Where To Celebrate Valentine's Day 2016 In New York City

The Leopard at Des Artistes Kate Kolenda
Kate Kolenda|

Bara
After graduating from culinary school, stints at restaurants on both coasts, and appointments to sous chef at Momofuku Noodle Bar and then chef de cuisine at French Louie, Alvarez opened his first restaurant, the 42-seat Bara. This Valentine's Day, he's offering a $195 prix fix for two that includes dishes like Montauk pearl oysters with persimmon mignonette; Maine lobster in consommé, black rouille, and winter squash; and Roasted hen of the woods with carrot vichyssoise and wakame; an optional beverage pairing is available for $55/pp.

Benoit
Executive chef Philippe Bertineau is making a whole day of it at Benoit in Midtown Manhattan by serving a special $65/pp brunch menu that includes a ¼ bottle of champagne, Viennoiseries basket for the table, a shared dessert of choice and a choice of main course with dishes like scrambled eggs and black truffle and omelette soufflé and lobster. His Valentine's Day dinner will feature two seatings — first seating: three-course prix fixe with choices including vegetable pot-au-feu, dover sole, and Miss Berry & Mister Chocolate; the second seating will feature a four-course prix fixe that includes dishes like tuna tartare, seared sea scallops, and beef filet mignon Rossini.

The Finch
The Finch in Clinton Hill, Brooklyn is celebrating all weekend-long. The Michelin-starred restaurant from chef Gabe McMackin will be offering three unique prix fixe menus to suit every couples wishes, whether it's a first date or the 400th.

  • 2/12: FIRST DATE MENU ($50 per person) 
    Friday's menu features snacks and small plates, for a first date or dinner with a friend you hope might be more. Offerings include bites like Squid Ink Arancini with Black Garlic and Pecorino and a pasta dish of Cavatelli with Spigarello and Smoked Yolk. 
  • 2/13: NEWLYWEDS MENU ($75 per person) 
    On Saturday, the Finch will offer a prix fixe menu for a celebratory dinner with the one you love. The six course menu includes a number of bright, flavorful plates made for sharing like Einkorn with Yellowfoot Chanterelles, Butternut Squash, and Brussels Sprouts and Beef Cheek in Grape Leaves with Carrots. 
  • 2/14: ANNIVERSARY MENU ($125 per person)
    For Valentine's Day, a truly special tasting menu will be available. The 8 course menu features decadent, one-of-a-kind dishes like Scallop "Jellyfish" with Winter Citrus Salad and Saffron Panna Cotta and Beef Flatiron, and Cheek, Potato Galette, Braised Chicory. 

Il Gattopardo
Located across the street from The Museum of Modern Art, Il Gattopardo will feature Valentine's Day specials as well as the full a la carte menu, all created by longtime executive chef Vito Gnazzo, served during dinner on both Saturday, February 13 and Sunday, February 14. Highlighting his "Lover's Menu" is the pan-seared veal medallion with wild fennel pollen, sautéed spinach, and roasted potatoes; and the pennete with winter truffles. His special dessert will be the simple, yet smile-inducing strawberry mousse with vanilla sauce.

Kingsley
Newly opened contemporary French-American restaurant Kingsley on the LES offers a specially curated Valentine's Day tasting menus by chef Roxanne Spruance. Featuring a five-course menu of dishes such as poached egg with celeriac, white truffle, and flowering shiso; and rose crusted wagyu beef with cocoa butter, chef Spruance's menu will be served the entire Valentine's Day weekend at $75 pp.

The Leopard at Des Artistes
Italian fine dining restaurant The Leopard at des Artistes, located in the historically landmarked Hotel des Artistes on the Upper West Side, has one of the most iconic and romantic dining rooms the city and a truly fabulous wine list. On Saturday, February 13 and Sunday, February 14, executive chef Michele Brogioni will offer his Valentine's Day specials in addition to his full a la carte menu, like king crab salad with blood oranges, pickled onions, and castelvetrano olives; and his ricotta and black truffle tortelloni with 24-month Parmigiano Reggiano sauce and sugo di arrosto. He'll also be serving sweets for the occasion, including the heavenly Chocolate Passion comprising chocolate mousse, chocolate gelée, chocolate granita, chocolate chips, and chocolate ice cream.

Loi Estiatorio
Loi Estiatorio is celebrating its one-year anniversary as the world celebrates Valentine's Day on February 14. To celebrate, chef Mario Loi will serve a three-course, $85 prix fixe menu of dishes like P.E.I. mussels with saffron, white wine, lemon, olive oil, and chives; rack of lamb with carrots, leeks, turnips, fingerling potatoes, and olive oil; and chef Loi's flourless chocolate cake.

Manhattan Cricket Club
Regarded by many as a powerful aphrodisiac, caviar is the star of the Manhattan Cricket Club's Valentine's Day menu. From February 2 through 14, guests can choose from the following pairings:

  • The $55 Valentine's Caviar prix fixe includes a 10g tin of Calvisius Californian White Sturgeon Caviar & a 10g tin of Calvisius Classic Oscietra Caviar, served with blinis.
  • The $75 Valentine's Caviar prix fixe includes: the two tins of caviar, blinis, and a half bottle of Gruet Brut champagne.
  • The $95 Valentine's Caviar prix fixe includes the two tins of caviar, blinis, and a half bottle of Billecart-Salmon Brut Reserve champagne.

Miss Lily's 7A
In addition to offering a Jamaican-inspired V-Day prix fixe menu ($48/person), Chef Adam Schop has also created a special cocktail for Valentine's Day available during the full month of February at their East Village location, Miss Lily's 7A. The "Mi Julie" is made with Parce 8 year rum, fresh muddled mango Schnapps, lime, and finished with a dash of grenadine for $13.

The Musket Room
Beginning at 6 p.m. on February 14, Michelin-starred chef Matt Lambert will set the mood at his cozy Elizabeth Street restaurant with an aphrodisiac-themed menu. Highlights include delicacies such as oysters with trout roe and nasturtium; delicious lobster complimented with ham, shiso, and onion; a refreshing banana and ginger palate cleanser; and an indulgent chocolate, blood orange, and miso dessert. Diners can warm up with The Musket Room's signature cocktail for two, served tableside, or one of the newest additions to the wine menu, a Central Otago sparkling rosé from Quartz Reef. And to keep the mood going for the rest of the evening, guests will depart with a vanilla body lotion made in house by the chef himself.

The NoMad
Chef Daniel Humm and The NoMad will be serving a special four-course menu for Valentine's Day dinner for $150 that includes choices like puntarella salad with Gruyere, prosciutto, and bagna cauda; arctic char with winter vegetables, razor clams, horseradish; and a lemon tart with almond shortbread and ricotta ice cream. Guest can also opt for caviar for two ($75 supplement), and wine pairings for the meal ($95 supplement).

Racines
Chef Frédéric Duca has put together a sensational $95 prix fixe menu for Valentine's Day a perfect occasion to experience the world-class cuisine and wonderful wine list at Racines. Some of the dishes included are scallop tartare with sunchoke veloute, citrus zest, and hazelnut; monkfish with creamy black rice and mariniere emulsion; and lemon curd with lime meringue, anise seed cookies, and olive oil sorbet.

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