February has arrived and love is inevitably in the air. Whether you’re single or happily in a relationship, Houston’s top restaurants have tasty offerings for Valentine’s Day. Even those who prefer to avoid the crowds on Feb. 14 will find a way to celebrate since many restaurants are offering their V-Day menus before and after the big day. Read on for our suggestions and don’t forget to make a reservation.
Liberty Kitchen
All locations of Liberty Kitchen will serve a three-course surf ‘n’ turf Valentine’s Day meal from Feb. 13 to 15. Start with a rich Gulf Coast shrimp bisque, then enjoy the surf ‘n’ turf plate with petite filet mignon and a butter-roasted lobster tail. To end, enjoy a sweet red velvet cheesecake with raspberries. The menu costs $29.95 per person with the option to add a bottle of sparkling wine for $45 or $39 a bottle. See the full menu here.
Emmaline
You and your loved one will feel special dining at the beautiful Emmaline. The $75pp, four-course menu offers diners much to choose from for each course. The varied menu includes appetizers like oysters, tuna tartar or burrata salad, and entrees that include a seafood cazuela, squid ink linguine, and filet and fries. On the sweet side, panna cotta, gelato banana split, dark chocolate espresso torta, or wedding cake will hit the spot. And if you want to make your date feel extra, extra special, you can add a floral arrangement to your reservation for an additional $75.
Brennan’s of Houston
If you’re one of those people who likes to celebrate V-Day but hates going out on that busy night, Brennan’s of Houston has you covered. The restaurant is offering an Early Love Birds Valentine’s Day menu from Feb. 9 to 13. The $110-per-couple menu features half dozen oysters and a glass of champagne followed by a three-course menu and a bottle of wine. Talk about a deal! For those who wish to celebrate on Feb. 14, a jazz band livens up the restaurant where diners can enjoy a three-course, $75-per-person menu.
Brasserie du Parc
Oh, l’amour! Head over to Brasserie du Parc for a lovely evening and a special three-course menu that includes French classics like escargot, foie gras au torchon, boeuf au poivre, roasted duck confit, and more. The menu is available on Friday, Feb. 14 and Saturday, Feb. 15 for $62 per person.
Tony’s
For an elegant experience, surprise your date with dinner at this Houston institution. Tony Vallone and chef Austin Waiter have created a special menu for Valentine’s Day that you won’t forget. Each table will be treated to a meal made for two and Tony’s expert wine manager will be on hand to suggest wine pairings. There are three seatings available: the first at 5:30 pm is $95 per person, the second at 7:30 pm is $155 per person and the third at 9:30 p.m. is $85 per person. Reservations are required.
Strato 550
Fall in love at Strato 550’s Valentine’s Day pop-up dinner, a four-course Mediterranean meal set among the stars. The restaurant, set on the 43rd floor of the 1415 Louisiana building in downtown Houston, offers one of the best panoramic views of downtown Houston. Executive chef Evan Parker’s menu offers guests two choices for each course and includes dishes like beef tartare, tomato salad, halibut with heirloom tomato, pearl onion, olive confit and preserved lemon-saffron couscous. Dinner will be served on Feb. 14 from 5 to 8 p.m. and costs $80 per person.
Backstreet Cafe
The patio at this Montrose eatery is perfect for a romantic meal. Here, diners can opt for a Couple’s Menu the nights of Feb. 10-12, 13 and 15-16 or a special Valentine’s Day menu and live jazz on Feb. 14. Dishes like sherried wild mushroom soup, pan-seared scallops, and pistachio crusted lamb chops are among the choices you’ll find in chef Hugo Ortega’s menus.
The couples menu is $110 per couple and Valentine's Day is $79 per person. Reservations are required.
Rainbow Lodge
Housed in a 114-year-old log cabin surrounded by beautiful gardens, Rainbow Lodge is one of Houston’s most unique restaurants. For Valentine’s Day, the restaurant will offer a three-course menu that includes a glass of bubbly for $85 per person. The menu features some of the restaurant’s signature dishes, including smoked duck gumbo, jumbo lump crab cakes, and lobster. Please note that only phone reservations will be accepted.
Hugo’s
Celebrate el Día de San Valentín at Hugo’s! Hugo’s will be serving its couples menu ($110 per couple) on Feb. 10, 11, 12, 13, 15 and 16. If you go on the night of Feb. 14, couples can enjoy a four-course Valentine’s Day menu and live music for $79 per person. Highlights of the menus include some Hugo’s classics, such as duck mole, taquitos de papa, wood-grilled lamb chops and ceviche.
Traveler’s Table
Take your date on a culinary journey with Traveler’s Table’s three-course Valentine’s Day menu. The Montrose restaurant’s globally inspired cuisine is on full display in this menu which includes choices like Argentinian provoleta, spicy cumin tofu, and mango lassi panna cotta. Dinner is $65 per person and reservations can be made on Resy.
La Lucha
For a fun, family-style dinner, head over to La Lucha, where chef Bobby Matos has prepared a three-course Valentine’s Day menu. This is perfect to celebrate V-Day with a group of friends or other couples. Start with a potato pancake with caviar, deviled egg with pickled shrimp and thai marinated crab fingers, followed with salad and family-style entreés that include fried chicken, biscuits and various sides. End with your choice of chocolate pot de creme, red velvet cake or soft serve ice cream. Dinner is $49.95 per person.