Every single known restaurant in the milky way will be competing for your dining dollar come February 14th. With valentines day still two weeks there’s still just enough time to book a table, but the choice can be overwhelming. Who exactly is offering that je ne sais quoi to impress your special someone. Here are six local restaurants looking to make this valentines one to remember.
Bambara
For the special day executive chef Nathan Powers will feature special entrée offerings while pastry chef Rebecca Moore has created a special decadent dessert perfect for two – a milk chocolate charlotte with burnt orange caramel, bitter cocoa nib and white chocolate candy heart ($12). Specials will be available on Friday, Feb. 14 and Saturday, Feb. 15. Early reservations are highly recommended and can be made by calling (801) 363-5454.
Bambara, together with the adjacent Hotel Monaco Salt Lake City, is asking guests to share their favorite “Romance Redemption” story on Twitter for a chance to win a dinner for two at Bambara along with a one-night stay at Hotel Monaco.* Guests can submit (in a clean and playful tone) what romantic disaster took place in the past year that only an intimate dinner at Bambara and a night’s stay at Hotel Monaco, will make right. From Feb. 1 until Feb. 14 at midnight MST, guests can tweet their story to @BambaraSLC, using the hashtag #LOVEBambara. One winner will be chosen in a random selection by the restaurant and notified via Twitter.
202 S Main St, Salt Lake City, UT 84101
(801) 363-5454
www.bambara-slc.com
Caffe Niche
Caffe Niche and chef Ethan Lappé are offering a special five-course $50 Valentine’s tasting menu filled with local meats, seasonal produce and fresh seafood. Romance influenced dishes include scarlet scallops, diver scallops marinated in beet juice and Champaign crème brûlée with chocolate covered strawberries. Full menu here.
779 E Broadway, Salt Lake City, UT 84102
(801) 433-3380
www.caffeniche.com
Faustina
One of Salt Lake downtown’s best restaurants is offering a $50 four-course menu with optional wine pairings an additional $20. Dishes include crab, mango and avocado stuffed Belgian endive and braised lamb shanks with pancetta, French lentils, caramelized onions, wild mushrooms and red wine sauce. Full menu details here.
454 E 300 S, Salt Lake City, UT 84111
(801) 746-4441
www.faustinaslc.com
Finca
Much cheaper than an air ticket to Spain, but still sure to impress your sweetheart is the tapas centric Finca. For valentines the restaurant is offering a five course set dinner with optional wine pairing. The meal is priced at $45 food and $35 wine. Highlights form the menu include Israeli Couscous with poached lobster, piquillo pepper and breadcrumbs and Spiced chocolate mousse, candied kumquat, orange gel and chocolate crumble. Full details and menu here.
Log Haven
Our Local Partner Log Haven is known as one of SLC’s most romantic dining spots year-round. This year starting February 12th the restaurant begins their five days of romance event – offering both special menu items and three romance inspired cocktails. Dining Specials during the event include:
* Southwest Spiced Shrimp Cocktail (guacamole, tomatillo cocktail sauce, tortilla straws)
* Roasted Tomato Soup (wild game meatball, shaved smoked parmesan)$
* Grilled Filet Mignon (smoked eggplant puree, soft polenta, forest mushroom jus, garlic béarnaise)
* Grilled Seabass (roasted beets, mache salad, savory crepe, grapefruit butter)
* Hot Chocolate Crème Brulee
* Cured vanilla sugared strawberries
Diners taking part in the 5 Days of romance will receive a $10 food credit on their next visit.
6451 E Millcreek Canyon Rd, Salt Lake City, UT 84109
(801) 272-8255
www.log-haven.com
Oasis Cafe
The tranquil downtown Oasis Cafe will be offering a $38 special four course menu that promises both to be indulgent and healthy. Choices include Salmon Wellington with grilled tomatoes, julienne asparagus and fennel beurre blanc and Ricotta cheese cheesecake with rose petal sauce. Full menu here.
151 S 500 E, Salt Lake City, UT 84102
(801) 322-0404
www.oasiscafeslc.com
Pago
Eager to not be outdone by sibling Finca, Pago has a few aces up its sleeve for romance as well. The $70 menu for the big night includes options such as Scallop crudo with butternut, mushroom and garlic and Beef bourguignon with pancetta crumble, mirepoix and potato puffs. A full menu can be found here.
878 S 900 E, Salt Lake City, UT 84102
(801) 532-0777
www.pagoslc.com
If you know of any other great Valentines Day 2014 Dinners – get in touch!
Hi, I’m Stuart, nice to meet you! I’m the founder, writer and wrangler at Gastronomic SLC. I’m a multiple-award winning journalist and have written in myopic detail about the Salt Lake City dining scene for the better part of seventeen years.
I’ve worked extensively with multiple local publications from Visit Salt Lake to Salt Lake Magazine, not least helped to consult on national TV. Pause those credits, yep, that’s me! I’m also a former restaurant critic of more than five years, working for the Salt Lake Tribune. I’m largely fueled by a critical obsession with rice, alliteration and the use of big words I don’t understand. What they’re saying about me: “Not inaccurate”, “I thought he was older”, “I don’t share his feelings”.
Want to know more? This is why I am the way I am.
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