Valentine’s Day is almost here, which means it’s time to square away those reservations for an evening with that special someone in your life. Plenty of New Jersey restaurants (and bars!) are offering specials that you and yours are sure to adore.
And for even more dining ideas, check out our annual list of Jersey’s best restaurants!
Amalfi’s • Lawrence Township
From February 11-14, guests can enjoy a special Valentine’s Day menu. Dishes include tortellini, bacon-potato soup, pan-seared scallops, raspberry soufflé and more. Reservations can be made via phone.
146 Lawrenceville Pennington Road, Lawrence Township; 609-912-1599
Auburn Road Vineyard & Winery • Pilesgrove
Enjoy a wine flight (four 2-oz glasses) and four chocolates for $27. The vineyard’s traditional s’mores is getting a pink, heart-shaped marshmallow twist.
117 Sharptown-Auburn Road, Pilesgrove; 856-769-9463
Enjoy an elegant Valentine’s meal at B2 Bistro + Bar. Photo courtesy of Foxtrot Media
B2 Bistro + Bar • Multiple locations
This bistro is offering V-Day specials from February 10-14 at all of its locations. Lobster ravioli, surf and turf for two, chocolate covered cherry martinis and more are going to be available at the Point Pleasant location. A full menu is going to be available at all locations as well.
125 Bayview Avenue, Bayville; 732-269-3000
1250 Hooper Avenue, Toms River; 732-797-2570
230 Washington Place, North Brunswick; 732-297-3803
141 Shrewsbury Avenue, Red Bank; 732-268-8555
709 Arnold Avenue, Point Pleasant; 732-295-0709
The Bonney Read • Asbury Park
From 4-10 pm on Valentine’s Day, the Bonney Read is offering couples a $75 Bubbles & Pearls special that includes a dozen oysters with 1 oz of caviar. It also comes with two glasses of Prosecco.
525 Cookman Avenue, Asbury Park; 732-455-3352
Brook Hollow Winery • Columbia
A special menu is going to be available Valentine’s Day starting at 7 pm. Options include roast salmon, seared duck, stuffed pork loin and chicken cordon bleu with sides of tomato bruschetta, autumn salad, fingerling potatoes, veggies and dinner rolls. And don’t forget dessert!
594 NJ-94, Columbia; 908-496-8200
Cree Wine Company • Hampton
With seatings from 4-8 pm, Cree Wine is offering a prix fixe menu. With scallops, cacio e pepe, sausage lasagna, salmon and more, the menu includes a wine recommendation with each dish. $90 per person.
167 Perryville Road, Hampton; 908-200-7772
Crystal Springs restaurants • Vernon & Hamburg
This resort has Valentine’s specials across its on-site restaurants. A special three-course menu is being served at Kites Restaurant (charcuterie, chocolate covered strawberries and more), while a four-course at Crystal Tavern includes rack of lamb, red velvet creme brûlée and more). Five new dishes can be found at Springs Bistro, including venison loin, swordfish and more. Reservations are recommended at each location. All items are priced by the course.
Kites Restaurant, 2 Charmonix Drive, Vernon; 844-217-7100
Crystal Tavern, 1 Wild Turkey Way, Hamburg; 844-225-4953
Springs Bistro, 3 WIld Turkey Way, Hamburg; 973-862-4351
David Burke’s restaurants • Multiple locations
Chef David Burke is ready to honor amour. Three course, prix fixe menus are being offered at Drifthouse in Sea Bright ($85 per person), Red Horse in Rumson ($135), Orchard Park in East Brunswick ($110), and The Goat in Union Beach ($75 per person). Each location is going to present Burke’s signature special heart-shaped tin can cake topped with whipped cream and raspberry sauce. A la carte options are available at each spot. Reservations recommended.
Drifthouse, 1485 Ocean Avenue, Sea Bright; 732-530-9760
Red Horse, 26 Ridge Road, Rumson; 732-576-3400
Orchard Park, 670 Cranbury Road, East Brunswick; 732-554-5714
The Goat, 1411 NJ-36, Union Beach; 732-264-5222
Esty Street • Park Ridge
This eclectic American restaurant is presenting a special Valentine’s Day menu. Dishes include champagne-cured salmon, roast Chilean sea bass, lobster Bolognese and more. Esty Street has new desserts this year, including pear upside-down cake.
86 Spring Valley Road, Park Ridge; 201-307-1515
Exit Zero Filling Station & Ferry Station • Cape May
Valentine’ specials are being offered from February 10 to 14. At the Filling Station, guests can reserve dining trailers for a private experience. For an additional $30, they’ll receive a bottle of champagne and chocolate-covered strawberries. Holiday cocktails include the Love Potion, Honeymoon Avenue, Spicy Lover and 7 Minutes in Heaven. The Ferry Station is also offering themed cocktails. A complimentary heart-shaped cookie also comes with any purchase.
Exit Zero Filling Station, 110 Sunset Boulevard, Cape May; 609-770-8479
Exit Zero Ferry Station, 1200 Lincoln Boulevard, Cape May; 609-551-4208
Garden State Wine Growers Association Wine & Chocolate Trails • Multiple locations
Chocolate and wine make perfect V-Day buddies. From February 10-12 and February 17-19, wineries around the state are offering chocolate and wine samplings for the weekend. For example, Jessie Creek Winery in Cape May is offering tastings of five wines and five local chocolates for $35 per person.
Girasole • Atlantic City
From February 11-18, Girasole is celebrating with a three-course dinner menu. Dishes include calamari, carpaccio girasole (filet mignon with asparagus, artichokes and truffle oil), tagliatelle Bolognese and branzino. A surprise dessert is complimentary; dinner is $65 per person.
3108 Pacific Avenue, Atlantic City; 609-345-5554
Golden Nugget Hotel • Atlantic City
Vic & Anthony’s Steakhouse has a $65 prix fixe menu on February 13 and 14, which is accompanied by wine, champagne and cocktails. Grotto is celebrating on February 12 with a $75 four-course dinner. Lillie’s Asian Cuisine is celebrating February 9-12 with a $60 pre-fixe menu that includes complimentary champagne and surf and turf dishes.
600 Huron Avenue, Atlantic City; 609-441-2000
Halifax • Hoboken
Catch a Hudson River waterfront view of New York City this Valentine’s Day. Halifax’s three-course menu includes scallop ceviche, yellowtail poke, filet mignon and more. For dessert, the Kyss includes raspberry cremeux, chocolate sponge cake, raspberry meringue and white chocolate. Dinner is $99 per person and can be paired with a special wine menu for an additional $51.
225 River Street, Hoboken; 201-253-2500
Harbor Pines Golf Club • Egg Harbor Township
Enjoy a romantic dinner a la carte on Valentine’s Day. Choices include lamb lollipops, cowboy ribeye, scallops and shrimp, champagne chicken, and more—plus live music throughout the night. Seatings are available from 5-9 pm, and reservations are required.
500 Saint Andrews Drive, Egg Harbor Township; 609-927-0006
Kirshenbaum’s pies make for the perfect Valentine’s dessert. Photo courtesy of Kirshenbaum Baking Co
Kirshenbaum Baking Co. • Westfield
This new bakery brings new flavors for heartthrobs. The mini-pie collection includes key lime, mud pie, raspberry cheesecake and strawberry rhubarb. Red velvet cookies, blackberry doughnuts and strawberry chocolate croissants are also available this month— and decked out in red and pink.
62 Elm Street, Westfield; 908-228-5134
The Pier House (La Mer Beachfront Resort) • Cape May
This waterfront restaurant is holding a four-course Valentine’s Day dinner from 5-9 pm on February 10 and 11. The $85 per person dinner includes asparagus bisque, surf and turf, beef short rib and more. Brunch is being offered on those days, along with more Valentine’s specials.
1317 Beach Avenue, Cape May; 609-770-4810
Nunzio by Chef Michael DeLone • Collingswood
The BYO is offering a four-course menu this holiday. Choices include crispy pork belly, black and white truffle gnocchi, butternut squash risotto, New York strip, chocolate custard with mixed berry jam, and more. Dinner is $80 per person.
706 Haddon Avenue, Collingswood; 856-858-9840
Occasionette • Collingswood
Celebrate Galentine’s Day at this woman-owned gifts-and-goods shop. On February 11, customers are invited to make their own Valentine’s bouquets while enjoying complimentary Prosecco and snacks. Tickets are $46 per person. Occasionette is also offering Valentine’s bouquets for pre-order at the store.
724 Haddon Avenue, Collingswood; 856-854-0111
Osteria Morini • Bernardsville
While usually closed on Tuesdays, Osteria Morini is staying open for Valentine’s Day. A four-course, pre-fixe menu is going to include dishes such as tuna tartare, braised eggplant, gnocchi, surf and turf, halibut, desserts and more. Dinner is $65 per person; reservations are recommended.
107 Morristown Road, Bernardsville; 908-221-0040
Paulo’s BBQ Steakhouse • South Plainfield
Go prix-fixe on Valentine’s Day at this lovely BBQ spot. Shrimp in garlic sauce, Picanha steak, grilled salmon, flan and more are on the menu.
2341 Plainfield Avenue, South Plainfield; 908-753-5252
Piccola Italia • Ocean
Enjoy four courses of Valentine’s Day specials. The menu includes caramelized pear and Brie strudel, oysters, truffle-and-duck pate, slow-braised veal, filet mignon, burrata ravioli, and lemon cheesecake. Reservations are required and can be made by phone.
837 West Park Avenue, Ocean; 732-493-3090
Rat’s Restaurant • Hamilton
At this romantic French destination, Valentine’s specials include smoked lobster ceviche, escargot, roasted duck breast, scallops, roasted eggplant, and lobster tails. After dinner, stroll through the Grounds for Sculpture campus, on which Rat’s is located, for sound and light installations.
16 Fairgrounds Road, Hamilton; 609-584-7800
Resorts Casino Hotel • Atlantic City
Inside the hotel, Bar One is hosting a special pop-up through the end of the month. The XO Bar, decked out in Valentine’s Day décor, is offering drink specials like Cupid’s Cosmo and the Heartbreak Hotel Manhattan. The bar also plays bingo every Sunday and is hosting a Galentine’s party on February 13.
1133 Boardwalk, Atlantic City; 609-340-6300
Rhythm & Spirits • Atlantic City
Diners can celebrate with pre-fixe menus the Friday and Saturday before Valentine’s Day, as well as on February 14. Offerings on the four-course, $100 per person menu include shrimp tartare, pesto pasta, filet mignon and dessert. A two-course option is also available for $50 per person. Reservations are required.
129 South Tennessee Avenue, Atlantic City; 609-350-6852
Rooftop at Exchange Place • Jersey City
Celebrate Galentine’s Day and Valentine’s Day at this rooftop bar. From February 11-13, all Galentines can enjoy 40 percent off select cocktails and bites. Terrace, the restaurant at Exchange Place, is offering a three-course dinner from 5-10 pm on February 14 for $85 per person.
1 Exchange Place, Jersey City; 551-256-7850
Ryfe AC • Atlantic City
The $89 “That’s Amoré” dinner package on Valentine’s Day includes seafood bisque or wedge salad, surf and turf, asparagus or spinach, and a red velvet cupcake or New York-style cheesecake. Dinner comes with a choice of Cabernet Sauvignon or Chateau de Berne Romance Rosé.
4101 Atlantic Avenue, Atlantic City; 609-428-6993
Salt Creek Grille • Rumson
Valentine’s Day starts early here. Salt Creek Grille’s “Love is in the Air” four-course menu is available February 10-11 and 13-14. It includes crispy Brussels sprouts, lobster bisque, baby-back ribs, citrus brown-butter salmon, coffee-crusted New York strip, butter cake and more.
4 Bingham Avenue, Rumson; 732-933-9272
Samba • Montclair
This restaurant, certified entirely gluten-free, offers specials for V-Day weekend. Skirt steak with parmesan truffle fries, duck croquetas, and grilled octopus are some of the new dishes. Specials are available February 10-19.
7 Park Street, Montclair; 973-744-6764
Seaview Hotel & Golf Club • Galloway
Choices in the four-course Valentine’s Day dinner prix-fixe include red snapper, chicken piccata, raspberry mousse in a chocolate cup and more for $64.95 per person. Wine selections and lobster tails can be added for an additional cost. Reservations required.
401 South New York Road, Galloway; 609-652-1800
Showboat • Atlantic City
Stop by the casino’s Atlantic City Eatery (ACE) for a heart-shaped pizza and a complimentary bottle of wine for $21.99 (dine-in only). Handcrafted V-Day cocktails are being served at all bars on the property from 5-7 pm on February 14.
801 Boardwalk, Atlantic City; 609-487-4600
Sugar Factory • Atlantic City
Through February 28, guests can try Sugar Factory’s newest special, the Crazy For You milkshake. Made with strawberry ice cream and New York cheesecake, it’s topped with whipped cream, cherry gummy hearts, M&M’s, chocolate hearts and gumdrops. The creation is served in a red chocolate mug with two straws, so it’s perfect for sharing.
1000 Boardwalk Avenue (Hard Rock Hotel & Casino), Atlantic City; 609-428-7283
Vine & Oak • Cranford
From 4-10 pm on Valentine’s Day, a special three-course menu includes sesame ginger calamari and burrata for appetizers, local dayboat scallops, and Mediterranean branzino. Nutella panna cotta is among the desserts. Dinner is $95 per person.
100 S Avenue East, Cranford; 908-967-6058
801 Craft Kitchen & Spirits • Belmar
A three-course dinner is available on Valentine’s Day at this new restaurant. Starting at 6 pm, guests can enjoy appetizers, entrées and dessert, in addition to a beer or wine pairing for each course. Tickets are $100 per person.
801 Main Street, Belmar; 732-202-7783
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