by erin thursby scopes1925@msn.com
Getting a table on Valentine’s Day can be difficult. I generally have my husband book a table the weekend following Valentine’s Day because it’s less crowded and we’re more likely to get a good table. It also stretches out my Valentine’s Day, so I get two days instead of one! At the time of this printing, many of the establishments mentioned were down to just a few tables for Valentine’s Day, so my suggestion is if you haven’t booked your table yet, give the restaurant of your choice a call right now. If they don’t have anything for the day of, book something for the following week or weekend. When Valentine’s Day comes you can tell your honey you wanted to avoid the crowds and give her the date and time you’ll be going. That doesn’t mean you postpone all of the V-Day activities and gifts, just the special dinner.
For a special Valentine’s Day Meal, nothing beats a classic French meal, with lovely sauces and rich dessert. Here are a few of the places you can get meals with a French flair this Valentine’s Day.
This year, Blue Bamboo (904) 646-1478 has decided to feature cuisine form a different country each month. For February it’s going to be French, so you can get special French dishes along with the regular menu. They’re going to be featuring a lamb rack, steak filet and a pork daube. A romantic fusion experience can also be had at Blue Bamboo, with a great décor, cozy atmosphere and an extensive wine list. Dennis Chan’s presentation is always top notch. In addition some of the best and most beautiful fusion cuisine in town, there’s also a full bar with yummy sake based cocktails.
Bistro Aix (904) 398-1949 in San Marco is often a destination for folks that crave upscale French/Mediterranean food in a casual atmosphere. The menu changes with the season and they serve some of the finest food in Jacksonville. It can get a tad loud if you’re not in a booth, so try to get one if you can. They won’t be taking reservations, but they will be having preferred seating. While not a “reservation” that would guarantee a table at a specific time, being on the preferred seating list helps guests be seated faster and ahead of walk-in guests that come in at the same time. Call to make a preferred seating arrangement.
Upscale French cuisine at Crush (904) 381-0909 in Avondale will be in demand this Valentine’s Day. They’ll be offering their regular menu, but will also be featuring several specials, like oysters, whole roasted guinea hen and slow roasted pork tenderloin.
At Pastiche (904) 387-6213, they’ll be serving filet of beef Rossini, a charming lobster bisque, a warm strawberry tart flambé for dessert and much more.
The Wine Cellar (904) 398-8989 has been a Jacksonville staple for more than twenty years, but that doesn’t mean that it should be forgotten in favor of some newer bistro. For the Southbank’s Wine Cellar, the buzz has died down and the press assumes that everyone already knows about this gem. They don’t. Oh, they have their regulars, who come in and ask for menu items long gone (the kitchen is happy to accommodate), but there’s a whole generation of foodies hungry for fine French fare who haven’t heard of the Wine Cellar. It’s my sovereign duty to make sure that they do.
Here are three V-Day dinner solutions that stray from the standard V-Day picks:
If your woman goes wild for Thai, take her to Aurathai (904) 389- 8424 for a great Thai experience. The restaurant has a trendy, fashionable feel and terrific Thai food. The desserts are also quite delicious and it’s a different choice than the standard French-style bistro.
Boomtown (904) 632-0099 Downtown includes a show with dinner for only $60. Catch vocal impressionist Bethany Owen live at Boomtown only on Feb. 14th. At Boomtown, Chef Stephen Dare has his own take on fusion—Southern fried fusion. American Deep South cuisine forms the base for many of the dishes, and then pulls flavors and ingredients from around the globe.
You can also take your lady or gentleman out to the Casbah (904) 981-9966, where they’re running a Valentine’s special. You get a hookah to share, dinner for two, a bottle of wine and dessert for two, all for $54.95 (before gratuity).
The Tree Steakhouse, with locations in Mandarin (904) 262-0006 and Atlantic Beach (904) 241-5600, is renowned for its steaks, particularly the rib eye. There are also plenty of dishes to satisfy your seafood cravings. The décor is a bit like an old school men’s club, with dark woods and the occasional mounted animal, but the low lighting, excellent service and lovely food make it a popular pick for a Valentine’s Day meal.
At Roy’s (904) 241-7697 out in Jacksonville Beach, you will undeniably have a full service experience. You will be pampered and then some. Even if you leave the table for a moment, you’ll find that the staff has already re-folded your cloth napkin. Roy’s serves the best in Hawaiian Fusion cuisine, with an extensive fish menu. If seafood’s not your style, just go with the rib-eye or the duck on the Valentine’s Day prix-fixe menu. Everything they serve there is exquisite and it’s indisputably a couple’s destination for special occasions.
If Chef Tony Pels’ reputation as a master of chocolate confection is anything to go by, then you and your sweet heart are sure to enjoy the Lover’s Chocolate Crunch Tony is going to be making as a special Valentine’s Day treat at Neptune Beach’s Mezza Luna (904) 249-5573.
The Cafe Italiano (904) 285-7777 at Marriott Sawgrass always prepares a special menu for holidays, and Valentine’s Day is no exception. In addition to a menu of delightful selections, they are offering a Valentine Package for $54.95 which includes an appetizer; Shrimp Martini or Fried Calamari, choice of Caesar Romano Salad or Lobster Bisque, an entrée of Pan Seared Sea Bass or Grilled Angus Beef Tenderloin and for dessert, Dark Chocolate Mousse Torte with Champagne Gele and Strawberries. You may even decide to book a room and spend the entire evening.
Ocean 60 (904) 247-0600 will offer a lover’s menu featuring an inspiring five-course prix fixe menu. $100 with wine and $75 without wine. Call for more information and reservations.
Whatever you choose to eat or do this Valentine’s Day, make sure it’s a special and memorable occasion. From EU to you—Happy Valentine’s Day. We love you Jacksonville!
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