This February, whether you’re celebrating a relationship with a friend or lover (or someone on the side; we’re not judging), the clock is ticking and it’s time to make your reservations. Here are five Valentine’s Day prix fixes off Manhattan worth tasting.
1. Benchmark Restaurant in Park Slope
Benchmark is serving up a three-course meal filled with locally grown produce, beginning with the Rosemary + Polenta Soup and concluding with the Molten Chocolate Cake. Bring your other half and your appetite, because hey, you go together ($88 per person).
How to Get There: Take the R to Union Street or the F to 4th Avenue/9thStreet and walk over to 339A 2nd Street at 5th Avenue, benchmarkrestaurant.
2. The Farm on Adderley in Ditmas Park
If you want to dine on a farm this Valentine’s Day, your not going to be far off at The Farm on Adderley, where fresh, local ingredients are a core value year round. For Valentine’s Day, enjoy their four-course meal filled with everything from Crispy Hen of the Woods to Stuffed Turnips. ($75 per person).
How to Get There: Take the Q to Cortelyou Road Station. The restaurant is three blocks down on Cortelyou.
3. Rose Water in Park Slope
The sweet homage to seasonal American cooking, helmed by Chef Bret Macris, offers both three course and four course prix fixe menus with choices like Blue Point oysters and baked polenta with goat cheese and kale. $48-$78 per person, with optional wine pairing. Early (5:00PM) and Late (8:45PM) seatings offer the three course menu, while those at the middle (6:45PM) seating get an extra course.
How to Get There: Take the R to Union Street and walk to 787 Union Street, Park Slope, rosewaterrestaurant.com
4. Palo Santo in Park Slope
Add a little Latin heat to the holiday at Palo Santo, where a three-course meal might include raw oyster ceviche or grass-fed beef tenderloin with chayote gratin. Dinner for a couple costs $150, with an option to add a wine pairing for $25. (Reservations available from 5-10 p.m.)
How to Get There: Take the R to Union Street and walk over to 652 Union Street, palosantorestaurant.com
5. Vesta Trattoria and Wine Bar in Astoria
The three courses at locavore darling Vesta Trattoria include traditional dishes from Burrata to Braised Meatballs and Vanilla Creme Brulée with blackberries and balsamic reduction, plus a complimentary glass of prosecco with which to toast each other (Entrees start at $19 per person).
How to Get There: Take the N or the Q to 30th Avenue and walk to 21-02 30th Avenue, vestavino.com.
Dumont in Williamsburg The fancier sister restaurant to the famed burger joint, Dumont is serving up a three-course meal with choices like caramelized onion soup, crispy baby artichoke, and braised lamb shank. Desserts, at this point, remain a surprise but are sure to be decadent. The dining room is cozy, but we recommend asking for a table in the heated garden, because there are few places in New York where you can dine alfresco (or sort of) on Valentine’s Day ($65 per person).
How to Get There: Take the L to Lorimer or the G to Metropolitan Avenue/Grand Street. Walk over to 432 Union Avenue, dumontrestaurant.com.
Vintage LoveIf the prix fixe is expensive (or too sappy) for you, take your sweetheart for something sweet at Brooklyn Farmacy & Soda Fountain. The planet-conscious place will be all done up for the big day, with homemade paper hearts hanging in the window and ice cream specials in honor of the big day. The Farmacy is open until 10p.m. on February 14. How to Get There: Take the F of the G to Bergen Street and walk to 513 Henry Street, brooklynfarmacy.blogspot.com |
Photos: Courtesy of Vesta Restaurant
Sarah Knapp is a Brooklyn based entrepreneur whose love for the outdoors and community building led her to the October 2013 creation of OutdoorFest. She has a BA in History, is a Wilderness First Responder and a NY state hiking, camp and boating guide. Her proudest achievement to date is reading the Aeneid in Latin. 
Allison was one of our first top writers and Chief Editor but is no longer working with offMetro. Allison is a native New Yorker, who has lived in Rome, Tuscany, Melbourne, Toronto and Los Angeles. She frequently contributed travel pieces to Family Travel Forum, using her own children as guinea pigs as they travel the globe. She never missed a chance to sample local delicacies, as her love for travel goes hand-in-hand with her love for food and wine. 
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Kate E. O’Hara is a New York based freelance writer and photographer who loves all things food—especially the people who make it and market it. Her writing aims to capture the essence of the food experience; the stories that go well beyond a plate of ingredients. In addition to her love of food, Kate is also known to have a hankering for red wine and craft beer. You can also find Kate on Instagram