One of the busiest nights in the hospitality industry is Valentine’s Day and with the holiday falling on a Friday this year, making your reservation well in advance is more important than ever. Here is what some area restaurants and shops are offering.
Papageno’s will get your Valentine’s started right with a chocolate and champagne tasting on Thursday, Feb. 13 at 6 p.m. The $45-a-person cost includes the chocolate and champagne tasting and a four-piece box of chocolates. RSVP at papagenoswap.com/events.
Aquaplex invites guests to celebrate love with a twist this Valentine’s Day with The Love Ball, a romantic dinner and show event with seatings at 7 and 9:30 p.m. The evening includes a three-course dinner and a themed drag performance for $55 per person. Reservations are highly recommended and can be made by calling 954-567-0987 or visiting fladragshow.com.
Celebrate amor oceanside at Lona Cocina & Tequileria with a prix-fixe menu with a Mexican twist. The specialty three-course menu is $120 per couple and starts with a surf and turf taco and entrée options include tiger prawns with ancient grains, lump crab, truffle, and roasted corn, or top sirloin with sweet potato, tempura mushrooms, and cilantro. The romantic evening will finish on a sweet note with special desserts. Lona is located at The Westin Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort, for more information, visit lonarestaurant.com or call 954-245-3069.
R House hosts the “R House Love Ball 2025” starting with a “RuPaul’s Drag Race” Season 17 viewing party from 8-9:30 p.m., followed by a fabulous drag show with performances by Miami’s drag queen goddesses. Throughout the night guests can enjoy a $69 special tasting menu with such delicacies as oysters with mojo verde mignonette, lobster croquetas, and duck empanadas for the first course and entree options such as braised short rib or grilled octopus. To top off the romantic evening, truffles in spicy dark chocolate with strawberry dust and boozy hazelnut. Complementing the tasting menu guests will be able to enjoy beverage specials including the cocktail of the night, the I Love R House lychee martini with Ketel One Citron, other beverage specials will be available. Call 305-576-0201 or go to rhousewynwood.com.
On Valentine’s Day, City Oyster and Sushi Bar will offer a sushi special: the French Kiss Roll, with shrimp tempura, cream cheese, jalapeno, and Masago, wrapped in soy paper; a special entrée, lobster risotto, ($68) with English Peas and an 8-ounce Maine lobster tail, topped with a lobster claw; and a special fish entree, crab stuffed flounder. Finally, those with a sweet tooth can try the special dessert, salted caramel tart. For reservations call 561-566-1800 or go to cityoysterdelray.com.
Maggiano’s at Boca Raton Town Center offers a dine-in or take-home option for your romantic repast. The indulgent four-course experience features Wagyu meatballs and Wagyu stuffed shells, alongside beloved classics such as honey-whipped ricotta, calamari fritté, fettucine Bolognese, beef tenderloin medallions, and the iconic igatoni “D.” Desserts for two, including New York Style cheesecake, tiramisu, and limoncello. The “That’s Amore” carryout package starts at $90 and includes Wagyu meatballs, a choice of Caesar or Maggiano's salad, and two entrees. The meal is perfectly finished with New York-style cheesecake and tiramisu. Call 561-272-0220 or go to maggianos.com.
Another way to enjoy a romantic evening at home is to order a surf and turf dinner-for-two package from Doris Italian Market. The $59.95 package includes 10-jumbo cooked shrimp with cocktail sauce, two 6 oz. filet mignon steaks (uncooked), two 4 oz. lobster tails (uncooked), and two fresh-filled plain jumbo cannoli. The offer expires on Feb. 15 and is available at all Doris Market locations, preorders are not necessary but are recommended. For more information, call 954-572-5269 or visit dorismarket.com.
If you’re not in a relationship, Valentine’s Day can be kind of depressing. Celebrate with a Pal-entine or Gal-entine night out and go see “Disenchanted!” at the Aventura Arts & Cultural Center on Thursday, Feb. 13, or Friday, Feb. 14. It’s the hilarious musical comedy about what goes wrong with the fairy tale princesses after their dreams supposedly come true. You’ll never feel better about being single. Go to browardcenter.org for tickets and show times.
GRRR! Dining with the Bears
Don't miss a chance to enjoy delicious Middle Eastern/Mediterranean food and support the Bears of South Florida! On Monday, Feb. 10, Palmyra Restaurant, 2031 Wilton Dr., will donate 10% of each check to the Bears of South Florida during dinner hours from 5-9 p.m. and for take-out orders starting at 4:30 p.m.
At 6 p.m., the Bears will have a shared community table for individual diners, and the Bears will be raffling a gift basket with a value over $350 (including $250 in gift cards). All raffle proceeds support BOSFL fundraising. Reservations are strongly suggested for dine-in service, if your party is two or more, call 805-252-6206.
