Valentine’s Day 2010: Prix Fixe Dinner Beats Roses Any Day

Benvenuti Heart

Valentine's Day is really more of a marketing scheme than a holiday at this point; where people either end up depressed from being alone or bloated from all the chocolate they've consumed. Or a little of both. No good can come of this day. BUT if you're a believer in St. Valentine and Cupid and those little chalky hearts with sweet nothings written on them, then you might be interested in the below information. You sap.

 Whether you've got a hot date this year or are just going out with friends, some good old wining and dining is the answer to this over-indulgent holiday. And as we have learned from restaurant week, you can't go wrong with a delicious prix-fixe menu. Because remember, nothing says romance like "I don't feel like spending a lot of money on you." Awww…

Marfa on the LES sounds like a delicious deal for $32 pp, you get three courses with choices like lump crab cake with smoked chipotle pepper aioli or grilled filet mignon with pink peppercorn sauce and tequila. Pink!! And of course, there's a selection of rich desserts to tempt your tastebuds. See below for menu.

Marfa Valentine's Day Menu
$32 per person

Foreplay
Baked Goat Cheese, Strawberry and Candied Walnut Salad
Raspberry Vinaigrette
 
Lump Crab Cake
Smoked Chipotle Pepper Aioli
 
Grilled Chicken Roll and Avocado Corn Relish
Cilantro Bean Sauce

 
Passion
Grilled Filet Mignon  – Sauce of Pink Peppercorns and Tequila
Asiago Potato Gratin and Grilled Broccoli
 
Crackling Skin Duck Breast – Sauce of Strawberry and Passionfruit
 Garlic Mashed Potatoes and Mango Compote
 
Pan Seared Wild Striped Bass – Grilled Pineapple Salsa
Sautéed Baby Spinach and Housemade Potato Chips

 
Aphrodisiacs
Raspberry Glazed Chocolate Cake and Vanilla Ice Cream
 
Chocolate Strawberries with Amaretto Mint Whipped Cream
 
Brandy Poach Pear and Vanilla Ice Cream

Coconut Flakes and Raspberry Sauce   

Speaking of Aphrodisiacs, Esperanto's prix-fixe menu actually has supposed aphrodisiacs in the ingredients. They call it "love spices," we call it "yum." It's a sweet deal too: $35 pp gets you three courses, a cocktail of your choice, and live music as well. Start your meal with their shrimp avocado ceviche with red pepper and ginger (two known romantic stimulants…who knew?), and try their signature Banana Leaf Flounder with Secret Aphrodisiac Spices. Oh my. Menu below. 

Esperanto Valentine's Day Menu

$35 per person

Stop The Jitters with…

Passion Fruit Punch  or

Strawberry Mojito

Open Your Appetite With… 

Shrimp Avocado Ceviche with Fresh Ginger and Red Pepper  or

Plantain crusted Goat Cheese Appetizer with Sauteed Leeks

Heighten Your Senses With…
Filet Mignon of Pork in a Passion Fruit Sauce with Sweet Mashed Potatoes
or
Flounder Steamed in a Banana Leaf with our special combination of Aphrodisiac Spices
 

Top it All Off With…
Banana Flambe with Dark Rum and Anise Spices or
 
Chocolate Cake with our secret Love Spices
 

Who wouldn't want love spices on Valentine's Day?? Well, I guess you wouldn't if your mom was your date. But if you have a non-relative as your date (good for you!) and feel like speaking the language of love, Italian may be the way to go. Emporio is offering a $69 pp prix-fixe menu that sounds amazing. Appetizers range from steak tartare with mushrooms and Parmesan cheese to lobster salad with chickpeas and crispy guanciale, and for something fun, why not try a pink risotto? Champagne and strawberry risotto to be exact. Mmmm. Top it all off with some strawberry and banana tiramisu and you'll be gazing lovingly into each others eyes all night. I'd probably be gazing at the tiramisu, but that's just me. Menu below.

Emporio Valentine's Day Menu

$69 per person

Aperitivo
Strawberry Bellini
 
 
Antipasti
Kumamoto Oysters with Sea Urchin and VinSanto Gelee
 
Grass fed Steak Tartare with Nail Mushroom, Parmesan Cheese and Crostini 
 
Warm Lobster Salad with Chickpeas and Crispy Guanciale
 
Organic Beets and Blood Orange Salad with Horseradish and Yogurt sauce

 

Primi
Champagne and Strawberry Risotto with 20-year aged Balsamic Vinaigrette
 
Agnolotti with Ricotta and Langostine, preserved Lemon and Marjoram

 

Secondi
Flash Seared Arctic Char with Spinach Puree and Roasted Sunchokes
 
Balsamic-glazed Long Island Duck Breast with Chestnut Emulsion and Wild Mushrooms

 
 
Dolci
Strawberry and Banana Tiramisu
 
Prosecco and Sake Poached Pear with Spicy Chocolate Truffle and Toasted Almonds

 

What's better than that? Nice to know Valentine's Day is good for something. Here's to love food! 

4 Comments

  1. are an inspiration and a great happiness to all her fans

  2. The plate so cute a heart shape i agree its so aspiring.
    vee

  3. If you are willing to buy a house, you will have to receive the home loans. Moreover, my sister always uses a consolidation loan, which seems to be really firm.

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