So it's T-minus three days to Valentine's Day and you've got no reservations, gifts or anything planned whatsoever — it's time to throw some money at the situation and hope for the best, my friend. If you'd rather someone else handle everything from the wine to dessert and everything in between, book one of these pricy prix fixe menus that require little more than making a reservation, showing up and whipping out that wallet.
While some offer courses with options, for the most part, these seemingly endless meals should keep you busy for a few hours and some even include booze paired with each individual course — if you've got the dough, it doesn't get much easier than that. If your date is like us, an extravagant meal is a gift unto itself. Why buy stuff for your date when you can buy memories? Delicious, pan-seared, red-wine-reduction memories.
Here are six prix fixe options — with a few bookings still available as of Wednesday afternoon — that'll set you back at least $130 for the two of you. Book fast — now that we've spilled the beans on these open tables, they won't last long.
Zen Sushi
Where: 380 W 7th St.
When: Friday, Saturday and Sunday
The damage: $179 for two; includes "custom flower arrangement"
The booze: Included
The menu:
CHOOSE ONEBook Zen: 214-946-9699
Michael David Sauvignon Blanc, Lodi, California
Aquinas Pinot Noir, Napa California
Lychee White Sangria Carafe
ZEN Margarita Carafe
FIRST
Curry and Coconut Milk Kabocha Squash Soup
COLD APPETIZER
Six Kumamoto Oysters on the Half Shell with Yuzu Granita
HOT APPETIZER
Pan-Seared Duck Breast Steamed Buns
SUSHI
Tuna, Salmon, Yellowtail, Xalapa Roll
MAIN
Two Canadian Cold Water Lobster Tails steamed in Seaweed and Sake bath
AND
8 oz Beef Tenderloin with Roasted Petite Vegetables
SWEET
Passionfruit Crème Brûlée
Lonesome Dove Western Bistro
Where: 2406 N Main St., Fort Worth
When: Saturday and Sunday
The damage: $190 for two
The booze: Not included
The menu:
FIRST COURSEBook Lonesome Dove: 817-740-8810
Tapas Platter Of:
Hamachi Tartare Crème Fraîche, Avocado, Chili Oil, Crispy Hominy
Tuna, Blood Orange Ponzu, Serrano
Arctic Char, Roasted Pepitas, Warm Peanut Oil
SECOND COURSE
Choice Of:
Roasted Hen Of The Woods, Shallot, House Vinegar, Organic Egg
Butter Lettuce Salad, Smoked Tomato-Blue Cheese Vinaigrette, House Bacon
Brussels Sprouts, Cotija, Currants, Toasted Pine Nuts
Acorn Squash Ravioli, Brown Butter, Crispy Sage
MAIN COURSE
Choice Of:
Buffalo NY Strip, Carrot Puree, Grilled Bok Choy, Shitake
Lamb Chops Scottidito, Maitake Oatmeal, Citrus Aioli
Blackened Redfish, Charred Tomatoes, White Bean Stew, Crispy Basil
DESSERT
Chef’s Sweet Surprise
Stephan Pyles
Where: 1807 Ross Ave.
When: Friday, Saturday and Sunday, with a la carte ordering available Friday and Saturday
The damage: $190 for two
The booze: If you add wine pairings, the price comes to $280 for two.
The menu:
AmuseBook Stephan Pyles: 214-580-7000
Bay Leaf Panna Cotta, Jonah Crab, Rose Granola, Grapefruit Gelée
1st Course
Lobster Bisque
Pear Labneh, Torn Brioche, Chervil
Carrot Truffle Composition
Kale, Pecans, Pachi Pachi Goat Cheese
Venison Tartare
Smoked Parsnip, Coffee Paste, Huckleberry
Moët & Chandon, “Impérial,” Brut, Champagne – France NV
2nd Course
Duck Confit Corizetti
Aji Panca, Confit Mallard Yolk, Chimichurri, Cippolini Onion
Blue Corn Tamale Tart
Ricotta, Mitake Mushrooms, Baby Squashes, Tomatillo
Charred Snapper Crudo
Creamy Cabbage, Cabbage Glass, Quince Jam
Caelum, Chardonnay, Mendoza – Argentina 2014
or
Yannick Rousseau, Rosé of Tannat, Russian River Valley – Sonoma County – California 2014
3rd Course
Beef Tenderloin
Red Pepper Tamal, BBQ Onion Marmalade, Epazote Black Beans, Chili Puffed Beef
Maine Scallops
Smoked Beets, Chocolate Granola, Greens, Horseradish Whip
Pheasant Roulade
Olive Oil Celery Root Puree, Brussels Sprouts, Haikuri Turnips, Apple Jus
Familia Schroeder, “Saurus,” Pinot Noir Patagonia – Argentina 2012
or
Anciano, Tempranillo, Valdepeñas – Spain 2007
4th Course
White Chocolate Cheesecake
Yogurt Granita, Pistachio Sponge, Honey Cremeaux
Warm Chocolate Gateau
Strawberry Lambic, Malted Milk Ice Cream
Pasión
Vanilla Panna Cotta, Mango, Pineapple Compressed Coulis
Seifried, “Sweet Agnes,” Late Harvest Riesling, Nelson – New Zealand 2010
or
Broadbent, “Auction Reserve,” Ruby Port NV
Valentine's Vintage Getaway
Where: Two Corks and a Bottle, 2800 Routh St. No. 140
When: 6-9 p.m. Sunday
The damage: $170 for two
The booze: Wine tasting included
The menu:
Toast to an evening that is unforgettable, beginning with a wine tasting at cozy Two Corks and a Bottle winery, accompanied by a rustic cheeseboard. Savor romantic thoughts over a delicious gourmet dinner of chicken cordon bleu, green bean amandine and gruyere potatoes au gratin, crowned by a decadent dessert. As you sip more wine to the sounds of smooth live jazz, the magic seems neverending. Price includes wine tasting, dinner, bottle of wine and entertainment. Limited to 12 couples. Ticket price shown is per person.Book it: Online via Dallas by Chocolate
Lavendou Bistro Provençal
Where:19009 Preston Road
When: Saturday and Sunday
The damage: $140 for two
The booze: Not included
The menu:
EntréeBook Lavendou: 972-248-1911
Velouté des Champignons Sauvages au Porto
cream of wild mushroom soup with port
ou
Croquant de Chèvre Chaud Sur Son Lit des Jeunes Pousses
crispy warm goat cheese with mixed baby greens
ou
Gâteau de Crabe Dijonnaise
crab cake with mustard sauce and microgreens
ou
Terrine Maison aux Foies de Canard
Chef's terrine with duck livers and confit of figs
Plat Principal
Filet de Sole au Crabe Sauce Champagne
filet of sole with crab and champagne cream sauce
ou
Poitrine de Volaille aux Champignons Sauvages
chicken breast with wild mushrooms with marsala sauce and linguini
ou
Filet de Boeuf Bourguignonne
beef tenderloin with red wine reduction and gratin dauphinois
ou
Jarret d'Agneau aux Petits Légumes et Couscous
braised lamb shank with vegetables and couscous
Dessert
Chocolat Marquise
chocolate ganache mousse cake
ou
Gâteau de Fromage et Coulis des Framboises
white chocolate cheese cake with raspberry sauce
ou
Mousse au Chocolat et Zestes d'Orange
chocolate mousse tulipe with candied orange zestes
ou
Feuillantine aux Fruits de Saison
mixed berries in pastry with Chantilly cream
DISH Preston Hollow
Where: 8611 Hillcrest Ave., Suite 100
When: Sunday
The damage: $130
The booze: 20 percent off any bottle of wine over $90 with purchase of prix fixe
STARTERBook DISH: 214-363-3474
GULF SHRIMP BISQUE fried okra, spanish chile oil
TUNA PESCE CRUDO compressed watermelon, sunflower sprouts, macadamia nuts
BURRATA CHEESE marinated heirloom cherry tomato, paladin toast, volcano sea salt
WINTER GREENS strawberry, blue cheese, brioche crouton, candied pecan, pomegranate dressing
BEEF TATAKI chilled soba, citrus ponzu, mango, snap peas, avocado, sesame seed
MAIN
CORNMEAL CRUSTED LEMON SOLE brussel sprouts, crisp pancetta, honey-mustard brown butter
ROASTED SALMON avocado crab relish, whipped sweet potato, jalapeño beurre blanc
BEEF TENDERLOIN ROAST candied garlic mashers, cipollini onion soubise, spinach mornay
HOUSE MADE SAFFRON LINGUINI jumbo shrimp, baby spinach, cranberry beans, parmesan broth
SPICY FRIED CHICKEN roasted marble potatoes, baby bok choy, caviar garnish
DESSERT
CHOCOLATE SALTED CARAMEL dark chocolate ganache
PASSION FRUIT COCONUT CUSTARD passion fruit gelée
WARM CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES oven-ready gooey goodness
VANILLA BEAN CHEESECAKE macerated berries, chambord