There still is time to find great – and delicious – Valentine’s Day destinations and menus in South Florida. Here are a few of my favorites.
FORT LAUDERDALE
The fully renovated waterfront Hilton Fort Lauderdale Marina offers an with an an array of amenities and a dining experience overlooking the Intracoastal Waterway at Olive & Sea.
Guests seeking a memorable Valentine’s Day can book the Romance on the Water package during the month of February, with rates starting at $409 per night. The overnight package includes:
- A romantic wine and chocolate welcome amenity
- $150 food and beverage credit, perfect for dinner at Olive & Sea, the hotel’s signature rooftop restaurant overlooking the Intracoastal Waterway
- Complimentary parking and late checkout
- Complimentary room upgrade
To add to the magic, Olive & Sea is offering a special Valentine’s Day dinner on Feb. 14 from 5:00 PM to 11:00 PM. The featured duo-plated Surf & Turf for Two, priced at $120 per couple, includes:
- Chateaubriand & Spiced Jumbo Prawns
- Mediterranean Lemon Potatoes and Buttered Spinach
- A glass of sparkling wine for each guest
For dessert, diners can enjoy a decadent Chocolate Crunch Mousse Cake served with Macerated Arak Strawberries for $14. The Olive & Sea full menu of vibrant Mediterranean mezze, salads, skewers, laffa bread pizzas, entrees and more also will be available.
Olive & Sea’s Valentine’s Day specialty menu can be viewed at www.oliveandseaftl.com/valentines-day.
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BOCA RATON
Credit: Mia Rosebud
Mia Rosebud is renowned for its century-old family recipes, quintessential Chicago Italian dishes, and steakhouse favorites, this glamorous Boca Raton enclave is perfect for lovebirds to nest with generously portioned selections. The menu features an array of ambrosial fare couples can savor solo or in partnership, including:
- Delmonico Steak ($79) – Succulent 24 oz USDA Prime steak ideal for splitting (and doggy-bagging!)
- Eggplant Parmesan ($34) – Perfect for those craving an authentic Italian comfort cuisine staple
- Brick Chicken ($45) – Rosebud’s signature whole crispy pan-roasted chicken crowned with broccolini, oregano, and lemon sauce
- And for the hopeless romantics, here is the chance to relive the classic Lady and the Tramp scene with a bowl of delicious Spaghetti and Meatballs ($29) or Rosebud’s Original Pappardelle ($32) made of handmade square noodles in a rich tomato basil sauce
- End on a libidinous note with the plate-scraping Chocolate Mousse Cake ($18) or a seismic slice of Chocolate Banana Cream Pie ($17)
Mia Rosebud is open for dinner daily. Hours are Monday–Thursday, 4–9:30 p.m.; Friday–Saturday, 4–10:30 p.m.; and Sunday, 4–9 p.m.
DELRAY BEACH
Credit: Novecento Delray Beach
Novecento, the Argentinian-influenced concept which recently opened a new location in downtown Delray Beach will offer a special prix fixe menu for Valentine’s Day.
Novecento’s special “For 2” menu will be available Feb. 14-16. It includes two appetizers, two entrees, and one dessert for $95+ per couple.
Starter options include Burrata, with pistachio herb oil, Maldon salt, heirloom tomatoes, and sourdough bread; Arancini featuring Arborio rice, mozzarella, and spicy pomodoro; and Shrimp Cocktail served with cocktail sauce and lemon zest.
Main course selections include Fiochetti pasta purses with gorgonzola sauce and charred pears; pan-seared chicken, an all-natural half-chicken with wine and herb reduction, grilled vegetables, and mashed potatoes; Salmon, crusted with pistachios and served with quinoa and heirloom cherry tomatoes; and Wagyu Denver Steak (+$10), a Snake River Farm American wagyu, served with mashed potatoes and charred asparagus.
Finally, each pair can choose from two desserts: Tiramisu Brûlée, with mascarpone mousse, lady fingers, and espresso, or Todo Chocolate, a warm chocolate truffle cake served with whipped cream and chocolate ice cream.
Beverages from Novecento’s extensive wine, beer, and cocktail lists will also be available for additional cost. Diners can toast the night with unique cocktails such as the Matador ($15) featuring Monkey Shoulder Scotch Whiskey, honey, lime, basil, and fresh strawberry or the Lychee Gin & Tonic with Martin Miller’s Gin, JF Haden’s Lychee Liqueur, and Fever Tree Mediterranean tonic, served with a floral garnish.
WEST PALM BEACH
Credit: Pistache
Palm Beach County’s favorite French restaurant PISTACHE, in downtown West Palm Beach, is celebrating Valentine’s Day with a three-course prix fixe menu ($125 per person), featuring Chef de Cuisine Mike Burgio’s take on French classics. The evening will start with an amuse bouche and conclude with a champagne toast at dessert, creating a memorable culinary experience to share with the one you love.
Entrees will include Seafood Stew featuring local fish, clams and gulf shrimp; Duck Lyonnaise and Lamb Navarin. In addition, regular a la carte items will be available.
JUPITER
Credit: Jupiter Grill
The Jupiter Grill in Harborside Place is offering a Valentine’s Day prix fixe menu, available Feb. 13-16 for $140 per person (plus tax and gratuity).
Each guest will be treated to a complimentary glass of champagne before the prix fixe dinner begins with a choice of soup or salad. Guests can receive Lobster Bisque with lobster morsels and sherry or the Roasted Yellow Beet Salad tossed with roasted carrots, seasoned ricotta, red onion, frisée, toasted pistachio and a raspberry vinaigrette. Choose from four decidedly unique appetizers. Start with a Shrimp Cocktail with Meyer lemon aioli, cocktail sauce, and grilled lemon, or the Beef Carpaccio with bone marrow aioli and grilled ciabatta. Option three, Aphrodite’s Platter, is beyond temptation and includes East Coast oysters, grilled shrimp, king crab, and grain mustard aioli. The Fried Green Tomato gets romantic with Boursin cheese, a delicate pea tendril, and arugula salad with a light-but-tart lemon vinaigrette.
Entrées will include a Petite Filet with roasted garlic Yukon potato purée, grilled white asparagus, and a maitake mushroom sauce. Land & Sea features a bone-in veal chop Milanese with shrimp scampi, while the Crab Carbonara is brimming with lump crab, pancetta, English peas, and Pecorino Romano, ladled over perfectly cooked spaghetti. The tempting choices continue with the Rosemary-Crusted Pork Chop, purple potato hash, and a fig & pomegranate jam. The Chef’s Pan-Seared Halibut will feature red beet purée and rainbow Swiss chard. Finally, the savory and satisfying Peruvian Roasted Chicken is topped with Aji Verde sauce and served with a blood orange & fennel salad and sweet potato purée.
The delicious evening concludes with Raspberry Dark Chocolate Tarts served with
vanilla whipped cream and fresh berries. Do you prefer to drink your dessert? Try two featured cocktails ($17 each): the Strawberry Shortcake Martini features Tito’s vodka, strawberries, whipped cream, and delightful graham cracker garnish, or try the
Bramble made with Old Forester bourbon, blackberries, lemon, and simple syrup.
Feature Photo Courtesy of Hilton Fort Lauderdale Marina