A nice meal never gets old, especially if a restaurant has a special prix-fixe menu specifically for Valentine’s Day. Make your reservation, pick out an outfit and call the babysitter so you can have a lovely night out with your love. If you’re feeling more casual, make a reservation at White Castle for two — they are offering table service for VDay at some NJ locations!
1776 by David Burke
67 East Park Pl., Morristown
973-829-1776
February 11-14
Three-course prix fixe, $55 for lunch or $135 for dinner on February 14
1776 by David Burke featuring Topgolf Swing Suite is a hip place to take your Valentine. There will be Valentine’s Day specials for lunch and dinner featuring treats like love letter pasta, filet mignon Steak Diane or miso-honey Chilean sea bass. For dessert, try a tin can cake for two: chocolate sauce, vanilla gelato and a bit of whipped cream.
618 Restaurant
618 Park Ave., Freehold
732-577-0001
February 14
Each of the four courses on the menu comes with its own suggested complimentary wine tasting. Start with tuna poke or Cajun BBQ shrimp and grits, move on to black truffle and ricotta pasta purses or the 618 Salad, prepare your stomach for chicken Milanese or grilled organic salmon, and save room for vegan Japanese chocolate truffles or warm sticky toffee cake.
Avenue
23 Ocean Ave., Long Branch
732-759-2900
While this upscale French bistro on the beach is open year-round, many come out to hang at its beach club, nightclub and bar open in warmer weather. Tease your senses with a grilled octopus starter, then choose an appetizer like a mushroom tart. Steak frites or duck confit are just two of the fine entrees offered. Cap off the night with black currant creme brulee for dessert.
Battello
502 Washington Blvd., Jersey City
201-798-1798
Take in views of the Hudson while savoring an Instaworthy meal. The seafood tower is teeming with oysters, clams, shrimp, crab, tuna tartare and lobster. Or, open up your appetite with Thumbelina carrots with candied sesame seeds and pickled onions. Share a “Lady & The Tramp” dinner moment with the mafalde cacio e pepe. Entrees include chipotle grilled eggplant and fennel crusted pork chop.
Brick Lane Curry House
136 Newark Ave., Jersey City
201-402-4950
540 Valley Rd., Montclair
973-509-2100
Brick Lane can’t fully promise to bring the spice back to your relationship but they can deliver on romancing those taste buds with curry options like Jalfrezi; medium spiced tomato curry with stir-fried onions, bell peppers, and tomato, Madras; medium to hot gravy tempered with mustard seeds, curry leaves, and finished with coconut milk, Vindaloo; a fiery combination of freshly roasted ground spices and condiments from Goa, cooked with potatoes, and of course, the excruciating Phaal Curry; composed of some of the hottest peppers in the world.
Charm Thai Montclair
600 Bloomfield Ave., Montclair
973-783-3800
February 14, $39.95 per person
If you are craving Thai food, you can get an appetizer like kanom jeeb or a curry puff; followed by pad thai, curry, fried rice or basil kapow for dinner; and finish it off with strawberry mochi or chocolate lava cake.
City Perch Kitchen + Bar
2023 Hudson St., Fort Lee
201-582-7101
This resto is the concept of Chef Sherry Yard, a James Beard Award winning chef (you might recognize her from Food Network) and is just downstairs from the super lux iPic movie theater, where you can savor signature cocktails and apps during a film. Start with grilled peach and roasted beets followed by pizza if you desire. For entrees, go fishy with vongole (little neck clams) or stay on land with the Perch Burger. Make room for desserts like the chocolate bomb or New York cheesecake.
Cuzin’s Seafood & Clam Bar
130 S. Main St., Marlboro
732-780-2526
78 Albany St., New Brunswick
732-979-2141
With a Jersey meets NY meets Miami vibe, either restaurant will be a beautiful spot to take your date. The seafood is fresh, the meat is aged and the cocktails are specialty crafted. If you’d like to share a meal, the 56-0unce tomahawk steak or surf-and-turf are good options. The new brownie skillet is perfect for dessert.
Delta’s
19 Dennis St., New Brunswick
732-249-1551
This spot is all about comfort and soul food. Start with Southern specialties like peach BBQ ribs, catfish fingers or soul folk dumplings. For your main, try the southern fried chicken or fried whiting over jambalaya grits. Share banana pudding or sweet potato pie for dessert and toast to an evening well spent.
DRIFTHOUSE by David Burke
Driftwood Cabana Club, 1485 Ocean Avenue, Sea Bright
732-530-9760
February 14, $85 per person
The restaurant is celebrating its fifth anniversary in style: in addition to its custom-made lobster tanks and oyster spas on display in the dining room, there is now a market-style seafood case stocked with fresh selections displayed on ice where you can select your own “from-the-sea” seafood. On Valentine’s Day, celebrate with a three-course prix fixe menu and a limited a la carte menu from this coastal Italian-Mediterrenean locale.
Ebbitt Room
25 Jackson St., Cape May
609-884-5700
February 14
Executive Chef Jason Hanin trained at The Culinary Institute of America in NY. Check out the raw bar menu for starters. If you prefer something from the oven, ask about the rabbit cavatelli, rainbow trout or braised lamb shank. Pumpkin cheesecake or sweet ricotta doughnuts are enough for both of you to sample!
Fleming’s Steakhouse & Prime Wine Bar
500 North Route 73 N, #1, Marlton
856-988-1351
90 The Promenade, Edgewater
201-313-9463
$145, February 14
Surprise your Valentine with more than chocolates this year. Treat them to A Taste for Twosday, where you can both share a Tomahawk steak or a Prime Reserve. Enjoy your choice of two salads, two sides and two desserts.
The Frog and The Peach
29 Dennis St., New Brunswick
732-846-3216
Show your love all weekend long. On Friday and Saturday, choose from a la carte or a special prix fixe menu. Sunday is an early prix fixe brunch before the Super Bowl. Monday and Tuesday feature prix fixe dinner menus for you and your love.
THE GOAT By David Burke
1411 Rte. 36, Union Beach
732-264-5222
February 14, $75 per person
This playful Italian-American bistro with a menu that centers around a custom wood-burning oven has a fun and neighborly vibe decorated with amusing goat-themed original artwork. Valentine’s Day will feature a special three-course prix fixe menu plus amuse. The popular la carte menu is available too. Reserve and dine with four or more guests on Valentine’s
Day and receive 14% off the bill!
Gordon Ramsay’s Steak
Harrah’s Atlantic City, 777 Harrah’s Blvd., Atlantic City
609-441-5000
$125 per person, February 14
This oceanside casino and hotel is a fun and romantic choice for Valentine’s Day. Head to Gordon Ramsay Steak where English pub meets contemporary flair. After a trilogy of seafood tartare enjoy a prosecco course, then mushroom risotto or chateaubriand for two. Dessert options are melted chocolate souffle and strawberry ginger salad.
Halifax
225 River St., Hoboken
201-253-2500
February 11, 12 and 14, $99
Halifax is located along Hoboken’s scenic waterfront, so you know this will be a romantic spot, overlooking the water and NYC. Treat yourselves to a 3-course Valentine’s Day prix-fixe menu from Executive Chef Seadon Shouse and Chef de Cuisine Daniel Drexler. The menu highlights seasonal seafood, but there will be vegetarian options, or steak for meat-lovers. Some of the specialties are Nantucket Bay scallop ceviche with black truffle and smoked salt; yellowtail Hamachi poke with citrus, sesame, chili oil and seaweed chicharron; Ossetra Caviar with blini, chives, red onion and crème fraiche ($95 supplement); Nova Scotia halibut with saffron risotto, crispy brussels sprouts and lobster sauce; and filet mignon with aligot potatoes, trumpet mushrooms and bordelaise sauce. Pastry Chef Joshua Coleman’s Kyss dessert will be raspberry cremeux, midnight chocolate sponge cake, raspberry meringue and white chocolate. The pairing ($51) will feature classic wines such as Champagne, chardonnay, cabernet sauvignon and a special treat: the famous Chateau D’Yquem Sauternes (2005) with dessert.
Harvest Moon Brewery
392 George St., New Brunswick
732-249-6666
Enjoy the romantic vibes from Saturday to Tuesday as you enjoy a four-course dinner of amuse bouche, followed by soup or salad, a hearty entree, a delicious dessert option, and served with a bottle of champagne.
Haven
2 Main St., Ste. G, Edgewater
201-943-1900
$85 February 11-13; $95 February 14
Boasting New York City views, Haven is known for its contemporary American fare. A 3-course prix fixe menu will be offered for lunch and dinner each day. The regular menu includes pretzel crusted fried calamari, or burrata & heirloom tomato salad; filet mignon or skirt steak; and seafood risotto or roasted duck. There’s a special menu with vegans and vegetarians, too: sweet potato croquettes, crispy edamame dumplings or plant-based “meatballs” and linguini. Save room for the dessert tasting for two: sample portions of white chocolate cheesecake, caramel apple tartlettes, hazelnut chocolate mousse and key lime pie.
The Kitchen Step
500 Jersey Ave., Jersey City
201-721-6115
This stunning bistro is located in the Historic Van Vorst District of JC, and offers modern American eats, plus next-level drinks. The semolina zucchini fries are sure to impress your date and the ricotta gnocchi will have you wanting seconds. Save room for the flourless chocolate cake or ricotta zeppoles.
Knob Hill Country Club
1 Shinnecock Dr., Manalapan
732-792-7722
$69.95 per person
Enjoy a delicious 3-course menu prepared with love by Executive Chef Christopher Bolger. A complimentary glass of champagne or wine is included. Live entertainment by musician Jonathan Ashe. To sweeten your evening, after dinner, you will be presented with a Valentine’s Sweet Treats take home box.
Kona Grill
511 Route 1, Iselin
732-750-4400
February 10-14
Toast to the one you love with the Bubbles & Pearls special, featuring La Marca Prosecco paired alongside Kona’s California Roll Ring topped with caviar. Or, choose the signature surf & turf, selections of steak or hand-crafted sushi and pair with a tangy margarita, martini or classic cocktail. You can dine in, take out or ask about delivery options.
Mainbrook Tavern
90 Wilson Ave., Manalapan
732-446-6431
February 14
Start off your meal with bruschetta or shrimp cocktail. Next comes a garden or Caesar salad. Follow it up with a main course of a 12-ounce rib eye, pork chop or blackened scallops, all served with twice-baked potato and green beans. For dessert, share either a chocolate lava cake or apple tart ala mode.
The Mathis House
600 Main St., Toms River
732-818-7580
$75 per person; February 10, 12 and 14
This gorgeous Victorian tea room will offer a special five-course Victorian tea service throughout February (from 11 am – 4 pm Wednesday – Sunday), including soup, salad, scones, tea sandwiches and desserts. Closer to Valentine’s Day a special four-course dinner will be presented, featuring soup, salad, prime rib or salmon, garlic mashed potatoes, grilled vegetables, desserts and chocolate-covered strawberries.
The Melting Pot
584 Rte. 38, Maple Shade
856-499-5914
2 Bridge Ave., Red Bank
732-845-6536
250 Center Ave., Westwood
201-664-8877
Melted cheese and chocolate – does it get any better than that? This favored fondue spot is great for Valentine’s Day, where you can share veggies, meat options and dessert dipped in a selection of hot creamy dips.
Molto Wood Burning Bistro
130 S. Main St., Marlboro
732-414-1293
$120 per couple, February 14
You can order off a romantic prix fixe menu that features four courses plus a champagne course, or choose your favorites from the usual ala carte menu. Some of the specials include Alfredo’s meatballs, pistachio crusted tuna, beef tagliata, tiramisu alle fragole (strawberry) or Nutella gelato with fresh panna.
Ninety Acres
200 Natirar Dr., Peapack
908-901-9500; call 908-901-4710 for parties of 7 or more
February 14, $150 per adult, $35 for kids 12 and under
The three-course prix fixe menu is available for your and your date, or for the whole family. Start with ricotta gnudi or poached Natirar egg. Next up, try the red snapper or braised eggplant. Finish with a dark chocolate whoopie pie or raspberries & cream sundae. Make your reservation on OpenTable.
The Olde Mill Inn
225 Rte. 202, Basking Ridge
908-221-1150
This restaurant has a ton of history—it’s been around since the 18th century. Savor apps like organic red lentil soup or mini taro chip tacos, go light with seasonal salad or a harvest bowl. Mains include free range turkey burger, all-natural Griggstown Farm chicken and a 10-ounce bistro steak.
Panini Grill
31 E. Main St., Freehold
732-845-5440
$120 per couple, February 14
The Soulmate Menu offers beef steak carpaccio or strawberry spinach salad for the first course; clams casino or bacon-wrapped shrimp for the second course; a choice of ribeye steak, filet mignon with lobster tail, lobster ravioli, salmon oreganata or pollo gorgonzola for the third course (all served with grilled asparagus and parmesan mashed potatoes); and homemade tiramisu or heart-shaped Nutella pizzette for dessert. Coffee, tea soda and champagne toast included. BYOB. Seatings are at 5:30 pm and 7:30 pm. Reservations required.
The Perch at Peacock Inn
20 Bayard Ln., Princeton
609-924-1707
The Perch is a great place for afternoon tea, but the restaurant is a beautiful place for dinner. If you’d like to share the tomahawk, it’s big enough for two. If you prefer individual entrees, try the scallops, halibut or Creole cauliflower confit. Start the meal with smoked tomato bisque, crudite or oysters on the half-shell.
Rat’s Restaurant
16 Fairgrounds Rd., Hamilton
609-584-7800
A premier French restaurant located on the 42-acre Grounds for Sculpture campus, Rat’s Restaurant provides a romantic escape for Valentine’s Day, especially if you go to see the Infinite Wave: Night Form exhibit after dinner. The Valentine’s specials include smoked lobster ceviche, foie gras brulee, escargot and artisanal cheeses to whet your appetite. For your entree, either share the ribeye for two, order coq au vin, try the Viking Village Scallops or opt for roasted eggplant. If you’re feeling super hungry, add a lobster tail, black burgundy truffles or caviar, or have kale, potato wedges or brussels sprouts on the side.
Red Horse by David Burke
26 Ridge Road, Rumson
732-576-3400
February 14, $135 per person
This modern American steakhouse with an Asian twist is located in the romantic, historic building that once housed the legendary Fromagerie. The kitchen is where Chef Burke began his star-studded career as a teen as a line cook while a CIA student. The super chic, equine art-filled setting serves up a NYC-level dining experience in its bar/lounge, main dining room and sushi bar loft. On Valentine’s Day, Red Horse will serve the regular a la carte menu and a three-course prix fixe Valentine’s Day menu plus amuse.
Roots Steakhouse
Morristown, Princeton (Ocean Prime), Ridgewood, Summit
Roots is an old-fashioned New York style steakhouse whose name comes from the iconic Roots clothing store, which was the location of the first Roots Steakhouse in Summit in 2006. The vault that held all of the mink coats still remains a part of the location. If you head there for Valentine’s Day you can expect USDA aged prime beef sourced from the highest quality ranches in the Midwest. There are lots of options for appetizers, salads, steaks, vegetarian options, a raw bar, seafood and sides.
Ruocco’s Restaurant
345 Rte. 9, Manalapan
732-851-5359
For a Valentine’s Day special, how about twin lobster tails, sautéed spinach and fondant potatoes with a side of drawn butter? This is a neighborhood favorite, family owned and operated.
Salt Creek Grille
4 Bingham Ave., Rumson
732-933-9272
February 10, 11, 13 and 14 (Closed Feb. 12), $175 per couple
Executive Chef Cesar Cardenas and his team have created the “Love is in the Air” four-course prix fixe menu that includes a house-selected champagne toast for two; a soup or salad each; appetizer to share; entrée each; dessert to share; and a select bottle of wine to share. The prix fixe menu and regular a la carte and sushi menu are available as well. On Valentine’s Day, choose from the “Love is in the Air” prix fixe menu, special a la carte dinner menu and a select sushi menu.
Spuntino Wine Bar & Italian Tapas
Clifton Commons, 70 Kingsland Rd., Clifton
973-661-2435
Couples love this spot for its small plates and modern Italian fare. Enjoy tasty treats such as watercress and beet salad, roasted grape ricotta, picante pizza, a cheese or meat board, arancini (rice balls), crispy octopus or chicken pomodoro. Larger plates offered include lamb chops, a Tuscan strip steak or mixed grill. There is also an array of pasta made in-house. Treat yourself to a wine flight or mixed cocktail. The “Dolce” menu is chock full of sweetness, including tiramisu cheesecake, homemade doughnuts and affogato.
STAX
130 S. Main St., Marlboro
732-362-2260
February 14
If you want to celebrate Valentine’s Day early in the day, STAX will offer brunch until 3 pm. The prix fixe menu includes appetizers (lobster rolls or pesto burrata flatbread), entrees (surf and turf) and dessert (fresh crepe with bananas and Nutella).
Stone House at Stirling Ridge
50 Stirling Rd., Warren
908-754-1222
This spot has the same owners as Liberty House Restaurant (Jersey City), voted best date night spot by our readers, Ryland Inn (Whitehouse Station) and Hotel du Village (New Hope, PA). Start your meal with crab dip, chicken liver mousse, butternut squash soup or other farm-to-fork favorites. Since it’s couples’ night, order the tomahawk steak or salt-crusted whole branzino, both made for two people. The meal ends with a selection from decadent desserts including raspberry tart and tiramisu.
Whispers
200 Monmouth Ave., Spring Lake
732-974-9755
The First Course Menu features a lobster crepe, mozzarella burrata and ancho grilled jumbo shrimp. The Second Course Menu is an organic baby arugula salad. The stars of the Main Course Menu are grilled shrimp, pan seared salmon filet, roasted rack of lamb and center cut filet mignon. Dessert is the kicker: have warm apple strudel or the ultimate cookie cake or try a frozen dessert like coppa spagnola (vanilla gelato with an Amarena cherry sauce) or Nutty Almond Joy (toasted coconut center topped with milk chocolate and almond crumbs).
Read More:
Celebrate Galentine’s Day With Your Gal Pals
Things to Do For Valentine’s Day
Take Your Valentine’s Day to the Next Level