Valentine’s Day dining guide: Oyster tacos, aphrodisiac menus, sweetheart brunches
Valentine’s Day can be a tricky holiday: Do too much and you feel awkward, too little and you feel lame. And now, in the midst of a pandemic, it can be even more difficult to make COVID-safe plans.
But there are still places offering specials, including many available to take home. Some are available for the whole weekend, too.
New this year: Lots of gourmet meal kits from restaurants like Jeff Ruby’s that you cook yourself.
Here are some sweet and savory options for Valentine’s Day available at Lexington and Central Kentucky restaurants, bakeries, candymakers and more.
Selma’s Catering
720 Henry Clay Blvd, selmascatering.com; Selma’s is offering a full menu of Valentine’s Day options, including hand-cut beef filet, grilled grouper, salmon with Mojo sauce and bone in pork chop. There’s also a family meal option, a breakfast “charcuterie board” with mini muffins and much more, and a mimosa kit. You can add on desserts including chocolate dipped strawberries, a bottle of wine, special sides like lobster mac and cheese and even flowers. 859-971-2763
Roulay
107 W. Short St., Facebook/Roulay/RestaurantandBar; Roulay will be doing a four-course prix fixe menu on Saturday and Sunday evening that includes a champagne toast or chicory coffee for non drinkers, all for $75 per person. Vegetarian/vegan and gluten-free options are available, as well as add-ons like a charcuterie board for two, oysters, and chocolate covered strawberries. Curbside pick up available, pre-ordering recommended. Menu highlights include Roulay’s famous turtle soup, fried alligator and waffles, surf and turf, lemon-ricotta ravioli pasta, and verlasso salmon escalopes. For dessert, choose red velvet cheesecake mousse, beignets with three sauces or chai tea flan. 859-253-2222
CRU Food & Wine Bar
107 Summit at Fritz Farm Suite 120, cruwinebar.com/lex; CRU is offering a “Galentine’s Day” brunch on Feb. 13, as well as a Valentine’s Day dinner all weekend. The four-course dinner, available for dine in or to go, is $60 per person or there is a two-person take-home package for $110. And there’s a Sweetheart Brunch on Feb. 14 with three courses for $30, with $2 mimosas and bellinis. Reservations recommended. 859-971-9463
Crank & Boom
3101 Clays Mill Rd. and 1210 Manchester St., Crankandboom.com; You can pre-order a six-pack of Oreo cake pops decorated for the holiday. Or pick up a pint or a scoop of a special flavor, Irish Cream Dreams, made with Baileys Irish Cream, fresh raspberry sauce and dark chocolate; Red Velvet Cheesecake or non-dairy Chocolate Covered Strawberry. Or pick up boozy hot chocolate drinks to go. 859-288-2176
Ruth Hunt Candy
213 Walton Ave., ruthhuntcandy.com; Ruth Hunt has heart-shaped boxes of Valentine’s candy, including Derbies, bourbon balls and gourmet pretzels. 859-268-1559
Old Kentucky Chocolates
1890 Star Shoot Parkway, 3385 Tates Creek Rd., 450 Southland Dr. and a new location at 3735 Palomar Centre Drive, oldkycandy.com; Old Kentucky Chocolates 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. 859-278-4444
Martine’s Pastries
400 E. Third St., martinespastries.com; Martine’s has boxes of Valentine’s cookies as well as special cakes available. 859-231-9110
Winthrop’s Whimsies
718 Headley Ave. winthropswhimsies.com; Handmade candies, including specialty marshmallows such as “Decadence,” strawberry flavor dusted with cocoa, for $5 per pack. 859-287-2853
Backroads Bakery
109 W. Sixth St., backroadsbakerylex.com; Backroads Bakery has chocolate gift packages with hot chocolate, truffles and a mini cheesecake, available for pre-order by Feb. 10. Plus heart-shaped tins of hand-made bourbon balls. 502-694-2210
Coles 735 Main
735 E. Main St., coles735main.com; Chef Cole Arimes is offering a gourmet at-home dinner meal kit (both filet and New York Strip kits available) and pair it with their choice of a handcrafted chocolates and wine pairing box at an additional cost. Meal kits include ingredients for Caesar salad, asparagus, the Coles famous cheddar & leek gratin, freshly-baked bread and butter, steak seasonings and either filet or New York strip steak. ($70 for New York strip kit for two, $80 for filet kit for two.) Pre-order for Valentine’s Day through Feb. 12 for pickup at the restaurant Feb. 13. 859-266-9000
Holly Hill Inn
426 N. Winter St. in Midway, Hollyhillinn.com; Holly Hill Inn is offering its 20th annual aphrodisiac menu as a to-go meal, with curbside pick up on Feb. 12 and Feb. 13. Three-course menu for two this year focuses on Latin flavors of the Yucatan, for $100. Also available: Sweetheart Brunch, three courses for $35, on Feb. 14, featuring lobster omelet, oysters on the half shell and brunch cocktails. You can get this to go or book reservations for inside dining. 859-846-4732
Heirloom
125 E. Main St. in Midway, Heirloommidway.com; Chef Mark Wombles is offering a three-course dinner for $75 per person with choice of clam chowder, roasted baby beet salad or oyster Rockefeller for starters; prime New York strip, pan-seared mero sea bass, veal osso buco or squid ink bucatini for entree; and either raspberry yuzu tartlet or chocolate mousse bombe for dessert. 859-846-5565
Honeywood
110 Summit at Fritz Farm Suite 140, Honeywoodrestaurant.com; Honeywood is taking reservations for Feb. 12 and 13 for a slew of Valentine’s specials. And on Feb. 14, Sweetheart Brunch specials will include shakshuka with local eggs and Midway sourdough, plus a full brunch menu and special cocktails. 859-469-8234
Pasta Garage
962 Delaware Ave., pastagarage.com; Pasta Garage is offering a four-course Valentine’s Day dinner for two for $75 per couple that includes two glasses of house wine and choice of sea scallop heart-shaped ravioli or beef short rib with leeks for entrees. Dessert is chocolate lasagna or red berry gelato. Three seatings, reservations required. 859-309-9840
The Mousetrap
3323 Tates Creek Rd., Mousetrapky.com; The Mousetrap is offering “Date and Bake Couples Dinner” for two for $30. Take home spaghetti and meatballs, meatloaf and mashed potatoes or chicken pot pie. Each comes with salad and two Valentine’s Day cupcakes. Pickup is available for Saturday and Sunday, by reservation only. Order by Thursday, February 11. 859-269-2958
Dupree Catering
201 E. Main St., dupreecatering.com; Dupree Catering is offering a Valentine’s Meal for two, including a bottle of Saint Hilaire Brut, to take home. The four-course dinner is $55-$65 and includes a choice of either filet of beef tenderloin or verlasso salmon for entree. Add-ons include chocolate covered strawberries and bourbon balls. Order by 5 p.m. Feb. 5. 859-231-0464
The Futile Bakery
399 Waller Ave., thefutilegourmet.com; The Futile Bakery will have Valentine’s themed treats the week leading up to Valentine’s Day, including Red Velvet cupcakes, decorated sugar cookies, special macarons, and cookie sandwiches as well as their regular offerings. Cinnamon rolls and chocolate babka rolls will be available the morning of Feb. 14. 859-687-0141
Sharp’s Candies
2021 Regency Rd., sharpscandies.com; Sharp’s has chocolate dipped strawberries and grapes available for Valentine’s Day. 859-276-4625
DaRae and Friends Catering
3459 Buckhorn Dr. Suite 140, daraeandfriends.com; DaRae is offering a Valentine’s Day Brunch for $35 for two, with sausage cheddar tomato tart, Kentucky salad, handmade raspberry sweet rolls, Gouda biscuit with ham pimento cheese and jalapeno peach jam. And a Valentine’s Day Dinner for two for $65 with salad, au gratin potatoes, steamed asparagus, bourbon tenderloin medallion, mahogany salmon, bourbon cholate mini cake and dipped strawberries. Add on a box of sweets. 859-272-8003
Agave & Rye
3535 Nicholasville Rd., agaveandrye.com; Agave & Rye is offering several Valentine’s Day taco specials including The Crown Jewel, made with butter-poached lobster, shiitake mushrooms, mac ‘n cheese, truffle oil and shavings. Other specials include birria tacos, The Love Shack made with barbacoa pork, and chipotle chicken lettuce cups. For drinks, there’s the Little Red Corvette, served frozen, made with tequila, Grand Marnier, fresh lime juice, strawberry swirl, and edible rose and more. 859-800-5334
Oscar Diggs
155 N. Limestone, odiggs.com; will offer both a Valentine’s Day brunch as well as a Valentine’s Eve Dinner for $80 per couple. The dinner includes a cocktail, salad and either grilled bone in pork chop with a sweet brown sugar and buffalo trace bourbon glaze, grilled salmon topped with herb butter or vegetarian entree. Chocolate ice cream with strawberry sauce for dessert. The Valentine’s Day Brunch is $55 per couple and includes bottomless mimosas, choice grilled pork chop and eggs or salmon cake and eggs in spinach hollandaise. Reservations recommended due to limited seating. 859-523-8305
J Render’s
3191 Beaumont Centre Circle, jrendersbbq.com; J. Render’s Cupid’s Special is available Feb. 12-14, dine in or curbside pickup. It’s $45 per person and include a choice of orange ginger mahi mahi, grilled chicken pasta Alfredo or filet mignon with hen-of-the-wood mushroom demi glaze for entrees. For dessert, there’s Maker’s Mark glazed chocolate cake or champagne strawberry cheesecake. 859-533-9777
Midway Bakery
510 S. Winter St. in Midway, themidwaybakery.com; Midway Bakery’s Valentine’s treats include strawberry cake with strawberry buttercream frosting and chocolate ganache (cupcakes are $3.99 each, 6-inch cake is $40, 9-inch cake is $55); heart-shaped iced sugar cookies; Conversation Heart bark; Devil’s Food cake pops; and Valentine’s Day cookie box for $24.99.
Smithtown Seafood
501 W. Sixth St., smithtownseafood.com; Tacos de Amor, featuring fried oysters, beet slaw and pink crema on corn tortillas, plus more specials will be available on Valentine’s Day for dining at West Sixth Brewery or for takeout. 859-225-0902
Liam at Silver Streak Market
5584 Versailles Rd. Silver Streak Market’s in-house restaurant, Liam, will have a Valentine’s Day special featuring a three-course dinner for two for $20, available for dining in or to go. You get bruschetta, lasagna for two and chocolate raspberry brownies. Pre-order by Feb. 12. 859-225-0902
Wise Bird Cider
1170 Manchester St., wisebirdcider.com; On Valentine’s Day, Wise Bird is hosting the Black Soil Brunch from noon to 3 p.m. You get a cider mimosa or cider bloody Mary, jarcuterie + Heavenly Eggs, salmon croquette sliders with savory grits and chocolate dipped strawberries. It’s $45 per person, or $55 with cider pairings. Order tickets online at shopblacksoilky.com. 859-309-1863
Zim’s Cafe and the Thirsty Fox
215 W. Main St., zimscafe.com; Zim’s will have a three-course special menu for two for $80 available for dining inside or as a meal kit to fix at home. Available through curbside pickup or through Delivery Co-op Feb. 12-14. Options include Zim’s regular dinner menu or bacon-wrapped 7-ounce filet mignon, gorgonzola demiglace, rosemary roasted hasselback potato and griddle seared asparagus, with choice of soup or salad and a strawberry baby cake for dessert. 859-785-3690
Wallace Station and Windy Corner
3854 Old Frankfort Pike in Midway, Wallacestation.com and 4595 Bryan Station Rd., Windycornermarket.com; Both restaurants are offering a two-person dinner for $40 with curbside pickup Feb. 12-14 featuring baby spinach salad, four crispy lump crab cakes with maque choux, crispy shoestring potatoes and remoulade sauce, and two heart sugar cookies and two Devil’s Food cake pops. Windy Corner also has a Sweetheart Sunday brunch to go, for two, with hashbrown, cheddar and egg casserole, Weisenberger cheese grits, Stonecross Farm sausage, fried apples, Betty Ann scones and sugar cookie hearts. 859-846-5161 for Wallace Station; 859-294-9338 for Windy Corner Market.
Carrabba’s Italian Grill
1881 Plaudit Place, carrabbas.com; Feb. 9 through Feb. 15, enjoy a Carrabba’s Italian Grill four-course dinner for two for $50, available for dine-in and carside carryout. 859-264-8395
Jeff Ruby’s Steakhouse
101 W. Vine St., JeffRuby.com/lexington; Jeff Ruby is offering Valentine’s Day meal kits that you can pre-order for pickup on Feb. 12-14. Each $200 meal kit serves two and includes two 8-ounce Jeff Ruby Signature Center Cut Filet Mignons, two 8-ounce cold-water lobster tails, four huge tiger shrimp with cocktail sauce, Freddie Salad, asparagus, mashed potatoes, one pound Sixteen Bricks Sourdough Round, Strawberry Butter Pie and a 3-ounce tin of Jeff Ruby’s Steakhouse Seasoning. Order online. 859-554-7000
Carson’s
362 E. Main St., carsonsfoodanddrink.com; Carson’s will offer its full menu for brunch, lunch and dinner on Valentine’s Day, with special Maker’s Mark cocktails and flowers for all the ladies. 859-309-3039
Malone’s
3347 Tates Creek Rd., 1920 Pleasant Ridge Dr. and 3735 Palomar Centre Dr., bluegrasshospitality.com; Malone’s will feature Valentine’s specials (Bluegrass Country Filet, Maryland Style Crab Cakes, and Steak & Cake) in addition to the standard Malone’s menu Friday-Sunday. Reservations available. 859-335-6500
OBC Kitchen
3373 Tates Creek Rd., obckitchen.com; OBC Kitchen will be serving OBC favorites and Valentine’s specials along with hand-crafted cocktails Friday-Sunday. Valentine’s Day Brunch will be served on Sunday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Reservations available. 859-977-2600
Drake’s
3347 Tates Creek Rd., drakescomeplay.com; Drake’s will offer a “2 Can Dine for $42.99” special, including one shared appetizer, two entrees, one shared dessert and two glasses of champagne or non-alcoholic sparkling cider on Valentine’s Day. 859-335-6500
Dudley’s on Short
259 W. Short St., dudleysonshort.com; Dudley’s will offer a a three-course Valentine’s Day brunch for $35 per person featuring choice of quiche, buttermilk fried chicken and biscuit, Florentine eggs Benedict, grilled salmon, fazzoletti bolognaise or whole roasted pork loin for main course. Dudley’s also is taking reservations for its three-course Valentine’s Day dinner, which is $70 per person, featuring grilled bone-in rib eye for two, ora king salmon, miso swordfish, lamb porterhouse, dry aged duck breast or whole roasted tenderloin for entree. Reservations recommended. 859-252-1010
Azur
3070 Lakecrest Circle Suite 550, azurrestaurant.com; Azur will offer a special menu Feb. 12-14 for $55 per person, featuring choice of starters, and for entree filet mignon, stuffed gnocchi, Four Roses Bourbon Fried Chicken, Azur lump crab cakes, porchetta spiced pork loin, macadamia nut crusted sea bass or Korean braised beef short rib. For dessert, there’s chocolate fondue for two or Roses Red Velvet Mini Bundt cake. Reservations recommended. 859-296-1007
Lexington Diner
841 Lane Allen Rd., lexingtondiner.com; Lexington Diner will have Valentine’s specials on Feb. 12-14 for brunch and for dinner. Brunch menu includes the Bomb-Diggity Chocolate Waffle and Seafood Lover Omelet. For dinner, there’s a prime rib dinner for $30, with a choice of two sides and Red Velvet Trifle. Reservations recommended. 859-303-5573
Ranada’s Kitchen
496 E. High St., ranadaskitchen.com; Chef Ranada Riley is offering a four-course private dinner for $59 per person, with limited seating. Or you can get the menu to go with curbside pickup. The dinner is available Feb. 12-14 and includes a choice of filet mignon port bordelaise, fingerling encrusted walleye with sauce choron or chana masala for entree. For dessert, choice of turtle cheesecake, Black Forest cannoli or gluten-free Nutella torte with raspberry puree. 859-687-1000
Laura Lou Patisserie
101 W. Loudon Ave., lauraloupastry.com; Laura Lou Patisserie is offering boxes of Valentine’s pastries and treats available in two sizes. 859-353-6541
Ted’s Montana Grill
2304 Sir Barton Way Suite 170, Ted’s Montana Grill; Ted’s is offering Valentine’s specials Feb. 12-14 including bison bone-in New York strip steak and beef prime rib, as well as wine specials. Meals available to go as well as dine in. You can also pre-order a special Valentine’s Butcher Box for a romantic steak dinner at home that can be shipped directly from tedsbutchershoppe.com. 859-263-5228
This story was originally published February 2, 2021 at 6:00 AM.
