January 21, 2022 — Whether celebrating with a significant other, group of “Galentines” or by yourself, Valentine’s Day is the perfect excuse to indulge in an extravagant meal capped off with Champagne, themed cocktails, and of course – dessert. Noted Chefs in the Philadelphia area have a superior spread of fare and libations planned for Monday, February 14 and the weekend leading up to the lover’s holiday.
Check out details below on robust, prix fixe offerings from Forsythia, Urban Farmer Philadelphia, Stella of New Hope, REX at The Royal, Assembly Rooftop Lounge, and more.
. . . . . . . . . . .
Assembly Rooftop Lounge, Center City’s rooftop lounge with panoramic views of the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, City Hall, and the Philadelphia Museum of Art, is adding a dash of romance to its already intimate and cozy winter set-up, accurately dubbed Alpine Heights, a modern ski lodge-inspired pop-up running through Saturday, February 26.
In celebration of Valentine’s Day Weekend, lovebirds can sip on themed libations including Love Potion #9 ($16) crafted with Butterfly Pea Tea-infused Ransom Gin, Nonino Amaro, apricot liqueur, and lime juice, and Scarlett Kiss ($14) composed of Cruzan White Rum, strawberry basil shrub, Becherovka, and lime juice. As for dessert, an elegant assortment of offerings include Champagne Sabayon ($14) prepared with macerated strawberries and dulce pearls, and Assorted Bon Bons ($18).
Assembly’s Valentine’s Day menu is available on Friday, February 11, Saturday, February 12, and Monday, February 14. Reservations will be released late-January, and can be found via Tock or by clicking here.
Hours of operation: Tuesday through Saturday 4 – 10:30pm
1840 Benjamin Franklin Parkway | 215.963.2723 | www.assemblyrooftop.com
. . . . . . .
Forsythia, Chef Christopher Kearse’s contemporary bar and restaurant in Old City, is planning not one but two romantic dining experiences for couples [and singles] this Valentine’s Day by opening for service on Monday, February 14 and Tuesday, February 15 from 5 – 10pm.
Guests can select small plates, entrées, and desserts from the seasonal menu OR opt for à la carte specials including Roasted Scallop & Bone Marrow with morels and artichoke, Black Lime Cured Hamachi prepared with heart of palm, white soy, and sea urchin vinaigrette, Wagyu Beef Short Rib with maitake mushroom, red wine salsify, and black truffle, and Sheep Milk Ricotta Gnudi composed of beetroot, chanterelle mushrooms, and brown butter cacio e pepe. Reservations are encouraged, and can be made via Resy by clicking here.
For couples looking to spend a romantic night in — Forsythia is offering a House Ribeye Dinner For Two ($250) served with Foie Gras Au Poivre Sauce and Bacon Marmalade. The robust takeaway menu includes Sweet Potato and Lobster Bisque with brown butter crème and crisp grains, Sheep’s Milk Ricotta Gnudi with beetroot, Chanterelle mushrooms, and brown butter cacio e pepe, and Brooklyn Black Out Cake with chocolate mousse and meringue. In addition, complimentary wine pairings include two glasses each of Château Chanteloiseau Semillon and Domaine Romy Gamay.
Forsythia’s Valentine’s Day at Home is available for online ordering by clicking here. Pick-up is Monday, February 14 from 12 – 6pm.
Hours of operation: Wednesday through Sunday from 4 – 10 pm
233 Chestnut Street | 215.644.9395 | https://www.forsythiaphilly.com/
. . . . . .
REX at The Royal, Philly’s sexiest new restaurant and destination for elevated Southern and Lowcountry cuisine, is pulling out all the stops this Valentine’s Day with one superb, three-course prix fixe in addition to the current seasonal dinner menu, available Saturday, February 12 through Monday, February 14.
For $70/person, elevated Southern-inspired offerings on the multi-course menu include Fried Oysters with pimento deviled eggs and remoulade, Halibut A La Planca with conch peas cassoulet, roasted okra, smoked ham hock, and tomato jam, Smoked Beef Short Rib with hominy grits, madeira BBQ sauce, and baby carrots, and choice of Buttermilk Panna Cotta with cider poached pear, or Molten Chocolate Cake served alongside raspberry ice cream and chocolate Chantilly crème, for dessert.
For the ultimate date night experience, pair with curated libations such as Gruet Sparkline Rosé ($18/$72), Duckhorn Cabernet Sauvignon ($25/$100), and Painted Blind ($16) crafted with Strawberry-infused Bluecoat Barrel Finished Gin, aperitivo, sweet vermouth, and rosé-peppercorn-infused sesame oil.
Hours of operation: Sunday through Thursday from 5 – 10pm and Friday through Saturday from 5 – 11pm.
1524 South St. | 267.319.1366 | www.rexphl.com
. . . . . .
Stella of New Hope, located in the heart of bustling Main Street overlooking the Delaware River, offers locals and tourists an intimate, elegant evening for Valentine’s Day weekend in the form of a curated tasting menu from revered Executive Chef Michael O’Halloran. For $90/person, the deluxe five-course feast includes Baby Beet Salad, Freshly Shucked Summer Love Oysters, choice of Wagyu Beef, Tuna, or Caulflower Tartare, Duck & Ricotta Tortellini, Crispy Skin Sea Bass Filet with parsnip purée, lobster creams sauce, and applewood smoked bacon, Petite Filet of Beef served alongside short rib tater tots, creamed chard, hollandaise, and Bordelaise, and a house-made Cheesecake or Blood Orange Olive Oil Cake for dessert.
For $45/person, elevate the experience with an optional beverage pairing which indulgent libations A Love Affair [Satsuma, Chambord, lemon, Prosecco] and Love Potion [strawberry and chocolate house-made cordial] or wine pairings per course featuring an Italian Gravina Bianco and Vermentino, a Spanish Tempranillo, and more.
Reservations are encouraged and can be made by clicking here. The prix fixe menu is available in addition to Stella’s regular à la carte dinner menu from Friday, February 11 through Sunday, February 13, and will be the only menu featured on Valentine’s Day, Monday, February 14.
Hours of operation: Wednesday, Thursday, and Sunday from 4 – 9pm, Friday and Saturday from 4 – 10pm, and weekend brunch on Saturday and Sunday from 11am – 2pm
50 S Main Street | 267.740.2691 | https://www.stellanewhope.com/
. . . . . .
Square 1682, the modern American kitchen located at the intersection of 17 and Sansom streets, boasts a three-course prix fixe meal for Valentine’s Day weekend, available Friday, February 11, Saturday, February 12, and Monday, February 14 for dine-in. Chef Mackenson Horebe has prepared a plethora of decadent dishes to elevate date night for $65/person including Crab Dip, Red Snapper Filet served alongside grilled broccolini and romesco sauce, Jerk Half Chicken with pikliz, basmati rice, and sauce pwa, and for dessert choice of Chocolate-Raspberry Bomb or Ameretti Cookie Sorbet.
To book a reservation for Valentine’s Day dinner, click here.
Hours of operation: breakfast and lunch served Tuesday – Friday from 9am – 2pm, dinner served from 5 – 10pm, weekend brunch served Saturday and Sunday from 9am – 2pm, and dinner served on Saturday from 5 – 11pm. Closed for dinner service on Sunday and all-day Monday.
121 South 17th Street | 215.563.5008 | https://square1682.com/
. . . . . .
Urban Farmer, Logan Square’s modern American steakhouse, has an exceptional, carefully curated selection of à la carte specials for Valentine’s Day, courtesy of Executive Chef Sonny Ingui. In addition to the current winter menu, guests celebrating the holiday can enjoy East Coast Oysters ($18) with caviar and mignonette foam, Foie Gras ($20) served alongside brioche pain perdu and plum gastrique, an 8oz. Prime Beef Wellington ($77) with mushroom duxelle, spinach, and sauce périgueux, Whole Roasted Bronzino ($39) composed of mussels, lemon, tomato jam, and fingerlings, and for dessert, Chocolate Whiskey Gateau ($14) with raspberry gelato and Chantilly, and Chocolate Fondue ($16) with pound cake, strawberries, house-made marshmallows, and Asian pear.
Imbibers can savor a myriad of spirited libations including iHeartU crafted with rye, Cocchi Rosa, Luxardo, lemon, cherry, and egg white, Forget Me Not composed of Maggie’s Rum, banana liqueur, Domain de Canton, infused espresso liqueur, cold brew, and candied ginger, and Champagne Cocktail for Two complete with rosé sparkling wine and heart shaped-infused sugar cubes.
Valentine’s Day offerings will be available on Friday, February 11, Saturday, February 12, and Monday, February 14. Reservations can be made by clicking here.
Hours of operation: Tuesday through Saturday from 8am – 9pm, and Sunday from 8am – 3pm
1850 Benjamin Franklin Parkway | 215.963.2788 | https://www.urbanfarmersteakhouse.com/philadelphia-happenings/
– Hannah Church
