Valentine’s Day brings out the best in the best restaurants in Palm Beach County. Here are some of my heartfelt favorites.
Blackbird Modern Asian (Jupiter)
North Palm Beach’s newest hotspot will offer a four-course prix-fixe menu ($75 per person; excludes tax and gratuity) and for bar patrons, an à la carte menu that will spotlight small and large plates and a selection of sweet endings.
Specials will iinclude pan-seared branzino on sticky rice, KFC/Korean fried chicken, and an eight-ounce wagyu filet elevated with lobster mashed potatoes. For dessert, there will be a cotton candy-topped raspberry-matcha tiramisu and chocolate molten cake presented in a porcelain to-go box.
Here’s a closer look:
Prix-fixe Menu
Course 1
· Wok-charred edamame with soy sauce, chili, and garlic
Course 2 (Choice of one)
· Hot & sour soup with black vinegar, mushrooms, bamboo shoots, and tofu
· Tuna crispy rice with scallions and wasabi tobiko (2 pieces)
· Vegetable spring roll with orange-black bean dragon sauce (1 piece)
· Spicy steamed pork wontons with cilantro and Sichuan chili sauce (x pieces)
· Mongolian brisket bun with green apple, pickled fresno, and hoisin sauce (1 piece)
Course 3 (Choice of one)
· Pan-seared branzino with ginger mojo, white soy ponzu, and sticky rice
· KFC/Korean fried chicken with sesame seeds, spring onions, and baby bok choy
· 8 oz wagyu filet with lobster mashed potatoes and Szechuan sauce
· Steak lo mein with wok-sauteed noodles, chargrilled skirt steak, and kimchi-hoisin sauce
· King crab fried rice with five vegetables, Thai basil, egg, chili paste, and lime
· Chow fun with shiitake, wild Cantonese rice noodles, mushroom soy sauce, garlic chives, and truffles
Course 4 (Choice of one)
· Matcha-raspberry tiramisu made with matcha-soaked lady fingers and mascarpone mousse is encapsulated inside a delicate dome of white chocolate, circled with a drizzle of tart raspberry compote and matcha sauce, and crowned with raspberry cotton candy
· Served in a porcelain to-go box, molten chocolate cake is layered with dark chocolate-coated Rice Krispies, cookies and cream gelato, goji berry whipped ganache, and sesame seeds and garnished with a chocolate filigree heart and a cherry flambeed tableside
Bar Menu:
Small Plates
· Hot & sour soup with mushrooms, bamboo shoots, tofu, and black vinegar
· Wok-charred edamame with soy sauce, chili, and garlic
· Tuna crispy rice with scallions and wasabi tobiko
· Vegetable spring roll with orange-black bean dragon sauce
· Spicy pork wontons with cilantro and Sichuan chili sauce
· Mongolian brisket bun with green apple, pickled fresno, and hoisin sauce
Large Plates
· Pan-seared branzino with ginger mojo, white soy ponzu, and sticky rice
· KFC/Korean fried chicken with sesame seeds, spring onions, and baby bok choy
· 8 oz wagyu filet with lobster mashed potatoes and Szechuan sauce
· Steak lo mein with wok-sauteed noodles, chargrilled skirt steak, and kimchi-hoisin
sauce
· King crab fried rice with five vegetables, Thai basil, egg, chili paste, and lime
· Chow fun with wild Cantonese rice noodles, shiitake, mushroom soy sauce, garlic chives, and truffles
Desserts
· Matcha-raspberry tiramisu made with matcha-soaked lady fingers and mascarpone mousse is encapsulated inside a delicate dome of white chocolate, circled with a drizzle of tart raspberry compote and matcha sauce, and crowned with raspberry cotton
Candy
· Served in a porcelain to-go box, molten chocolate cake is layered with dark chocolate-coated Rice Krispies, cookies and cream gelato, goji berry whipped ganache, and sesame seeds and garnished with a chocolate filigree heart and a cherry flambeed tableside
Reservations for all party sizes will be accepted and are highly recommended. Walk-ins are on a first-come, first-served basis only. Seating commences at 4 p.m.
Sushi by Bou (Boca Raton, Palm Beach Gardens at PGA National Resort)
The omasake-centric eateries each will offer two savory specials on Valentine’s Day. Guests can receive an exquisite omakase (12-course, $60; 17-course, $125) plus a romantic Sashimi BouQuet ($29) featuring Akami (tuna), Hamachi (yellowtail), Toro (belly cut tuna), Sake (salmon), Madai (red sea bream), and creamy Uni (sea urchin).
For those looking to add a touch of luxury, will offer Caviar and Bubbles Bliss ($150), a combination of fine caviar (1 ounce) served with Uni (sea urchin), marinated Ikura (salmon roe), and Toro (belly cut tuna) paired with a chilled bottle of champagne. Regular 12- and 17-course omakase will also be available.
Le Colonial (Delray Beach)
Guests of the acclaimed French-Vietnamese eatery in downtown Delray Beach can select one small plate or raw bar item, one large plate, and one dessert ($115++). Each dinner will start with the chef’s amuse bouche. Sumptuous appetizer choices include Chao Gio, a crispy shrimp and pork roll, served with a tangy chili lime sauce; Banh Uot, sesame beef ravioli; Sui Cao Chien, pan seared chicken dumplings; Goi Cu Cai Do, beet salad; Goi Ga, Vietnamese chicken and cabbage salad and more.
Featured entrées include Bo Luc Lac, a flavorful shaking beef dish that has been featured on Le Colonial’s menu since 1993. Other choices include Ca Chim, halibut with La Vong scent; Tom Xao Sate, spicy shrimp stir fry; and Ga Nuong Xa, roasted lemongrass chicken, along with other dishes.
Dessert selections include Warm Chocolate Cake, served with wild strawberry ice cream; Dark Chocolate Coated Long Stem Strawberry; Vanilla Crème Brulé and Chou Au Craquelin.
Elisabetta’s Ristorante (Delray Beach, West Palm Beach)
Have a Lady and the Tramp moment with their featured Valentine’s menu item, Caccio e Pepe ($19). The traditional Roman pasta dish features spaghetti chitarra, pecorino romano, and freshly cracked black pepper.
Saiko-I (Boca Raton)
Saiko-I offers authentic sushi, seafood, and hibachi. For this Valentine’s Day, the restaurant will feature their Spicy Tuna Biscuit ($14). Sushi loving couples should stop by to try this special, which is complete with spicy tuna, fresh jalapeno, wasabi mayo, and eel sauce, all on top of a crispy rice cracker.
Louie Bossi’s Italian Ristorante (Boca Raton, Fort Lauderdale)
Louie Bossi’s is the sister restaurant to Elisabetta’s that consistently delivers classic and delicious Italian dishes. Its Valentine’s special is the new Tagliarini Al Limone ($20). This dish includes fresh cut tagliarini pasta, Meyer lemon, mascarpone, yellow tomatoes, parmigiana, chopped pistachios, and basil.
City Oyster (Delray Beach)
City Oyster is celebrating Valentine’s Day with a decadent deal for rice lovers. Executive chef Jordan Stilley will showcase a lobster risotto special with Piper-Heidsieck Champagne (half bottle) for $68. End the romantic night on a sweet note with a dessert, like the Individual Banana Cream Pie ($12.50), which comes topped with brulé bananas, caramel sauce, and whipped cream.
City Oyster is located at 213 E. Atlantic Ave., Delray Beach. For more information, call (561) 272-0220 or visit cityoysterdelray.com.
Cornell Café (Delray Beach)
Embark on a culinary journey to the Land of the Rising Sun at the Cornell Café. Located inside Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens, the restaurant offers a Pan Asian-inspired menu and beautiful views of a placid lake and strolling gardens. On Valentine’s Day, the museum will showcase a special $14 lunch menu for two which includes two mimosas, two egg rolls or veggie spring rolls, two shumai (shrimp dumplings) or veggie dumplings, and two pieces of veggie or California sushi rolls.
Atlantic Grille (Delray Beach)
Tucked inside The Seagate Hotel in Delray Beach, the restaurant’s featured appetizers include Lobster Bisque ($15) and Gin and Beet Salmon Crudo ($22). Featured entrées are Fettuccine Carbonara ($33) and Wagyu Surf and Turf ($68). Top dinner off with their dessert special, the Chocolate Fondue Dessert Bar ($18).
Okeechobee Steakhouse
Credit: Okeechobee Steakhouse
Okeechobee Steakhouse and its family of businesses have created Valentine’s Day options to swoon over. For those looking for a romantic evening out, they can enjoy a special Tomahawk & Tails for Two at the legendary Okeechobee Steakhouse in West Palm Beach featuring n-house 45-day aged Tomahawk Steak, sliced;Two 5oz Cold Water Lobster Tails; Choice of Potato (each) and House Salad (each); Two glasses of champagne
Price: $210 per couple + tax + gratuity
Chef Jaime Steinbrecher at Jupiter’s Lewis Steakhouse has created a decadent special featuring an 8oz Australian Wagyu Filet Mignon served with Red Wine Demi Glace and Truffle Foie Gras Butter, complimented with Garlic Whipped Potatoes for $68.99 per person + tax + gratuity.
Diners at Lewis Prime Grill (Loxahatchee) can get a special Valentine’s Day surf and turf for two: Prime Rib, Butter Poached Shrimp Skewer, and Cheesy Hasselback Potatoes for $99.99 per couple + tax + gratuity
Feature Photo: Blackbird Modern Asian (Essentials Group)