Valentine’s Weekend Dining
I did a story yesterday for the Standard-Examiner about Valentine’s Day events at many Ogden restaurants. Since then, I’m come across non-Ogden places. Love in the Time of Coronavirus means fewer tables due to social distancing. More restaurants are offering curbside date-night takeout options. A few are offering heated outdoor patios. Reservations and advance orders are more important this year.
Tucano’s in Farmington has a Valentine’s meal on Friday and Saturday for $31.95 per person that includes salmon, rib eye, and shrimp to the usual churassco grilled meats, plus dessert and a long-stemmed rose. You can also order a Home Date takeout meal for two for $69.95, that includes teriyaki beef, garlic parmesan beef, turkey wrapped in bacon, sweet & spicy chicken, Caesar salad, three-cheese mashed potatoes, chocolate raspberry cheesecake, Brazilian chocolate truffles, a bottle of sparkling cider, and 4 long-stemmed roses.
Log Haven in Millcreek Canyon hosts its “Three Nights of Passion” from Friday-Sunday . Featured specials from Chef Dave Jones’ kitchen for Valentine’s Day weekend include sesame-crusted Dungeness crab cakes; cannellini bean soup; Parmigiano-Reggiano risotto with grilled lobster and garlic tomato butter; and New York Strip steak with port-shiitake demi-glace. Lobster tail can be added to any entree. (The website flyer didn’t show prices on these items, which can be a little scary if you’re budget-minded.) Log Haven is offering a curbside/delivery Valentines Dinner for $100 per person that includes Caesar salad, Surf & Turf (pan-seared beef filet with aged Gouda mashers, grilled asparagus, shiitake-port demi glace; grilled lobster tail and drawn butter, and chocolate flourless cake.
The Base in Layton is giving away free heart-shaped brownies with meal purchase on Saturday and Sunday.
Lisa’s Passion for Popcorn ends its Strawberry, Cherry and Vanilla “Be Mine” flavor mix on Feb. 14. If you come in on Friday, you can get five gallons of buttered, salted popcorn for free with a $10 purchase. (The Free Friday event is every Friday. )
Hearth on 25th is hosting a 12-course, $80-per-person Valentine’s Day menu that includes charred elk heart, rabbit liver mousse, oyster; braised quail, and an entrée choice of roast octopus, prime-grade beef tenderloin, king salmon, or braised lamb shank.
There is a vegetarian option, but no takeout/curbside. It’s Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights. Reservations are required, and they are selling out fast.
Rovali’s on 25th Street will add a candle to every takeout meal, for a private candlelight dinner, from Thursday through Saturday. (The restaurant is closed on Sundays.) The Valentine’s special is Italian roast with mushroom sauce over fettucine Alfredo. A cake-for-two ($14.99), in either strawberry champagne or chocolate ricotta marble, offers a sweet finale. The restaurant’s regular menu will also be offered.
Union Grill offers a “Valentine’s At Home” three-course takeout dinner for two for $50 from Thursday-Saturday and also Monday, Feb. 15, as the restaurant is closed Sundays. It includes a Caesar salad for two, two entrees (choice of lemon butter chicken, baked Atlantic salmon, crab carbonara and or tenderloin beef medallions) and two desserts. The FB page says a complimentary bottle of sparkling juice is included with each takeout order. Orders must be received 24 hours in advance and prepaid, and can be picked up curbside from noon to 8:30 p.m.
If you prefer to dine inside the restaurant, the same Valentine’s deal is offered Thursday-Saturday.
Warren’s Craft Burger is spreading out its Valentine’s weekend from Thursday-Saturday, 4:30 p.m. to closing, with specials of lobster mac ‘n’ cheese, Caprese stuffed chicken or prime rib. On Sunday, a Valentine’s Day brunch takes place 10:30 a.m.-3 p.m., with banana nut pancakes and red velvet cinnamon rolls.
Stella’s on 25th will host a four-course menu Friday and Saturday night, for $55 per person, plus an optional $15 wine pairing. The regular menu is not served those nights, nor will takeout or delivery be offered. Diners can opt for the VIP Experience in the downstairs “speakeasy” area for $80 per person both nights; reservations only. Stella’s is closed on Sundays.
Prairie Schooner’s Valentine’s dinner-for-two is Friday-Sunday. It includes an appetizer and dessert to share, two entrees (choice of an 8-ounce sirloin, grilled chicken, salmon, shrimp, ribs & chicken, or prime rib). Although it’s normally closed Sundays, the Prairie Schooner will open on Feb. 14 from 3-8 p.m. Reservations are highly recommended.
The Garden Grille at the Hilton Garden Inn is running a three-course Valentine’s dinner for $65 per person on Saturday and Sunday night. Called Surf & Overturf —(a play on chef Josh Overturf’s name) the entrée is Birria-style short ribs and butter-poached crab claws. Reservations are required.
Two Bit Street Café hosts a five-course Sweetheart Supper on Friday and Saturday nights, with seatings at 5:30 p.m, and 7:30 p.m. (The restaurant closes at 3 p.m. on Sundays.) Entrée choices are beef bourguignon, seafood bouillabaisse or vegetable ratatouille; and either New York cheesecake or flourless chocolate torte for dessert.
Since coronavirus spreads more easily in confined spaces, the outdoor heated patio at Rooster’s B Street Brewery has been a draw this winter. Couples concerned about eating indoors can cozy up under the stars and a heavy-duty heater. The four tables are seated on a first-come, first-serve basis, according to server Heather Savoy. She said the staff can set out portable heaters for more warmth, upon request. However, the patio isn’t covered, so rain or snow could dampen the experience.
For events going on in the Salt Lake area, check gastronomiclsc.com. where my friend Stuart Melling is always in the know. If you know of any more Valentine’s events to add, post a comment to get the word out!