Looking for a nice Valentine’s Day dinner in Philly? We’ve got you covered.
Forsythia
Forsythia is planning a special meal on Valentine’s Day for lovebirds, and those who head to the Old City establishment can check out select small plates, entrées, and desserts from the seasonal menu or opt for à la carte specials. The latter includes a Roasted Scallop and Bone Marrow option (with morels and artichoke), Black Lime Cured Hamachi (prepared with heart of palm, white soy, and sea urchin vinaigrette), Wagyu Beef Short Rib (with maitake mushroom, red wine salsify and black truffle,) and Sheep Milk Ricotta Gnudi (composed of beetroot, chanterelle mushrooms, and brown butter cacio e pepe.)
Forsythia is also offering a specialty take-out option for a romantic night in as well, and more info can be found online.
233 Chestnut St., forsythiaphilly.com
Ocean Prime
Ocean Prime has a reputation of being one of the city’s most sought-after dinner destinations, so why not make this Valentine’s Day extra special? On the menu for February 14th will be their popular Berries and Bubbles cocktail (made with a combination of Belvedere Citrus Vodka, marinated berries, house-made sour, Domaine Chandon Brut and topped with dry ice,) and the seafood and steakhouse has also created a special cocktail just for Valentine’s Day. That specialty drink—titled the Cupids Cosmo—features grapefruit vodka, lemon, strawberries and prosecco, for some “liquid love.”
Diners can also dive into their extensive oyster menu, which features both east and west-coast oysters on the half shell as well as part of their customizable Smoking Seafood Tower. This year, as a release states, Ocean Prime is also offering a special Sea Bass and Caviar entrée (priced $64-$69, based on location) for V-Day. With this dish, broiled sea bass is served over cauliflower puree with sautéed haricot verts, toasted garlic fingerling potatoes and roasted tomatoes, it’s then finished with orange vinaigrette and topped with caviar. To finish everything off on a sweet note, Ocean Prime will also have their warm butter cake accompanied by fresh berries, vanilla ice cream and raspberry sauce.
124 S 15th St., ocean-prime.com
Oyster House
This hotspot is typically closed on Mondays—but they’re making an exception for Valentine’s Day dinner in Philly. For the holiday, Oyster House will be offering their regular menu along with some one-day-only specials for the holiday. For regular dinner service on Valentine’s Day, guests can make reservations by calling 215-567-7683 or via RESY. However, there will also be the unique opportunity to join in on a Shuckbuddies 101 class from 2 to 3 p.m. The class is limited to only 16 guests and costs $120 for two people. It will be hosted by Oyster House owner Sam Mink, popular oyster farmer Lisa Calvo from the Sweet Amalia Oyster Farm and Oyster House’s Master Oyster Shucker Gary McCready.
While at the class, couples can expect shucking tutorials from Mink, Calvo and McCready, various oyster tastings and a beverage pairing. At the end, each couple will leave with a special Oyster House-branded shucking knife (one knife per couple). Lastly for a pre-Valentine’s Day special, during their brunch service on Saturday, Feb. 12, Oyster House plans to offer an over-the-top Bloody Caesar for Two. Their classic Bloody Caesar will be served in their oyster cracker goblets (32 oz) and will feature their house-made bloody Caesar with an outrageous garnish of raw oysters, fried oyster sliders, shrimp cocktail and pickled vegetables.
1516 Sansom St., oysterhousephilly.com
Cuba Libre
Cuba Libre’s offerings for Valentine’s Day dinner in Philly is a little different than most. How so? Couples who dine at the restaurant on Monday, Feb. 14 will be treated to complimentary chocolate truffles and a black satin eye mask (while supplies last.) This particular special will be available at the Old City hotspot.
While dining in the dark, Philadelphians can order up their Pescado de Oriente (marinated whole roasted striped bass fillet on the griddle,) “Chino-Cubano”(vegetable fried rice and baby sprout salad,) Bife de Lomo (made with pan roasted filet mignon, truffle malanga mash and crispy shallots ring in a port wine-mushroom sauce) and finally, their Island Rose Martini (boasting Garzon Rose Pinot Noir wine, Brinley Shipwreck Vanilla Rum, St. Germain Liqueur, fresh lime juice and edible rose petals.) Other dishes will also be available for the sultry night out.
10 S. 2nd St., cubalibrerestaurant.com
a.kitchen/a.bar
This Rittenhouse bar and eatery is offering reservations on Tock for Valentine’s Day for both indoor and outdoor dining. Chef Eli Collins’ menu will be offered as a 4-course prix fixe format offered at $85/person with a vegetarian menu offered for $75/person. As a release states, guests will also have the option to include additional, special occasion menu items as well including oysters and charcuterie. Lastly, a.bar will also be open for the holiday from 4 p.m. to midnight offering special Valentine’s Day cocktails and raw bar snacks.
135 S 18th St., akitchenandbar.com
