It’s that time of year again! Valentine’s Day is around the corner and love is lingering in the air once again. New York City and Los Angeles are two cities brimming with special spots to take your partner for a night (and meal) to remember. But remember, whether you’re spending the night in with your partner or have reservations at a romantic spot or the place where you first met, there’s no wrong way to spend the holiday as long as you’re together.
New York City
The Haven Rooftop at the Sanctuary Hotel is the perfect spot if you miss your summer rooftops, but want an added ambiance to spice up your romantic evening. Adorned with streams of string lights and throw blankets, The Haven Rooftop combines views, warmth, and a French-influenced menu to make the perfect evening for you and your partner. Sit down with filet mignon, gnocchi with parmesan and truffle, and lobster risotto all followed by cheesecake and the Valentine’s Day classic, chocolate covered strawberries.
Cost – $105 prix fixe, including glass of complimentary prosecco
The NoMad Restaurant could be easily defined as sultry. Sit in the dining room draped in red velvet for a more on-the-nose romantic evening or in the atrium to get a view of the stars. For a more traditional evening, you can start off with endive, beets, or tortelloni, followed by dorado, roasted chicken, or seared beef, all topped off with Milk and Honey for dessert. Looking for a more casual evening but still want to celebrate the occasion? They’re offering another menu at the accompanying NoMad Bar with brussel sprouts, beef tartare, or oysters as an appetizer, tortelloni, seared black bass, or steak frites as a main course, all followed by a decadent chocolate fondue with strawberries and cookies for some extra romance.
Cost – $190 at The NoMad Restaurant and $98 at The NoMad Bar
Il Florista says it all just in its name. This floral centric spot is already decorated for a romantic evening before their Valentine’s Day themed prix fixe menu. With complimentary oysters, prosecco, and a seasonal flower bouquet to boot, this Medierranean style meal gives you a speciality seasonal menu that incorporates flowers and herbs in every possible edible form. Plus, who could resist their rose chocolate cake for dessert?
Cost – $85 prix fixe with a la carte options at the bar
Nerai is where you can go to have an airy, romantic evening in none other than a wine cellar. Decorated with rose petals and lit by the soft glow of candlelight, the “Cava Nerai” is open to celebrate the day for lovers. The five-course prix fixe menu includes a roasted beet salad, poached lobster, black truffle spaghettoni, bass or ribeye, all ending with a traditional Greek sokolatina and wild berry pavlova.
Cost – $125 prix fixe, including a glass of complimentary champagne
Los Angeles
Crossroads will promise you a night of elegance, full of delicious vegan dishes for a plant-based alternative to your romantic night. Their five-course prix fixe menu gives you the chance to try out their chestnut foie gras or almond milk burrata, romaine caesar or beet salads, three pasta dishes (good luck choosing between the risotto, sun dried tomato tortellini, and fettuccine with black truffle), and a passion fruit crème brûlée or chocolate brownie ice cream sundae to boot.
Cost – $75 prix fixe
Faith & Flower defines modern opulence, from mirrors and chandeliers to fur walls and goblets. Decorated like a palace in France, this spot oozes romance for the perfect date night. Their Valentine’s Day prix fixe menu gives you choices between handmade spaghetti and duck leg, salmon, steak, chicken (oh my!), and a chocolate fondue for two.
Cost – $79 pre fixe
Gwen on Sunset has a more rustic-meets-luxe ambiance for your romantic evening. Their menu for the evening keeps it simple and meat-heavy, offering pear salads, potato tortellini, pork tenderloin or a strip steak, ending the dining experience with an ever-so classic and fitting red velvet cake.
Cost – $135 pre fixe
Le Petit Paris brings–you guessed it– Paris to the west coast through its elegant and classically European style. The walls are adorned with works by famous French painters and the massive space even includes a grand staircase for extra drama. Their menu tackles the French classics, giving you options between black truffle carpaccio and salmon gravlax and a quinoa salad, roasted duck or cod (or asparagus and fennel risotto for any vegetarians). And for desert? Choose between the “I Love You” for a raspberry and passion fruit mousse with shortbread or “Forever” for a molten chocolate cake.
Cost – $95 pre fixe
