Sharing a romantic meal on Valentine’s Day is a beautiful way to express your love and connect with another beyond words. Offering delicious cuisine, these restaurants also feature the perfect ambience for an amorous evening. Sparks fly with spicy Vietnamese dishes, a classic Italian repast woos like an Italian lover, an art-filled restaurant stimulates appetites and passion, a moonlit oceanfront setting adds enchantment, and a charming kosher French restaurant takes you on an exotic gastronomic pilgrimage of four romantic cities.
From the team behind South Beach's beloved Call Me Gaby restaurant, the stylish, décor at Gao (305-426-8888) 1 Collins Ave., Miami Beach, a Vietnamese restaurant in the South of Fifth neighborhood, features the perfect setting for a memorable Valentine's Day dinner. Choose outdoor seating on the flower-bedecked patio, or in the chic interior, which highlights warm tones with low lighting, creating a romantic glow.
Kick off the evening with the Gold Fish dim sum, with sea bass, scallions, ginger and carrot; or the Wagyu beef pho “Gao” sum with cilantro. The Saigonese tamarind soup, loaded with shrimp, organic chicken, tomatoes, and fresh pineapple, is a must-try, as is the colossal shrimp vindaloo, a unique spin on classic Goan curry. Crispy shrimp rolls and sizzling beef satay showcase bold Vietnamese spices and flavors. At the end of dinner, Gao’s banana flambé heats things up.
Sofia (786-220-0225) 140 NE 39th St. Miami, is the Miami Design District's sublime location for a night filled with romance. Set against an exquisite backdrop with dramatic artwork of the silver screen love goddesses Sophia Loren and Marilyn Monroe, Sofia stimulates appetites and sparks romantic conversations with your beloved.
Seated inside on comfy, plush pink velvet chairs, or outdoors under fanciful pink umbrellas, soak in the opulent ambiance and the evening's special live music. Enjoy antipasti dishes such as prosciutto and burrata, as well as main courses like cavatelli alla Bolognese, and costata di manzo, a 22 oz. ribeye, with balsamic onion, marmalade, red wine jus, and Calabrian cherry pepper, which you can share.
LT Steak & Seafood (305-673-0044) 1440 Ocean Drive, Miami Beach, is a delightful destination for an unforgettable Valentine’s Day. Nestled in The Betsy Hotel's elegantly appointed dining room, lovers whisper sweet nothings to each other, or revel in watching passersby on the outdoor terrace overlooking iconic Ocean Drive.
Live jazz and Latin rhythms enhance the dreamy ambiance, but award-winning Chef Laurent Tourondel's cuisine steals the show, blending international flavors and techniques from France, Asia, and Latin America. Indulge in the special Valentine's Day menu, featuring exclusive dishes like the white miso risotto with maitake mushrooms; a 32-ounce Wagyu tomahawk served with horseradish mashed potatoes; and the festive “Love” white chocolate cake. After the intimate meal, take a stroll along the beach and make a little whoopee, sparked by softly breaking ocean waves and a waning moon.
Saluti to a memorable Valentine's Day at Osteria (786-634-1005) 8001 Biscayne Blvd., a charming neighborhood eatery in the heart of Miami’s MiMo District, an unpretentious place to spend an amorous evening doting on your amore. The cozy interior ambience is enhanced by warm wood tones, and a flower-festooned arbor offers outdoor seating.
Osteria boasts a vibrant menu of authentic Italian cuisine and fine wines. For a special treat, try the Chef's Table Experience, curated by the chef, or choose from Italian menu classics like figliata (mozzarella) with crispy focaccia, rosemary cherry tomatoes, and prosciutto San Daniele; cacio e pepe tagliolini with fresh truffle shaves; and cotoletta alla Milanese, a veal chop served with arugula, cherry tomatoes, and Parmigiano cheese.
Dedicate the evening to love at Ostrow Brasserie (786-238-7452) 4850 NW 2nd Ave., Miami in the up-and-coming Buena Vista area north of the Design District, where Olivia Ostrow has introduced an impressive new kosher French concept.
Because they observe Shabbat on Fridays, on Thursday, Feb. 13, fete the day of romance with a Valentine’s dinner inspired by four of the most romantic cities in the world, Paris, Venice, Rome, and Kyoto. Enjoy specials themed for each of the cities, including salmon carpaccio with yuzu white chocolate sauce; heart-shaped raviolo stuffed with artichoke and pastrami bacon; Wagyu steak with truffle miso and wasabi pomme puree; veal chop with capers and lemon, served with rosemary polenta; and a trio of cannoli filled with chocolate, lemon, and pistachio mousse. Live music by Lamanca makes the evening more special. The intimate dining room is filled with art Olivia has collected over the years. Reservations available on Resy.com.