Valentine’s Day, the loveliest evening of the year as you sit across from your partner at a candlelit table for two, glass of wine in hand and waiter at the ready. Well, that’s if you plan the date just right. It pays off to plan ahead and have a reservation ready for that special day. Because February 14 reservations fill up fast, we’re here to make sure you get the jump on some great spots to take your beloved. The important person in your life deserves a night just as special as they are, so browse through these 9 different Valentine’s Day dinner events in Pittsburgh for a date that’ll wow you both.
Cucina Vitale
Plan an intimate Valentine’s Day dinner with the help of Cucina Vitale. With attentive service and a small dining area, you’ll enjoy a five course meal of some of the restaurant’s top selections. Start off with fresh baked Mancini’s Bread featuring dipping oil, roasted red pepper hummus, and an olive assortment. Then, move on to meatballs, greens, and beans, or a choice of Casa or Caesar Salad before the main course. Among the many entrée options are Chicken Parmesan and Seared Wild Caught Salmon. Be sure to leave room for the Chocolate Covered Strawberries dessert.
Paris 66 Bistro
Take a trip to France with a four course meal at this French bistro. Explore genuine French cuisine with starters such as Escargots, West Coast Oyster, or Foie Gras Torchon (black walnut, fig & raspberry compote). After that, savor a bit of Lobster Mousse and decide your main course. Choose from Pan-Seared Scallops with wild mushroom ragout, wilted arugula, and champagne beurre blanc; Lamb Chops alongside aligot potatoes, broccolini, roasted tomato reserve, and Bordelaise sauce; or Filet with rock shrimp and confit potato fricassée, glazed petit root vegetables, and Béarnaise sauce. Finally, end the evening with a sweet kiss and share either Crème Brûlée or Chocolate-Covered Strawberry Mousse.
Revel
If you wish to truly make an adventure of your Valentine’s Day, you can book a Sweetheart Package at the Hilton Garden Inn Downtown and pop in right next door to Revel for your dinner. With this prix fixe menu, wine pairings are available with each course but not required. The first course is a party of flavors with the choice of Citrus Vanilla Butter Poached Lobster or Strawberry Basil Bruschetta. Continuing this affair with berries is the palate cleansing intermezzo of Red Berries and Prosecco Sorbet. Then, dig into Pan Seared Scallops or Coco Nibb Crusted Filet Mignon before finishing it all off with Chocolate Lover’s Delight cake or Red Berry Pavlova.
Tupelo Honey
Fried chicken may not be the first dish on your mind for a romantic dinner but at Tupelo Honey this crunchy delight is elevated into a positively delectable dish. After all, good Southern cooking is said to have the secret ingredient of love within it. Start with a shared appetizer such as their juicy House-Made Fried Pickles and then dine on a classic Caesar salad. Next, choose an entrée for each of you before diving into a shared dessert of Pecan Pie or Banana Pudding. Select bottles of wine are also available for a discounted price.
The Commoner
The modern and industrial blend of The Commoner makes it the perfect stop for Valentine’s Day, and their Valentine’s Entrée for Two only sweetens the deal. Their contemporary American cuisine means there’s always something surprising at this Downtown spot. Their holiday menu offers roasted filet mignon, grilled lobster tail, foie gras-black truffle jus, crispy beef fat potatoes, and local Cold Co Farms spinach. Share the love and show your partner just how much they mean to you.
Mediterra Café
Mt. Lebanon’s Mediterra Café has arranged a romantic dinner for you and your Valentine. Celebrate with five different courses and a welcome Valentine’s cocktail or glass of champagne. After being seated, you’ll feast upon Warm Hummus made with baby lettuce, marinated feta, olives, fried chickpeas, and rustic rye bread for dipping. What follows are two more courses of Tuna Crudo and Atlantic Scallops prior to a main course of Slow Roasted Rib Eye served with local carrots, polenta, red wine sauce, and salsa verde. We hope your sweet tooth is still ready for dessert because you won’t want to miss their Chocolate Mousse Cake with whipped crème fraîche and raspberry.
Sewickley Quarter
Treat your special someone to a dinner night out at The Quarter that starts with a cheese board and welcome cocktail as soon as you’re seated. Then, fall in love with Seared Scallops with Bacon and Mushrooms stuffed with artichoke and parmesan cheese. The Beet Napoleon Salad following the appetizer dives you deeper into The Quarter’s menu. Next comes the main course, a choice between Peppercorn Crusted Tenderloin beside truffle mashed potatoes and charred broccolini or Dijon Crusted Salmon Filet with roasted potatoes, carrots, and creamed spinach. End the meal with White Chocolate Cheesecake Mousse topped with a berry compote and chocolate covered strawberry.
The Factory South Shore
Right along the Monongahela River you’ll find The Factory with some of the best views of Downtown. Take a three course culinary journey…and maybe grab a room at the Sheraton Hotel in Station Square for a Valentine’s staycation. Sip on a Valentine’s cocktail and choose from Clam Chowder or Heirloom Beet Salad for your first course. For your main course you’ll carve into a Classic Beef Wellington with wild mushrooms, potato puree, and broccolini. Finally, Dark Chocolate Mousse or Rolled Vanilla Tuile for dessert.
Hartwood Restaurant and Whispers Pub
Fresh local ingredients and intimate experiences are the Valentine promises of Hartwood Restaurant and Whispers Pub. Their special menu includes Artichoke and Eggplant Romano, Shrimp Wontons, and Beef Tartar as choice of appetizer. Next you’ll taste either a Whisper’s Salad or She Crab Bisque. Then, for your entree, perhaps a Filet Mignon with buttermilk whipped potatoes and asparagus. Or perhaps Shrimp Ravioli? Or maybe your mind is too wrapped up in the idea of their signature Pittsburgh Pecan Ball dessert to choose an entrée? (We don’t blame you!)
Story by Kylie Thomas
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