Ah, Valentine’s Day. It’s that one day of the year when greeting card companies urge us to buy cards for our sweetie with messages like, “I’m sorry I don’t always tell you that I love you…” or “I know sometimes I act like a dork, but this card should more than make up for it!” If you don’t believe me, try shopping for one. I’ve found that the husband to wife cards are the ones that tend to have these awkward messages of “love”.
For those of you planning a romantic dining experience, here are a few restaurants in Wallingford that are open for business and/or have a special menu planned for Valentine’s Day next Tuesday. Please call ahead as reservations tend to fill up fast.
Perche’ No Pasta and Vino (a Wallyhood sponsor) (1319 N. 49th St. Tel: 206-547-0222) is offering a Valentine’s Day dinner on Tuesday, February 14 featuring live music from 6:30PM – 9:30PM by the Tarentellas (Melodies Italiano!). Make your Valentine’s reservation early. Regular menu and daily specials. Open 4:00PM – 10:00PM
Tilth (1411 N. 45th Street. Tel: 206.633.0801 ) – Recently selected as one of the ten most sustainable restaurants in the country, Tilth is offering a sustainable and organic Valentine’s Day dinner full of award-winning flavor. Maria Hines will be cooking up a four-course Valentine’s Day feast for $85 (Exclusive of tax and gratuity) with an optional $50 wine pairing as a Valentine treat. The menu includes three options under each course:
First Course
Dakota Beef Hanger Steak Tartare, quail egg, celery root, remoulade
Taylor Shellfish Oysters, mint jelly, salmon roe, mignonette
Full Circle Farm Beets, creme fraiche, tarragon, watercress
Second Course
Vancouver Island Scallops, parsnip, french breakfast radish, cured olive
Sylver Fishing Co. Spot Prawns, salsify, grapefruit, coral butter
Third Course
Seared Liberty Duck Breast, navel orange, sunchoke, lacinato kale
Roasted Lamb Loin, grilled leek, romesco, espelette
Carnaroli Risotto, oregon truffle, pecorino, pine nut
Fourth Course
Semolina Cake, fig streusel, pecan, port
Vanilla Bean Tapioca Pudding anise shortbread, currant, fresh breeze cream
Theo Dark Chocolate Terrine, cranberry, almond praline, fluer de sel
Joule (1913 N. 45th St. Tel: 206-632-1913 ). Joule is hosting a special Valentine’s Day dinner, 4 course prix fixe for $55 per person. Please call for reservation.
Paddle fish caviar, oyster bisque, grilled fennel
Salsify, mussel, seaweed noodle, red curry
Braised beef short rib, daikon kimchi, glazed daikon, spinach
Blackout chocolate mousse, pickled cherry
Salmon roe, purple potato, butter lettuce, lemon yogurt
Clam risotto, pickled jalapeno, savoy cabbage
Five spiced duck breast, apple kimchi, charred kale
Milk chocolate panna cotta, green tea creme anglaise, rhubarb
Cantinetta (3650 Wallingford Avenue N. Tel: 206-632-1000). Trevor over at Cantinetta tells us that they’ll be open on Valentine’s Day, serving their regular menu.
Ivar’s Salmon House (401 NE Northlake Way. Tel: 206-632-0767). Starting on Friday, Feb. 10 through Tuesday, Feb. 14, all Ivar’s full-serve restaurants will feature delicious menus of amorously inspired food and drink offerings, including the aphrodisiac-inspired Oysters Rockefeller or romantic cocktails such as “Absinthe Makes the Heart Grow Fonder” pairing the elusive absinthe with sparkling wine. Each of Ivar’s full-serve restaurants – including Ivar’s Salmon House – will have their own special Valentine’s Day menu items featuring heart-palpitating ingredients like lobster, saffron, hazelnuts, vanilla, dark chocolate, strawberries and thyme to name a few. All restaurants will feature select half-priced Champagnes and sparkling wines for guests who wish to indulge in light, celebratory bubbly or take advantage of more exotic offerings. Reservations are required, and can be booked online at Valentine’s Reservations, or by calling Ivar’s Salmon House which is situated on North Lake Union at 401 NE Northlake Way, at 206-632-0767.
A “His” and a “Her” menu? Way to go, Joule. 🙁