Thanks to the pandemic, last year’s Valentine’s Day was mostly a bust. At least, dining out options were pretty slim. But this year, there’s a boatload of restaurants offering special Valentine’s Day meals, from very affordable to bend-the-budget sumptuous. Here is the V-Day info I received from restaurants prior to press time. 

At Bambara in the Hotel Monaco, Chef Jerry Pacheco and his team will open the restaurant on Monday, February 14th (they’re normally closed on Mondays) offering a special prix fixe menu. Guests will be greeted with an Amuse Bouche of Crème Fraîche, Caviar and Chives, followed by Jonas Crab Corn Bisque and a Salad choice of Mixed Greens or Beet Salad. Entree options are Filet Chateaubriand, Braised Lamb Shank, or Seed-Crusted King Salmon. Dessert is Chocolate Panna Cotta. $155 per person for food and wine or $115 for just food, plus tax and gratuity. In addition the Kimpton Hotel Monaco launched a Romantic Package this month which includes an overnight stay (upgrade to Deluxe room if available), bottle of bubbly, in-room charcuterie or chocolate covered strawberries, a $100 dining credit to Bambara, late 2pm checkout and a list of suggested photographers to arrange for a photoshoot, such as a romantic engagement or proposal.

Bewilder Brewing is hosting a special Valentine’s food and beer pairing dinner Monday, February 14th at 6:30 p.m.. The folks at Bewilder said, “This is a 4 course meal with four 8 oz beers including a release of a new beer. More details to come. Just $150.00 per couple gets you an evening of some creative culinary dishes. $126.00 per couple if you don’t want to drink. Vegetarian option available. 21+. A $50 deposit is required to hold your 2 seats.”

Caffe Molise is a romantic venue for dining anytime, but especially on Valentine’s Day. Perhaps kick the evening off with a cocktail or wine flight at their sister establishment, BTG Wine Bar. Then, ease into one of Caffe Molise’s comfy seats and enjoy signature dishes such as Ravioli Con Zucca; Polpette di Melanzane; house-made Pappardelle al Sugo; traditional Lasagne; and a scrumptious dessert like Dark Chocolate Cake, Tiramisu, Hazelnut Mousse Cake, NY Style Cheesecake, and more. 

In addition to its regular dinner menu, Epic Fine Food & Drink is offering a 3-course Valentine’s Day menu with optional wine pairings available from 3 to 9 p.m. Monday, February 14th. A starter of Mixed Greens with Sundried Tomato Vinaigrette, Apple, Fontina Cheese & Candied Pecans will be followed by a main course choice of 12-oz Ribeye or Seafood Risotto. For dessert, there is Double Layer Chocolate Cake with Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream. $60 with wine pairings; $45 without.

Finca’s Valentine’s Day Menu is a four-course affair with a choice per guest of Pintxos, Tapas, Platos, and Postres with optional wine pairings. $75 per person; $30 for optional wine pairings; plux tax & 20% gratuity.  

Flanker Kitchen + Sporting Club at The Gateway will offer a special Valentine’s 3-course prix fixe menu on Friday, Feb. 11 and Saturday, Feb. 12. First course is a choice of House-smoked Chicken Wings, Spicy Tuna Bites,Truffled Beef Carpaccio, or Little Gem Caesar. Main course options are Roasted Half Chicken; Center Cut Broiled Salmon; or NY Strip Steak. For dessert there is a choice of Cherry Pie or Brownie. $59 per person.

Along with other menu options, Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar will offer an opulent 3-course meal for two, available February 11-14, for $230, excluding tax, gratuity, and beverages. The Valentine’s Day special is a shareable 35-oz Prime Tomahawk paired with Lobster Tail Scampi and Crab-Stuffed Shrimp. 

From February 12-14 Hearth and Hill in Park City will, in addition to their regular menu, offer Valentine’s dinner additions: Bay Scallops with brown butter, gremolata, and celeriac risotto ($40) and a half-dozen Chocolate Dipped Strawberries for dessert ($10). 

Ogden’s Hearth on 25th is giving Valentine’s Day couples four nights to enjoy their special 12-course tasting menu, February 11-14, priced at $80 per person with optional alcoholic beverage pairings available for an extra $30. The 12 tasting courses are far too lengthy to list here, but include items like King Salmon, Waygu Beef, Duck Breast, Quail Confit, Grilled Octopus, Wild Caught Sturgeon, Lobster Bisque and much more. 

The Grand America Hotel invites you to “Make Valentine’s Day Grand this year, with a night at The Grand America and an exclusive dining experience in Laurel Brasserie & Bar. Each couple will get to choose their choice of a room or suite, and enjoy a five-course prix-fixe dinner in the private dining rooms of Laurel Brasserie & Bar on Monday, February 14, 2022. Only 25 packages are available, so reserve today.” The Valentine’s Day menu at Laurel features Shrimp Cocktail, Classic Caesar Salad, Butter-Poached Lobster Tail, Dry-Aged Filet Mignon, and Chocolate Cake & Apple Crisp Tart for dessert, plus a to-go box of Bonne Vie Macarons for a sweet treat to share in your room. 

Voted as the Most Romantic Restaurant in Utah and overall Top 10 in the country by USA Today and recognized as a Top Scenic Restaurant by Food & Wine, Log Haven is the perfect place to spend an intimate, memorable Valentine’s dinner with your loved one. Chef Dave Jones and his talented team will offer Valentine’s Day specials February 12-14, in addition to the regular dinner menu. 

If you’re looking for excellent ambiance, service, and cuisine, the Mariposa at Deer Valley Resort is the perfect spot for a romantic Valentine’s Day dinner. For three special nights – February 12-14 – the Mariposa culinary team will create a unique 6-course tasting experience featuring luxury items such as Petrossian Caviar, Shaved Black Truffle, and hand selected Bison Filet, just to name a few. Each course will be accompanied by the perfect beverage pairing to enhance your Valentine’s dining experience. $300 per person.

Oquirrh restaurant will be offering a four course Prix Fixe Valentine’s Day menu for $100 per person not including tax and gratuity. Wine pairings are available for $50 per person and flowers by Chelsi Hunsaker are available for purchase for $25 or $50. Menu items include Fresh-Shucked Oysters; Foie Gras Pate; Smoked Lamb Ribs; Petite Lettuce Salad; Serrano Ham-Wrapped Pork Tenderloin with Truffles & Sourdough Spaetzle; House-Made Bucatini with King Crab; Winter Citrus Sorbet; and Chocolate Kings Cake for dessert. 

Pago will host a Valentine’s tasting menu that begins with an Amuse Bouche followed by a choice of starters: Crudo, Scallop St. Jacque, Chilled Leek Salad, Heirloom Carrot Soup, or Duck Confit. Main course options include Braised Short Ribs with lobster arancini; Bacon-Wrapped Pork Tenderloin with sweet potato; Pan-Seared Scallops with vadouvan crumble; or Root Vegetable Wellington with mushroom duxelle, followed by a choice of desserts. $95 per person; $38 for optional wine pairings, plus tax & 20% gratuity. 

Over at Pago on Main, guests will enjoy a three-course tasting menu with a choice of starters: Yellowtail Amberjack, Kale Caesar, Vadouvan Greens Croquettes, Roasted Bone Marrow, or Mushroom Veloute. Then select an entree from Saffron Risotto, Seared Duck Breast, Wild Boar Ragu, Salmon with green garlic salsa verde, or Roasted Beef Tenderloin. Finally, a choice of Bread Pudding, Chocolate Cremeux, or Meyer Lemon Pavlova for dessert. $65 per person; $35 for optional wine pairings; plus tax & 20% gratuity. 

Out at Daybreak, Porch restaurant will be open on Monday, February 14th with a special Valentine’s menu. The three-course dinner starts with a choice of Arugula with chevre, sweet pickled apples, pecans, maple Champagne vinaigrette or Wild Mushroom Bisque with truffle oil. There are four Main dishes to select from: Corvina Sea Bass, French lentils, roasted cauliflower, tomato bacon dashi (available without bacon); Pan-Seared Scallops, roasted fingerling potatoes, Brussels sprouts, bourbon sriracha sauce; Filet Mignon, buttermilk whipped potatoes, port wine demi glace, roasted root vegetables; or Ratatouille, roasted vegetables, wilted spinach, ancient grains, tomato nage, fresh basil. For dessert, choose from Famous Banana Puddin’; Carrot Cake, cream cheese chevre frosting, candied walnuts; Flourless Chocolate Decadence, salted caramel sauce; or Vanilla Goat’s Milk Panna Cotta, pickled blackberries, toffee tuile. $50 per person; $30 for optional wine pairings. 

Rodizio Grill will offer an expanded menu featuring Ribeye, Peppercorn Steak, Sirloin with Serrano, Cayenne Cinnamon Pineapple, and one select dessert for $44.99 per person February 12-14, as well as a Together Forever Package: Available Feb. 12, Feb. 13 & Feb. 14 during dinner hours. Enjoy seating in Rodizio’s Meeting & Celebration Center accompanied by live music, extended Full Rodizio menu featuring Salmon, Filet, Ribeye, Peppercorn Steak, Sirloin with Serrano, Cayenne Cinnamon Pineapple, Gourmet Salad Bar, and unlimited premium dessert bar. $125 per couple. 

The good folks at Shades Brewing downtown sent this: “Looking to impress your Valentine this year? Look no further. Whether they’re a craft beer aficionado or foodie – Shades is brewing up (pun intended) an unforgettable experience for you. Our Chef Xavier Davila has traveled the world to compile a portfolio of flavors and dishes, and has composed a diverse & decadent menu with something for everyone. This 3-course meal is dealer’s choice and you can pick one appetizer, entree, and dessert. We will be running the menu Saturday, February 12 and Monday, February 14 – 6pm until 10pm. Tickets are required in advance to ensure availability of items. Ticket includes a live salsa band playing from 9pm on!” Menu choices include Bruschetta, Minestrone, Beef Wellington, Coconut Lamb, Grilled Steak with Chimmichurri, Chicken Cordon Bleu, Beef Lasagna, and more, including Vegetarian options and desserts. “$50/couple or pair. Whether it’s a partner or friend, just bring someone you love for our Valentine’s Dinner and treat yourselves – you deserve it!”

Valentine’s Day special selections at Tucanos Brazilian Grill include Rosemary Herb Salmon, Roasted Ribeye, Grilled Shrimp, a Special Chocolate Treat, and a complimentary rose for each couple at dinner ($34.95 per person). Or, enjoy Tucanos’ Valentine’s Home Date Meal for 2 ($69.95) which includes a variety of items such as Teriyaki Beer, Bacon-Wrapped Turkey, Pasta Alfredo, Sweet & Spicy Chicken, Brown Sugar-Glazed Pineapple, Brazilian Cheese Bread, Caesar Salad, Sparkling Cider, Chocolate Truffles, Chocolate Raspberry Cheesecake, a Long-Stemmed Rose, and more. 

Valentine’s Dinner at Tuscany is a four-course affair with menu options such as Tuna Carpaccio; Tomato Tart; Organic Spring Mix Salad; Heirloom Tomato-Basil Soup; Pan-Seared Diver Scallops; Grilled Filet Mignon; Shrimp & Spicy Sausage Alfredo, and dessert TBD. $95 per person. 

Veneto Ristorante Italiano will offer two seatings on Valentine’s Day, one at 5 p.m. and a late seating at 8 p.m. for a special four-course menu. Start with an Antipasto choice of Insalata di Ricotta Casereccia or Melanzane alla Parmigiana followed by a Primo course of with Bigoli Carbonara or Bigoli Amatriciana. Secondo is Tagliata di Manzo con Patate al Forno (pictured) or Filetto di Salmone in Salsa di Finocchio e Sedano. For dessert (Dolci) there is Crostata alla Nutella or Tiramisù alle Fragole. ($125 per person) with optional wine pairings ($75 per person).

Weller’s Bistro in Layton, which is usually closed on Mondays, will tempt guests with a special Valentine’s Day Dinner on February 14th, with seating reservations available at 1:30, 3:30, 5:30, and 7:30 p.m. The four-course dinner starts with a Charcuterie Board of European Air Cured Meats & Artisan Cheeses served with Dried Fruits, Nuts & Fig Jam, followed by a choice of Lobster Bisque or Baby Greens with Strawberry Vinaigrette. For entrees, guests will select from a choice of Blackened Salmon served with a Lemon Beurre Blanc & Wild Mushroom Risotto; Seared Airline Chicken served on Creamy Spinach & Bell Pepper Farfalle Pasta; or Braised Beef Short Rib served with a Barolo Demi Glace & Creamy Cheddar Polenta. Dessert is Crêpes Suzette – Grand Marnier infused & topped with Orange Segments. $44 per person. 

Yuta restaurant in The Lodge at Blue Sky Ranch invites guests to “celebrate this Valentine’s Day with an extraordinary culinary adventure of a 6 course tasting menu in an intimate atmosphere by Chef Galen Zamarra.” The menu is, indeed, extraordinary and includes Amuse Bouche – chilled kumamoto oyster with blood orange and wasabi granita; Ahi Tuna Tataki; Coq au Vin Ravioli; Trout Piscator; Pheasant Bundle with black trumpet farce, artichoke heart barigoule, jamon serrano; A5 Wagyu Ribeye Cap with salt block sear, hasselback potato, spinach puree, bone marrow jus; Grilled Pineapple with white chocolate yuzu snow, chocolate covered gooseberry, candied cilantro, aged rum, and mojito sorbet; plus Petit Fours, Truffles & Bonbon. $195 per person, excluding tax and gratuity. 

Culinary quote of the week:

“Food is symbolic of love when words are inadequate.” – Alan D. Wolfelt 

FOR MORE RESTAURANT REVIEWS GO HERE.

THIS CONTENT IS FROM UTAH BITES NEWSLETTER.

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Originally trained as an anthropologist, Ted Scheffler is a seasoned food, wine & travel writer based in Utah. He loves cooking, skiing, and spends an inordinate amount of time tending to his ever-growing herd of guitars and amplifiers.

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