Love is on the plate

Where to wine and dine in Dallas on Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day might have been the creation of greeting card companies, but it's hard to deny the importance of February 14, even if your romance has only just begun to blossom. That is why we are here to help, so you are not relegated to the doghouse just three weeks — or even 30 years — into the romance.

Here is a list of Dallas restaurants preparing a special Valentine's Day menu. Just know this list will grow, so check back often.

Abacus
The highlights: A combo of small and large plates with soup and salads on the side. Includes Kobe beef carpaccio with toasted amaranth “pops,” wild arugula, blood orange and cacao al tartufo as well as duo of duck fennel pollen dusted breast and leg confit with ricotta cavatelli and fava bean puree.
Cost per person: $125
Reservations: 214-559-3111

Asador
The highlights: Chef Brad Phillips' menu includes Gulf of Mexico oysters or Rocky's green salad, tuna tempura or grilled flatiron steak, and warm chocolate cake or crème brûlée. Dinner will be accompanied by the romantic sounds of a solo violinist.
Cost per person: $40 per person
Reservations: Call 214-267-4815

Aventino’s Italian Restaurant
The highlights: Dishes from their special menu include focaccia mozzarella, veal scaloppini sautéed in a white wine, lemon butter sauce with mushrooms, onions and capers; served on a bed of linguine as well as salmon fettuccini with sautéed filets, onions with marinara and Alfredo served on a bed of fettuccine.
Cost per person: A la carte
Reservations: Call 817-570-7940

The Blue Goose Cantina
The highlights: Their sweetheart deal with fajitas for two with $3 house margaritas, beers and wells.
Cost per person: A la carte
Reservations: Not required

Bolsa
The highlights: Valentine’s specialties like duck egg custard, Diamond H Ranch quail and butter poached Maine lobster complement Bolsa’s regular menu.
Cost per person: A la carte
Reservations: 214-367-9367 or contact@bolsadallas.com

Boulevardier
The highlights: In addition to the regular dishes, they also have George Bank scallops, lobster pappardelle and Ox heart tartar.
Cost per person: A la carte
Reservations: 214-942-1828

Buttons Restaurant
The highlights: Enjoy classic Southern dishes like fried green tomatoes, flash fried shrimp, porterhouse pork chop, tenderloin Oscar and peach cobbler in a three-course meal prepared by executive chef Keith “Button” Hicks.
Cost per person: $50
Reservations: Online at their website or 972-503-2888 for their Addison location and 817-735-4900 for their Fort Worth spot.

Canary by Gorji
The highlights: Dishes include grilled chilled avocado with poached shrimp, traditional Caesar salad, Colorado lamb and quail with tabbouleh and tzatziki, and four-berry sorbet.
Cost per person: $69
Reservations: 972-503-7080

Chocolate Secrets
The highlights: Treat your sweetie and your sweet tooth (we’re so sorry for that line) to four desserts, live jazz, a bottle of champagne and a gift.
Cost per person: $100 per couple
Reservations: Call 214-252-9801

Cook Hall
The highlights: Enjoy a menu that includes shared plates of fresh oysters with passion fruit mignonette, cheddar jalapeno fritters and roasted Brussels sprouts accented by apple wood smoked bacon and grilled red snapper with citrus fennel salad. They’re also serving a Valentine’s cocktail kit with chilled champagne and cherry yuzu and elderflower ginger mixers as well as a basket of accouterments.
Cost per person: $52 for dinner; $15 for cocktail kit plus cost of champagne
Reservations: Call 214-397-4111 or their website

Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steak House
The highlights: Chef David Holben has created a special Valentine's Day menu that includes an 8-ounce filet and 8-ounce lobster tail. Sides include spinach supreme and potato au gratin.
Cost per person: A la carte
Reservations: 972-490-9000 or visit OpenTable

Dish
The highlights: Specialties include oven roasted mountain trout, spatchcock game hen and bleu cheese mussels.
Cost per person: A la carte
Reservations: 214-522-3474

Fearing’s Restaurant
The highlights: Chef Fearing is offering a fixed-price menu February 14-17, with dishes such as butternut squash agnolotti pasta with ricotta in sage brown butter, Georges Bank lemon sole, Wagyu strip loin, and dessert duo of chocolate cherry ice cream "heart" sandwich with mallow fluff and a vanilla custard shooter with passion fruit orange sauce and heart-shaped sugar cookies.
Cost per person: $95
Reservations: 214-922-4848 or visit OpenTable

The Front Room
The highlights: Four-course meal includes oysters on the half shell with pomegranate horseradish mignonette, white asparagus salad with black truffles, citrus cured salmon, blood orange and sabayon and a filet of beef with seared foie gras, blue cheese potato gratin, baby leeks and port shallot demi glace.
Cost per person: $55 with $20 additional for wine pairings.
Reservations: 214-219-8282 or their website

FT33
The highlights: Matt McCallister is serving four- and five-course menus for diners at his Design District hot spot. Customers for the five-course menu receive a glass of Champagne.
Cost per person: $75; $115 with wine pairings at 6, 6:30 and 7 pm (four courses). $90; $140 with wine pairings at 8, 8:30 and 9 pm (five courses).
Reservations: 214-741-2629 or info@ft33dallas.com

The Gin Mill
The highlights: Sip on Dallas beers like Peticolas and Deep Ellum Brewery or samples from Times Ten Cellars while enjoying a four-course meal. Dishes include ratatouille bruschetta, orange and fennel salad, pork with celery root and pear puree, and chocolate cherry torte.
Cost per person: $60
Reservations: 214-824-3343

Goodfriend Beer and Burger Garden
The highlights: Beer and dessert event featuring Brewery Ommegang will offer flights of 3 Philosophers, Art of Darkness and Chocolate Indulgence, each paired with a dessert. Local rock band Dead Flowers performs. Doors open at 5 pm; the band plays at 10:30 pm.
Cost per person: $25
Reservations: 214-324-3335

Highland Park Cafeteria
The highlights: Enjoy a special menu with plates including beef tenderloin with spinach and mushroom sauce and loaded mashed potatoes and grilled salmon with pineapple salsa and honey glazed carrots. Enjoy live piano music and a free glass of Merlot.
Cost per person: $15.99
Reservations: None

Hotel St. Germain
The highlights: On February 9, celebrate early with a five-course wine dinner. On February 12, enjoy a Valentine's Day dinner with a Mardi Gras flair, including oysters Rockefeller and king cake. February 13-15, it's a multi-course Valentine's menu.
Cost per person: $95 on February 9, 12, and 15; $125 February 13-14
Reservations: Call 214-871-2516

Jack Mac’s Swill & Grill
The highlights: Enjoy a four-course meal that features pairings with Texas spirits infusions. Several of the dishes will use the Texas spirits in their recipes.
Cost per person: $50
Reservations: Call 972-267-2782 or their eventbrite site.

Jasper’s
The highlights: Four-course dinner includes dishes like wild mushroom-black truffle risotto with broccolini and shaved young pecorino and Atlantic lobster with forbidden black rice, stir fried vegetables and lemongrass miso butter.
Cost per person: $125 per couple.
Reservations: 469-229-9111

La Hacienda Ranch
The highlights: Three-course meal for two begins with table-side guacamole, followed by filet steaks, with salad, potatoes and Texas Toast. For dessert, share hot apple pie on a sizzlin' platter with brandy butter sauce and cinnamon ice cream..
Cost per person: $60 for two
Reservations: 972-248-2424

Landmark Restaurant at the Warwick Melrose
The highlights: Enjoy a four-course meal with dishes including Thai bouillabaisse with clams and mussels, lobster & prawn risotto with smoked gouda, fava beans, charred cauliflower and lemon oil as well as filet mignon with block-cut potatoes, broccoli rabe and hunter sauce.
Cost per person: $75, including one-half bottle of sparkling wine
Reservations: Call 214-224-3152 or their website

Mariano's Hacienda
The highlights: Three-course meal for two begins with table-side guacamole, followed by filet steaks, with salad, potatoes and Texas Toast. For dessert, share hot apple pie on a sizzlin' platter with brandy butter sauce and cinnamon ice cream..
Cost per person: $60 for two
Reservations: 214-691-3888

Mariano's Mexican Cuisine
The highlights: Begin with margaritas and queso Mariano – queso with spicy taco beef, guacamole and sour cream – followed by fajitas for two with steak, chicken and shrimp.
Cost per person: $50 for two
Reservations: 817-640-5118

NYLO Dallas South Side
The highlights: Chef Jerry de la Riva is preparing a three-course meal with dishes such as potato rosti, lamb osso buco, honey-soy glaze quails, and hot chocolate bourbon with meringue. Includes a complimentary glass of champagne.
Cost per person: $60; $80 with wine pairings
Reservations: 214-421-1080 or visit the website

Oak
The highlights: Four-course meal with options including diver scallop carpaccio, beet fetuccini and venison.
Cost per person: $80 with $40 additional for wine pairing.
Reservations: 214-712-9700 or info@oakdallas.com

Ocean Prime
The highlights: Their ‘berries and bubbles’ concoction with Belvedere citrus, Crème de Cassis, housemade sour, Domaine Chandon brut and dry ice. Feast on their lobster-stuffed Gulf flounder with roasted Brussels sprouts, warm fingerling salad and champagne beurre blanc.
Cost per person: A la carte.
Reservations: Here or 214-965-0440

People's Last Stand
The highlights: Valentine's Day craft cocktail class invites couples and singles to join head bartender Alex Fletcher to learn the art and craft behind some of PLS' favorite drinks, plus complimentary bites.
Cost per person: $40
Reservations: 214-370-8755 or plsdallas@gmail.com

Rathbun’s Blue Plate Kitchen
The highlights: Four-course dinner with dishes including hickory-grilled organic pork tenderloin with crispy pork belly, house spaetzel and cherry gastrique as well as oysters on the half with blood orange sorbet, champagne mignonette and house yuzu.
Cost per person: $55
Reservations: 214-890-1103

Samar by Stephan Pyles
The highlights: Four-course menu, with multiple shared dishes per course, from 5-11 pm
Cost per person: $50; $75 with wine pairings
Reservations: 214-922-9922

Second Floor
The highlights: Three-course menu, with dishes such as shrimp bisque, George’s bank scallops, lamb loin and strawberry shortcake with chantilly cream. Each table gets a complimentary rose at the end of dinner. February 14-16 from 5:30-10:30 pm
Cost per person: $55; $85 with wine pairings
Reservations: 214-450-2978

Shinsei
The highlights: Oysters on the half shell, jumbo prawns with forbidden rice and yellow curry, Australian Wagyu strip loin with Japanese sweet potatoes and red velvet donut holes with cream cheese dipping sauce.
Cost per person: A la carte
Reservations: 214-352-0005

Sissy's Southern Kitchen
The highlights: "Bottle & Bucket" special features 10-piece bucket of fried chicken and bottle of Moët for $75 (or Moët 2002 Vintage Rosé for $155). Also, a six-course tasting menu with Louisiana boudin balls, fried green tomato with shrimp remoulade, oysters Rockefeller, lobster over Creole risotto, pork belly with butternut squash and red cabbage. Desserts include chocolate custard with red velvet shortbread, strawberry Frangipane tart and a "candy box" with gingersnap, nutty goodness bar, salted caramel truffle and mint julep truffle.
Cost per person: $80, or $150 with wine pairings
Reservations: 214-827-9900

Stampede 66
The highlights: Four-course menu, with multiple shared dishes per course, from 6-11 pm
Cost per person: $60; $85 with wine pairings
Reservations: 214-550-6966

Stephan Pyles
The highlights: Four courses, with choices, from 5-11 pm
Cost per person: $75; $125 with wine pairings
Reservations: 214-580-7000

Urban Taco
The highlights: Half-off all desserts throughout February; from February 11-17, frozen margaritas will be $10 for two.
Cost per person: $10 and up
Reservations: 214-922-7080

Wild Salsa
The highlights: Three-course with choices like lump crab stuffed avocado salad with chipotle vinaigrette and pan-roasted half chicken with a poblano tamale pudding and cumin roasted baby carrots.
Cost per person: $35
Reservations: Their website or 214-741-9453

Zen Sushi
The highlights: Four-course menu, curried-kabocha squash soup, Kumamoto oysters, steamed pork buns, sushi, and lobster tails with Angus New York strip and roasted vegetables. For dessert, a passionfruit crème brulee. Two seatings at 6 and 8:30 pm.
Cost per person: $169 for two, with floral arrangement and choice of margaritas, sangria or bottle of wine
Reservations: 214-946-9699

Chef Matt McCallister and crew are doing four- and five-course meals for Valentine's Day at FT33.

Smoked potatoes at FT33 restaurant in Dallas

Photo by Kevin Marple

Chef Matt McCallister and crew are doing four- and five-course meals for Valentine's Day at FT33.

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News you can eat

Spring menus have sprung in this edition of Dallas restaurant news

Photo courtesy of Elaine's Cocktail Kitchen

Elaine's Cocktail Kitchen is adding brunch service.

Like the Dallas weather lately, this restaurant news roundup keeps us on our toes. New menus and dishes are popping up for spring, but they'll be gone soon - they're extremely limited-time offerings, or "LTO" as the kids say. We've also got a few restaurant openings, some chef news, new brunch, and new drinks.

Here's what's happening in Dallas dining right now:

Palladino’s Steak & Seafood, the buzzy restaurant that's the toast of NYC, has hired Henry Johnson as chef de cuisine for the forthcoming Preston Royal location. He’ll oversee daily kitchen operations and execute the menu from executive chef and partner Sam Hazen. A veteran Dallas chef, Johnson previously led kitchens at Bistro 31 and Evelyn and competed on Season 24 of Hell’s Kitchen. The "modern steakhouse," from founder Joseph Palladino, will feature prime steaks and seafood; an opening date has not yet been announced.

Grandma’s Country Kitchen, a Southern-inspired, family-style restaurant, is opening March 23 in Southern Dallas, at the corner of Camp Wisdom Road and Highway 67 (aka the former South Dallas Cafe space). The menu features comfort classics like fried chicken, catfish, mashed potatoes, green beans, and desserts such as peach cobbler and banana pudding. Guests can also take advantage of catering services and events at the attached sister venue, The Reserve at Redbird, which accommodates up to 330 guests for all types of celebrations.

West Village in Uptown Dallas has seen a flurry of new openings lately: healthy restaurant Toastique; Chicago-inspired tavern D.L. Mack's; and martini hot spot Hudson House.

A few more new openings:

Texas Roadhouse, home of the hand-cut steaks, fall-off-the-bone ribs, and famous rolls with cinnamon butter, has opened a new location in West Dallas, at 3620 Dallas-Ft. Worth Turnpike.
Stop-N-Go Gyros, the fast-casual Mediterranean shop that's popular for takeout, opened 17421 Preston Rd. in North Dallas.
Bojangles, the cult-favorite fried chicken spot, has opened at 210 S. Central Expressway in McKinney.

Elaine’s Cocktail Kitchen in downtown Frisco has expanded its brunch to both Saturdays and Sundays from 11 am-3 pm, featuring European-inspired, shareable dishes paired with craft cocktails. Highlights include horchata French toast, Elaine’s Benedict with short rib or blue crab, smoked salmon tartine, potato-rosemary frittata, and cannoli cream crepes, along with lighter options like overnight oats and seasonal parfaits.

Nobu Dallas will celebrate cherry blossom season with two limited-time offerings - a drink and a dessert - March 23-April 12. The Sakura Negroni ($22) combines Awayuki Strawberry Gin, Lillet Blanc, Aperol, and Sakura Blossom Tea for a floral, strawberry-forward twist on the classic cocktail. The Strawberry-Elderflower Sorbet ($19) features meringue blossoms, white chocolate-honey namelaka, and cookie crumbs for a spring-inspired sweet treat.

Nobu sorbet Strawberry-Elderflower Sorbet at Nobu.Photo courtesy of Nobu

Black Sheep Coffee is debuting a limited-time “Banana Arcade” menu for spring, featuring banana-flavored drinks including iced and hot lattes, matcha lattes, frappes, and a cold brew topped with salted caramel foam.

Buzz and Bustle coffee shop at The Village on March 23 is launching a limited-time spring menu, featuring four seasonal drinks: the Black & White with matcha or cold brew and white chocolate foam; a cucumber-mint “Green Daydream;” a carrot cake latte; and a banana fosters-inspired nitro cold brew.

Apothecary Bar and Flamant Bar & Bistro have teamed up for "Martini Madness," a bracket-style competition running March 18-April 5, on Wednesdays through Sundays, whereby guests can sip and vote for their favorite pours. The tournament features rotating matchups of classic and signature martinis, aka $10 “Tiny-Tinis,” with winners determined by a combination of in-person orders and social media votes. Prizes include complimentary drinks for correct picks on a bracket and a $200 gift card for a perfect bracket.

Torchy’s Tacos is introducing a whole new menu category: nachos, available for a limited time this spring. The nachos layer crispy tortilla chips with Torchy's signature green chile queso, pico de gallo, guacamole, and sour cream, with optional additions like fajita chicken, steak, pork, or brisket. A smaller version of the nacho plate is also available during weekday “Hooky Hour” from 2-5 pm, alongside half-price beer and house margaritas.

Torchy's nachos.Photo courtesy of Torchy's

Smalls Sliders is adding its first new slider flavor: the BBQ Bacon Jalapeño Slider, available now for a limited time. The new burger puts a smoky-spicy twist on the signature cheeseburger, with BBQ sauce, crispy bacon, and pickled jalapeños.

HTeaO is adding trendy, buzzy matcha drinks to the menu, starting March 20. They'll debut three flavors — churro, strawberry, and lemon lavender — all topped with new cold foam. Cold foam is also being added as a permanent topper for any drink; there are also now churro bites offered as a sweet pairing.

Perry’s Steakhouse & Grille has introduced a new Anniversary Celebration Menu, a $90-per-person prix-fixe meal designed for milestone events. The menu includes champagne and rose-petal table accents, shared starters like a cold seafood tower or filet bites, a choice of soup or salad, a shared entrée such as Chateaubriand or Beef Wellington, and a dramatic flaming dessert finale. Available by request at all locations.

Barrel & Bones is jumping on the bandwagon of a viral cocktail trend: the soft-serve margarita. Now available at its Inwood Road location, soft-serve frozen 'ritas are priced at $8 and come in flavors such as passion fruit, strawberry, peach, and mango. They tout them as the the first offering of their kind in North Texas inspired by the current TikTok craze.

Soft-serve frozen margarita at Barrel & Bones.Photo courtesy of Barrel & Bones

Puerto Cocina & Bar, the Baja-inspired spot from the team behind Xaman Café, Ayahuasca Cantina, and Señor Oink, has launched a seasonal menu featuring fresh seafood, coastal Baja flavors, and Mexican wines. The Dallas Design District restaurant now also offers lunch, in addition to dinner service.

Soulman’s Bar-B-Que has brought back its fan-favorite Boss Hog sandwich, through May 20 only. The gut buster features four slow-smoked meats - sausage, pulled pork, hickory-smoked ham, and crispy bacon - stacked on a sweet King’s Hawaiian bun. Available as a sandwich ($9.99) or combo with a side and drink ($14.99).

Maple Street Biscuit Company is marking spring with a limited-time menu featuring fresh berries, available through May 19. Highlights include Double Berry Waffles topped with strawberries and whipped cream; Bonuts with berry icing; Very Berry Lemonade; and an Iced Berry Latte.

Rowdy Cowboy in The Colony and Grapevine are adding some hearty new dishes, including steak frites, quesabirria tacos, a 9-oz choice filet, and Cowboy Parmesan chicken Milanese. They still offer handcrafted cocktails with a 40-foot oak bar, 70 large-screen TVs, 32 ice-cold beer taps, and more than 35 bourbons and whiskeys.

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