Citizen Staff Writer
Restaurants are swamped on Valentine’s Day, so make your reservations early. Here are some Feb. 14 specials around town.
ACACIA: Enjoy a three-course prix fixe menu with your sweetheart. Some menu items include: Maryland Blue Crab Cakes, sweet corn and green chile custard and filet mignon. For those with a sweet tooth, dessert features a choice of a chocolate raspberry torte, cayenne peach crisp with vanilla bean frozen custard or a light and dark chocolate chiffon cheesecake. When: 4-10 p.m. Where: Acacia at St. Philip’s, 4340 N. Campbell Ave. Price: $55 Info: 232-0101, acaciatucson.com
ARMITAGE: Experience a romantic prix fixe three-course menu. Wine pairings are available. Menu items include: Golden Beet and Blood Orange Salad served with micro greens and chevre, and Honey-Roasted Cornish Game Hens served over a winter squash confit with a pomegranate reduction. For dessert, save room for a trio of special truffles made in-house. When: 4-11:30 p.m. Where: Armitage Wine Lounge & Cafe, 2905 E. Skyline Drive, Suite 168 Price: $50 dinner only, $80 with wine pairings Info: 682-9740, www.armitagewine.com/ tucson/index.html
CASA VICENTE: The Spanish restaurant celebrates this “dia de amor” with two performances by Flamenco del Pueblo Viejo at 6:30 and 9 p.m. Special meals for the occasion will be featured, as well as the regular menu. Reservations required. Where: Casa Vicente, 375 S. Stone Ave. Price: varies Info: 884-5253
CHAD’S STEAKHOUSE: Celebrate with that special someone with a 10-ounce NY strip steak and three jumbo shrimp for $19.95. The regular menu will also be available. When: 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Where: Chad’s Steakhouse, 3001 N. Swan Road Price: Menu items vary Info: 881-1802, www.chadssteakhouse.com
CUP CAFÉ: Enjoy a “five-course love fest.” The restaurant will also be open for breakfast. When: 5 p.m. Where: Cup Café, 311 E. Congress St. Price: $45 Info: 622-8848, www.hotelcongress.com/cup
ELLE, A WINE COUNTRY RESTAURANT: Romance your sweetheart with a two-course pairing menu or evening “SpecELLEs.” Some highlights from the two-course menu include golden caviar and slow-roasted prime rib. Tasty “SpecELLEs” will feature such items as escargot, venison wellington and a coconut bread pudding. When: 4:30-10:30 p.m. Where: Elle, 3048 E. Broadway Price: $49 for two-course menu, other menu items vary Info: 327-0500, www.ellerestaurant.com
FEAST: Enjoy a prix-fixe menu with options. Wine pairings available for an additional charge. When: 5-9 p.m. Where: Feast, 4122 E. Speedway Blvd. Price: $65 Info: 326-9363, www.eatatfeast.com/feast
FRANKIE’S: In addition to the regular menu, share a romantic meal with two main dishes, two orders of fries and two drinks for $14. When: 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Where: Frankie’s South Philly Cheesesteaks, 2574 N. Campbell Ave. Price: Menu items vary Info: 795-2665, www.frankiescheesesteaks.com
GOLD ROOM: A special four-course menu at the award-winning Gold Room will be sure to impress that special someone. Only the Valentine’s special menu will be available – no a la-carte. When: 5:30-10 p.m. Where: Gold Room, 245 E. Ina Road Price: $59 Info: 297-1151, www.westwardlook.com
J BAR: Choose from three prix-fixe menus – vegetarian, fish or omnivore. When: 5-9 p.m. Where: J Bar, 3770 E. Sunrise Drive Price: $50 Info: 615-6100, www.janos.com/jbarindex.shtml
JANOS: Three different prix-fixe menus will be offered. Choose from the vegetarian, fish or omnivore menu. Wine pairings will be available for an additional cost. When: 5-9 p.m. Where: Janos, 3770 E. Sunrise Drive Price: $75 Info: 615-6100, janos.com
JAXKITCHEN: In addition to the regular menu, there will be featured entrées and special desserts, such as the dark chocolate cherry ice cream float. When: 5-10 p.m. Where: JaxKitchen, 7286 N. Oracle Road Price: Menu items vary Info: 219-1235, jaxkitchen.com
LODGE ON THE DESERT: Impress your sweetheart with a night including a special four-course dinner. Some highlights from the menu include: Oysters Rockefeller, Beef Wellington and Sugar-Crusted Salmon. Finish the night on a sweet note – your choice of crème brûlée, mousse au chocolat or chocolate-dipped strawberries. Live acoustical musical performance by Jon Bañuelos. When: 5-10 p.m. Where: Lodge on the Desert, 306 N. Alvernon Way Price: $150 Info: 325-3366, www.lodgeonthedesert.com
LOOKOUT BAR & GRILLE: Ladies, grab your Valentine and join this Sadie Hawkins party, which features dinner, dancing and a couples’ picture station. The night’s three-course featured menu includes a variety of delectable options including Roasted Red Pepper Cream with Parmesan Crostini, Salmon Roulade, Smoked Prime Rib and Cheesecake. Music and dancing begins at 9 p.m. When: 5 p.m. Where: Lookout Bar & Grill, Westward Look Resort 245 E. Ina Road Price: $59 per couple Info: 520-297-1151
MONTANA AVENUE: Montana Avenue’s Valentine’s menu offers a prix fixe three-course dinner. An early evening special price of $25 is offered from 4-5:30 p.m. Seating from 5:30 p.m.-11 p.m. is $40. Where: Montana Avenue, 6390 E. Grant Road Info: 298-2020, www.foxrc.com
NORTH: NoRTH will feature a very special prix fixe three course dinner at an early evening special price of $30 from 4 -5:30 p.m. Dinner from 5:30-11 p.m. will be $50. Starters include Italian Wedding Soup and artichoke hearts. Selections from the dinner entrées include Herb Crusted Pork Tenderloin and shrimp and crab fettuccini served with plum tomatoes and basil. Where: North Restaurant, 2995 E. Skyline Drive Info: 299-1600, www.foxrc.com
NEO OF MALAKA: Enjoy your choice of three differently priced four-course meals: $35.95, $29.95 or $17.95 per person. Entertainment by DJ Aspen from 10:30 p.m.-2 a.m. There will also be $3 drink specials all night and gift bags with goodies. When: 11 a.m.-2 a.m. Where: Neo of Melaka, 1765 E. River Road Price: Menu items vary Info: 299-7815, www.neomelaka.com
O’SHAUGHNESSY’S: An evening of love songs, dining and dancing provided by O’Shaughnessy’s staff of singing waitresses and bartenders. A four-course price fix menu featured. Reservations suggested. When: 5 p.m. Where: O’Shaughnessy’s SteakHouse & Piano Bar, 2200 N. Camino Principal Price: $29-$42 Info: 296-7464
PAPAGAYO: Enjoy two entrées, two small dinner salads, one dessert to share and a bottle of wine or two drinks for $65 per couple. The regular menu will also be available. When: 11:30 a.m. Where: Papagayo Cantina, 4717 E. Sunrise Drive Price: Menu items vary Info: 577-6055, www.dotucson.com/ rest/Papagayo/home.htm
PASTICHE: Enjoy a special prix fixe menu or the a-la-carte menu. Some highlights of the menu include Crusted Rack of Lamb and Proscuitto-Wrapped Halibut. As always, pair your menu with a wine from their extensive wine list. When: 4:30 p.m. Where: Pastiche Modern Eatery, 3025 N. Campbell Ave. Price: Menu items vary Info: 325-3333, www.pasticheme.com
ROMA CAFFE: Special features include a grilled veal chop dinner with pasta, steamed vegetables and soup or salad for $19.95. The regular menu will also be available. When: 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Where: Roma Cafe Italian, 4140 W. Ina Road, Marana Price: Menu items vary Info: 744-2929, www.romacaffe.com/index.shtml
TAVOLINO: In addition to the regular menu, there will be a prix fixe menu that includes a glass of champagne. When: 5:30-10 p.m. Where: Tavolino, 7090 N. Oracle Road Price: Prix fixe $65, menu items vary Info: 531-1913, www.tavolinoristorante.com
VILA THAI: Regular menu, complimentary glass of champagne with dinner and a rose for the ladies. When: 5-9 p.m. Where: Vila Thai, 972 E. University Blvd. Price: Menu items vary Info: 903-9777, www.vilathai.com
VINTABLA: With an extensive wine list and a three-course menu plus a complimentary amusé, you’ll be sure to impress your sweetheart. The a-la-carte menu will also be available. Wine pairings by master sommelier Laura Williamson will be available for an additional $20. When: 5-10 p.m. Where: VinTabla, 2890 E. Skyline Drive Price: Three-course dinner $40, menu items vary Info: 577-6210, vintabla.com
WILDFLOWER: A special prix-fixe three-course menu includes various new American starters like Smoked Salmon Gazette or a warm Lobster Bisque with fresh Crab Crostini. A selection of seven entries will be offered, including Grilled Big-Eye Tuna with Crispy Vegetable Egg Roll or Herb-Crusted lamb chops with green beans and Yukon Potato Puree. An early evening price of $30 is offered from 4-5:30 p.m; $50 from 5:30-11 p.m. Where: Wildflower Grill, 7037 N. Oracle Road Info: 219-4230, www.foxrc.com
ZINBURGER: Zinburger will feature an all-day Valentine’s special for two for only $40. Enjoy one side, a shared house salad, two C.A.B burgers and a shared dessert. When: 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Where: Zinburger Wine and Burger Bar, 1865 E. River Road Info: 299-7799, www.foxrc.com
Valentine’s Day dining has a variety everyone will love