Valentine’s Day at Benjamin Steakhouse and Commerce

Ahhh Valentine's Day – how you torture me so. Not only do you remind me that my love life is not where it should be, but you force feed me rich dinners and chocolates so I get fat and leave my boyfriend no choice but to pack up his things and walk out on me for fear of being eaten. That aside, I still look forward to this day – if only for the mandatory free meal followed by mandatory sex. And this year, my boyfriend is taking me to Smith & Wollensky's for Valentine's Day dinner. Nothing says romance like a nice, thick slab of bleeding meat. So ok, he doesn't get tons of points for creativity, but there's always room for that in the bedroom. I am just naughty today arent I? Anyway, there are some good options for Valentine's Day, and if you're lucky, there might even be some reservations left. Sure you might be stuck eating at 11 pm, have to sit next to the bathroom and not be able to order dessert – but hey, you're there to be with each other and that's all that matters right? Right…

Benjamin's Steakhouse is offering a pretty sweet deal for all of you crazy carnivores (like myself).  It's $99 per person on a prix-fixe menu which includes two glasses of champagne and a bevy of tempting choices. You can choose from six apps, five entrees, seven sides, dessert (TBD) and coffee or tea. The idea of the big romantic dinner on Valentine's Day boggles my mind. Sure you want to be wined and dined, but to the point where you can't move and the bloat kicks in? Now that's what I call SEXY. But I guess if you're going to splurge, Valentine's Day is a good day to do it – they don't call them "love handles" for nothing.     The menu is pasted below.

VALENTINE'S DAY MENU

Moet & Chandon Chapagne

Appetizer

Lump Crabmeat Crab Cakes
Pan Sautéed, Served with Crisp Frisee Leaves and Seafood Sauce

Baked Clams
Six Little Neck Clams, Baked with Herbed Bread Crumbs,
Garlic and Parsley

Mozzarella & Tomatoes
Fresh and Juicy Mozzarella
paired with Ripe Beefsteak Tomatoes and Basil

Filet of Chilean Sea Bass
 Seasoned with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil and lemon

Sides
Choice of one per person

Dessert
Freshly Brewed Coffee & Tea 

$99.00 per person
Not including tax and gratuity

Benjamin Steak House is located at 52 East 41st Street, (212) 297-9177 and is open seven days a week, Monday-Friday, 6:30 a.m.-Close, Saturday and Sunday 9:00 a.m.-Close.

Now if you're feeling a little more upscale (and a lot more adventurous), why not give downtown eatery Commerce a try? The menu is not exactly prix-fixe, but each entree comes with an amuse bouche, an appetizer and a special Valentine's dessert sampler ranging from $65 – $88/entree, not including drinks. So if you're not the "lets stuff our faces" kind of couple (like me and my boyfriend), perhaps this daintier menu will serve you well. And with dishes like Spaghetti carbonara w/ black pepper & coddled egg yolk; Hand cut steak tartar w/ horseradish, celery & pickled walnuts; or Lobster “Newburg” w/ potato gnocchi & winter vegetables – how can your bouche not be amused? Menu below.