Photo: Mason Jar Kitchen
Pick up dinner and sweets for the sweet or dine indoors or on the patio at many local restaurants this Valentine’s Day weekend. Since February 14 falls on a Sunday this year, you can also find special menus and offers for Friday and Saturday. From a casual classic heart-shaped pizza to steak and lobster and everything in between, there is something for every taste. In addition to the sampling of restaurants highlighted here, many others throughout the metro area will also feature special menus for the occasion. Plus, check out Como’s plan for a romantic fall dinner you can reserve now. Make sure to show some love to our great selection of area restaurants for Valentine’s plus celebrate any regular day ahead with a delicious meal from one of your favorites—or try somewhere new.
Bellecour Bakery at Cooks—Minneapolis
Now in its North Loop location, Gavin Kaysen’s heralded bakery offers up a Valentine’s Brunch Package for Two. It includes spinach and fontal cheese quiche; spring greens with herbs and red wine vinaigrette side salad; raspberry griottine cherry cream cheese danish + bread pudding; seasonal crepe cake is raspberry chantilly cream layered between lemon scented crepes; and a mimosa kit with freshly squeezed orange juice + Mirabello Prosecco from Italy. $55. Pickup available Thursday, February 11 through Sunday, February 14 only. Additional items available à la carte. Order here.
Birch’s on the Lake—Long Lake
Birch’s on the Lake is all about making Valentine’s Day special for folks in the Western suburbs with special Valentine’s dine-in or takeout options Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
• Dine In:
—Valentine’s Day Brunch & Bubbly Buffet, 10a.m.–3:30p.m., $45 per person. Options for the entire family. Also includes beermosa and mimosa for adults and hot chocolate or apple cider for kids. Plan a sled dog ride before or after your brunch; tickets are $60 and include ride and brunch buffet.
— Valentine’s Day special dine-in menu 4p.m.-9p.m
• Takeout: Valentine’s Fondue For Two To Go: February 14, 11a.m.–5 p.m., $89. The meal is cooked and ready for dipping. Menu includes grilled Caesar salad, four-cheese sauce, toasted sourdough cubes, roasted vegetables, filet mignon, grilled shrimp, chocolate sauce, fresh fruits and two champagne splits.
Photo: Buca di Beppo
Buca di Beppo—Five Metro Locations
The family-style Italian restaurant is offering a Valentine’s prix fixe special available Friday, February 12-Sunday, February 14 for dine-in and takeout.
—Heart-Shaped Lasagna for Two: Includes Small Garlic Bread, Choice of Small Salad (Mixed Greens Caesar Salad) and Mini Cannoli adorned with heart-shaped sprinkles, $59.99
Capital Grille—Downtown Minneapolis
This Valentine’s Day weekend, The Capital Grille is offering an elegant three-course takeout dinner for two, featuring starters of Prosciutto Wrapped Mozzarella and Field Green Salad with Raspberry Vinaigrette, followed by an entrée of Hand Cut Filet Mignon and Butter Poached Lobster Tails. Also included are Sam’s Mashed Potatoes and Grilled Asparagus and a dessert trio of the restaurant’s signature brûlée-style Cheesecake, Flourless Chocolate Cake and Chocolate Covered Strawberries. The full wine list and Stoli Doli cocktail are available for takeout. Orders can be placed online for pickup on Feb. 13 and 14. The restaurant is also open for dine-in.
D’Amico Catering
The D’Amico at Home Valentine’s Day menu is inspired by the flavors of France. Each meal kit ($80) feeds two people with the same starter, entrée and dessert. An alternative meal option can be ordered to feed a family or hold onto for enjoying the following day.
• The Valentine’s Day weekend menu choice of either meal kit option:
—Mixed greens with berries and balsamic vinaigrette; Seared chicken breast with roasted carrots, potato puree and lemon cream sauce; Blackberry crepe cake with cassis syrup.
—Leek and asparagus salad with a mimosa vinaigrette; Beef bourguignon with baby carrots, pearl onions and egg noodles; Blackberry crepe cake with cassis syrup.
A wine pairing add-on is also available, along with box of handmade bonbons. Ordering deadline is Feb. 9. This menu will be available for pick-up at Metropolitan Ballroom & Clubroom or Edinburgh USA in Brooklyn Park on Feb. 12 3-5 p.m. Place orders online.
Gianni’s Steakhouse & Seafood—Wayzata
Celebrate Valentine’s Day with a classic steak dinner—you can’t go wrong with Gianni’s famous spun salad made tableside paired with a delicious steak and a bottle of wine from their award-winning wine list. Make a reservation online.
Krown Bakery & Eatery—Anoka
This cozy locally owned bakery serving up Nordic and European treats will have some specialty items for Valentine’s Day such as the famous Princess Cake by the slice, which they only offer four times a year and will also have some specialty/romantic brunch items.
Red Cow & Red Rabbit—Minneapolis and St. Paul
Not looking for the white linen tablecloth this Valentine’s Day but still want to change things up and go out to eat? All four Red Cow locations and both Red Rabbit locations are open for indoor and patio dining on their heated patios. Reservation online for a casual dinner out this Valentine’s Day. Takeout also available.
Potluck Food Hall—Roseville
This food hall located at Rosedale Center offers a little something for everyone this Valentine’s Day. Each vendor is featuring special menu items to celebrate the occasion:
• Adam’s Soul To Go: Slab of ribs (12) and choice of two sides, $30
-
Betty & Earl’s Biscuit Kitchen
—Cherry/Berry Hand Pie: Sweet pastry crust filled with cherries, strawberries and cream filling, $5.50
—Heart Shaped Sugar Cookies filled with raspberry jam, $2.75
—Minnesota and Wisconsin shaped chocolate shortbread filled with a “red hot”/white chocolate ganache, $2.50
—Biscuit 3-pack: Cinnamon roll, lemon-blueberry and original with jam, 3 for $10.
—Sweet Heart Kit: Includes choice of a mini pie (key lime, pecan or berry swirl), heart shaped cookie and chocolate chunk butterscotch cookie, $15. -
Burger Dive/Smack Shack:
—Special for two that includes lobster mac and cheese, a mixed greens salad with pickled onions, bacon bits, and bleu cheese crumbles, and choice of a bottle of red or white wine, $50.
—Crabby Valentine Martini: Captain Morgan white rum, maraschino, lemon sour,lime juice, grenadine and garnished with a crabby patty, $8. - Chickpea: Non-alcoholic Hibiscus & Rosemary Cocktail with edible glitter, $7; baklava with raspberry on top, $4
- Grand Ole Creamery: Pizza (can be specialty) and a pint of ice cream, $25
- Nordic Waffles: Sweetheart Waffletine Dinner, $30. Choose two savory and two sweet waffles along with two drinks. Dessert Duo for $10 includes choice of two sweet waffles for you and your partner to enjoy after or before dinner.
- Obachan:Japanese sponge cake hydrated with raspberry simple syrup on a bed of coloredwhipped cream, $8
The Lexington—St. Paul
The Lexington will be open Valentine’s weekend from 4 p.m.–10 p.m. Make a reservation to enjoy your favorite cocktail and meal while taking in the beautiful and romantic atmosphere the Lexington has to offer.
Photo: Mason Jar Kitchen
Mason Jar Kitchen—Eagan
Mason Jar Kitchen has created two romantic Valentine’s dinner options this year, which are both available all weekend, February 12-14.
—Takeout: Four-Course Surf & Turf Dinner for Two (heat and serve)
Includes Crab & Spinach Dip with garlic-herb crostini, to share; choice of two salads (Classic Caesar or Champagne Frisée with roasted golden beets and sweet potatoes, baby heirloom tomatoes, toasted hazelnuts, goat cheese, and champagne vinaigrette); a main course of filet mignon with cabernet sauvignon reduction demi-glace, crab-stuffed lobster tail, truffled twice-baked potato, baby vegetable bundle, and dinner rolls with thyme & honey butter; and to finish, a chocolate cheesecake tart. $150 serves two. Pre-order by 12p.m. Feb. 11. Pick up 10a.m.-3p.m. Feb. 12-14.
—Dine-in: Four-Course Prix Fixe Dinner for Two
Includes an appetizer to share (Spinach Artichoke Dip, Baked Goat Cheese, or Calamari); choice of house-made soup or salad (MJK Garden Salad or Classic Caesar); choice of entrée (Filet Mignon, Pan-seared Sea Bass, Chicken Marsala, or Burrata Cheese Ravioli); a dessert to share (chocolate cake, crème brûlée, or skillet bread pudding). $85 serves two. Available February 12-14, 5 p.m.-close. Reservations required.
Petite León—Minneapolis
Chef Jorge Guzmán’s new Kingfield restaurant has a beautiful, 100% gluten-free Valentine’s Day Take & Bake for 2 available with some collaborative pieces from other Twin Cities restaurants. The meal includes Bermuda onion dip with caviar and crunchy potato chips; bitter green salad with citrus vinaigrette & Pecorino; wood fired lamb shoulder in mole poblano, with sesame seeds; tortillas by Nixta; wood roasted vegetables with herbed chile butter; chocolate mousse layer cake from Patisserie 46. $125 + tax and fees serves two, add a bottle of Tissot Crémant du Jura Rosé or Alvaros Palacio Camins del Priorat for additional charges. Available Sunday, February 14, 12 p.m.-3 p.m. Order here.
Photo: Portillo's
Portillo’s—Maple Grove, Roseville, Woodbury
This fast-casual restaurant brand known for its menu of Chicago-style favorites such as Chicago-style hot dogs, Italian beef sandwiches, and char-grilled burgers, will offer a
Heart-Shaped Chocolate Cake, a limited-time holiday spin on the brand’s famous Chocolate Cake ($15.99-$16.99, based on location). The single-layer cakes will be available in restaurants from February 5-14. Pre-order online here or by calling 866-YUM-BEEF. You can also purchase a heart-shaped cake online for shipping: shop-n-ship cake retails at $43.99, which includes free two-day shipping, and is available to ship to all 50 states.
Portillo’s will be donating $5 from each cake purchased—up to $25,000—to No Kid Hungry. This charitable contribution will benefit No Kid Hungry’s mission to end child hunger in America by ensuring that all children get the healthy food they need every day to thrive.
Smack Shack—Minneapolis
Few things are more romantic than lobster on Valentine’s Day. Order Smack Shack’s signature lobster boil and some oysters for a romantic dinner out. Make your reservations for the dining room at smack-shack.com or if you prefer to dine outdoors on the heated patio, tables are available on a first come, first served basis.
Vann—Spring Park
Located on Lake Minnetonka, Vann, which means “water” in Norwegian, is a small, chef-driven restaurant serving globally inspired, modern cuisine in a relaxed lakeside setting. It is open for dine-in and to celebrate Valentine’s week Feb. 11-14, is serving a special 4-course prix fixe dinner for two ($165) that includes a main course option of either poached sturgeon or roasted pork loin.
Celebrate Your Special Someone this Fall
Photo: Marjorie McNeely Conservatory
This Valentine’s Day, Como is asking folks to look to a promising future and give your Valentine the gift of a November evening together dining in the Marjorie McNeely Conservatory surrounded by fall flowers, palms and plants. Instead of the traditional February 14 Valentine Dinner in the Conservatory, Como is now taking reservations for a one-of-a-kind evening that will take place on Saturday, November 20, 2021.
String musicians will play while each guest enjoys a gourmet dinner that includes a salad, hearty entrée with seasonal sides, dessert, and two glasses of wine or beer. The evening will even include a visit from one of Como’s animal ambassadors.
The all-inclusive event is $170 per couple (a portion of which is tax deductible; please consult your tax advisor). Seating is limited and advance reservations are required. There will be two seatings, 5:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. Reserve online or call 651-487-8250.
—5:30 p.m. seating information and reservations
—8 p.m. seating information and reservations
The first 100 people to register before February 12 will receive a Marjorie McNeely Conservatory Valentine card to give your special someone indicating your purchase of this evening.
