In the depths of winter, some may think of Valentine’s Day as a 24-hour flicker of light in the darkness — a day to celebrate love in its many forms, and something to look forward to that isn’t spring. Others may think of it as a made-up holiday popularized by the greeting-card industry to increase revenues. I am relatively neutral on the topic.
In my adult years, for whatever reason, I’ve historically been on bad terms with whoever I’m dating when Valentine’s Day comes around. As such, I have yet to participate in the whole Valentine’s Day shebang, which I imagine as dinner out somewhere with a special menu and some exchange of chocolates, flowers and maybe even a cringey teddy bear.
Perhaps the most memorable Valentine’s Day I’ve had was in high school, when my boyfriend at the time had forgotten about the holiday until I gave him a card. In an attempt to scrounge up something special for me, he ordered a heart-shaped Papa John’s pizza — a valiant effort. Sadly, the pizza didn’t wind up coming heart-shaped (it probably got lost in the onslaught of orders that day), but I’ll never forget the way he eagerly opened the box while exclaiming “surprise!” only to be met with a very regular pizza. This display left me in tears from laughing, and we still managed to have a lovely evening.
Despite the pressure many feel on Valentine’s Day, it doesn’t have to be a whole shebang, and there are plenty of ways to celebrate it. Whether you’re a hopeless romantic who can’t help but love the theatrics of the day, you’re diametrically opposed to Valentine’s Day as a concept, or you consider February 14th “Singles Awareness Day” instead, one way to observe the holiday is by supporting local neighborhood businesses. Here are a few ideas worth your consideration:
Barbette
(1600 W. Lake St.)
This charming restaurant has a romantic atmosphere all year round, with its welcoming and eclectic décor, not to mention the fabulous French food that tastes as if it arrived on your plate straight from Paris, the city of love. Barbette has yet to release its Valentine’s Day menu, but there will be one, and reservations are open now with a $15 deposit that will be applied to your final bill. Notably, they offer many gluten-free and vegetarian options, and they have strong partnerships with a number of local farmers.
Pinoli
(1601 W. Lake St.)
This relatively new Italian restaurant located just across the street from Barbette offers an array of Italian dishes, pizzas and desserts. If you go to their website, you may be prompted to “Celebrate love with Pasta at Pinoli,” which includes a link to make a reservation for Valentine’s Day. Pinoli already has a date night deal every Wednesday: a fourcourse dinner for two for just $52. Valentine’s Day falls on a Wednesday this year, so this might be the perfect place to celebrate with a friend or romantic partner. They also have gluten-free and vegetarian options, not to mention the largest selection of Amaro in town.
Lake & Irving
(1513 W. Lake St.)
For something a little more casual, but just as delicious, this gastropub serves American classics and other bites that are “approachable but interesting,” in a comfortable and relaxing atmosphere, with exceptional hospitality. Whether you’re going with a special someone or a group of friends, my guess is you’ll leave happy and satisfied.
Kim’s
(1432 W. 31st St.)
The buzz around this new restaurant by James Beard award-winning local chef, Ann Kim, is warranted. The food is “a unique blend of bold Korean flavors with nods to the Midwest,” served in a stylish backdrop, with vegetarian and gluten-free options. Kim’s doesn’t usually take reservations, but they just released their special five-course Valentine’s Day prix-fixe dinner for $75 per person, which is reservation-only. The special menu features scallops with gochujang, kimchi, cucumber and fresh herbs; black truffle with mornay, rice cakes and gamtae seaweed; and grilled kalbi with mixed grain rice, banchan, kimchi, ssamjang and lettuces. A great option for those of us who might be feeling a bit “bougie.”
The Tasting Room
(1434 W. 31st St.)
This intimate local wine bar, located just down the street from Kim’s, would be anideal place to spend Valentine’s Day with a couple of friends or a romantic partner. The vibe is inherently romantic, with a selection of wines and French-inspired tapas, not to mention exceptional hospitality. Nico, the owner, was born in Burgundy and raised in Champagne and Provence, and he was seemingly destined to thrive in the world of wine and food. With The Tasting Room, he strives to “create an experience, a connection with everyone who walks in our doors and chooses to spend a moment with us.”
The Kenwood
(2115 W. 21st St.)
Many a reader’s favorite neighborhood restaurant — the Kenwood, cozily situated on West 21st Street and Penn Avenue South, is offering a special Valentine’s Day tasting menu for $120, featuring oysters, beef tartare, scallops and beef short rib. For those of us willing to spend a little extra for their valentine, I’m sure the food will not disappoint. They also recently began serving special cocktails in addition to wine and beer.
Rinata
(2451 Hennepin Ave. S.)
This Italian restaurant nestled on Hennepin Avenue & 25th Street is one of my personal favorites. It’s great for a date night, a night out with friends or a family meal. The intimate atmosphere feels as though it could be a hole-in-the-wall, classic Italian restaurant in New York City, and the food is just as good. The menu features seasonal specials made with local ingredients, as well as classic Italian cuisine, including handmade pasta, freshly baked focaccia and a careful selection of wines.
More options on Hennepin Avenue and beyond:
Nico’s Taco and Tequila Bar
(2516 Hennepin Ave. S.)
Nico’s is always a hit. One can only hope that they deck the space out with Valentine’s Day decorations akin to their impressively festive Christmas ones. An exceptionally fun place to enjoy good Mexican food with a date or friends.
Namaste Café
(2512 Hennepin Avenue S.)
A “values-oriented restaurant that operates on the strength of its commitment to sustainable practices, superior quality, fostering community, hospitality, and bringing a flavor of the world to your doorsteps,” this would be a great local spot to support on Valentine’s Day. In anintimate and relaxing setting, you might enjoy sipping on the best Chai in town, a specialty cocktail, or noshing on some delicious curry, among many other options.
Amazing Thailand
(3024 Hennepin Avenue S.)
With potential plans to offer a special drink and some Valentine’s Day décor, this would be a fantastic option for Thai food lovers.
Kiku Bistro
(2819 Hennepin Ave. S.)
Kiku Bistro is a locally-owned Asian restaurant featuring innovative sushi rolls and traditional stir-fries, teriyakis, and tempuras. They feature fare for the experienced sushi aficionado, as well as the guest seeking to explore new cuisine. Located in the heart of Uptown, they have a great happy hour.
Red Cow
(2626 Hennepin Avenue S.)
Special enough for a date night, yet comfortable enough for a fun night out with friends and family, Red Cow offers reliably scrumptious burgers in a casual atmosphere.
Wakame
(3070 Excelsior Blvd.)
With daily happy hour deals and probably my favorite sushi in town, Valentine’s Day at Wakame would not disappoint — plus they are open for lunch and dinner.
The Lowry
(2112 Hennepin Ave. S.)
The Lowry offers it all — from "Burgers, Whiskey, Oysters, (to) Eggs." And with ample parking and reliably good food, what a perfect spot for a laid back Valentine's Day brunch or dinner.
Sebastian Joe’s
(1007 W. Franklin Ave.)
What better way to celebrate Valentine’s Day than with ice cream? In my opinion, Sebastian Joe’s has the best ice cream in town, period. Last year, they offered a limited Valentine’s Day flavor and a special cake. Let’s hope they do the same this time around. A perfect option for a quick date, or if you’re just grabbing something sweet to enjoy at home by yourself.
