Time is running out to make your Valentine's Day reservations, and with so many options it's a daunting decision. There's a lot riding on this, but you can't just pick any random place -- you have to find the right fit for your situation.
Which type of Valentine are you? Whether you're a love bird ready to tie the knot, burned and bitter, or some shade in between, you'll find a solution here. And get a move on--you don't want to end up sad and alone.
The Valentine with Something to Prove Maybe you've been seeing a special someone for a while and it's time to pop the question. Maybe you've got a decade under your belt and want to celebrate extra-special style. Maybe you screwed up. Big time. The Valentine with Something to Prove needs to make a grand gesture, and the Reunion Tower GeO-Deck is just the place to do it.
They're offering 3 different packages to help you "take your valentine to new heights," ranging from $90-$300, Friday 2/13 and Saturday 2/14.
Ninety bucks will get you the Toast Package, from 5 - 9:30 p.m. You and your love will share the romantic city skyline view with a glass of bubbly, enjoy hor d'oeuvres and take home souvenir glasses. You'll also get a photo to keep, so you'll have evidence of this grand gesture for years to come.
If you're a night owl and want to turn it up a notch, you can choose the Enchantment Package for $250. From 7 p.m. to midnight, you and your Valentine can get all the schmaltzy stuff listed above out of the way, then party all night with food and music at the GeO-Deck's Cloud Nine Café.
Wolfgang Puck's Five Sixty, the restaurant at the top of the ball, is already booked up, but with this package, you'll still be able to get your hands on a very important perk: Wolfgang Puck gift chocolates.
The Scorned Lover Dammit -- drunk-ass cupid played you for a fool. Don't wallow in despair alone in your robe; commiserate with fellow singles at Bowl and Barrel's "Singles Awareness" event.
This Valentine's Day, they'll give you a free drink if you bring in a picture of the monster who did this to you and shred it. Plus, ladies can score a free entrée from 6 to 10 p.m. They just rolled out some new menu items, including jumbo lump crab cakes and a hot dog trio called Three Dog Night. New cocktails include the vodka-based Velvet Mule and the bubbly French Kiss.
The Freak in the Sheets Spice things up with one of Pakpao's Valentine's Day prix fixe menus on February 14. They've created a "Thai Me Up: 50 Shades of Grey" menu to coordinate with the release of the movie. For $45, you and the object of your affection can get things going with items such as the Thai Silk Cocktail, Hoi Obh Steamy Mussels, Drunken Noodles, and Forbidden Rice with Pandan Panna Cotta for dessert.
The Valentine with a +1 ... or 2 ... or 3
*Sigh.* The babysitter flaked. Or that's the story anyway -- the reality is you were too busy juggling other stuff to even think about it, and now here it is: Valentine's Day, that sneaky devil. Looks like you're taking junior with you for your big night on the town. Where can you take a bouncing, screaming little maniac out for a semi-romantic dinner? Penne Pomodoro. They have a semi-casual environment, a special Valentine's menu, and you can keep the brat occupied for a while with their View-Master kids' menu.
The Lush You and your Valentine seem to get along so much better when you're absolutely snockered. If love alone is not intoxicating enough, why not add a little booze to the equation?
One option is the Holy Grail Pub's Beer Dinner.
For the wine lover, Veritas Wine Room and Haute Sweets Patisserie are teaming up for a dessert and wine tasting at 8 p.m. on Saturday. On the menu: popcorn pot de creme, passion fruit caramel, chocolate ganache tart, chocolate raspberry bon bons and white chocolate foie gras biscotti.
If dessert isn't your thing, consider RSVPing to Veritas' Sunday event: a dinner created by chef Jon Stevens of Stock & Barrel. The price is $62 per person, with wine available for an additional charge. Be there at 6:30-6:45 p.m., relax with a glass of wine for a while, and enjoy your first course around 7:15 p.m..
Another option for the couple brought together by beer: The Lakewood Brewing Company's limited release and tap takeover at the Lakewood Whole Foods Saturday from 5 to 10 p.m. What beer has joined together, let no man put asunder.
Want a more permanent buzz? Show up at the Park Lane Whole Foods from 6-8 p.m. on Valentine's Day, and they'll personalize your wine bottle or beer growler with a custom engraving. (Purchase of $10 bottle of wine or growler required, limit three items.)
The Hopeless Romantic Is there any Dallas restaurant more romantic than The Grape? They have a history, attentive service, an intimate setting and low lighting that sets just the right tone for your love affair -- old or new. The fact that the food always shines can only help matters. This Valentine's weekend, they are celebrating with a $65 three-course menu designed just for the occasion. (Add wine pairings for an additional $25.) Reservations are required for the big day, and recommended for Friday, February 13 and Sunday, February 15. Complimentary valet.
The Vegetarian/Carnivore Couple She only eats veggies, he only eats meat -- or maybe it's the other way around. At any rate, it can be a real whip trying to find a place that suits both of your dietary preferences. Nora is the place for you. The setting is right for romance, and the $65 four-course Valentine's menu offers Afghan cuisine that should please you both.
The Bohemian Hipster Couple Who Takes Their Caffeine Very Seriously Yes, it's an oddly specific category, but yours is a very specific kind of love. No one understands it but the two of you, and that's what makes it ... beautiful? For you, Oddfellows is offering a Valentine's Dinner For Two, featuring tasty morsels such as salmon croquettes, steak frites and chocolate mousse with pistachio. To boot, their tea and coffee menu looks like a page out of a chemistry book, which should make you lovebirds very enigmatically happy.
Married Too Long For This Shit You've been through it all together. You've had your romantic, candle-lit dinners. You've also plucked back hairs and examined odd-looking sun spots for each other. Possibly, one of you has witnessed a tiny human spring forth from the other one's body. Making reservations, going out on a Saturday night -- eh, it's all too much effort. And this is the reward for the couple who is Married Too Long For This Shit: not having to make an effort. Go to Tom Thumb, get a black forest cream cake for $15.95, put on the comfy pants and fire up Netflix. Admit it -- it sounds tempting.
