As restaurants recover from the unprecedented wave of changes brought about last year and throughout the pandemic, planning your Valentine’s Day date can feel a little daunting. The traditional dinner out might seem like an impossibility, and you’re probably wondering how on earth you’ll make the day special.
Not to worry: many restaurants have reinvented themselves and their services to provide safe ways for you to enjoy your favorite meals in this ever-evolving era of social distancing. Thanks to their hard work, you don’t have to give up the romance of a gorgeous meal this Valentine’s Day.
Whether it’s heated outdoor and patio dining that provides extra ventilation for safety, carefully curated Valentine’s Day heat-and-serve menus to take home, delivery and pick-up options, or dining inside with updated seating, the restaurants of Philadelphia have adapted to make sure you’re taken care of for the upcoming holiday. Linked so you can stay up-to-date on changing protocols, here are 10 of the best fine dining spots in Philadelphia for your Valentine’s Day date.
Vetri Cucina
Recommending reservations but still open for dine-in services, Vetri Cucina is a multi-award-winning Italian restaurant that serves rustic fare and innovative flavors in a gorgeous, intimate setting. In this historic townhouse venue, you’ll find hand-blown Murano glass chandeliers that sparkle with an unbeatable ambiance during your meal. Built on years of dedication to creating the absolute finest, this restaurant is well-known for its fresh, hand-cut pasta and seasonal menu items replete with locally-sourced ingredients.
Treat yourself this Valentine’s Day with their Quattro Piatti menu, a four-course experience that includes antipasti, pasta, secondi, and dessert. This winter, their menu is brimming with delicious choices like spinach gnocchi with shaved ricotta, smoked lamb with fried oyster and warm vichyssoise, and molten pistachio cake.
Location: 1312 Spruce Street, Philadelphia 19107
Barclay Prime
Credit: Barclay Prime
A sophisticated and posh steakhouse, Barclay Prime has brought outdoor dining to the next level with their new set up, which features heated alcoves. Cuddle up to your date in one of these ventilated nooks—decorated in a chic fashion—for a safe, unique, and romantic meal under the mini-chandeliers. Prefer to celebrate together at home? Barclay Prime also offers a full menu to-go that includes their succulent butter poached lobster and sweet desserts like a warm, deep dish cookie that’s perfect for sharing.
Location: 237 S. 18th Street, Philadelphia 19103
Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steakhouse
With dine-in options at select locations, Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steakhouse is a must-try in Philadelphia if you’re looking for an opulent Valentine’s Day experience. This venue features soaring white marble columns, a breathtaking balcony draped in red fabric, and exclusive private dining that includes the chance to dine in what was once the massive vault of the historic bank.
Their menu now includes take-home options, like their steak meal kit, which includes everything you need to make your Valentine’s Day intimate by cooking with your partner at home. Del Frisco’s even offers bottles of exquisite wine on their pick-up menu, so choose your favorite and pair it with their delicious desserts to make this night one you won’t soon forget.
Location: 1428-1432 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia 9102
Vedge Restaurant
Created by James Beard-nominated Chefs Rich Landau and Kate Jacoby, Vedge Restaurant is a vegetable-based eatery with delicious dishes made with local produce. It has been recognized by several prestigious publications, such as GQ, Wine Enthusiast, and The New York Times—and for good reason. Located in the historic Tiger Building, the elegant brownstone has a sophisticated and intimate ambiance perfect for a romantic evening.
The menu changes with the seasons, so you’ll always get the freshest ingredients. Some current menu items include spicy noodles, tortilla soup with avocado, and eggplant braciole. The restaurant also serves an extensive drink menu of unique cocktails like honey crisp cider and cocoa with chili-infused liquor and desserts such as pistachio panna cotta and sugar plum apple crisp.
Location: 1221 Locust Street, Philadelphia 19107
Butcher and Singer
While this upscale restaurant is known in part for its resplendent, Old Hollywood glamour venue, Butcher and Singer offers more than just remarkable ambiance: their menu is absolutely heavenly. Take your pick of outdoor, pick-up, or delivery dining options and savor the bevy of choices at your disposal. If you choose to dine outdoors, you can eat in the comfort of one of their recently-added heated chalets, decked out in charming flowers and Art Deco-inspired decor.
Sample from their renowned “raw bar,” which has options like their shellfish platter and assorted oysters. Craving something more traditional? With mouthwatering meals like a rack of lamb and classic cocktails, Butcher and Singer is certain to satisfy your Valentine’s Day desires.
Location: 1500 Walnut Street, Philadelphia 19102
The Love
Credit: The Love
With the holiday falling on Sunday this year, you might prefer to indulge in a Valentine’s Day brunch. At the aptly-named The Love, diners can enjoy an unforgettable brunch menu that’s certain to make you crave seconds—and thirds! Their fresh takes on classic staples include sriracha bacon candy, lemon poppy pancakes, and elevated shrimp and grits. If a romantic dinner aligns more with your holiday style, The Love has all of your comfort food favorites on hand, such as honey-brined pork chop or ginger salmon.
Thanks to their large, bi-level space, The Love has plenty of seating, including outdoor dining. Chef Aimee Olexy owns several other restaurants and is renowned in the dining scene for her dynamic cuisine.
Location: 130 S. 18th Street, Philadelphia 19013
The Olde Bar
Set in the historic Old Original Bookbinders, The Olde Bar is a lively contemporary-style oyster bar and cocktail lounge. If you’re looking for the perfect libation for your Valentine’s Day dinner celebration, this is the place to go. Though they’re not offering indoor dining at the moment, The Olde Bar has a full take-home menu that includes their seasonal craft cocktails. Take your pick of serving size—ranging from 12 to 32oz—and pair it with starters like their crab claws, which come soaked in garlic butter. In honor of the holiday, The Olde Bar is also offering a special Valentine’s Day heat-and-serve menu, perfect to pick up and take home for a romantic night-in together.
Location: 125 Walnut Street, Philadelphia 19106
Garces Trading Company
A sister to The Olde Bar, Garces Trading Company is a unique chance to enjoy meals from any of Iron Chef Jose Garces’ restaurants, including Amada, Village Whiskey, Tinto, and The Olde Bar. In addition to delivery heat-and-serve meals that can be ordered online to bring fine dining straight to your home, Garces Trading Company also offers experience packages like Chef’s Table, which gives you a 30-minute video call with the chef of your choosing, who will then curate a customized meal for you to heat and serve.
This Valentine’s Day, Garces Trading Company has a special breakfast-in-bed package that includes favorites like quiche lorraine and French toast. There’s also a dinner heat-and-serve package just for the holiday—a three-course delight that’s certain to impress.
Location: Online
Osteria
Divine Italian fare awaits at Osteria, which is currently open for reservations. If you’re looking to make this holiday a group celebration and need a beautiful private dining venue, there’s nowhere like Osteria. Their private options include a glass-enclosed patio with scenic views of the garden and the stained-glass windows of the nearby church and the wine room, which has views of their gorgeous wine cellar.
At Osteria, you can even choose to rent the whole restaurant or sit at the intimate kitchen table dining option with three of your guests. Customize your own menu in advance to enjoy a truly relaxed dining experience with your loved ones, all while savoring fare that ranges from elevated pizza to delicious grilled octopus and grilled strip steaks.
Location: 640 N. Broad Street, Philadelphia 19130
Morimoto
Credit: Morimoto
Sushi enthusiasts rejoice—Morimoto is open for service! One of the premier Japanese restaurants in the city, Morimoto elegantly blends ancient Japanese cuisine with modern, contemporary trends in a surprising yet sublime menu. Focused on flavors and experience, this restaurant has options for à la carte dining and omakase—a form of Japanese dining where guests leave themselves in the chef’s hands.
Whether you’re dining to-go or choosing to stay in their modern yet comfortable venue, you won’t want to miss out on their impeccable menu. Priced per piece or chosen in a combination by the chef, diners have a cornucopia to decide from, including maguro, umi masu, hamachi, and dozens of other sushi, sashimi, and rolls. You can also try their dinner menu, which has inspiring choices such as juicy Japanese snow beef or koji salmon.
Location: 723 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia 19106
Talula’s Garden
A true farm-to-table eatery that delights in using locally-grown, sustainable, organic ingredients, Talula’s Garden is the place to go for comforting Mid-Atlantic fare made with love. The atmosphere is warm and rustic, with outdoor seating that’s perfect for holding hands with your date and reveling in the delicious seasonal offerings.
However, don’t let the relaxing vibes here fool you—the food at Talula’s Garden is fine dining at its best. At Talula’s, you can indulge in wine-glazed beef short rib, fall in love with the chef-curated veggies and farm grains, and even share—if you’re feeling generous—a slice of their decadent pecan pie that comes topped with boozy bourbon ice cream. The restaurant is also currently open for delivery and pick-up, so no matter what location you prefer this Valentine’s Day, Talula’s Garden is ready to serve.
Location: 210 West Washington Square, Philadelphia 19106
Charlie Was a Sinner
A sleek, trendy eatery serving up a dynamic array of vegan dishes, Charlie Was a Sinner is offering the ultimate Valentine’s Day evening. Their take-home package includes a decadent five-course meal for two, a bottle of sparkling wine, flowers from a local boutique, and vegan chocolate from an area coffee shop. Among the courses are a charcuterie board, vanilla citrus salad, mushroom ravioli, and a lemon cake to top it off.
Want to opt for something different? The restaurant also serves other dishes, such as tofu scallops, potato gnocchi, and roasted cauliflower sweet. Finish your meal with something sweet, such as a mint chocolate chip milkshake with aged white rum, sorbet, or one of over a dozen cocktails.
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