Celebrate with your love this Valentine’s Day weekend with indulgent multicourse dinners, unique sweet treats and, of course, foods with aphrodisiac qualities. And because Feb. 14 falls on a Sunday, several restaurants are offering special brunches.
>>Arugula, 953 Farmington Ave., West Hartford, will serve brunch from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and its regular dinner menu starting at 5 p.m. on Feb. 14. Dinner selections include warm roasted eggplant and wonton “Napoleon,” filet mignon of tuna and Arugula’s famed chocolate “voodoo” cake with dark chocolate espresso buttercream. 860-561-4888, arugula-bistro.com.
>>Millwright’s, 77 West St., Simsbury, offers a $99 prix-fixe menu Feb. 13 and 14. The meal includes gougeres and Wellfleet oysters for the table along with choices of first, second, main and dessert courses. Entrée options include Wagyu sirloin, chicken roulade, salmon with lentils and roasted and pureed cauliflower with brown butter and almond-caper crumbs. 860-651-5500, millwrightsrestaurant.com.
>>Water’s Edge Resort and Spa, 1525 Boston Post Road, Westbrook, serves a four-course candlelight dinner for two for $129, plus tax and gratuity. The menu features entrée choices of filet mignon, pan-seared Black Pearl salmon or rosemary-roasted French breast of chicken. Overnight packages for Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights are priced at $329 to $389. 800-222-5901 or 860-399-5901 and watersedgeresortandspa.com.
>>Hopkins Vineyard, 25 Hopkins Road, New Preston, offers a Valentine’s sweetheart package Feb. 13 and 14. Couples receive two glasses of Hopkins sparkling wine, assorted cheeses, local sausage and spiced cherry spread, fruit, cheesecake for two and two wine-infused chocolate truffles. $75 per couple. Information and reservations: 860-868-7954 and hopkinsvineyard.com.
>>Miranda Vineyard, 42 Ives Road, Goshen, hosts a chocolate lovers’ dinner Feb. 13 at 6 p.m. The menu features five courses of chocolate-infused cuisine, each paired with a Miranda wine. $50 per person. 860-491-9906, mirandavineyard.com.
>>Barracuda Bistro and Bar, 1180 Chapel St., New Haven, offers a four-course Valentine’s Day menu Feb. 12 through 14 for $40. Entrée options include seafood paella, filet mignon with coconut rice and lobster cream sauce, salmon, mushroom risotto and a tempeh tower. Saturday and Sunday dinner seatings will feature live music. 203-691-5696, barracudanewhaven.com.
>>Coyote Blue, 1960 Saybrook Road, Middletown, hosts its 12th annual mid-winter game festival through Feb. 23 (while supplies last). The menu includes a southwestern duckling quesadilla; elk, buffalo, kangaroo and wild boar chili, barbecued wild boar St. Louis ribs, venison schnitzel with spatzle, alligator tamale crepes, alligator andouille and chile quesadilla, buffalo rouladen and chipotle buffalo, camel and duck burgers. Items are priced at $9.95 to $21.95 and the menu is available Tuesday through Friday starting at 5:30 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday beginning at 1 p.m. 860-345-2403 and coyoteblue.com.
>>Cafemantic, 946 Main St., Willimantic, offers several menu additions Feb. 12 to 14. Specials include potato gnocchi with Maine lobster and black truffle butter ($19), roasted Gourmavian chicken ($19), chilled East Beach Blonde oysters ($15), 28-day dry-aged N.Y. strip steak ($42) and red wine-braised short rib ($25.) Add shaved black truffle to any dish for $16. 860-423-4243, cafemantic.com.
>>Bear’s Smokehouse in Hartford and Windsor offers a BBQ surf and turf special on Valentine’s Day weekend, featuring smoked prime rib and salmon with selection of two sides and dessert for $22 per person. bearssmokehouse.com.
>>G-Zen, 2 E. Main St., Branford, offers three Valentine’s Day seatings Feb. 14 at 4, 6 and 8 p.m. In addition to the regular menu, guests can choose from a two-course raw menu for $30 (mango avocado soup, raw beet “ravioli”) or a $45 three-course vegan menu with soup, salad and entrée of butternut pistachio ravioli. 203-208-0443, g-zen.com.
>>Mattabesett Canoe Club, 80 Harbor Drive, Middletown, is offering an “aphrodisiac menu” with a view of the Connecticut River on Feb. 13 at 7 p.m. The menu features choice of appetizer, including oysters and duck confit; a lobster and avocado salad with pineapple; entrée options of surf and turf, seared scallops, grilled salmon or braised beef ravioli and a dessert plate. $100 per couple. A Valentine’s Day brunch buffet on Feb. 14, served from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., is $32 and includes seafood paella, red velvet waffles, lobster ravioli, chocolate-covered strawberries and other special dishes. 860-347-9999, mattabesettcanoeclub.com.
>>Besito, 46 S. Main St., West Hartford, offers several Valentine’s specials from Feb. 12 to 14. Entrees include pan-roasted mahi mahi stuffed with shrimp, lobster and crabmeat ($32) and New York strip steak pan-seared and marinated with cilantro, queso asado, guacamole and chicharron ($32.) Besito also hosts a Valentine’s Day brunch on Feb.14 from 11:30 to 3 p.m. with 2-for-1 margaritas available from noon to 3 p.m. 860-223-2500 and besitomexican.com.
>>BALLO Italian Restaurant and Social Club at Mohegan Sun, 1 Mohegan Sun Boulevard, Uncasville, offers weekend specials Feb. 12 to 14, including buffalo mozzarella with port wine-poached figs ($19), a roasted veal chop with molten Robiola cheese ($65) and baked-to-order chocolate budino. 860-862-1100 and balloitalian.com.
>>Foxwoods Resort Casino’s restaurants offer assorted Valentine’s specials, including fruitti de mare risotto ($52) and butter-roasted 12-ounce grass-fed sirloin with pizzaiola sauce ($49) at Al Dente; surf and turf and twin Maine lobsters at Cedars Restaurant; baked stuffed shrimp at Veranda Café ($21); and a $95 five-course tasting menu available Saturday night at VUE24. foxwoods.com.
>> Hilton Mystic, 20 Coogan Boulevard, hosts dinner at its restaurant, The Irons, Feb. 12 to 14 from 6 to 10 p.m., with a variety of Valentine’s specials: grilled filet mignon ($29); tempura chicken with miso ginger soba noodles ($19) and cioppino ($24.) 860-572-2504, hiltonmystic.com.
>>Mill at 2T, 2 Tunxis Road, Tariffville, serves Valentine’s Day dinner Feb. 13 and 14, including a five-course tasting menu for $70 ($100 with wine pairings.) A $35 three-course Sunday brunch is available from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday dinner reservations are available from 5 to 9:30 p.m. Women receive a complimentary rose and all guests will be offered complimentary prosecco. 860-658-7890, themillat2t.com.
>>Oak Haven Table & Bar, 932 State St., New Haven, offers a $50 prix-fixe dinner Feb. 13 and 14, with entrée choices of squid ink seafood risotto or strip steak with green peppercorn sauce. All guests receive a complimentary glass of sparkling rosé. Oak Haven also offers a Valentine’s Day lovers’ brunch Sunday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. 860-915-9413, oakhaventableandbar.com.
>>Valentine’s dinner specials at Saybrook Point Inn’s Fresh Salt restaurant are available Feb. 12 to 14 and include pan-roasted rack of lamb, Chateaubriand, cioppino and surf and turf. Entrees are priced at $28.95 to $39.95. Select entrees are also served in two-person portions and are priced at $62.95 to $78.95. The Inn also offers weekend getaway packages with overnight stays, dinner, massages and champagne. 860-395-2000 and saybrook.com.
>>Madison Beach Hotel, 94 W. Wharf Road, Madison, offers a four-course prix-fixe menu Feb. 12 to 14 from 6 to 9 p.m., with entrée choices of phyllo-wrapped sea bass or beef Wellington. $60 a person or $136 a couple. The hotel also hosts a dance party with dinner Saturday; cost is $199 a couple. 203-245-1404, madisonbeachhotel.com.
>>The Willows at the Doubletree Hotel, 42 Century Drive, Bristol, serves Valentine’s Day dinner from 6 to 10 p.m. Feb. 13 and 14. A prix-fixe menu, with choice of starter, appetizer and dessert, is $65 per person and an additional $35 per person for wine pairings. Menu items include champagne-poached oysters with lobster and Brie frittata, char-grilled filet of beef with green peppercorn sauce, Barolo-braised beef and pea gnocchi, pan-seared jumbo sea scallops and caramel ganache-covered profiteroles. 860-584-7663, willowsbristol.com.
>>Cure, 55 Mill St., Unionville, offers a $60 prix-fixe menu on Feb. 14, with a complimentary glass of champagne. Entrée choices include seared scallops, beet gnocchi, roasted chicken and beef Wellington. Seatings are available at 5:30 and 8:30 p.m. The bar is also open for first-come, first-serve seating with a menu of tapas. 860-321-7821, curerestaurantct.com.
>>Dish Bar & Grill, 900 Main St., Hartford, offers a $55 three-course prix-fixe dinner menu Feb. 12 to 14, with entrees such as trio of ahi tuna, surf and turf, Maine diver scallops and steak frites. Brunch on Feb. 14 is served from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., with dishes such as steak and eggs, chicken and waffles and cornflake-crusted French toast. Make it a “boozy brunch” with two cocktails and one entrée for $35 per person. 860-249-3474, dishbarandgrill.com.
>>Tuscany Grill, 120 College St., Middletown, offers Valentine’s specials in addition to the regular dinner menu Feb. 12 to 14, including surf and turf ($30), grilled swordfish with artichoke and crabmeat compote ($28) and braised short ribs with Cabernet and wild mushroom reduction ($28.) 860-346-7096, tuscany-grill.com.
>>Baci Grill, 134 Berlin Road, Cromwell, hosts a Valentine’s dinner dance Feb. 13 from 6 to 11 p.m. The event features hors d’oeuvres, a dinner buffet, dessert table, DJ, photo booth, champagne toast and cash bar. Entrees include chef-carved prime rib and seafood-stuffed filet of sole. $52 per person, plus tax and gratuity. Reservations: 860-613-2224, bacigrill.com.
>>Nixs Hartford, 40 Front St., Hartford, and Nixs Evergreen, 538 Evergreen Way, South Windsor, offer special Valentine’s menus in addition to the regular menus on Feb. 14. Specials include New Orleans-style barbecued oysters ($10), 30-ounce tomahawk ribeye for two ($54), poached Scottish salmon ($24) and duo of pot de creme ($9.) nixshartford.com nixsevergreen.com.
>>Angelico’s Lake House, 81 N. Main St., East Hampton, offers its Valentine’s menu Feb. 13 and 14, with specials such as boiled and baked stuffed lobster, pan-seared scallops, herb-crusted rack of lamb, roast prime rib and walnut-crusted salmon, along with a variety of desserts. Special entrees are priced at $23.50 to $29.50. 860-267-1276 or angelicoslakehouse.com.
>>Griswold Inn, 36 Main St., Essex, offers a $58 prix-fixe Valentine’s dinner Feb. 12 to 14, with smoked Atlantic salmon, seared filet of beef with red wine risotto and molten chocolate cake. The restaurant’s full menu is available a la carte. The inn’s wine bar offers additional specials as well. 860-767-1776, griswoldinn.com.
>>Fleming’s Steakhouse & Wine Bar, 44 S. Main St., West Hartford, offers a three-course menu Feb. 12 to 14, with an entrée duo of filet mignon with baked blue crab and either a Chardonnay-poached Scottish salmon filet ($59.95) or North Atlantic lobster tail ($69.95.) 860-676-9463, flemingssteakhouse.com.
>>Blue Plate Kitchen, 345 N. Main St., West Hartford, offers a prix-fixe Valentine’s dinner beginning at 4 p.m. Feb. 13 and 14. Entrée choices include gnocchi with wild mushrooms, pan-seared sea scallops or petite filet with Bordeaux demi. $59.95 per couple. Blue Plate Kitchen also offers breakfast beginning at 7 a.m. and brunch starting at 9 a.m. 860-906-1419, bpkwesthartford.com.
>>Bee & Thistle Inn, 100 Lyme St., Old Lyme, serves a special six-course Valentine’s dinner on Feb. 14, including entrée choices of grilled filet mignon, pan-roasted chicken breast or sesame-crusted ahi tuna. $95 a person, plus tax and gratuity. 855-434-1667, beeandthistleinn.com.
>>M&M Bistro at the Hartford Hilton, 315 Trumbull St., Hartford, offers a special Valentine’s menu starting at 5 p.m. Feb. 11 through 14. The three-course dinner includes burrata, garlic and herb-poached lobster tail, filet mignon with Rioja reduction and cheesecake with strawberry and prosecco coulis. $40 a person. mandmbistro.com and 860-240-7222.
>>VIVO Seasonal Trattoria at the Hartford Marriott Downtown, 200 Columbus Boulevard, Hartford, offers an a la carte Valentine’s menu Feb. 12 to 14 from 5 to 10 p.m. Menu selections include lobster bisque, beef carpaccio, heart-shaped cheese ravioli, grilled ribeye steak, lobster-crusted cod, petite filet mignon, strawberry panna cotta and chocolate fondue for two. 860-760-2333, vivohartford.com.
The hotel also offers a special Valentine’s overnight package including dinner and breakfast Friday through Sunday. marriotthartford.com 860-249-8000.
>>Cloud Nine Restaurant at the Sheraton Hartford Hotel at Bradley Airport, 1 Airport Boulevard, Windsor Locks, offers a Valentine’s menu available Feb. 12 through 14 from 5 to 10 p.m. The menu includes seasonal chopped salad, entrée selections of porcini-dusted sea bass, ribeye or seared duck breast, and dessert trio for two of cannoli cake, red velvet cake and Boston cream cheesecake. Dinner also includes a bottle of house wine. $100 a couple. 860-627-5311, Ext. 190. Walk-ins are welcome.
The hotel also offers a special Valentine’s overnight package including dinner: 860-386-7804.
>>Powder Hollow Brewery, 504 Hazard Ave., Enfield, hosts a Valentine’s beer dinner at 7 p.m. Feb. 14, catered by Bushy Hill Orchard. Courses include lobster bisque, bacon-wrapped filet mignon and cider doughnut bread pudding, each paired with a Powder Hollow beer. $65 per person. Reservations required: 860-205-0942, powderhollowbrewery.com.
>>Metro Bis, 731 Hopmeadow St., Simsbury, offers Valentine’s dinner for two to go, including tomato bisque, salad, choice of pan-seared crab cakes or beef tenderloin, whipped potatoes, roasted vegetables, and a chocolate ganache. Cost is $58 plus tax. Orders must be placed by Feb. 10 and can be picked up between 1 and 7 p.m. on Feb. 14. Metro Bis will also serve dinner at the restaurant Feb. 14 at 5 p.m. 860-651-7417, metrobis.com.
>>Del Frisco’s, 101 Broad St., Stamford, offers a special Valentine’s brunch Feb. 13 and 14 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. with a special Cupid’s Cocktail, triple chocolate decadence dessert and its traditional brunch dishes such as red velvet Belgian waffles, crab cake Benedict and chicken-fried steak and eggs. 203-890-9601, delfriscosgrille.com/stamford.
>>Bistro V, 339 Greenwich Ave., Greenwich, offers its Valentine’s menu throughout the weekend, with entrees such as bouillabaisse, steak frites, beef bourgignonne, sole meuniere and duck breast a l’orange (priced at $26 to $32.) Dinner is served from 5:30 to 10 p.m. 203-661-6634, versaillesgreenwich.com.
>>Lisa’s Crown and Hammer, 3 Depot St., Collinsville, offers a three-course Valentine’s menu on Feb. 14 for $55 ($70 with wine pairings.) Entrees include bacon-wrapped scallops and risotto, grilled duck breast with spiced cherry butter and gorgonzola-stuffed tenderloin. 860-693-9199, crownandhammer.com.
>>Barracuda Bistro and Bar, 1180 Chapel St., New Haven, offers a four-course Valentine’s Day menu Feb. 12 through 14 for $40. Entrée options include seafood paella, filet mignon with coconut rice and lobster cream sauce, salmon, mushroom risotto and a tempeh tower. Saturday and Sunday dinner seatings will feature live music. 203-691-5696, barracudanewhaven.com.
>>@ the Barn, 17 E. Granby Rd., Granby, offers several Valentine’s Day specials Feb. 12 through Feb. 14, including arugula orchid salad, Caribbean-spiced tuna, crab-stuffed filet mignon, lobster ravioli and desserts of port-poached pear and chocolate-covered long-stemmed strawberries with raspberry whipped cream. Specials are $8 to $39; Sunday brunch will offer additional specials and cocktails. 860-413-3888, atthebarngranby.com.
>>NoRA Cupcake Company, with locations in Middletown and West Hartford, offers a special Valentine’s cupcake menu with flavors such as Cherry Bomb, 50 Shades of Chocolate, Raspberry Beret and Tiramisu Cheesecake. The holiday flavors will be available in both bakeries for both walk-ins and pre-orders Feb 12 to 14. Individual cupcakes are $4.95 apiece; full dozens are $51. Pre-orders must be placed by Feb. 5; 860-788-3150 to order. See the full menu at noracupcake.com.
>>Get Baked, 25 Central St., Windsor, offers edible orchid cupcakes ($4.25 to $4.75 apiece, gluten-free and vegan options available); chocolate-covered strawberries ($2 apiece) and fully customizable “naughty or nice” conversation Rice Krispies treat hearts ($3.25 apiece.) Orders must be placed by Feb. 7. 860-688-0420, getbakedct.com.
