Dining Dozen: Where to Book Valentine’s Day Dinner on the Main Line

We’re taking the guesswork out of where to book a table for two for Valentine’s Day 2014 by spotlighting a dozen not-to-miss prix fixes.

We’re taking the guesswork out of where to dine this Valentine’s Day by spotlighting a dozen not-to-miss prix fixes. From creative menus at local BYOBs, to refined tastings at premier bistros, any of the below recommendations will set your main squeeze’s heart aflutter and have you remembering this festive feast for years to come.

A la Maison Bistro — At this Ardmore BYOB, fall under a French trance as you devour five tantalizing courses like rillette with a port wine reduction, crab fondue with French baguette crostini, lobster bisque, New Zealand rack of lamb, pan-seared diver scallops in lavender beurre blanc, and so much more. Cost is $95 per person. Menu available Feb. 14, 5–10 p.m. Call (484) 412-8009 for reservations, or visit alamaisonbistro.com.

Amani’s BYOB — Take a quick trip down Lancaster Avenue to devour chef Jonathan Amann’s four-course Valentine’s menu constructed with farm-fresh, creative dishes like Birchrun Hills’ Blue cheese tart, poached oysters with candied bacon, house-made duck prosciutto with foie gras pate, Maine lobster tail with red wine emulsion, and more. View full menu here. Cost is $75 per person, includes complimentary champagne and homemade limoncello. Call (484) 237-8179, or visit amanisbyob.com.

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Photo courtesy of Blackfish. Isabella Chef Mario Rodriguez-Feo. Photo by Dallyn Pavey. Photo courtesy of Forest & Main Brewing Co.

 

Avance — Escape to the city to experience chef Justin Bogle’s inventive dining experience nestled in the former, iconic home of Le Bec Fin. Special for Valentine’s, the up-and-coming chef unveils a five-course tasting menu boasting silky smooth foie gras, eye-catching Dungeness crab, mackerel dressed with beets, and loads of unforgettable culinary surprises. Cost is $94 per person. Call (215) 405–0700, or visit avancerestaurant.com.

Azie on Main — Set your heart aflutter over this Villanova-based four-course Asian feast that features tantalizing options like calamari salad with chilled vinaigrette, strawberry jalapeno and tuna crunch maki rolls, and pan-seared Arctic Char with shrimp and lobster sauce. Cost is $55 per person, plus tax and gratuity. Call (610) 527–5700, or visit azieonmain.com.

Blackfish —  Conshohocken’s acclaimed chef Chip Roman will delight adventurous food lovers with a signature five-course feast pumped with culinary eye-catchers like Kusshi Oysters with compressed fennel, short rib ravioli with sage and brown butter, and roasted diver scallop with curry. View full menu here. Call (610) 397-0888, or visit blackfishrestaurant.com.

Carmine’s Creole Act II —Heat up your Valentine’s with the help of chef John Mims at his Narberth BYOB. Special for the holiday, he’s designed a four-course tasting packed to the brims with fresh lobster, filet, jumbo lump crab and lots of chocolate! From creamy lobster crab bisque and butter-poached chilean sea bass, to lobster-stuffed filet and chocolate butter creme cake, Carmine’s is the perfect place to celebrate cupid’s holiday. Cost is $45 per person, plus tax and gratuity. Menu available Feb. 14–15. A la carte menu also available. Call (610) 660-0160, or visit carminesacttwo.com.

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Forest & Main Brewing Co. — Ambler’s award-winning brewpub will serve a three-course feast perfect for beer-loving couples. An eye-catching amuse bouche will jump-start the Valentine’s tasting, followed by choices of dishes like mushroom flan, seared yellowtail, artichoke agnolotti with lamb ragout, pan-roasted sake, and blood orange meringue pie. Dinner is $48 per person, $12 additional for beer pairing. Valentine’s Day seatings at 6, 7, 8:30 p.m. Call (215) 542-1776, or visit forestandmain.com.

Glenmorgan Bar & Grill — Escape to Radnor Hotel’s signature restaurant to experience executive chef Michael Luongo’s festive three-course feast, featuring starters such as champagne-poached pears and roasted lamb chops and refined entrees like seared scallops with white bean cassoulet or steak Diane with potato galette. The featured meal-ending sweet treats (truffles, chocolate-covered strawberries, mousse parfait) will seal the deal on your dreamy feast. View full options here. Available Feb. 14–15. Cost is $114 per couple, plus tax and gratuity. Call (610) 341-3188, or visit glenmorgan.com.

Isabella — Conshohocken’s Mediterranean haunt prepares to launch a two-day edible aphrodisiac menu highlighting eight courses pumped with stimulating ingredients. Executive chef Mario Rodriguez-Feo’s feast will unravel with selections like heirloom beet salad with chevre and fresh oysters on with a champagne mignonette, followed by libido-driven dishes of roasted asparagus with poached egg, cauliflower puree crusted diver scallop, salmon with basil creme, and more. Cost is $50 per person, plus tax & gratuity. Menu available Feb. 13–15. Call (484) 532-7470, or visit barisabella.com.

Nectar — From Feb. 11–16, chef Patrick Feury is throwing romance on his menu through courses of Nova Scotia bento boxes, steamed pork buns, Fire River oysters with elderflower mignonette, lobster risotto spiced with rosemary, and Pineland Farms grilled ribeye with chantenay carrots. Signature Valentine-inspired cocktails are on the menu too, including pomegranate margaritas, negronis and a new selection of hard-to-find champagnes. Call (610) 725-9000, or visit tastenectar.com.

Paramour — Consider the Wayne Hotel your one-stop shop for a steamy Valentine’s staycation. Book one of the hotel’s deluxe accommodations (starting at $99 a night), and then prance downstairs to its premier house restaurant. Paramour, which translates to “lover,” will romanticize guests over five masterpiece dishes, including foie gras and parsnip cappuccino, tuna crudo with fennel, pan-seared bronzino, roasted rack of lamb, and more. Cost is $65 person, with optional wine pairing available at $35 per person. Call (610) 977–0600, or visit paramourwayne.com.

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Restaurant Alba — Malvern’s chef Sean Weinberg will present an enticing four-course tasting for lovers of Italian cuisine on Feb. 14. Jump-start your rustic, refined tasting with an antipasto of fresh crab crostini, lobster arancini, seared Ahi tuna with grapefruit and radicchio and oak-smoked salmon. Next, weave your way through four courses of bliss. From pappardelle with wild boar ragu and Meyer lemon and parmigiano risotto, to porchetta-style suckling pig with Anson Mills polenta and decadent chocolate and hazelnut torte, your Valentine’s Day will be a culinary thrill. Cost is $75 per person, plus tax and gratuity. Call  (610) 644-4009, or visit restaurantalba.com.

Our Best of the Main Line Elimination Ballot is open through February 22!