Valentine’s Day dining guide: Local restaurants offer treats, sweet and savory
Looking for help planning a special Valentine’s Day dinner? Or need a sweet treat to take to your sweetie?
How about a not-so-sweet treat? There are a some of those out there as well.
Restaurants, bakeries and chocolate shops have got savory and salty offerings as well. And some that are downright tart.
LexGo Eat is here to help. Here are some of the places in and around Lexington with options:
Valentine’s Day restaurant specials around Lexington
▪ Alfalfa, 141 E. Main St., will have Valentine’s Day Dinner from 5 to 9 p.m. on Feb. 14. Menu will be primarily vegan, with gluten-free options. Call 859-253-0014 for reservations.
▪ Azur, 3070 Lakecrest Circle, will offer a Valentine’s Day special Feb. 13-Feb. 16. The Four Roses Distillery is teaming up with Chef Jeremy Ashby for prix fixe three-course meal. Includes starters such as Azur’s signature lobster crepes, mango-avocado salad, and oysters on the half shell and more. Entree choices include petite filet mignon, king salmon piccata, Korean braised beef short rib and a grain bowl. For dessert there’s chocolate fondue for two, dreamsicle crème brulee or bourbon-chocolate cupcake garnished with a Four Roses bourbon ball. Call 859-296-1007 for reservations; $55 per person or $75 per person with the bourbon pairings..
▪ Backroads Bakery, 109 West Sixth St., has special cheesecakes for Valentine’s Day that you can order. Including some small ones that look like conversation hearts. You get to pick what you want written on them, which could include some less that loving messages. You can order online at backroadsbakerylex.com.
▪ Carrabba’s Italian Grill, 1881 Plaudit Place, will offer its ultimate four-course Surf & Turf dinner for two Feb. 10 through Feb. 16 for only $60. You get a choice of appetizers to share; soup or salad; separate entrees; and choice of desserts to share. Entrees include one turf and one surf choice each from 6-ounce sirloin, Chicken Bryan, chicken Marsala, Pollo Rosa Maria, crab cake, lobster ravioli and Spiedino Di Mare.
▪ Crank & Boom at 1210 Manchester St. and 119 Marion in the Barn at The Summit will has Valentine’s Day flavors in shops, including Red Velvet Cheesecake, Irish Cream Dreams, Cherry Cordial and Chocolate Fudge Brownie. The shops will also have festive Valentine’s Day treats including fruit gummies, chocolate covered pretzels, marshmallow hearts, cookies brownies, cake pops, cake cones and chocolate covered Oreos. You can get six pints of ice cream from Goldbelly.com too. The Ice Cream is LOVE Collection includes Red Velvet Cheesecake, Chocolate Fudge Brownie, Cherry Cordial, Irish Cream Dreams, Raspberry Sorbet, and Bourbon Ball.
▪ Creaux, 310 W. Short St., will host two Valentine’s Day events on Feb. 14. At 8 p.m., they will have Sweet Treats and Jazz with Paper Moon. The kitchen menu will be available from 5 to 11 p.m., with a special menu of desserts, wines and cocktails two for $14. Then at 11 p.m., the R&B Party (Valentines Edition) begins.
▪ CRU Food & Wine Bar, 107 Summit at Fritz Farm, will have a Wine, Dine & Be Mine Valentine’s Day Dinner on Feb. 14 and 15. It’s four-course menu for $60 per person, featuring lobster bisque, choice of salads, entrees and desserts. The entrees include prime file mignon, rosemary-crusted rack of lamb, pan-seared diver scallops or pan-roasted Chilean sea bass. Reservations recommended. Call 859-971-9463.
▪ Hall’s on the River, 1225 Athens Boonesboro Rd., is featuring three specials Feb. 14 and 15, from 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Each special includes a Hall’s 4-ounce beer cheese platter, house salad, glass of champagne and heart-shaped brownie dessert featuring two brownies dusted with powdered sugar and topped with strawberry quarters, cream and ice cream. Choose from one of three entrees for their special. The 9-ounce duck breast special is $39.99 per person; the 12-ounce New York strip steak special is $44.99 per person; and the half-chicken special is $29.99 per person. Reservations are required for guaranteed seating; call 859-527-6620.
▪ Holly Hill Inn, 426 North Winter St. in Midway, will offer its annual Aphrodisia menu Feb. 12-15. This year’s seven-course version from chef Tyler McNabb is $100 per person and includes oysters, scallops, rabbit loin, and much more. For entree, choose between Yellowedge grouper, beef tenderloin, duo of steaks or Farmer Joe’s duck two ways. There’s also a four-course version available for $55 every night except Valentine’s Day. Call 859-846-4732 for details and reservations.
▪ Honeywood, 110 Summit at Fritz Farm, will do dinner for two for $99 on Valentine’s Day. Choose three from a menu of starters, salads, main dishes and desserts, with vegetarian options available. Call 859-469-8234 for reservations.
▪ J. Render’s Southern Table & Bar, 3191 Beaumont Centre Circle, is having live music and a smoked prime rib special both Friday and Saturday night.
▪ Marikka’s, 411 Southland Dr., will have their annual Valentine’s Day Special Feb. 14 and 15 including paprika chicken prepared in a white wine sauce with your choice of two sides for $14.95, your choice of Proverb Pinot Noir or Proverb Pinot Grigio Bottle of wine for $12, and complimentary Valentine’s Day dessert with purchase of any entrée dine in or take out. Call for reservations, 859-275-1925
▪ Martine’s Pastries, 400 E. Third St., will host Valentine’s Diner en Amoureux from 6:30 to 8: 30 p.m. on Feb. 14. A table for two is $75 per couple; reservations required. Dinner includes sparkling drink, appetizers for two, beef bourguignon and au gratin potatoes or vegetarian option, plus an assortment of Martine’s pastries. Call 859-231-9110 and ask for Chelsea. Martine’s also has Valentine’s Day cookies and cakes.
▪ Midway Bakery & Cafe, 410 South Winter St. in Midway, has fresh-baked specials for Valentine’s Day, including baby chocolate stack cake, iced sugar heart cookies and Red Hot Devil’s Food cake, available as cup cakes or by the slice. Also available: cinnamon roll bites, packaged in a heart-shaped tin six for $8.99. Call 859-846-4336 to order. You can arrange pick-up at the bakery, Windy Corner, Zim’s Cafe or Honeywood, too.
▪ The Mousetrap, 3323 Tates Creek Rd. in the Lansdowne Shoppes, is offering take home meals for Feb. 14. The “Sweetheart Dinner Boxes” include one entreé, two side items and one dessert. Entreé choices are beef bourguignon, chicken tetrazzini or vegetable shepherd’s pie. Sides include mashed potatoes with mushroom gravy, sauteed Brussels sprouts, bourbon-smoked green beans and mushrooms or maple glazed carrots. For dessert either shareable chocolate raspberry cake or red velvet cake. Call 859-269-2958 to order.
▪ O’Charley’s, 2270 Nicholasville, 2895 Richmond and 2099 Harrodsburg Rd., will offer Valentine’s Dine & Wine. For $39 Valentine’s, you get a meal for two Feb. 10 through Feb. 16. Includes a shared spinach & artichoke dip appetizer, choice of two entrees and shareable dessert. Entree options include 7-ounce center-cut fresh filet mignon, 7-ounce signature filet mignon with garlic butter, 7-ounce signature bacon & bourbon-glazed filet mignon, 8-oz. slow-roasted prime rib and 9-ounce fresh-grilled Atlantic salmon.
▪ Old Kentucky Chocolates, 1890 Star Shoot Parkway, 3385 Tates Creek Rd. and 450 Southland Dr., has chocolate-covered strawberries and potato chips, and Valentine’s Box Baskets with assorted chocolates and classic treats. Also available: boxes of bourbon balls and bourbon cherries.
▪ Pasta Garage, 962 Delaware Ave., is offering Valentine’s Day dinner for two for $75 per couple. It includes salad, appetizer, choice of entrees and chocolate lasagna for dessert. Call 859-309-9840 for reservations.
▪ Ruth Hunt Candy Co., 213 Walton Ave., has heart-shaped boxes of Valentine’s candy, including 10-ounce boxes of Derbies, bourbon balls and gourmet pretzels.
▪ Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill has a special Valentine’s Dinner Feb. 14-15 from 5-8:30 p.m. Enjoy a special à la carte dinner at The Trustees’ Table restaurant featuring lobster fritters, beef carpaccio, oysters Rockefeller, duck, vegetable galette and Not Your Classic Beef Wellington. Dining and room reservations are available at shakervillageky.org.
▪ Sharp’s Candies, 2021 Regency Rd., has chocolate dipped strawberries and grapes available for Valentine’s Day. An 8-ounce box is $10.94; a pound is $21.46. Bourbon cremes made with Woodford Reserve, hand-pulled cream candy and boxed chocolates also available. Store will be open 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Feb. 10-14.
▪ Smithtown Seafood and West Sixth Brewery, 501 West Sixth St., will offer special plates including their classic Tacos de Amor, with four fried oyster tacos with lime-beet slaw and avocado mash, topped with crema rosa on Ramirez corn tortillas; Octopus’s Garden, octopus poached in red wine with roasted peppers, shredded radicchio, red onions, paprika and sherry vinaigrette, served with crispy plantain chips; or paella for two.
▪ Texas de Brazil, 151 Larue at The Summit, will have their full rodizio-style menu including a selection of churrasco-grilled meats and their 50-60 item salad area. And a special dessert: Red Velvet Fusion Cake for $9.
▪ Wallace Station Deli, 3854 Old Frankfort Pike in Midway, will have a Sweetheart Lunch special of sweet potato soup with a smoked gouda grilled cheese sandwich for $12.99. Lots of dessert options, too.
▪ Windy Corner, 4595 Bryan Station Rd., will have specials Feb. 13-15. On Thursday, there’s Valentine’s Crab Pasta. On Friday and Saturday, there’s a three-course meal of salad or soup, duck breast or crab cake and pavlova with strawberry compote for dessert.
▪ Winthrop’s Whimsies, 718 Headley Ave., has handmade specialty flavors of marshmallows, including “Decadence,” strawberry lightly dusted in cocoa. Deadline to order the Decadence marshmallows is Feb. 10.
▪ Wise Bird Cider, 1170 Manchester St., is hosting Forage Food Truck for dinner on Feb. 14. with seatings at 6 and 8 p.m. Five-course menu includes cider pairings. Tickets are $65, available on Eventbrite.
▪ Zim’s Cafe, 215 West Main St., will have a special three-course menu on Feb. 14-15. Dinner for two is $80, which includes first, main and dessert courses. Mains include beef tenderloin, seafood pappardella, pan-seared duck breast and classic ratatouille. Reservations start at 5 p.m.; call 859-785-3690.
This story was originally published February 6, 2020 at 6:00 AM.
