Restaurants, roses and romance: Check out these Valentine's Day Specials

Cassidy Waigand, Journal Star
·7 min read

Valentine’s Day is fast approaching. Many people celebrate loved ones with flowers, candy, poems and intimate dinners.

But at the end of such a romantic day, who wants to spend time cleaning up the kitchen? If you're searching for a romantic dinner minus the mess, here is a Valentine's Day poem for you:

Roses are red, violets are blue. These restaurants said, they have specials for you.

1. Ashers Bar & Grill

Ashers Bar and Grill has risen from the ashes of its former burned-out location in Farmington to a new and improved site at 353 Court Street in downtown Pekin.
Ashers Bar and Grill has risen from the ashes of its former burned-out location in Farmington to a new and improved site at 353 Court Street in downtown Pekin.

Ashers Bar & Grill plans to offer a "Valentine's Dinner for two" for $50. The restaurant will serve dinner from 4 p.m. until close, and reservations are available but not required.

Guests will be able to select one appetizer, an entrée, dessert and a drink. Main course options include a New York strip steak served with a salad and potato or a shrimp alfredo served with salad and garlic bread.

Rising from the ashes: Here's a sneak peek at a new bar and grill coming to Pekin

2. The Bar at BLACK BAND

Customers at the Bar at BLACK BAND will be able to enjoy a featured pasta, shareable plates and a special dessert. For drinks, the restaurant will offer special wines, bubbles and cocktails. The "love potion" cocktail, for example, is making its first appearance on the menu.

The restaurant will seat guests from 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., and customers can reserve a table and time slot on Tock.

More:Downtown Peoria restaurant to 'finally come alive' with shareable menu

3. Emerald Tea Room

Monica Tripp, owner of The Emerald Tea Room in East Peoria, stands inside the restaurant last month. Tripp said her success for staying in business for two decades is due in part to the uniqueness of her tea room. The business is located at 132 McKinley St., East Peoria.
Monica Tripp, owner of The Emerald Tea Room in East Peoria, stands inside the restaurant last month. Tripp said her success for staying in business for two decades is due in part to the uniqueness of her tea room. The business is located at 132 McKinley St., East Peoria.

The Emerald Tea Room is serving up pre-made dinners for Valentine's day. Each meal costs $26, and can be picked up around 5 p.m. on Valentine's Day.

The featured entrée will be a chicken breast filled with apples and brie, focaccia, roasted carrots and herb rice. Customers may select a pecan butter cake with strawberries, bread pudding or a chocolate pecan tort for dessert.

Orders can be placed via phone call or though Facebook Messenger.

History:Emerald Tea Room celebrates 20 years in business in East Peoria

4. Hacienda El Mirador

Hacienda El Mirador is offering a three-course dinner, drinks and live music for guests. The Valentine's Day meal costs $45 per person or $80 for a couple, and reservations are recommended.

For the main course, customers can try the restaurant's Hacienda grilled fiesta deluxe meal, or select from a variety of appetizers to share. Options include a Mediterranean salad, cheese empanadas, calamari and yuca fries served with chipotle pink sauce, a trio dip or pizza birria.

The restaurant also offers multiple desserts to choose from, including churros, guava pink mousse, chocolate panna cotta and a Mexican lime icebox cake.

5. Mike’s Cobbler Corner Family Restaurant

Customers at Mike's Cobbler Corner can enjoy a hand cut ribeye steak meal, which is served with a roll and two sides. The restaurant is open until 8 p.m., and reservations are not required.

6. Phil’s Mediterranean & American Catering

Phil Harris, left, and Darren Rockhold serve up some of the Greek fare they prepare in the kitchen of a former residence that now serves as the headquarters of Phil's Mediterranean & American Catering at 109 W. Chicago St. in Morton.
Phil Harris, left, and Darren Rockhold serve up some of the Greek fare they prepare in the kitchen of a former residence that now serves as the headquarters of Phil's Mediterranean & American Catering at 109 W. Chicago St. in Morton.

Phil’s Mediterranean & American Catering is offering a pre-made Valentine's Day meal for $44. The special can be picked up on Valentine's Day from 4:30 to 6 p.m.

The holiday package features a roast prime rib entrée. A Spanakopita appetizer starts off the meal, and side dishes include a French crusty roll, a twice baked potato and brussel sprouts sautéed with bacon and onion with a raspberry reduction.

For dessert, there is a vanilla-filled éclaira with chocolate or strawberry frosting.

Address: 109 W. Chicago St., MortonPhone: (309) 322-2160Website: https://philsmedcatering.com/

More:This Morton business sells prepared Greek, Lebanese food to take home. Here's what to know

7. Suite Fire Bar + Grille

At Suite Fire Bar + Grille, a Valentine's Day dinner will be served from 4 p.m. until 9 p.m. Guests can order the restaurant's featured entrée, a "coco rubbed carved filet," with two sides for $30. Suite Fire also offers a fried strawberry dessert.

The restaurant recommends calling ahead for reservations.

More:Where are the best places for fine dining in Peoria? Readers and restaurants tell all

8. Untamed Chef

A sign advertises the new dining service and bar now open at the Untamed Chef, 7338 N University St., in Peoria.
A sign advertises the new dining service and bar now open at the Untamed Chef, 7338 N University St., in Peoria.

At Untamed Chef, two four-course meal options will be available. One costs $55 while the other is $45.

For each dinner, guests can select bacon jam bruschetta or creamy crab dip as an appetizer. A mixed green salad will also be served with each, and dessert will consist of either a berry cheesecake or a tuxedo cake.

The meals differ in their entrée options. The $55 meal offers customers the choice of a stuffed halibut or a 6 oz. filet mignon. Guests can select either a stuffed chicken breast or a lemon caper dill salmon with the $45 meal. For both, the entrée is served with two sides.

Other menu options cost either $13.99 or $22.99. On the lower end, stuffed steakhouse mushrooms and hummus with parm chips and veggies are available. On the higher end, customers can order crab cakes with a salad or chicken alfredo with garlic bread and a salad.

More:Finally with enough employees, popular Peoria restaurant expands with new dinner hours

9. Waters Edge Winery

Two can dine for $99 at Waters Edge Winery in Peoria Heights. The restaurant does require reservations, which can be made via phone.

The special includes two entrees − one for each diner − with soup or salad, mixed vegetables and mashed potatoes. The meal also includes one bottle of wine, one appetizer and dessert for the duo to share.

  • Address: 4450 N. Prospect Rd., Peoria Heights

  • Phone: (309) 682-9463

  • Website: https://wewph.com/

'Cool opportunity':Why this nationally renowned chef returned to the Peoria dining scene

Off Holiday Specials

Other local businesses are hosting events and specials the weekend before Valentine's Day. If you and your partner don't mind celebrating your love a bit early this year, here are some places to check out.

10. Cyd's in the Park

COURTESY OF KEITH COTTON PHOTOGRAPHY Cyd's in the Park has opened its entire operation at Donovan Park in Peoria. A full restaurant-bar on the top story of the old Donovan Golf Course clubhouses joins Cyd's to-go market that opened on the first floor earlier this year.
COURTESY OF KEITH COTTON PHOTOGRAPHY Cyd's in the Park has opened its entire operation at Donovan Park in Peoria. A full restaurant-bar on the top story of the old Donovan Golf Course clubhouses joins Cyd's to-go market that opened on the first floor earlier this year.

Cyd's in the Park is offering Valentine's specials from Feb. 10 through Feb. 12.

On Feb. 10 and Feb. 11, guests can order a three-course meal for two for $98. The Valentine's Prix Fixe menu comes with two starter dishes, two entrées and a "Cupid's Dessert Trio for 2." A Valentine's Day themed brunch will be available from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 12.

More:26 of the best restaurants to eat, drink in the Peoria area as voted on by readers

11. The Table

Owner Karen Lewis, left, and manager Lydia Benedict aim to make their new restaurant The Table Peoria, 8305 N. Allen Road, into a popular venue for live music and other events in North Peoria.
Owner Karen Lewis, left, and manager Lydia Benedict aim to make their new restaurant The Table Peoria, 8305 N. Allen Road, into a popular venue for live music and other events in North Peoria.

The Table is hosting a Valentine's Blues and BBQ Night on Feb. 10 for $75 dollars per person. The event features live music, a meal prepared by a guest chef and a guest mixologist at the bar. The bar opens at 5:30 p.m. and dinner will begin at 6 p.m.

The featured BBQ special will be prepared by Hick'ry Stick's Ryan Foster. Customers will find a trio of smoked meats, a peach cobbler with ice cream and more. Other area businesses − such as Uncle Bob's Homemade Ice Cream and SmokinGhost BBQ − will also contribute to the dinner.

More:New Peoria business sheds the traditional restaurant model to become something more

Connect with Cassidy Waigand by emailing her at CWaigand@gannett.com or by following her on Twitter at @justxaxwriter.

This article originally appeared on Journal Star: 11 Peoria-area restaurants showing love with Valentine's Day specials