust); Hearts of Palm (beets, cherries, cherve, candied pistachio); Foie Gras (ménage a trois, seared, torchon & soup); French Kiss Oysters (crème fraiche, paddlefish caviar); Lobster Soup (puff pastry & sherry); or, Cape Scallop Ceviche (lime, Thai basil, lemongrass, pink peppercorn). For entrees, guests will have their choice of five dishes: Slow Roasted Halibut (toasted wheat berry salad, dried cranberries, rose water, clementine vinaigrette); Roasted Rack of Lamb (black kale, fingerling potatoes, Amarone cherry gastrique); Chateaubriand For Two (creamed spinach, truffled French fries, béarnaise, mustard sauce); Lobster Thermador (roasted New Potatoes, root vegetables, tarragon butter); or, Sautéed Dover Sole (Yukon Gold potatoes, capers, lemon, garlic). For the grand finale, there are four decadent desserts: Chocolate Soufflé For Two (baked to order); Raspberry Crème Brûlée; Port Poached Pear (with Chinese 5 spice mousse); or, Chocolate Peanut Caramel Torte (with toasted marshmallow ice cream).
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Legal Sea Foods (26 Park Square, Boston - 617-530-9397)
Feb. 6 at 6:30pm
Legal Holiday tasting menu & book signing: $49 per person (includes book, tax & gratuity)
Legal Sea Foods in Park Square will embrace the annual day of love early with their first Legal Holiday of 2013: Valentine’s Day. At this book signing and tasting, those who love food will especially enjoy the special guest for the evening, Scott Haas, a food writer and clinical psychologist who captures all the heat and hunger of a great restaurant kitchen in his new book, Back of the House. The book reveals the inner-life of a chef, what it takes to make food people crave and how to achieve greatness in a world that demands more than passion and a sharp set of knives. Haas will read excerpts and personalize copies of his book which each guest will receive complimentary. Legal Sea Foods will dish and pour the following three-course pairing menu in Park Square’s 10,000 bottle wine cellar: Nantucket Bay Scallop Ceviche (blood orange & aji amarillo jicama sticks and yuca chips) paired with Manawa Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, New Zealand; Mesquite Grilled Tuna Steak (chanterelles & ancho farro salad, balsamic & Tamarind glaze) paired with Tarima Mourvedre, Alicante, Spain; and, Strawberries "Tuxedo" Parfait (dark and white chocolate, Marcona almond brittle) paired with Rosa Regale Brachetto d'Acqui, Piedmont, Italy.
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Prezza (24 Fleet St., Boston – 617-227-1577)
Feb. 14 from 5:30–10pm
Specials: a la carte pricing
The newly reopened Prezza is about to be struck by Cupid’s arrow with the arrival of San Valentino in the North End. On Valentine’s Day, Executive Chef & Owner Anthony Caturano will dish out five exclusive specials for one night only. To start, there are Razor Clams (fregola, garlic, olive oil - $16). For a handmade pasta course, Prezza will serve up Ricotta Gnocchi (artichokes, chanterelles - $18). For entrees, there is Red Snapper (Milanese style - $28) and Grilled Bone-In Ribeye Steak (grilled red onions, lobster mashed potatoes - $46). For the finale, there are traditional Zeppolis (honey, hazelnut - $10).
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The Tip Tap Room (138 Cambridge St., Boston - 857-350-3344)
Feb. 14–16: 5:30pm – 1:30am
Five-course prix fixe: $75 per person (items also available a la carte)
The ever-clever Brian Poe is bringing the Tip Tap Room’s first Valentine’s Weekend to Beacon Hill. For three nights, Chef Poe will serve up “The Love Game” menu which features a series of bold – and aptly named – dishes. In addition to the regular menu, “The Love Game” is offered as a five-course prix fixe (or with the items available a la carte) and includes the following: Wicked Tuna (tuna tartare in soy vinaigrette with wasabi and pickled ginger sorbet - $10.95); You Had Me at Carpaccio (cayenne-dusted buffalo carpaccio, horseradish, truffle & rosemary vinaigrette and a touch of caviar - $11.95); Mixed Emulsions (peppercress, celery root chips, seared foie gras, apple-cider-champagne vinaigrette - $12.95); Wildly in Love (kangaroo in peppercorn, antelope in cranberry gin, elk in rosemary-sage marinade, rutabaga puree and parsnip-parsley salsa - $28.95); and, Hot Sticky Mess (hazelnut & chocolate waffle with white chocolate chip-marshmallow butter and chocolate caramel maple sauce - $11.95 for two people).
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Towne Stove and Spirits (900 Boylston St., Boston – 617-247-0400)
Feb. 14–17: 5:30–11pm
Specials: a la carte pricing
Culinary Director Lydia Shire and Executive Chef Mario Capone will be dishing out a series of delectable specials over four nights this Valentine’s Day weekend. To start, there is Bluefin Tuna Carpaccio pickled ginger, white soy, crisped sweet potato - $21). For an entrée, the culinary duo will serve up Potato Wrapped Cod cockles, saffron aioli, baby fennel - $35). To end on a sweet note, there is a shared dessert for two: Dark Chocolate Cheesecake (chocolate & champagne strawberries - $16). For a liquid celebration, sip on Cupid’s Arrow with muddled berries, brandy, orange liqueur and juice finished with braccetto ($13).
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