Friday, February 6, 2015

Updated: For Valentine's


Sante in Matthews will offer a four-course Valentine menu Feb. 13 and 14 for $70. Lobster bisque, truffle-scented wild mushroom soup, "French Hearts Salad" (artichoke hearts, hearts of palm, Tega Hills' French crisp hearts -- that's a lettuce -- and tomato hearts), herb-broiled Dover sole, seared filet mignon, flourless chocolate torte and pear and blackberry crumble are a few of the choices. 165 N. Trade St. in Matthews; 704-845-1899; www.santeofmatthews.com.

Global's five-course Valentine menu is $69 ($99 with wine pairings), and begins with Hudson Valley foie gras cromesquis (think foie encased in croquette) and 2011 Sauterne Chateau Fleur D'Or; then Maine lobster and orzo with 2013 Sancerre Sauvignon Blanc; wild boar shoulder with 2011 Cashburn Pinot Noir; duck "cassoulet" (with breast, leg and egg) and 2011 Le Couroulu Vacqueyras Blend; and "folie a deux" -- dark chocolate craquant parfait with cranberry orange marmalade with Simonet. Reservations: 704-248-0866; 3520 Toringdon Way; www.global-restaurant.com.

Vivace's Feb. 14 menu has classics and twists, from a carbonara with duck prosciutto instead of bacon to beet ravioli with goat cheese; the regular menu will also be offered. Among other specials: sea scallop crudo with blood orange; crispy lamb ribs with spiced rosemary honey; lobster bisque with brown butter ricotta gnocchi, pork chop Milanese, beef tenderloin with Gorgonzola potato cake, black and white tiramisu, chocolate bomba and more. 704-370-7755; 1100 Metropolitan Ave.

The Ritz-Carlton's Bar Cocoa will do a Valentine's pop-up at the Urban Garden 2-6 p.m. Feb. 12-13, offering lots of Norman Love chocolates (above) and more. Also at the Ritz: BLT Steak will be open both on Valentine's Day and from 5:30 to 10 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 15, with a regular menu and a Valentine's one, that's offered both a la carte or as a prix fixe for $60. That includes Maine lobster risotto; peppercorn-crusted New York strip with trumpet mushrooms and foie gras; side of orzo and crab gratin; and dark chocolate bombe with raspberries. 110 N. College St. in the Ritz-Carlton; reservations: 704-972-4380.

From 1-9:30 p.m. Valentine's Day, Kabuto's Lake Norman will have combination hibachi specials, with two glasses of house wine or Champagne and a dessert to take home, for $59.90-$69.90 per couple. 704-655-0077.

Bonefish Grill will offer meals for couples for $29.90 a person after 4 p.m. Feb. 9-15, with surf and turf and shellfish-stuffed sea bass among the options. Multiple locations: www.bonefishgrill.com.

D'Vine Wine will offer its full menu plus specials Feb. 12-14, and there'll be special sparkling wines by the glass. Among the specials, all small plates: grilled watermelon with barbecued shrimp and mixed greens; roasted garlic and truffle white bean hummus; turkey burger on honey-pumpkin roll; and seared tuna with soba noodles and edamame. Reservations will be taken by phone only, at 704-369-5050. 14815 John J. Delaney Drive.

Have you been (or are you still, or do you plan to be) procrastinating about Valentine’s Day dining? The Capital Grille anticipates your pain, and is doing a “#ReservationRescue” dinner giveaway on Facebook Feb. 11-12. Enter it and one winning couple will get a 6 p.m. reservation for two on Valentine’s Day, and $150 worth of dinner. You’ll need to go to its Facebook page at facebook.com/thecapitalgrille between 7 a.m. Feb. 11 and 11:59 p.m. Feb. 12 (both times are Eastern Standard) to enter. The restaurant chain will post on the page to open the contest. You’ll need to “comment with one word to describe their significant other (aka: Valentine)” – suggestion here: Don’t use that one – then “list their local TCG (the city/location).” One winner per location will be chosen at random; they’ll be contacted on Facebook on Feb. 13 and will have four hours to accept, or they forfeit and someone else is chosen. More rules, etc.: www.thecapitalgrille.com/support/terms.

Zebra will offer an $85-per-person menu Feb. 13-15, with choices that range from lobster bisque and Malpeque oysters on the half shell to roasted wild striped bass and tournedos of beef tenderloin Diane. 4521 Sharon Road; zebrarestaurant.net; 704-442-9525.

Passion8 offers three Valentine variations: A 5 p.m. seating with three courses for $45, a 7 p.m. seating with four courses for $65, and a 9:30 p.m. seating with five courses for $85. A photographer and props provider will be at the restaurant, to arrange and record the evening; images are free for customers. Actually, there are four variations, if you count the next day’s Sunday brunch: live music and the Bloody Mary bar. There'll also be a three-course, $30 brunch Feb. 15. 704-910-3161; 1523 Elizabeth Ave.; www.thepassion8.com.

Del Frisco's will offer an 8-ounce filet and 8-ounce lobster tail for $79 Feb. 13-15. There'll also be a full menu on Feb. 13, a limited one on Feb. 14, and on Feb. 15, the Prime Pair menu will be added to the lineup, as usual on Sunday nights: choice of salad, filet paired with crab cake or barbecue spiced shrimp or lemon garlic scallops, plus a side. (That's $55.) 4725 Piedmont Row Drive; 704-552-5502.

The Ballantyne hosts "a magical Princess Tea" 1-5 p.m. Feb. 11-14: It's a family-style Valentines event, and kids are encouraged to dress up in princess gowns, jewelry and tiaras (wear 'em if you got 'em): $36 for adults, $18 for kids, plus tax and tip. Reservations required: 704-248-4100.

Feb. 13-15, the hotel's Gallery restaurant offers a three-course fixed-price dinner with choice of root vegetable soup or sea scallop as appetizer; beef tenderloin or shellfish ravioli as entree, and a chocolate petits fours platter, chocolate strawberry terrine or sorbet for dessert; a Champagne toast is included. Cost: $65 per person; reservations at www.gallery-restaurant.com or 704-248-4100. 10000 Ballantyne Commons Parkway.

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