Valentine’s Day is for lovers — and for lovers of food. It’s one of the most popular nights out, so if you want to dine at your favorite spot, you need to think ahead and make plans. If you don’t get a reservation, don’t panic. Most places plan for a few walk-ins on special occasions.
Here’s what some area restaurants are doing.
DINNER OUT
• Eclectic and romantic Barbacoa, 376 W. Bobwhite Court, Boise, will serve a four-course pre fixe dinner ($85 per person) that includes a dozen roses, and a card and candy ready at your table. Reservations are taken by phone only, 338-5000. Online: Barbacoa-Boise.com.
• Berryhill and Co., 121 N. 9th St., Boise, will serve a special romantic menu, that includes filet Oscar — an RR Ranch filet topped with crab ($49) and scallops and linguine tossed in cilantro pesto ($32). They still have early and late seatings. You can make reservations online: JohnBerryhillRestaurants.com/BerryhillandCo. Phone: 387-3553.
• Chandlers Steakhouse, 981 W. Grove St., Boise, is fully booked on V Day, Feb. 14. But the restaurant will serve its Valentine’s Day pre fixe menu Feb. 13-16, so you can catch up. Reservations are taken by phone only: 383-4300. Online: ChandlersBoise.com.
• Cottonwood Grille, 913 River St., Boise, will offer a surf and turf special filet and lobster or Basque shrimp pil-pil (market price). Make reservations online at CottonwoodGrille.com or by phone at 333-9800.
• Gino’s Italian Ristorante, 3015 W. McMillan Road, Meridian, will serve owner Gino Vuolo’s always-romantic menu from 4 to 10 p.m. Reservations are by phone only: 887-7710.
• The Melting Pot, 200 N. 6th St., is sold out on Feb. 14, but never fear — the Valentine’s Celebration runs Feb. 15-16, too. You can order one of two four-course dinner packages starting at $49.95 in its intimate setting. Reservations at 343-8800 and online at MeltingPot.com/Boise.
• Asiago’s, 1002 Main St., Boise. 336-5552, has openings before 6 and after 8 p.m. Make reservations by phone at 336-5552 or at Asiagos.com.
• Bella Aquila, 775 S. Rivershore Lane, Eagle, has openings before 5 p.m. and after 8:30 p.m. on Feb. 14. Make reservations by phone at 938-1900 or online at BellaAquilaRestaurant.com.
Find more options at OpenTable.com.
WINERY DINNER
Telaya, Coiled and Cinder wineries will team up for a Valentine’s Day dinner at Cinder’s Garden City wine room, 107 E. 44th St.
Tapia’s Catering will prepare the three-course dinner, each paired with one of the three wineries’ best. The night includes dancing, a special gift for each lady and two additional glasses of wine of your choice. The artisan cheese spread starts at 6:30 p.m. It’s $85 per person. Find the link to make a nonrefundable reservation at Facebook.com/CinderWines.
GET A ROOM
• The Modern Hotel and Bar is whipping up a couple of things for Valentine’s Day. First, chef Nathan Whitley is preparing a four-course dinner ($65 per person) that includes one of the hotel’s award-winning signature cocktails. There are seatings at 6 and 8:30 p.m. Dinner reservations are taken by phone only at 424-8244.
Also, you can get a special room rate ($99, $108 and $159) and “Document Your Love” with the folks from Story Story Night. They will capture your love story, which you can choose to donate to the Story Story archives if you like. You also will receive a photo at the Valentine photo booth and an MP3 of your story.
• The Riverside Hotel, 2900 W. Chinden Blvd., Boise, will prepare a special four-course Valentine’s Day dinner featuring Idaho’s Telaya Wines in the newly remodeled Sapphire Room. The $69 price includes live music, tax and tip. For an additional $99 you can get a deluxe room package, which includes champagne, chocolate and a breakfast buffet for two.
Or dance to the oldies with the Fabulous Chancelors in the Riverside’s ballroom starting at 7:30 p.m. The Chancellors Package includes two concert tickets, a deluxe guest room and breakfast buffet for two for $99.
For either package, call 343-1871 for reservations. If you want to just go to the Chancellors’ show, it’s $10 per person at the door.
• Emilio’s and The Grove Hotel, 245 Capitol Blvd., are offering a “Heart and Soul” package for you and a soulmate. It includes dinner for two at Emilio’s, a stay for two in a room strewn with rose petals, plus a dozen roses, chocolates and sparkling wine at turn-down and a keepsake for $289.
Emilio’s Valentine specials include a traditional surf and turf ( $38) and a shrimp and scallop entree ($32). Make reservations at 333-8002 and EmiliosBoise.com.
• The Plaza Grill at the Owyhee Plaza Hotel, 1109 Main St., Boise, is offering a four-course Valentine’s dinner for $34.95 per person, from 5 to 9 p.m. The entrees include prime rib, steak and shrimp scampi. If you feel like staying over, you can get the Getaway Package — a deluxe room for two, cocktails and appetizers in the Gamekeeper Lounge and breakfast the morning after — for $121. Reservations: 343-4611.
WINE AND CHOCOLATE
February is the month of love, and who doesn’t love wine and chocolate? This weekend, Feb. 9-10, you can get your fill — and pick up some Valentine’s Day gifts — at the third annual Sawtooth Winery “Wine and Chocolate Tasting” event.
From noon to 5 p.m. both days you’ll discover delicious pairings of Chocolat Bar boutique chocolates with Sawtooth wines.
It’s at the Nampa winery, 13750 Surrey Lane. You’ll also find discounts on cases of wine and boxes of chocolates.
It costs $10 in advance at SawtoothWinery.com/events and $15 at the door. Free for wine club members,
Find more Valentine’s Day tasting events at IdahoWines.org.
SEXY FOODS
John Berryhill is getting you ready for Valentine’s Day with “Sexy Foods & Vodka” on Feb 9.
You’ll learn how to cook with aphrodisiac foods at 6 p.m. at Berryhill and Co., 121 9th St. Boise — with vodka on the side. It costs $100 per person at JohnBerryhillRestaurants.com. Phone: 387-3553.
Submit restaurant news to scene@idahostatesman.com at least one week before publication.
