George Bernard Shaw, the Irish playwright, once said “There is no love sincerer than the love of food.”
So, where are you going to dinner for Valentine’s Day? Since Valentine’s Day falls on a Friday this year, many restaurants will be busy with their regular Friday night crowd, not to mention the uptick for Valentine’s Day. So, if you have a particular restaurant in mind, make your reservations as soon as possible.
Here are 14 dining options for the 14th of February. At the time of this writing, all still had some seating available.
Pomona Bistro and Wine Bar: A classic wine bar with outdoor dining by the fireplace; offering their regular menu with nightly specials. 481 North Orange Ave / 706-1677
Darwin’s on 4th: Looking for a Latin flair? Live Peruvian music in the bar area; offering regular menu plus a special $70 per person prix fixe four-course Valentine’s menu. 1525 4th Street / 343-2165
Libby’s Café + Bar: Valentine’s Day extended! Special Valentine’s menu items available Feb. 10 through 15th; Saturday and Sunday brunch. 1917 South Osprey Avenue / 487-7300
CasAntica: Offering their regular menu, plus some Valentine’s Day specials, CasAntica will also be offering live classical music for the evening. 1213 North Palm Avenue / 366-1840
Maison Blanche: Offering a Valentine’s Day special five-course degustation menu for $85 per persson in a romantic dining room. 2605 Gulf of Mexico Drive / 383-8088
Javier’s Restaurant and Wine Bar: An old-world classical feel with a Latin twist; regular menu with some Valentine’s specials. How about sharing bananas foster for dessert? 6121 Midnight Pass Road / 349-1792
A. Antoine’s Restaurant: A culinary adventure: romantic dining room; European styled; offering their regular menu and special Valentine’s sharing options: surf and turf appetizer (NY strip skewer, scampis, sea scallop, escargots and mushrooms) and main course (three small entrees to share: short rib, chicken marsala and veal blanquette) Finished with a decadent chocolate dessert. 5020 Fruitville Road / 377-2020
Inkanto Peru: Authentic, flavorful Peruvian cuisine. Special Valentine’s Day wine offered at 50% of regular price. 4141 South Tamiami Trail / 924-6410
Café Gabbiano: A dark, comfortable, romantic spot for dining, offering a prix fixe menu, including most popular menu items and high-end specials, like filet and lobster. Variety of prices. Wine and champagne pairings with food. 5104 Ocean Boulevard / 349-1423
Ophelia’s on the Bay: A quiet, casual spot for a wonderful waterfront dining experience with a daily specials menu. Full bar and happy hour. 9105 Midnight Pass Road / 349-2212
Mélange: Valentine’s Day dining for a foodie? Melange will be offering two prix fixe menus; a four-course dinner priced at $50 per person and a 10-course tasting menu at $85 per person. 1568 Main Street / 953-7111
Louies' Modern: Certainly one of the coolest new restaurants in Sarasota, with indoor and outdoor seating; A special Valentine’s Day menu is available from Feb. 10 through 15th, which includes lobster tempura, yuzu coulis, lycée fruit pickle, fried cous cous for $14, roasted rack of lamb, early spring vegetable fricassee, black truffle gnocchi, mint lemon gremolata for $36 and pan-roasted arctic char, apple celery root purée, pickled candy cane beets and coriander brown butter sauce for $28. 1289 North Palm Avenue / 552-9688
Pub 32, Irish Gastropub: This authentic Irish pub boasting dark wood and stone, cozy private booths for dining and an interesting gastro menu, is offering Valentine’s Day specials with a free glass of champagne and a red rose for the lady. 8383 South Tamiami Trail / 952-3070
The Table Creekside Restaurant: Contemporary dining. Creekside's Chef Pedro Flores has prepared a special Valentine’s Day menu, which includes lobster en croute, alaskan king crab fondue, roasted duck carpaccio, oven roasted branzino, bone-in ribeye and hugging quails. Menu available Feb. 14 through 16th. 5353 South Tamiami Trail / 921-9465
