Yes, we know, Valentine’s Day tends to cause more trouble than it’s worth, whether you’re sweetly coupled up, coupled up and kind of miserable, woefully single or joyfully single.
On the other hand, we’ll take any excuse to spend a weekend indulging. Fortunately, even if you blanked on making reservations, some of our favorite restaurants are extending the celebration. If tables for your top pick are booked for V Day proper, check Friday or Sunday availability. Palladino’s on East Passyunk is hosting a Valentine’s Day Brunch Party on Sunday, complete with Prosecco bottle service and blood orange bellinis . Fill up on the new WTF Waffle, with grilled ham, over-easy egg, braised beef cheeks and seared foie gras with maple-mustard glaze.Or you can’t go wrong with the focaccia di recco — despite the flaky buttery-ness, Chef Luke Palladino swears there’s no butter in it at all. Friday and Saturday, Jose Garces is doing two tasting menu options at Tinto in Rittenhouse . It’s $75 or $95, with dishes including Kumamoto oysters, butter poached lobster and a smoked chocolate torte. Cube Libre in Old City is adding a tapas dessert to the regular menu — three mini versions of the Cuban flan, chocolate torte and tres leches cake — and a sweet Cupid’s Punch cocktail: Guavaberrry Island Folk liqueur with gold rum, almond syrup, lychee juice and orange juice. Or go for the Champagne Punch Brunch. For a nightcap, head to the sexy, red-wallpapered Bardot in Northern Liberties for a Sympathy for the Devil cocktail ( Bulliet rye, Goslings, apple, bitters).
Last-minute Valentine’s Day dinners
Lauren Mame Thomas
