Dining Possibilities for Valentine’s Day 2020

Image: Russina Tea Room

Valentine’s Day is ten days away and counting. If you haven’t yet made arrangements for a romantic date, here are a few possibilities that carry Cupid’s seal of approval.

Situated in a splendid aeries overlooking Central Park and the lights beyond Dizzy’s Club at Jazz at Lincoln in Manhattan’s Midtown West in the Time Warner Center (reviewed here) is providing two (count ’em, 2) opportunities for romance. On both Friday, Feb. 14, and Saturday, the 15th, crooner Freddy Cole will serve up songs of love while you and yours tuck into a candlelit three-course dinner of Dizzy’s signature Southern inspired cuisine. Think red Louisiana crawfish, crispy eggplant, and spicy remoulade as a starter. On perhaps to grilled branzino, accompanied by purple potatoes, blistered tomatoes, chermoula, and licoricey fennel. For a sweet finish, opt for sinfully rich red velvet lava cake augmented by bruléed fluff strawberry. Seating is at 7 p.m. The price is $170 per person. Dizzy’s Club, Broadway at at 60th St., 5th floor.

Romance will be in the air at the Chelsea veteran Bottino (reviewed here), where a three-course dinner will commence with a champagne aperitivo toast and an amuse bouche. Among the starters you will find seared Mediterranean octopus, ‘nduja and fingerlings. Alternatively you might opt for the house’s excellent chicken and duck liver mousse bruscetta, with pickled red onion. The tantalizing options remain when you turn your attention of the secondi. Will it be housemade pappardelle with oxtail ragu or “Striptease” — porcini-dusted seared New York strip steak, sliced and served with mixed Tuscan beans. A special Valentine’s dessert is on hand to complete the meal. The per-person cost is $80. Bottino, 246 Tenth Avenue (bet 24th and 25th Sts.), 212-206-6766.

The food may have undergone a de-Russification, but the Russian Tea Room still sports the same red leather banquettes, gilt-trimmed hunter-green walls, and samovars, making it a perfect destination for your Valentine’s Day degustation. You begin with a glass of champagne and an amuse bouche consisting of a foie gras lollipop with dark chocolate. Poached lobster with pickled mango, strawberry and endive makes for an elegant first course. Among the handful of mains you will find marinated grilled quail with roasted romanesco cauliflower, baby Brussels sprouts, salsify, and a parsnip purée. Don’t miss the sacher torte come dessert. Dinner, at $165 a person, doesn’t come cheaply, though it’s only Valentine’s Day once a year. Russian Tea Room, 150 W. 57th Street, 212-581-7100.

For something decidedly different, Wave Hill, the famed historic garden and cultural center overlooking the Hudson River will offer an evocative high tea in the stately Victorian room that was once Mark Twain’s study. Excerpts of love notes written by Twain to his wife more than 100 years ago will be read. Following the robust tea featuring hot and cold delicacies by Wave Hill’s food partner, Great Performances, celebrants will take an intimate tour of the conservatory where they will be treated to a lively discussion about the love language of flowers. All Valentine’s couples will receive a special gift of 10% off in The Shop at Wave Hill with a stunning selection of unique gifts. The cost of this singular ode to love is $85 per person and will take place on Friday Feb. 14 and Saturday the 15th from 1 to 4 p.m. Advance registration required online.