Friday, 10 February 4.19pm
Lists » yR team »

Valentine's Day Dining 2010


Break out the bubbly, fire up those candles, and prepare for the price of long-stemmed roses to miraculously triple - it's Valentine's Day. Yes, once again, it is that Hallmark holiday when all creatures great and small are required to prove their love for their significant other by spending lots of money. So strap yourself in, hold onto your gag reflex and prepare yourself for PDAs (public displays of affection) with a choice selection of dining delights to spoil that special someone.

After all, if you must have sappy love songs and cliches pumping in overdrive, you may as well follow them with something much more palatable.

1
 
Ormeggio at The Spit
Mosman
One of the hottest new restaurants in Sydney, Ormeggio at the Spit sets the scene for a fine romance indeed. Longing gazes can be cast over the water, though you'll be adequately distracted by chef Alessandro Pavoni's special five-course degustation menu. At $110 per person, this includes a glass of Prosecco, and Italian delicacies like saffron gnocchi and the barbajada - a seductive coffee and chocolate dessert.

2
 
L'etoile Restaurant and Bar
Paddington
As Manu Feildel's star ascends on Channel Seven's My Kitchen Rules, you can judge whether his kitchen rules at his one-hatted French bistro in Paddington. His six-course menu contains pan-roasted duck breast, chocolate fondant with raspberry sorbet, and duly the most popular Valentine's Day delicacy, oysters (freshly shucked, and with a touch of Champagne granita).

3
 
The Hotel Windsor
Melbourne
If a traditional Valentine's Day celebration is what you're after then look no further. Classical French cuisine (universally known as the food, as well as the language, of love), Champagne and roses are all here in this beautiful historic building. An amuse bouche (palate pleaser) begins the night in spectacular fashion before another three courses see a dessert of warm chocolate fondant tart with a raspberry compote and pistachio ice cream finish your meal. The perfect spot for those who need to impress this Valentine's.

4
 
Rivers Restaurant Cruises
Docklands
Sir Tom Jones, that Welsh sex-bomb with the oily chest and crooning tunes, is the subject of the tribute cabaret show to be held on this pre-Valentine's Day Saturday dinner cruise on the Yarra. As well as the aforementioned entertainment, the cruise offers a three-course meal with choices like fillet mignon, wild barramundi, and smoked salmon terrine. It's not unusual, at $129 a pop. Rivers Restaurant Cruises also offer a range of cruise options for V-Day itself, from $89-$289 per head.

5
 
Flint Dining Room & Bar
City
A premier dining destination in the nation's capital, this suave mod-Oz bistro is on a mission to woo your senses come February 14. They have four- and six-course Valentine's Day menus valued at $90 and $110 respectively, and $110 and $140 with wine matching. Culinary highlights include seared Queensland king scallops with a white chocolate and white truffle risotto, and the warm pistachio cake with cherry sorbet and a goat's cheese mousse.

6
 
Catch Restaurant, Bar and Cafe
Hobart
Showing your special catch a bit of Valentine's affection is an intimate and elegant affair at Catch. From the cosy red lounges inside to the candle-lit ambience of the atrium, Catch is ready to ooze romance with a three-course menu at $50 per person (which can be substituted by a seafood platter for $58 per head), plus a champagne cocktail on arrival, and a live pianist and two guitarists.

7
 
Crown & Sceptre Hotel
Adelaide
The team at the Crown & Sceptre are doing away with the theme nights and party attitude for one night only, with a set menu three-course dinner specifically designed for two. The night begins with a share platter entree, which includes two sure-fire romance inducers: alcohol and oysters. After your choice from three different mains, the evening is concluded with a lavish strawberry and mascarpone tart with almond praline.

8
 
Plum Cafe
Kenmore
Unabashedly proud of their Valentine's Day escapades, this restaurant is running their lovers' menu all weekend. With ginger melon shots and sorbet shots throughout courses, a succulent stuffed lamb loin as the main, and everyone's favourite aphrodisiac (chocolate) to finish, this will be a Valentine's dinner to remember.

9
 
Encore Restaurant
Perth
You can tell what kind of night this will be with a glass of bubbles and a rose for your sweetheart on arrival. This four-course menu covers a full range of cuisines, from Japanese sushi and sashimi to classical European, all finished off with a shared dessert platter for two and white chocolate petit fours. A fantastic night of food for lovers, and a fantastic night for lovers of food.

10
 
Dragon Court
Darwin
Why not try something a little different this Valentine's Day with a Chinese banquet for two? If you've had one too many Valentine's Day dinners eating the same classical European fare, then perhaps a taste of the Orient is what you need this year. A glass of sparkling wine and a rose on arrival will earn you some brownie points, and the banquet is sure to satisfy.