A themed dinner in a warehouse. Whiskey pairings for two. BBQ goodness. Sounds like Valentine’s Day in Brooklyn. And if you want to do it right, we’ve got you covered for where to head this Feb. 14 to impress your better half.
Melt
This dating destination is a natural choice for a romantic meal for two in general, making it an obvious choice this Valentine’s Day.
“We have a bit of a reputation as a date place,” said Joshua Gibson, manager for the Park Slope restaurant. “Our décor is sleek and modern, and there’s nice, dim, romantic lighting.”
As for food, chef Muguette Siem A Sjoe has fittingly prepared a four-course prix fix featuring a variety of natural aphrodisiacs, including bacon-wrapped scallops for an appetizer, lobster bisque for the second course, and seared salmon for the main course. Pair each course with wine for extra, and you’ll be all set.
Melt [440 Bergen St. near Fifth Avenue in Park Slope, (718) 230-5925], seatings from 5:30-10 pm on Feb. 14. $50 prix fixe. Reservations recommended.
Char No. 4
There’s something special in the water at this Cobble Hill whiskey bar and restaurant.
“Many people have had successful first dates here, and have even gone on to be married. There’s obviously something magical happening here that makes love connections,” said Char No. 4 co-owner Sean Josephs.
Maybe it’s just the whiskey.
In any event, this Valentine’s Day, bring the one you love — or at least really like — and feast on the restaurant’s special menu, featuring all new bourbon and whiskey-infused dishes, including a smoked beef cheek tortellini for an appetizer, a maple glazed duck breast for an entree, and a spiced pear cake for dessert, among other options. For an additional $25, add a whiskey pairing to your meal, and maybe that magic will happen.
Char No. 4 [196 Smith St. between Warren and Baltic streets in Cobble Hill, (718) 643-2106]. Valentine’s Day menu $60. Reservations recommended.
Fatty ’Cue
It’s all about sharing this Valentine’s Day at Fatty ’Cue, as the Williamsburg restaurant’s $69 special menu meant for two.
The three-course special includes an amuse bouche; a cocktail to share with two straws; a choice of smoked catfish nam prik with vegetables or thinly sliced smoked pork loin with a herb salad; the ’Cue Surf and Turf for two, which includes smoked prime rib and smoked chilli lobster; and a fresh pie for dessert that features the famed Fatty Bar, a hand-made chocolate bar that comes in either the slightly spicy or crunchy version. Now, just remember to share.
Fatty ’Cue [91 S. Sixth St. between Bedford Avenue and Berry Street in Williamsburg, (718) 599-3090]. $69 for two Reservations strongly recommended.
House of Yes
Mark Valentine’s Day a bit early as House of Yes throws a decadent violet-themed dinner party on Feb. 13.
The dinner experience fuses gourmet cuisine, live music, circus arts, video installations and even a fire performance. Caterer Betty Brooklyn provides the violet-hued three-course meal, which includes a salad with roasted beets and spring violets, pan-seared sea scallops over linguine, radicchio and basil in a saffron cream, or pan-seared artichoke hearts over sautéed Swiss chard and truffled polenta. A chocolate crème brulée flambé with homemade strawberry jam finishes off a meal that promises to be unforgettable. You won’t know how to top next year’s Valentine’s Day.
House of Yes (342 Maujer St. between Morgan Avenue and Waterbury Street in Bushwick, no phone), Feb. 13 from 7-10 pm. Tickets are $95 for the performance and meal and must be purchased online in advance. For info, visit www.newhue.org.
Marco Polo
If you want to spend the weekend in Venice without the airfare, head to Marco Polo Ristorante in Carroll Gardens for an old-school Italian dining experience.
From Feb. 12 to 14, staff will dress up as gondoliere during your candle-lit meal. The special menu features a variety of antipasta, salad, pasta and seafood entrees ranging from $9.95 to $18.95, including a risotto with shrimp and a homemade ravioli stuffed with veal and spinach that will rival anything you’ve had in the mother country.
Marco Polo Ristorante [345 Court St. between Court and Union streets in Carroll Gardens, (718) 852-5015]. Reservations required.
iCi
A Valentine’s Day list won’t be complete without some French fare, and for that, Fort Greene’s iCi is going ooh la la with a special menu this Feb. 14.
Choose from among a flageolet bean soup, razor clam ceviche, or roasted cornish hen for an appetizer; a roasted Pacific halibut, black angus rib-eye for two, or winter greens ravioli for an entree; and, for dessert, a lemon tart, ricotta fritters, or cinnamon custard. Round it out with a $40 wine pairing, and bon appetit!
iCi [246 Dekalb Ave. at Vanderbilt Avenue in Fort Greene, (718) 789-2278], Feb. 14 from 5:30-10:30 pm. $65. Reservations recommended.
— with Vera Zukelman
