We are one week away from Valentine’s Day 2015! If you’re planning to dine in San Francisco or Oakland for the occasion, here are a few restaurants to consider.
SF
A16 in San Francisco
A16 is celebrating Valentine’s Day with a festive four-course menu from Executive Chef Rocky Maselli and traditional wine pairing options from Wine Director/Co-Owner Shelley Lindgren. Dish highlights include Wild Nettle and Ricotta Ravioli with green garlic and asparagus, Abalone Crudo with fava leaf and castelvetrano olive, McFarland Spring Trout with black truffle and roasted sunchoke, and Velrohono Manjari Chocolate with Hazelnut Torta and coffee mousse. The prix fixe dinner is $85 per person. Reservations can be made by visiting www.a16sf.com or calling 415-771-2216.
central kitchen
For Valentine’s Day, Chef Thomas McNaughton will be offering a special “Mine & Yours” five course tasting menu for $125 per person with optional $75 wine pairings. Highlight dishes include Lobster with Vietnamese herbs and celeriac, Maitake with black garlic and cured yolk, Duck with beet, lime and nasturtium. This evening will be reservation only, so call 415-826-7004 or book via OpenTable.com.
CLIFT
Celebrate Valentine’s Day all weekend long at the iconic CLIFT hotel. The weekend will kick-off with the 4th Annual Love Bitten x Love Smitten party from 9pm-2am on Friday, February 13 where Motown on Mondays DJs Gordo Cabeza, The Captain Hat, and Timoteo Gigante will provide entertainment. Free entry. See www.facebook.com/events/352656041585263.
On February 14, CLIFT’s Valentine’s Day celebration will run with the theme of First Crush – “Meet the love of your life or just for tonight.” Red Light Lit, an erotic literary journal that explores love and lust in the form of poetry, prose and song, will take over the Redwood Room from 6:30-9pm with a musical performance by Francisco Fernandez of the Ferocious Few. This sensual poetry slam will be followed by an over-the-top Valentine’s Day party from 9:30pm-2am with DJs JT Donaldson & GE-OLOGY. Admission is free. See www.facebook.com/events/1597703960462349.
CLIFT will also offer a romantic Valentine’s Day package throughout the entire month of February. The First Crush package includes a bottle of champagne with chocolate covered strawberries, 20% off all services at Cowboys & Angels salon, and a complimentary glass of wine at First Crush restaurant (firstcrush.com) in San Francisco’s Union Square. Booking details can be found here.
Farallon
Grab your special someone for a romantic evening under-the sea this Valentine’s Day weekend. Farallon will offer a special five-course tasting menu from Friday to Sunday in addition to their a la carte menu. Dish highlights from Executive Chef Ryan Simas’ tasting menu include Hawaiian Ahi Tuna Poke with taro root chips, wakame salad, and avocado, and Seared Georges Bank Diver Scallop with french green lentils, foie gras torchon, and cognac reduction. The dinner menu will be offered at $90 per person with $70 optional wine pairings from Wine Director Luke Kenning. Reservations can be made by visiting www.farallonrestaurant.com or calling 415-956-6969 and there is a 72 hour cancellation policy.
Flour + Water
Grab your favorite partner in crime for a special valentine’s day at flour + water. Chef Thomas McNaughton and his team have created a four-course menu for $95 per person highlighting some of their favorite dishes of the season. Flour + Water’s wine director has worked with the culinary team to pair some unique selections with the menu. Wine pairing is optional for the evening, but the menu is set for the restaurant. Make your reservations online via OpenTable.com.
Luce at the InterContinental San Francisco
Celebrate Valentine’s Day at Luce with dinner prepared by a Michelin-star chef Daniel Corey, who will be preparing a three course menu of seasonal, California fare with dish highlights including Handmade Ricotta Tortellini with green asparagus, hazelnuts, and delicate herbs, Yellowfin Tuna slowly poached in California Olive Oil with baby artichokes, and green garlic, and Textures of Lemon Verbena with buttermilk panna cotta. The prix fixe dinner is $82 per person, with a complimentary glass of Rosé upon arrival. Make reservations at OpenTable.com or call 415-616-6566.
Presidio Social Club
For Valentine’s Day, Presidio Social Club is offering three special cocktails, in addition to three new dishes which will be offered throughout the month of February. Cocktails, all $13, include:
- The First Blush (Calvados, Lemon, Brut Rosé, and Apple Chip Garnish),
- Afternoon Delight (Riesling, Framboise, Crème de Pêche, Peychaud’s Bitters, garnished with a floating rose petal)
- Love Potion #563 (Aperol, lemon, and Sparkling Wine, with a long lemon twist garnish)
Valentine’s Day desserts include:
- PSC Brownie Banana Split for two with Chocolate, Peanut Butter, and Salted Caramel ($12)
- Roasted Marcona Olive Oil Almond Cake ($8)
Three new dishes available for the month of February include:
- Bistecca for Two (36 oz bone-in Beef Porterhouse) with Oven Roasted Broccoli and Twice Baked Potatoes
- Chilled Seafood Selection (Mendocino Uni, Shigoku Oysters, and Hawaiian Ahi Tuna—can be ordered separately or to share)
- PSC Chopped Salad with Red Wine and Pork Belly Vinaigrette
Rose Pistola
North Beach institution Rose Pistola, bringing classic Italian dishes to its many loyal fans over the years, is offering a special Valentine’s Day prix fixe menu for $60 per person in addition to the regular menu. Valentine’s Day dish highlights include Beet and Goat Cheese Agnolotti with tarragon burro fuso, Quail al Mattone with mushroom-Parmesan pudding and caramelized carrots, and Pan Roasted Branzino with fennel pollen and mussels cream sauce, and Chocolate Mousse with raspberry macaroon. Reservations can be made via OpenTable.com or by calling the restaurant at 415-399-0499.
SPQR
This Valentine’s Day, Executive Chef Matthew Accarrino of SPQR will be offering a three-course prix fixe lunch for $48 per person and a five-course prix fixe dinner for $90 per person. Reservations are required and can be made by emailing bianca@spqrsf.com or by calling 415-771-7779.
Top of the Mark at the InterContinental Mark Hopkins
Top of the Mark provides an unforgettable setting for the most romantic day of the year with a five-course dinner on Saturday, February 14 starting at 7:30 for $495 per couple. This dinner includes one bottle of Moët & Chandon Rosé, live entertainment from 9 p.m. to 12:30 a.m., and a rosé for lady guests. Highlights of the night’s menu include Sturgeon Caviar with blinis and creme fraiche, Maine Lobster and Wagyu Beef with salsify, espelette, and artichoke truffle jus, and Valrhona Chocolate with strawberry meringue, almond, and Grand Marnier. A separate menu is available for vegetarian guests. Dinner guests will automatically be entered into a drawing for a one-night stay in the luxurious Presidential Suite, valid on Valentine’s Day. Reservations required. Please call 415-616-6941.
InterContinental Mark Hopkins Romance Packages
Couples can enjoy the city lights with a special dinner experience available from Saturday, February 7 through Friday, February 13. The Head over Heels package guarantees guests a highly coveted window table at Top of the Mark, a bottle of Moët & Chandon Rosé, a special appetizer, a chocolate dessert, a framed souvenir photo, and a rose for lady guests ($250). Guests can indulge a bit further with the Endless Love package, which includes the Head over Heels package along with a bottle of Dom Perignon ($450). Reservations are required.
Salumeria – Make Valentine’s Day Dinner at Home
This Valentine’s Day, Salumeria in bringing back their flour + water pasta project for $45 plus tax, ideal for two people. Stay in this Valentine’s Day and cook at home by trying something new with flour + water. The kit includes all you need to make Beet and Rose Caramelle with Ricotta, Truffle & Whey Champagne. Make it a complete meal by adding on cured meats & cheeses, chocolate budinos or go big with the addition of the blini kit. Order online or by calling 415-471-2998.
East Bay
A16 Rockridge in Oakland
Celebrate Valentine’s Day at A16 Rockridge with a four-course menu prepared by Executive Chef Rocky Maselli and wine pairings from director/co-owner Shelley Lindgren. Valentine’s Day dish highlights include Buffalo Ricotta Gnocchi with green garlic and asparagus, Lucky Dog Ranch Prime Rib Roast with spinach, carrot, and salsa verde, and Chocolate Espresso Mousse with dark chocolate ganache, cacao nib, and amaro caramel. The prix fixe dinner is $75 per person. Reservations can be made by calling 510-768-8003 or visiting a16rockridge.com.
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