Valentine’s Day can be an expensive experience in New York City, especially if you’re looking for a table for two without breaking the bank.
Luckily, there are a lot of restaurants that offer reasonable prices and specials, and they’ve got ambience, too, so there’s really no need to skip paying rent this month to impress your boo.
Scroll down to see where you can find romantic dinners for $75 per person or less, not including tax and tip.
Due West ($98 for two): A gastropub with good cocktails, Due West offers a casual setting that still feels romantic. For $49 per person, you’ll get a glass of sparkling wine; an appetizer such as baby kale and parsnips or celery root soup; an entree choice of braised short rib or risotto; and a dessert — either strawberry cheesecake or chocolate and dulce de leche churros. (189 W. 10th St., 646-687-4609, duewestnyc.com)
R17 ($124 for two): Atop Pier 17, this New American restaurant offers a candlelit, intimate space for the big day. Specials include a tuna sashimi with Kaluga caviar, cucumber and cilantro to start ($18), beef ribeye with frites and mustard greens for the main ($32), and raspberry mille feuille with vanilla ice cream and white chocolate for dessert ($12). (89 South St., 917-512-7540, r17nyc.com)
Cantina Rooftop ($100 for two): Mexican specials with a decadent flare by Chef Sail Montiel are on the menu for Valentine’s Day including amuse-bouche of yellowfin tuna tostaditas, caviar, avocado mousse, and mandarin orange and glass of champagne; appetizers such as sweet and spicy chicken lollipops, crispy oysters with cucumber and mango pico de gallo; and the main includes braised short ribs, Maine lobster enchiladas, or slow oven roasted Cornish hen. Dessert is strawberry shortbread, basil gelato and strawberry consommé, which is for two. (605 W. 48th St., 212-957-1700, cantinarooftop.com)
Pomona ($150 for two): Across from the Plaza with its own lounge, Pomona is offering a prix-fixe menu that includes red wine risotto bone marrow, pappardelle foraged mushrooms and raspberry/strawberry roulade rose ganache. This will be in addition to their regular menu with New-York classics like a prime 40-day-aged New York strip, Hudson Valley foie gras sliders and their flaming baked Alaska dessert. (8 W. 58th St., 212-753-1200, pomonanyc.com)
The Lambs Club ($110 for two at lunch): A cozy, clubby restaurant inside The Chatwal Hotel offers a classy lunchtime offering featuring three courses with special dishes like Wellfleet oysters with mango-parsnip mignonette and paddlefish caviar and stuffed veal breast roulade with sweetbreads and truffle jus. The restaurant has a dinner planned for $115 per person as well. (132 W. 44th St., 212-997-5262, thelambsclub.com)
Utsav ($110 for two): This stylish Indian bar and grill is offering a prix-fixe menu that includes a glass of sparkling wine and three courses. Starters include plates like Vadouvan spiced scallops and butter chicken kulcha, while entrees are many in number, from Bhuna mutton to sea bass rasa — each one comes with saffron rice, kali dal and Tandoori bread. Dessert is either Gulab Jamun Creme Brulee or Sharabi kheer. (1185 Sixth Ave., 212-575-2525, utsavny.com)
Davio’s ($150 for two): Almost transport yourself to Northern Italy at this midtown steakhouse offering a three-course prix-fixe menu for the special day. Choose from Maine lobster, asparagus risotto, pan-roasted Colorado lamb chops, creamy Cipollini polenta and much more. (447 Lexington Ave., 212-661-4810, davios.com/nyc)
Bodega Negra ($27-$67 per entree, not including tacos, ceviche, etc.): Set in a Tudor-style tequila warehouse, Bodega Negra specializes in handcrafted Mezcal and has a few special dishes this Valentine’s Day. Its lobster ceviche ($21) is created with lobster, cucumber, blood orange, cilantro flowers and totopos negros; its sarape ($29) is delicata squash, Hen of the Woods mushroom, mole Almendrado and queso Chihuahua. It also has guacamole for $19 with hibiscus, pomegranate and almond tostadas. A limited edition tres leches cake, which is made in tribute to the Conversation Sweethearts, is $14 and can be customized with one of six sayings: “Se Mio,” “Mi Amor,” “Abrazame,” “Te Amo,” “Se Feliz” and “Besame.” (355 W. 16th St., 212-229-2336, bodeganegranyc.com)
il Divo ($148 for two): Decorated with antique furniture and original movie posters from the 1920s, this 50-seat Italian restaurant is sure to inspire romance. Its four-course menu includes “Tête-à-Tête” eggplant parmigiana (for two), “French Kiss,” risotto with red beet and Gorgonzola fondue (single portion), “Chateaubriand,” double whole beef tenderloin with roasted fingerling potatoes (for two) and chocolate lava cake for dessert. (1347 Second Ave., 212-380-8164, ildivo.restaurant)
Dia ($14-$39 per entree): An Italian eatery specializing in seafood and Roman-style pizza, Dia offers cozy dining with a lot of options like steamed Italian lobster dumplings ($25), black squid ink and anchovy pizza ($25) and heart-shaped Italian cheesecake. For every entrée ordered, guests will receive a complimentary glass of Prosecco. (58 Second Ave., 917-675-7664, dia-nyc.com)
Cleo ($150 for two): If you’re looking for an artsy space to have an intimate dinner, consider this Mediterranean eatery in NoMad. Guests will get a welcome glass of sparkling, white or red wine, three courses, and a post-dinner candy bar they can take to go. The menu includes dishes like squid ink tagliatelle, crispy duck breast and brick poussin; and desserts include apple galette, panna cotta and sticky toffee pudding. (444 Park Ave. S., 646-948-2370, ingoodcompany.com)
The Wilson ($98-$118 for two): This open dining room with a cocktail bar that overlooks it is a nice setting for Valentine’s Day. For $49 per person, guests can choose hanger steak, blue crab carbonara or apple cider-brined chicken chop as an entree and will have a choice of smashed carrot cake for two, flourless chocolate cake or a S’mores bar (for $5 extra per person). (132 W. 27th St., 212-529-2671, ingoodcompany.com)
Bessou ($130 for two): Enjoy a three-course prix-fixe dinner at this intimate Japanese restaurant with a selection of shared appetizers, such as Oysters Wakafeller and Tuna Tataki, a choice of one main per person, like Uni Carbonara and Hokkaido Hot Pot for 2, and dessert — a chocolate dome with passion fruit mousse and molten gianduja. (5 Bleecker St., 212-228-8502, bessou.nyc)
Valerie ($119.90 for two): Imagine you’re Gatsby and Daisy at this Art Deco-inspired cocktail bar and restaurant. For the day of, Valerie will offer a three-course prix-fixe menu with scallop ceviche, smoked venison tartare or butter poached lobster flatbread to start; “The Lovers Steak,” handmade borsa pasta or Chilean sea bass for dinner; and “The Fourth Dimension” ruby red chocolate or passion fruit cheesecake for dessert. (45 W. 45th St., 212-302-4545, valerienewyorkcity.com)
DiWine Restaurant & Bar ($120 for two): Astoria’s wine bar is throwing a jazz-era party with a prix fixe menu that includes some of its most popular dishes (chicken, short ribs, scallops) and two themed cocktails (a “Glitter Valentine” and a “Jack Rose”). For extra effect, the Chris Beaudry Trio will perform from 8 to 11 p.m. (41-15 31st Ave., 718-777-1355, diwineonline.com)
Brooklyn Winery ($130 for two): Each table at Brooklyn Winery under its glass ceiling or in its cozy wine bar will have its own taper candles and flowers to create a romantic evening for the two of you. For $65 each, you’ll get a three-course prix fixe menu with the ability to add a custom wine pairing. RSVP at reservations@bkwinery.com (213 N. Eighth St., 347-763-1506, bkwinery.com/valentines-day)
Baar Baar ($150 for two): Hip Indian eatery Baar Baar is welcoming guests on Valentine’s Day weekend (Feb. 14-16) with a glass of Champagne and live entertainment, including a DJ. The menu per person includes one small plate, including a duck shami kebab or a tofu chili roll, one large plate, such as paneer and zucchini sandwich or butter poached lobster, and one side. Desserts include spice chocolate mousse or petits fours. (13 E. First St., 212-228-1200, baarbaarnyc.com)
Bistro Pierre Lapin ($150 for two): This French bistro offers dinner by candlelight. Choose from appetizers like foie gras terrine, steak tartare and oysters with Champagne; mains such as famous poulet pour deux or Chateaubriand for two; and desserts including passion fruit Pavlova, chocolate mousse and more. (99 Bank St., 212-858-6600, pierresnyc.com)
Hortus ($130 for two): If you’re a fan of modern Asian cuisine and want an intimate dining experience, check out Hortus in NoMad, which is offering a free glass of champagne to each guest and a menu that includes Special Asian Black Truffle Noodle, grilled beef with galbi sauce, crispy sea urchin, yuzu tare angel wing, and for dessert, a Thai tea crème brûlée among others. (271 Fifth Ave., 646-858-3784, hortusnyc.com)
Ferris ($150 for two): With cozy banquettes for a romantic night and an open chef’s counter for a more exciting one, Ferris offers two seatings — from 5:30 to 7 p.m. for $75 per person and 7 p.m. to close for $90 per person. The menu includes raw oyster to start, which is followed by a first course of cured scallop or crab salad; a middle course of winter greens; a second course featuring glazed lobster or Wagyu short rib; and a dessert of either yuzu lemon frozen yogurt or chocolate mousse. (44 W. 29th St., 212-213-4420, ferrisnyc.com)
Morton’s Steakhouse ($59 special): Dimly lit and romantic, Morton’s is an upscale establishment that is offering an 8-ounce filet topped with a Whole Maine lobster with bearnaise sauce for $59 on Feb. 9-16 at both of its locations. (551 Fifth Ave. and 136 Washington St., mortons.com)
Check back later for more restaurants.
