Valentine’s Day is the perfect occasion for a romantic dining experience, whether it’s at a fancy restaurant, a cozy cafe, or a candlelit dinner at home. The atmosphere plays a big role in creating the perfect vibe, and many restaurants go all out, offering special menus, multi-course meals, wine pairings, and themed décor that adds to the romance of Cupid’s special day. Think dim lighting, soft music in the background, and perhaps a view that enhances the intimacy of the evening. If you’re looking to dine out at a romantic restaurant this Valentine’s Day, here are some good options. 

Current Fish & Oyster is offering guests a special Valentine’s Day tasting menu priced at $95 per person. Start with a choice of Salmon Poke or Scallop Crudo followed by a second course of Okinawa Fennel Soup or Strawberry-Arugula Salad. For the main course, diners will choose from Miso-Glazed Black Cod, Pistachio-Crusted Lamb Chops, or Coconut-Crusted Mahi Mahi. Dessert is a choice of Black Forest Cake or Yuzu Posset. 

At Park City’s Grub Steak restaurant, guests will begin Valentine’s dinner with a choice of House or Caesar Salad or Wild Rice & Mushroom Soup before Grilled Sesame Seed Crusted Ahi Tuna served with Lemon Roasted Asparagus. $59.75 per person. Reservations are available on Resy.

At Pago, Scott Evans’ team is offering a Valentine’s Day Dinner priced at $120 for food and $55 for optional wine pairings, plus tax and 20% gratuity. Dinner kicks off with an Amuse Bouche of Broiled Snow Crab or Confit Salsify, followed by a choice of appetizer: Faroe Island Salmon Tart, Idaho Morels, or Duck Lyonnaise. Following a Lemon Sorbetto Intermezzo, guests will select an entree of Bison NY Strip Steak, Winter Vegetable Torchon, or Lobster Spaghetti. Dessert is a choice of Pumpkin Pie Mousse, Old Fashioned Chocolate Cake, or Apple Crisp. 

Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar will offer 3-course Valentine’s Day menus, available from Thursday, February 13 through Monday, February 17. V-Day menus at Fleming’s include a 3-course Surf & Turf for Two featuring shareable 16 oz. Chateaubriand and 12 oz. Lobster Tail ($220); and a 3-course Surf & Turf for One with an 8 oz. Filet Mignon and 6 oz. Roasted Lobster Tail ($106), each paired with Seared Scallops with Risotto to start and Dark Chocolate Luxardo Cherry Tart to end the evening. 

Hearth and Hill in Park City is offering a menu of specials from February 13th-15th. Dishes include the following: Sashimi for Two ($24) – bluefin tuna, hamachi, salmon belly, truffle ponzu wasabi, pickled ginger; Oysters ($22) – pink peppercorn mignonette, white soy cocktail; Mushroom Dusted Halibut ($38) – king trumpet mushroom, sautéed spinach, truffle risotto; and 10 oz Boneless Bison Ribeye ($42) – rosemary roasted potatoes, blistered asparagus huckleberry balsamic.

The folks at Log Haven restaurant in Millcreek Canyon invites guests to indulge in Three Nights of Passion – Friday, Saturday & Sunday, February 14-16 – to celebrate love, lust and Valentine’s Day. In addition to the regular Log Haven menu featuring delectable dishes such as Wasabi Cured Salmon, Seared Elk Striploin, Achiote Adobo Grilled Organic Chicken, and Togarashi Crusted Tuna Tataki, Chef Dave Jones and his team will offer a special Valentine’s menu, plus specialty cocktails, mocktails, and live music. Among the special V-Day offerings is Smoked Chili Braised Short Ribs with jalapeño – jack grits, roast butternut squash salsa, pumpkin seed macha,  

and for dessert – Dark Chocolate Shortcakes with milk chocolate whipped cream and berries. 

Valentine’s Day dinner at Finca is a 4-course affair priced at $85 for food and $35 for optional wine pairings plus tax and 20% gratuity. The evening kicks off with a choice of Pintxos: Plato de Queso, Olivos, or Esparragos, followed by Tapas: Ensalada de Naranja, Patatas Bravas, Alcachofa, or Albondigas. For the main Platos course, choose from Pescado, Cordero, or Paella Vegetariana, followed by Postres: Churros, Torta de Santiago, or Basque Torta de Queso. 

Meanwhile, over at Finca’s sister establishment – Finca Pintxos Bar – Valentine’s Day Dinner is $55 for food and $38 for optional wine pairings, plus tax and 20% gratuity. Dinner begins with a choice of Pintxos: Huevos Rellenos, Olivos, or Tortilla Española, followed by a Tapas de Vegetales course – a choice of Ensalada Naranja, Patatas Bravas, Coliflor, or Tosta de Setas. The Tapas de Mariscos y Tapas de Carne course is a choice of Gambas, Atun, Albondigas, or Fabada, followed by Postres: a choice of Chocolate Torte, Torta de Santiago, or Basque Torta de Queson. 

The Hyatt Centric Park City invites you to “Toast your Valentine with the Amor cocktail special before delving into a prix-fixe Valentine’s Day dinner from 5 – 10 p.m. featuring a French Onion Tart, Lobster Ravioli, choice of Petite Wagyu Filet or Seared Sea Scallop, and Strawberry & Vanilla Bean Cheesecake with Dark Chocolate Espresso Mousse. $79 per person. Call 435-940-1234 for reservations.”

The culinary team at Tuscany invites guests to indulge in a 4-course Valentine’s Day dinner priced at $140 per person. The first course is a choice of Wagyu Beef Carpaccio or Crab Cakes, followed by a selection of Clam Chowder or Beet Salad. The main course is a choice of Wagyu Flank Steak, King Salmon, or Organic Heirloom Chicken Marsala. For dessert there is Chocolate Mousse Pyramid or Girotondo Alle Mandorle. 

Curated by Executive Chef Nick Zocco, Urban Hill is offering a special Valentine’s Day menu on Friday, February 14th. Made with love and balanced by culinary creativity, guests can indulge in a four-course dinner with dishes including Day Boat Scallops made with arancini, saffron aioli, kumquat and frisée; Black Pepper & Duck Fat Potato Pavé with caper aioli, poached egg and provolone picante; Black Striped Bass accompanied by tom kha chimichurri, forbidden rice, miso-carrot purée and crispy fried Romanesco; finished on a sweet note with Raspberry Macaron or Petit Gâteau.

At KITA restaurant in Park City, they’ll offer an exclusive four-course prix-fixe dinner menu, including a glass of sparkling or rosé in the ideal romantic setting. Pair with some pre or post dinner cocktails and live music at Après Pendry. 5 – 10 p.m. $225 per couple. 

Emigration Cafe is offering up a 3-course Valentine’s Day Dinner priced at $55 for food and $32 for optional wine pairings, plus tax and a 20% service charge. Select an appetizer to start: Hamachi, Funeral Potato Croquettes, or Baby Kale Salad. The Main Course is a choice of Crab-Stuffed Branzino, Asiago-Stuffed Gnocchi, or Beef Bourguignon. For dessert, choose from Tapioca Pudding or Tiramisu. 

If you’re looking for a hand-on learning experience for Valentine’s Day, consider these two cooking classes at the Park City Culinary Institute (located in SLC). Saturday, Feb. 8: Valentine’s Macaron Bake & Take. “Celebrate Valentine’s Day with Macarons you can bake and box up for your loved one. In this class you will learn how to mix, pipe and bake traditional round Macarons as well as try your hand at heart-shaped macarons. You will also learn how to make a variety of delicious fillings including buttercream, ganache and preserves. Take home a sweet gift for your sweetheart.” Thursday, Feb. 13: Heart Shaped Pizza & Pinot. “Grab that special someone and join our chefs as we teach you hands on how to make heart shaped pizzas! Be sure to come hungry, as we’ve got all the toppings of your choosing! You’ll also be making chocolate lava cakes to take home! Wine will be paired to guests 21 and over. Non-alcoholic beverages will also be provided.”

Culinary quote of the week: “Food is symbolic of love when words are inadequate. – Alan D. Wolfelt

Feature Image: Laura Ockel on Unsplash