Uh oh.
Valentine’s Day is just around the corner and you haven’t given much thought to spoiling your significant other?
South Philly and nearby neighborhoods offer plenty of options from great food, activities and sweet treats to help any last-minute procrastinator come up with a thoughtful gift. Here are just a few hints provided by Cupid to help get the ideas flowing.
The Dutch (1537 S. 11th St.) is celebrating Valentine’s Day with both a decadent brunch special and a limited-time signature cocktail. Available exclusively on Feb. 14, guests can look forward to Strawberry Shortcake Bread Pudding French Toast ($18), a toppling French toast stuffed with cream cheese and covered in cookie crumbles and macerated strawberries, alongside the La Vie en Rosé Spritz, a blushworthy riff on the classic rosé spritz.
The Library Bar – (900 Packer Ave.) Inside Live! Casino and Hotel Philadelphia, Now through Feb. 20, the Library Bar inside the Prime Rib transforms into a romantic hideaway complete with red velvet and pink-themed décor. Guests can enjoy specialty cocktails and desserts, presented by Stella.
Townsend EPX (1623 E. Passyunk Ave.) – Chef Townsend Wentz’s French restaurant and bar is celebrating Valentine’s Day with a decadent six-course prix fixe dinner. For $125 per person, diners can relax in the Townsend EPX’s warmly lit, intimate dining room while savoring Tuna Crudo comprised of cara cara orange, radish and citrus espuma, Savoy Cabbage and Nori-Wrapped Halibut Loin made with savoy cabbage, oysters, leeks and sauce barigoule, Foie Gras Cappalletti paired with pickled beets and brown butter, Sweetbreads served with roasted carrots, grilled celery, Cippolini onions, oven-dried tomato and red wine jus, Braised Chuck Short Rib with butter nut and potato gratin dauphinois, truffles and sauce braisage, and Caramelized White Chocolate Soufflé dressed in Luxardo cherry anglaise. Reservations are strongly encouraged and are available via Resy.
The Twisted Tail (509 S. 2nd St.) Headhouse Square’s restaurant, bar and live music venue, is offering a four-course prix fixe menu for $59 per person. Available on Feb. 14 from 4 to 10 p.m., guests are invited to woo their loved one with the restaurant’s decadent menu, with highlights including Duck Confit with frisée, orange vinaigrette, asian pear and a coddled egg, an Encrusted Double Cut Pork Chop with oyster mushrooms, cream, leeks, raisins and broccoli rabe, and Scallops from the charcoal grill with almond, shallot and bacon jam. Guests will also have a choice of a dessert, a Pineapple Upside Down Cake, Caramel Budino or a Chocolate Crepe Cake. The Twisted Tail is also offering specialty cocktails for the occasion. Festive libations include Head Over Heels ($15) made with Tequila Rose, espresso and coffee liqueur and Roses are Red ($15) made with Gin, lemon, strawberry and sparkling wine. Reservations are highly encouraged and can be made on OpenTable or calling 215-558-2471.
48 Record Bar (48 S. 2nd St.) A Very TSOP Valentine’s At 48RB, an evening of romantic, uplifting and, occasionally, erotic tunes curated by 48 Record Bar’s resident “Record Butler” DJ On Mars. Guests and their special someones can enjoy “The Sound of Philly,” otherwise known as Philly Soul, through the sonorous melodies of Gamble & Huff (pioneers of Philadelphia soul music), as well as some Philly jazz musicians of the same era. 48 Record Bar’s signature cocktails, small plates and vibes will be available from 5 p.m. to 2 a.m., with no reservations or cover.
Forsythia (233 Chestnut St.) Chef Christopher Kearse’s contemporary and French restaurant and bar in Old City is offering a five-course Valentine’s Day dinner, exclusively available on Feb. 14, for lovers and foodies alike looking to embrace l’esprit d’amour. The decadent prix-fixe experience includes Lobster & Chestnut Soup comprised of lobster salad, puffed grains and cognac (option to add truffle for $20), Scallop Crudo prepared with passion fruit, dill and crème fraîche (option to add caviar for $25), Roasted Halibut fashioned with savoy cabbage, poached oysters and smoked beurre blanc, 10-Day Aged Rohan Duck with quince, sunchokes, celery root and foie gras jus, and Valrhona Chocolate Torte composed of black cherry, Rival Brothers Coffee crémeux and coco nib tuile. Dinner is priced at $120 per person. Reservations are highly encouraged and can be made via Resy.
Ocean Prime (124 S. 15th St.), the classic steak and seafood-forward modern American restaurant and lounge is an ideal venue for a memorable and romantic evening, thanks to a menu of indulgent plates and curated cocktails and wines. In addition to Ocean Prime’s extensive steak and seafood offerings, the restaurant will offer Valentine’s Day specials including Broiled Chilean Seabass ($70) with Maine Lobster Ravioli, English Peas and asparagus, served with a parmesan vin blanc and finished with Calabrian chili oil, and a 16-ounce Bone-In Wagyu 28 day dry-aged New York Strip, available by itself ($110) and as a composed plate ($125) with crispy truffle fingerlings and house-made chimichurri, as well as the “Love Struck,” a specialty cocktail comprised of Espolon Blanco tequila, Velvet Falernum Carribean Liqueur, Lime Juice, Mango simple syrup and dragonfruit puree. Reservations are encouraged and can be made via OpenTable.
Urban Farmer (1850 Benjamin Franklin Parkway), the modern American steakhouse located in the Logan Hotel is offering a Valentine’s Day five-course plated menu exclusively on Feb. 14. For $140 per person, guests begin with a choice to share including the A5 Wagyu Carpaccio, followed by an individual soup or salad course. The experience includes a refreshing Raspberry Champagne Sorbet to prepare for a lineup of highlights like Crab Stuffed Salmon, with spinach risotto, Black Truffle Carbonara, crafted tableside with duck egg and house-cured guanciale and the Tomahawk for Two. Guests will also have a choice of dessert including the Heart to Heart, chocolate banana pâté with raspberry mousse and chocolate raspberry truffle, or the Thyme Biscuit Strawberry Shortcake.
Add-ons include an optional wine pairing for $50 per person; 1-ounce Beluga Caviar ($160), served with creme fraiche, egg whites and yolks, and caviar berries; plus two feature cocktails, Stop and Smell the Rose ($17), made with Milagro reposado, Meletti chocolate, amaro montenegro, strawberry rose syrup and strawberry cream, and Meant to Be ($17), crafted with Stateside vodka, creme de violette, sparkling wine, lemon and rose water mist.
From Feb. 15-17, Urban Farmer will also be offering specials in addition to its à la carte menu, including Oysters Royale ($21) served with house bacon, tarragon and glacage, and the Prime Tenderloin and Lobster Tail ($72), a 5-ounce prime tenderloin with a 4-ounce Atlantic lobster tail with robiola duchess potato. Urban Farmer’s two feature cocktails will be available Feb. 14-17. Reservations are highly encouraged and can be made on OpenTable.
Philly Mini Golf with LOVE Date Night (Franklin Square) hosts a special Date Night on Feb. 14. Center City’s only miniature golf course is transformed for love-themed winter fun in Franklin Square, celebrating the season of love with special décor and music. The 18-hole game features reproductions of Philadelphia icons and landmarks, including the Liberty Bell, Rocky steps and Ben Franklin Bridge. Couples who book Philly Mini Golf with LOVE get a special treat along with their love-themed date night.
Signature Cruises (Penn’s Landing, 401 S. Christopher Columbus Blvd.), toast to the most romantic day of the year on the water during the Philadelphia Valentine’s Signature Dinner Cruises on Feb. 10, Feb. 14 and Feb. 17 from 7 to 9:30 p.m. Guests can treat their Valentine to a special evening with signature buffets, delicious cocktails, dancing and Philadelphia’s most stunning views.
Insomnia Cookies (833 Wharton St.) – Chocolate lovers are guaranteed to fall in love at first bite while indulging in exclusives like Chocolate Raspberry cookies and brownies, Spicy Hot Chocolate milkshakes and a Single Ready to Mingle combo for those embracing single life. Perfect for a sweet date or Galentines night out, the CookieLab is the spot for those seeking a uniquely indulgent way to celebrate the day of love. Best of all, Insomniacs who visit the store on Feb. 14 after 2 p.m. will receive a free flower with a purchase of $15 and sweet giveaways all night.
