Valentine’s Day In Philly: Spread Love Not Germs

Cafe Ynez, the Mexico-City inspired diner located on Washington Avenue in South Philly, offers lovers and friends an entrée and dessert special unique to the holiday. Guests can enjoy a robust Grilled Ribeye Steak ($29) served with chimichurri salsa, guacamole, refried black beans, and Mexican rice, and finish off the meal with a sweet Chocoflan ($8), crafted with flan baked on top of a chocolate cake base and garnished with seasonal fruit, caramel sauce, and powdered sugar. This sweet special is available February 12 and 13, during opening hours of 10am-9pm.

2025 Washington Ave | 215.278.7579 | www.cafeynez.com

. . .
Eat, drink, and shop with your special valentine at  East Passyunk Avenue, home to over 150 independently owned businesses in South Philadelphia. Several restaurants and shops are offering Valentine-themed meals and goodies for the romantic holiday. 

• Flannel is hosting a special Valentine’s Day menu for $45 per person consisting of Southern Wedding Soup, Butternut Squash Ravioli, Southern Maki Roll, Country Captain, Kale Avocado Slaw, Stuffed Red Peppers, and Heart Shaped Spicy Chocolate Whiskey Brownie.
• Down the road at River Twice, there is a special menu available from Thursday, February 11 to Sunday, February 14. The menu includes Chicharros, Venison Tartare, Grilled Squid, Quail, Beef Striploin, and Chocolate Cake, all for $75 with an optional $45 wine pairing.
• It wouldn’t be Valentine’s Day without flowers which is why Creations by Coppola has crafted floral arrangements available for pre-order. The bouquets are offered at different price points, and Grab & Go Bouquets and small arrangements are available in-store. A complimentary bottle of Prosecco will be gifted when pre-ordering the “Valentine’s Creation of the Day” on the Creations by Coppola website.

1904 E. Passyunk Avenue |  http://www.visiteastpassyunk.com/

If you’re looking to impress your Valentine, Forsythia, Old City’s French bar and restaurant helmed by Chef Christopher Kearse, is serving up a sexy and sophisticated menu for two that will surely do the trick. On the menu is Chestnut Bisque, Crab Salad, Whole Wheat Rigatoni with Duck Heart Ragout, Filet Mignon with caramelized onion shiitake mushroom daube, black truffle bordelaise, and   Chocolate and Speculoos Crepe Cake, all for $75 per person with the option of a wine pairing for an additional $25 per person. Some additional offerings include a floral bouquet brought to the table as a surprise for significant other ($40), charcuterie with all the fixings ($20), Champagne ($50), and a ‘Love Potion’ cocktail ($10).

233 Chestnut Street | 215.644.9395 |   www.forsythiaphilly.com

Jet Wine Bar, Philadelphia’s “global vineyard,” has put together a Rosé and Cheese pairing fit for a romantic night in this Valentine’s Day. For $69, the gift pack consists of three bottles of rosé — a Sparkling, Calkarasi, and Grenache — paired with the following artisan cheese gift pack:

• Goat Rodeo Wild Rosemary Cow/Goat, Clover Creek Galen’s Good Old Cow, and Boxcarr Nimble Cow/Goat, housemate Pimento Cheese, Candied Walnut, Pickled Carrots, Whipped Pumpkin Butter, and two Buttermilk Biscuits.

1525 South Street | 215.735.1116 |   http://jetwinebar.com

Old City’s Red Owl Tavern, right across the street from Independence Hall and just a stone’s throw from area attractions, is offering couples a weekend-long date night for the occasion featuring a three-course menu for $45 per person, and libation specials such as red, white, and sparkling wine from $22 – $100 per bottle. Available from Friday, February 12 to Sunday, February 14.   
Turn your dinner date into an overnight stay  at Hotel Monaco this Valentine’s Day by taking part in Dinner with a View which consists of a three-course dinner with wine or bubbly, candlelit table overlooking Independence Mall, and a prepaid movie On Demand. 

433 Chestnut Street | 215.923.2267 |    www.redowltavern.com 

Seaview, A Dolce Hotel, the New Jersey Shore’s quintessential resort, has a stellar menu for Valentine’s Day weekend set for dining indoors in their expansive and upscale main dining room. The five-course menu consists of Crab Ravioli as an Amuse Bouche,   Lobster Bisque, Roasted Beet Salad, and an entree of guests’ choice from   Grilled Salmon, Crispy Roasted Chicken, Filet Oscar, and Penne ala Vodka. In the spirit of the beloved holiday, folks can enjoy a heart shaped   Chocolate Pound Cake covered in chocolate paired with Strawberry Shortcake and Chocolate Covered Strawberry Garnish. The romantic meal for two is priced at $60 per person, and will be available Saturday, February 13 from 5 – 10 pm with last seating at 8:30 pm.  
Seaview is offering a   Valentine’s Day package which includes an overnight stay in one Standard King Room, Dinner for Two (Valentine’s Menu only), arrival amenity of Prosecco and Chocolates, Breakfast for Two, and complimentary valet parking with a 1:00pm late check out. This “Lovebirds” feature is priced starting at $299 (plus taxes, gratuities, and resort fee).

 
401 S New York Rd., Galloway, NJ | 609.652.1800 |    www.seaviewdolcehotel.com

Spend a romantic evening with your one true love at   Square 1682, the modern American kitchen located at the intersection of 17th and Sansom streets. Offerings entail a   “Lovebirds” special for Valentine’s Day consisting of   Whole Buttermilk Fried Chicken, Rosemary Biscuits, B&B Pickles Chipotle Honey, and additional sides including   Collard Greens, Smoked Turkey, Country-style Baked Mac and Cheese, Spiced Chilled Watermelon, Togarashi, Mashed Potatoes and Gravy, and more. For couples looking to indulge,   Pecan Pie is available for dessert, and to toast to the special occasion, a   Sparkling Rosé Champagne Cocktail will be offered. This “Lovebirds” special is priced at $35 for the entrée, cocktail, and dessert, and additional sides are an extra $4 each. To set the mood, Square 1682 will play a curated Spotify playlist of classic love songs.

121 South 17th Street | 215.563.5008 |   www.square1682.com  
. . .   
Urban Farmer, Logan Square’s modern American steakhouse, is offering   Valentine’s Weekend Specials including   ‘Port of Love’ as the specialty cocktail, Broiled Oysters and Foie Gras Torchon, Scallops and Pork Belly, Prime Porterhouse, Twice Baked Fingerling Potato Tart, Broiled 5oz. Lobster Tail, Blackened Foie Gras Butter, Strawberry Passionfruit Mousse, and Chocolate Fondue for Two. The menu will be available for indoor dining and takeaway from 4 – 11pm with the last seating at 9pm. 
For couples looking to celebrate in the comforts of home, there is an exclusive   Valentine’s Day at Home menu that feeds two for $75. The menu consists of   Prime Porterhouse, Twice Baked Fingerling Potato Tart, Heirloom Baby Carrots, Cauliflower Almond Soup, Field Greens Salad, Housemade Cornbread, and Strawberry Passionfruit Mousse as an enhancement ($12). The date night at home package will be available on February 13 and 14 with pick up times starting at 4pm until 9pm.