Valentine's Day is arriving in Tampa Bay, and love is on the brain.
In reality—because, you know, the pandemic—there's only one way to celebrate, and that's at home and only if you and your boo thing have been quarantining together. But we know you'll risk anything for love, including your life and the lives of others, so here’s what’s happening on the commercialized day of love around Tampa Bay.
Make your reservations, snag your goodies and squeeze the ones you love tight. Don't forget to tip your service people like your money is on fire, and just so you're aware, it's too late to COVID-19 test that person you swiped right on last week.
If you’re a business and have something going down for Valentine’s Day, shoot the info over to [email protected] to be added to the list.
American Social Whether you’re single or just looking for an excuse to grab a bite with your friends, AmSo is hosting Galentine's Day (and Valentine's Day for the couples) all weekend long. Diners can find specials on high-end wine and bubbles like Moet, Orin Swift ($50) and Prisoner ($60). In honor of Galentine's Day, diners can sip while enjoying female DJs spinning. 601 S. Harbour Island Blvd. #107, Tampa. americansocialbar.com
Bake’n Babes x BarrieHaus Beer Co. The duo have collaborated for a Valentine’s Day cookie and beer pairing. Nibble on Bake’n Babes iconic massive cookies while sipping on craft brews from BarrieHaus. It’s going down at the Ybor brewery on Sunday beginning at noon. Just a heads up, only limited quantities available so show up early to get in on the action. 1403 E. 5th Ave., Ybor City. barriehaus.com
Bonefish Grill Kick your day of love eats up a notch with Bonefish’s Filet & Lobster Tail meal, featuring a 7-oz. filet alongside a seasoned and steamed cold water lobster tail. Available Feb. 4-15, diners can pair this dish with the exclusive 20th Anniversary Weedon Island Wine Blend, Bonefish's own limited-edition private label wine available by the bottle or glass. If you’re not ready to dine-in, snag it to go. Various locations. Available for dine-in or carryout only. order.bonefishgrill.com
Carrabba’s Italian Grill Get traditional for your Valentine’s Day outing with a romantic Italian spread. Think "Lady and the Tramp" moments. From Feb. 9-15, Carrabba’s is offering a four-course dinner for two. For dessert, share a Sogno Di Cioccolata made up of a rich fudge brownie with chocolate mousse, fresh whipped cream and chocolate sauce. Available for dine-in and carryout. $50. Various locations. carrabbas.com
California Pizza Kitchen From February 10-14, CPK’s Valentine’s Day specials include the return of its popular heart-shaped pizzas, the “Sweet Deal for Two,” a $35 prix fixe menu from which guests can choose one appetizer, two entrees, and one dessert and three new “Sweet Deal Packages” for takeout orders. In addition, for every glass or bottle of Colby Red Blend wine sold, a donation will be made to the Children’s Heart Association in CPK’s name. Various locations. cpk.com
Donovan’s Modern American Meatery A prix-fixe dinner with 12 different aphrodisiacs. Wowza. Menu highlights from Executive Chef Lee Jasper include oysters on the half-shell, champagne granita, sweetheart salad, lobster bisque, tomahawk steaks, as well as a helping of truffle mac and cheese. $160/per person with wine pairings available for a $30 add-on. 11206 Sullivan St., Riverview. donovansmeatery.com
Dough Grab some sweets to go. This year the bakery is creating special conversation hearts with snarky phrases written in frosting. 2602 S MacDill Ave., Tampa. bestdoughnuts.com
Dr. BBQ/Datz Both concepts are constructing bacon bouquets. That means 12 pieces of bacon-wrapped into roses for a $24 appetizer. Nothing says love like bacon grease. Dr. BBQ, 1101 1st Ave. S, St. Petersburg (drbbqs.com). Multiple Datz locations, (datztampa.com).
Duffy’s Sports Grill Leading up until February 14, Duffy’s is hosting specials. If you want to keep it lowkey this Valentine’s Day, or are just looking for a place to grab a good bite, the resto is ready to provide. New menu items include firecracker shrimp and sesame-crusted ahi tuna tataki. V-Day eats include the lobster linguini pan-seared split Main lobster tail dish ($29.99), and the surf & turf dish that comes with an 8-oz. flame-grilled filet mignon and a roasted Main lobster tail ($34.99). 1580 N. Dale Mabry Hwy, Tampa. duffysmvp.com
Einstein Bagels Foodies can celebrate National Pizza Day and Valentine’s Day all week with Einstein Bros. Bagels’ Family Pizza Bagel Box, only $5, Feb. 9-14. Various locations. einsteinbros.com
Élevage The restaurant is crafting a four-course, prix-fixe menu. Menu items include lobster risotto, Chilean sea bass, prawns, and beef carpaccio. You can even opt for a bone-in tomahawk ribeye for two for an additional $40. The hardest part of the evening will be having to choose each course. Boss move: Order different items each to share. $85/ per person. 4 p.m.-10 p.m. Epicurean Hotel, 1207 S Howard Ave., Tampa. Reservations are recommended via Yelp or call (813) 999-8726.
Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar Valentine’s Day Lunch is offered on Sat., Feb. 13, and Sun., Feb. 14 (doors open at 11 a.m.). Lighter fare such as the filet mignon wedge and a salmon Mediterranean salad are on the menu as well as the steakhouse’s three-course Prime Surf & Turf and Filet Mignon dishes that will be up for grabs for Valentine’s Dinner. Want to amp up the romance at home? Fleming’s Wine Box comes with a bottle of FPS by B.R. Cohn, Cabernet Sauvignon California, a bottle of Mionetto, Avantgarde Prosecco Treviso Italy, NV, a box of truffles, tasting cards as well as two Riedel wine glasses. Reservations are encouraged. Various locations. flemingssteakhouse.com
Greenstock/Il Ritorno/ St. Pete Meat & Provisions The three sister concepts have crafted a $65 customizable three-course meal kit to make your Valentine’s meal at home. The first course begins with a salad from Greenstock. The next course is made-from-scratch pasta from IL Ritorno. The third course concludes the meal kit with steak from St. Pete Meat & Provisions. Guests can choose an Italian herb or garlic marinated skirt steak with IL Ritorno’s signature steak seasoning, or for an additional $38, choose a 14-oz. chateaubriand or 18 oz. American wagyu ribeye. $65. Order through stpetemeat.com or eatatgreenstock.com through Feb. 12. Kit will be available for pick-up at Greenstock (449 Central Avenue, downtown St. Pete) on either Feb. 12 or Feb. 13.
Hew Parlor & Chophouse The Dunedin chophouse is offering a three-course prix fixe menu for Valentine’s Day weekend, Feb. 13 and 14. Entrees range from vegetarian to seafood to fat slabs of red meat. For dessert, you can choose from a chocolate layer cake, baba au rhum or fruit sorbet—with two spoons of course. Music will also be provided by Katara Trio harpist, Seth Lynn beginning at 6 p.m. 5 p.m.-10 p.m. Fenway Hotel, 453 Edgewater Dr., Dunedin. Reservations are recommended via Yelp or call (727) 683-5990.
Jack’s Bottle Shop Celebrate Valentine’s Day all month long at Dunedin’s Jack’s Bottle Shop. On Feb. 11 slide by for the Valentine’s wine tasting event 5:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m. complete with a cheese pairing for each wine ($20). On Feb. 25 the joint is hosting an Italian wine tasting from 5:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m., stacked with sips and a charcuterie board ($20). 716 Broadway, Dunedin. jacksbottleshop.com
Jackson's Bistro The special dinner-for-two includes two salads, two oysters, a 32-oz. tomahawk steak for two, a platter of assorted desserts, and two glasses of champagne for $174, before tax and gratuity. Diners can also grab anything off of the restaurant’s signature menu items. Fri., Feb. 12-Sun., Feb. 14. 601 S. Harbour Island Blvd., Tampa. jacksonsbistro.com
Mellow Mushroom Want to do something special but on a tight budget? Opt for MM’s Shroom Love Box pizza kit. The kit is loaded with ingredients to make a small Mellow Mushroom pepperoni pizza, including the brand’s signature garlic butter and parmesan to finish the crust. It's also equipped with the perfect number of pepperonis so love birds can shape them into a heart for Valentine’s Day. $9.95. Available until Feb. 21. Various locations. ordermellowmushroom.com
Metro Diner Steal away your bubby for a low key Valentine’s Day brunch. Metro’s menu has all of the comfort food classics like fried chicken and waffles, croissant french toast, biscuits and gravy and eggs any way. You can even grab some boozy sips thanks to $2.99 mimosas and bloody marys all day long. Various locations. metrodiner.com
Ocean Prime If you are itching for an evening out, you can choose from the roasted sea bass over Alaskan King crab gnocchi with champagne cream (priced by market starting at $62/ per person), or the 10-oz. South African lobster tail (priced by market starting at $80/ per person). Not ready to venture into dining out? Ocean Prime is offering a three-course meal that can be heated up and plated in your own kitchen. Check out the resto’s website for details. You can also snag some cocktails to go for you and your significant other to get a little tipsy or gift them to a thirsty friend. 2205 N. West Shore Blvd., Tampa. ocean-prime.com
Pickford’s Counter The joint is serving up a three-course meal to celebrate Valentine’s Day at home. Eats include poached shrimp, and a 16-oz Providence cattle striploin with decadent sides all easy to reheat for a romantic night in. Finish it off with a s'mores kit from S’mores is My Favorite Sandwich. Pickup for your Valentine’s @ Home pack can be scooped up anytime before 2:30 p.m. on Sunday. 2606 W. Hillsborough Ave., Tampa. pickfordscounter.com
Rooster & the Till Take your someone special out for a four-course meal by Chef Ferrell Alvarez. The Valentine's Dinner starts at $100 per person. Make sure to snag a reservation ASAP, and you might want to splurge on some bubbly sips for the occasion. 6500 N Florida Ave, Tampa. roosterandthetill.com
Sal Y Mar Rooftop Bar Located atop the dual-branded Aloft and Element Hotel in Midtown Tampa , the bar is offering a three-course prix fixe menu for Valentine’s Day. For $59/ per person, guests will receive a complimentary glass of champagne upon arrival, as well as a bottle of rose, red, or white house wine with dinner. 4 p.m.-midnight. 3650 Midtown Dr.. Tampa. salymarrooftop.com
St. Petersburg Distillery Put your bar cart to work this Valentine’s Day with the Cupid’s Arrow cocktail recipe from St. Petersburg Distillery. Mix up 1.5-oz. Banyan Reserve Vodka, .75-oz. Tippler’s Orange Liqueur, pour into a martini glass and top with sparkling wine. Want to make it a little extra? Garnish with flavored Brach’s Conversation Hearts. You can order spirits from the distillery for pickup or delivery through the brand’s website. stpetersburgdistillery.com
Sugar Factory Need something decadent for dessert? Sugar Factory is always ready to provide. Other than its expansive menu of sweets, the concept is offering a special Valentine’s Day Hearts of Love Insane Milkshake. This cookies and cream milkshake is served in a dark red chocolate-dipped mug, and topped with a heart-shaped rice Krispy treat and chocolate-covered strawberries. By the way, each guest on Valentine's Day, Sunday, Feb. 14, will receive a complimentary rose and a chocolate-covered strawberry. Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa, 223 Orient Rd., Tampa. sugarfactory.com
TradeWinds Island Resorts Both of Tradewinds' restaurants, Palm Court Italian Grill at the TradeWinds Island Grand and RumFish Grill, will be serving up special Valentine’s Day menus. At Rumfish, you and yours can order the three-course menu for two ($125) with your choice of appetizer, entree and dessert along with a bottle of wine. Palm Court’s dishes favor seafood, with an appetizer comprised of a trio of two shrimp, calamari and caprese. Palm Court 5:30 p.m.-10 p.m., and RumFish Grill 5 p.m.-10 p.m. To make reservations for Palm Court Bistro, call 727-363-2358. To make reservations for RumFish Grill, call 727-329-1428. 5500 Gulf Blvd., St. Pete Beach. tradewindsresort.com
Vantage The rooftop bar and restaurant is offering an eight-course, prix-fixe dinner. The menu features dishes like heart-shaped lobster ravioli, beef tartare and a cheese course. Drink in your views (and some handcrafted cocktails) with your boo. Bonus, if you get a little tipsy or want to go all out for Valentine's Day, book a room at the Karol Hotel. $175 per person. 5 p.m.-10 p.m. The Karol Hotel, 2675 Ulmerton Rd., Clearwater. Reservations are recommended via OpenTable or call (727) 273-7850.
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