Celebrate Valentine’s Day at These Delaware Restaurants

Feel the love with dining deals and special meals in and around Delaware.

 

Whether you love or hate it, Valentine’s Day will soon be upon us. Even if you aren’t a big fan of the Hallmark holiday, it never hurts to take your loved one out for drinks, dinner or dessert.

Here are some local spots serving up delicious meals—with a side of romance. In case you forgot, Valentine’s Day is on Feb. 14 (which falls on a Thursday this year).

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NEW CASTLE COUNTY

1861
Enjoy music by pianist Kevin McCove and a $65 per person prix fixe dinner. There will also be special Valentine’s Day cocktails (like Sunset In Paris, made with Grey Goose, St. Germain, strawberry puree and champagne). Dinner begins on Thursday, Feb. 14 at 5 p.m. to make a reservation, call 376-7956 or visit 1861restaurant.com.

Banks Seafood Kitchen
Banks is spreading the love from Feb. 14-16 with a three-course evening menu for $48. Food items include premium Florida stone crabs, hard shell lobster from Greenhead Lobster and plancha seared filet mignon with crabmeat Brittany. Pair dinner with special cocktails such as fresh strawberry bellini’s and amarena cherry Manhattan’s featuring Elijah Craig bourbon. Make a reservation here.

Caffe Gelato
Available from Feb. 9-16 with seatings from 3-10 p.m. $138 per couple with a table, $157 per couple with a table and a dozen red roses, $158 per couple with a booth, $177 per couple with a booth and a dozen red roses. Call 738-5811 to make a reservation and view the special menu here.

Chelsea Tavern
The downtown Wilmington bar is offering two Valentine’s Day packages from Feb. 14-16. For $75 per couple, enjoy three courses and two glasses of bubbly. Reservations recommended; call 482-3333 or visit www.chelseatavern.com.

Columbus Inn
The iconic restaurant will feature a four-course prix fixe menu for $65 per person (not including gratuity), with suggested wine pairings for $105 per person on Thursday, Feb. 14. Visit columbusinn.net for more information.

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Deerfield
If brunch is your thing, then this is the place to do it. Dig into the Valentine’s brunch on Sunday, Feb. 10 between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.

Domaine Hudson
In addition to offering a special a la carte menu on Valentine’s Day, from Thursday, Feb. 14 through Saturday, Feb. 16, the intimate restaurant will also be serving a four-course prix fixe menu for $75 or $115 with wine pairings. Visit www.domainehudson.com for more information, or click here to make a reservation.

 

DOMAINE HUDSON VALENTINE’S DAY PRIX FIXE MENU

First Course

Parsnip Paramour
Panna cotta, grapefruit, olive, Marcona almond, paddlefish caviar and tarragon.

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Second Course

Snapper in the Buff
Served crudo-style with apple, pink peppercorn, citrus and olive oil powder.

Third Course

Truffle Filled Pillows
Lobster broth, Parmesan and pea shoots.

Or

Pork Belly is for Lovers
Celery root puree, orange infused beet and fennel.

Fourth Course

Braised in Red
Short rib, Cipollini onion, glazed heritage carrot, potato foam, red wine glaze, micro celery and peppercress.

Or

When Lobster Met Scallop
Butter poached lobster, seared scallop, carrot, ginger, spinach and jasmine rice.

Dessert

Chocolate Passion
Soufflé, passion fruit and caramel delight ice cream.

 

Grain Craft Bar + Kitchen
Relationships come in many different shapes and sizes, and that’s why Grain is offering three different ways to celebrate Valentine’s Day this year at each of their locations. On Feb. 13, Grain H2O will be taking a spin on its regular Wednesday date night deal ($39 for two entrees, a bottle of wine or four pints and a dessert) with “Galentine’s” Night as a perfect way to celebrate with your gals. Grain in Kennett Square will have a special Valentine’s Date Night menu on Feb. 14—no reservations needed. $49 for two entrees off of the specialty entree menu, a bottle of wine or four pints and a dessert. At the Newark spot, couples can enjoy Chef Nick’s specialty menu and listen to live music. Finish your evening with one of Grain’s Valentine’s special dessert creations.

Greenbank Mills and Philips Farm
On Thursday, Feb. 14 from 7- 9 p.m., escape the clichés, ditch the over-priced roses and get your favorite gal pals together to celebrate Valentine’s Day in a new way. Enjoy some decadent desserts, delightful tea and delicious tea-cocktails at Greenbank Mills and Philips Farm. The evening’s festivities take place inside the historic ambiance of Greenbank Mill and tickets support the educational programs of the organization. Tickets to this Galentine’s celebration are $15 (includes dessert and tea); alcoholic drinks are an additional $5 each. Reserve a spot for you and your friend by visiting this website.

Hilton Wilmington/Christiana
Enjoy the Valentine Chef’s Table on Friday, Feb. 15, which includes a free hotel room for the first 10 people to make reservations. It’s $79 per person and includes five courses prepared by our award-winning executive chef Robert Fratticcioli. A Valentine prix fixe menu is also available for the entire month. For more information, click here.

La Tolteca—Wilmington
A Valentine’s Day menu is available from Feb. 14-16, which consists of a large fajita for two, two glasses of wine and a dessert to share for $45.

Platinum Dining Group
All of Platinum Dining Group’s restaurants will be offering a full menu with fun and creative dinner specials on Valentine’s Day. Restaurants include Capers & Lemons Restaurant, Eclipse Bistro, Redfire Grill & Steakhouse and Taverna Rustic Italian. Visit PlatinumDiningGroup.com for reservations.

Tonic Bar and Grille
Join executive pastry chef Michele Mitchell at Tonic Bar and Grille on Sunday, Feb. 10 from 2-4 p.m. as she shows how to make chocolate Valentine’s Day treats. Learn the history of the cocoa bean and processes of making chocolate. Enjoy sparkling wine, chocolate tastings and create your own box of handmade chocolate treats to take home. Tickets are $40 per person. Call 510-8071 or visit this website to purchase tickets.

V&M Bistro
Celebrate the most romantic day of the year at V&M Bistro. Enjoy delicious Valentine’s Day inspired cocktails, like (the Red Velvet Cake Martini) and Valentine’s Day inspired entrees, like (Heart-Shaped Ravioli). Exclusive menu items will be available on Valentine’s Day and all week long. Visit vmbistro.com for more information.

Walter’s Steakhouse
From Feb. 14-17, Walter’s is offering three specials: a lover’s platter (coconut shrimp, jumbo lump crab cake and deep fried flounder for $33.95), a hearty steak (a stuffed eight-ounce filet with spinach, roasted red peppers and cream cheese for $36.95) and seductive sweet (a red velvet cake for $6.95). Call 652-6780 for reservations.

Wilmington Brew Works
Enjoy some Shakespeare with your beer. Delaware Shakespeare is hosting Shakespeare + St. Valentine, a light-hearted, romantic evening of scenes, sonnets and song. The event takes place Friday, Feb. 15 at 7:30 p.m. at Wilmington Brew Works (and on Saturday, Feb. 16 at 7:30 p.m. at Painted Stave Distilling in Smyrna). Tickets are $25 and include one drink. The “Romeo and Juliet” Package is $80 and Includes admission for two, preferred seating, two drinks per person (including one very special creation from the bar) and a Shakespeare sonnet performed for your date pre-show at your table. (Only four of these packages are sold per performance.) Purchase tickets here.

KENT COUNTY

Dover Downs Casino
Snag some tickets to see Loverboy, the high-energy rock group that has been performing since 1978. Grab a romantic dinner beforehand at Michele’s. Tickets for the show range from $30-$50. Loverboy takes the stage on Friday, Feb. 15 at 9 p.m.

Painted Stave Distilling
On Friday, Feb. 8 and Sat. Feb. 9, Painted Stave Distilling is hosting a ‘My Tipsy Valentine’ Cocktail Class. Learn how to make three Valentine’s-themed cocktails, and drink them, too! Come with your pals, your partner or fly solo. Tickets are $32 per person—click here to snag some.

SUSSEX COUNTY

Big Fish (Rehoboth)
Grab your gal pals for a Galentine’s Floral Workshop event. The event takes place on Tuesday, Feb. 12 beginning at 6 p.m. and costs $55 per person. Sign up here.

Big Chill Surf Cantina  
LOVE STINKS, LET’S DRINK! is a celebration of being single on Valentine’s Day. Decked out in luscious reds, The Cantina has become a hot spot to celebrate Valentine’s Day without a mate in tow. A mix-and-mingle type atmosphere, the bar offers specialty drinks for the night as well as drink specials. Visit bigchillsurfcantina.com for more information.

Clubhouse at Baywood
Half-price entrees plus a floral sale for pick up or for your table. Orders need to be placed by Feb. 11. Single rose in bud vase: $15. Half-dozen arranged in vase with greenery: $35. A dozen arranged with greenery: $65; baywoodclubhouse.com.

Fork & Flask
Fork + Flask is offering a special Valentine’s Day menu, as well as its regular menu. All items are offered a la carte or have a $49 tasting menu comprised off of its special menu. Menu items include a succulent rib eye, butter poached halibut, and a decadent dessert: a dark chocolate panna cotta that will be flambé tableside. There will also be a range of special champagne cocktails on the menu—visit forkandflask.com/events/ for more information.

Heritage Shores
Heritage Shores is hosting a Valentine’s Ball on Friday, Feb. 15. Doors open at 6 p.m. and dinner is served at 7. The menu includes a variety of appetizers, a plated dinner and a dessert station. A single ticket is $35 and couples cost $65. Reservations must be made by Feb. 11. Contact crains@heritageshores.com or call 337-9910 ext. 325 for more information and to make reservations.

Many restaurants at the beach will still be honoring their winter off-season specials on Valentine’s Day, including:

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Chesapeake Inn Restaurant and Marina
Enjoy a Valentine’s Wine Dinner on Saturday, Feb. 9, beginning at 7 p.m. Dinner is $60 per person (Maryland tax and gratuity is not included). Purchase tickets here.

 

CHESAPEAKE INN VALENTINE’S WINE DINNER MENU

First Course • Complicated Chardonnay

Seared U-10 Scallops
Truffle oil grilled shrimp and wild mushroom tomato salad.

Second Course • Blindfold White Blend

Surf and Turf Duet
Lobster bruschetta, cold water lobster tail, garlic tarragon infused tomatoes, balsamic glaze and crispy crostini served with ribeye carpaccio, flash fried capers, coarse Himalayan pink salt, extra-virgin olive oil and cracked pepper.

Third Course • Meiomi Pinot Noir

Salmon Encroute
Fresh dill brie, blackberry Dijon drizzle and shaved asparagus salad.

Fourth Course • Saldo Zinfandel

Gnocchi and Short Ribs
Housemade ricotta gnocchi, slow roasted short ribs, tomato gravy, fresh herbs and Pecorino Romano.

Dessert • Charles Smith Cabernet

Raspberry Godiva Chocolate Mousse
Chocolate shell, shaved ganache, fresh berries and mint.

 

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