Where to get Valentine’s Day dinner in the Hartford area

Coming on the heels of Super Bowl Sunday, Valentine’s Day will be a swift turnaround for restaurants. Goodbye buffalo wings, sliders, nachos and beer. Hello heart-shaped pastries, surf & turf, chocolate-covered strawberries and champagne.

Here is a list of Hartford-area restaurants offering Valentine’s Day specials. The list is not all-inclusive. Some restaurants offer their regular menus that day. Some don’t. Also, menu items may change based on availability of ingredients. Check websites for this information, and COVID protocols, before booking. All of the restaurants require advance reservations for dine-in.

Union Kitchen, 43 LaSalle Road in West Hartford, has a Valentine’s Day dine-in special on Feb. 12, 13 and 14, from 4 p.m. to close. The starter is prosciutto-wrapped crab cake ($16). The mains are roasted halibut with fregola and broccoli ($32) or a dry-rubbed 40-ounce porterhouse for two with sauce and two sides ($135), and molten chocolate cake with vanilla ice cream ($9). Union Kitchen’s Valentine’s Day To-Go special includes jumbo shrimp cocktail, a bitter green salad, a main course of Chilean sea bass or six-ounce filet mignon, asparagus, horseradish-whipped potatoes, and molten chocolate cake with raspberry sauce. A two-person kit is $140 and a four-person kit is $280. Takeout only, to be picked up Feb. 13 from noon to 3 p.m. or Feb. 14 from 1 to 3 p.m. unionkitchenct.com.

The Hartford Yard Goats have a “Rent a Suite for Your Sweetheart” special at Dunkin Donuts Park, 1214 Main St. in Hartford, on Feb. 12 starting at 4 p.m. and Feb. 14 starting at 6 p.m. Rental of a private suite, at $155, includes a dinner for two and a delivery of a rose by the team’s mascot, Chompers. Appetizers are lobster ravioli or Florentine ravioli. Second course is French onion soup or pear-endive salad. Entrée is Wellington of beef or salmon. Dessert is chocolate cake or cheesecake. For $45 more, a bottle of wine can be added, a Ruffino pinot grigio or Meiomi pinot noir. events@yardgoatsbaseball.com.

Tavern at Keney Park, 171 Windsor Ave. in Windsor, has a $60 prix fixe menu for two on Feb. 14 from 4 to 9 p.m. Starters are tomato caprese, shrimp cocktail and a cheese board. Entrees are flat iron steak, roasted half chicken, salmon and baked stuffed peppers. Desserts are molten lava cake, chocolate-covered strawberries and churros. All dinners include a salad, rolls and champagne. tavernkp.com.

The Kitchen, 559 Broad St. in Hartford, has a takeout Valentine’s Day menu, ordered by Feb. 9 at 2 p.m. and picked up or delivered on Feb. 11. Entrees are filet mignon, salmon and roasted acorn squash. Appetizers are crab cakes, shrimp cocktail and hummus. Desserts are a cookie decorating kit, tiramisu for two, chocolate mousse and a large heart-shaped chocolate chip cookie. Wine available. kitchencafe.org.

Chateau le Gari, 303 South Main St. in Marlborough, will hold a Valentine’s Day dinner on Feb. 12 from 6 to 8:30 p.m. The four-course menu is winter citrus salad, potato-and-parm culugione pasta, espresso-rubbed beef tenderloin and dessert choices flourless chocolate cake with bourbon-roasted cherries, white chocolate mousse with raspberries and a baci di dama. Price is $60 and includes a glass of wine, tax and gratuity. eventbrite.com.

River: A Waterfront Restaurant and Bar, 100 Great Meadow Road in Wethersfield, has menu specials on Valentine’s Day. Appetizers include roasted cauliflower and pomegranate salad, Caesar salad and chilled seafood cocktail. Entrees include filet mignon, seafood and chorizo paella, salmon and chicken. Desserts include blood orange champagne brulee, chocolate and raspberry-filled choux, panna cotta and chocolate mousse layer cake. riverontheriver.com.

Cava, 1615 West St. in Southington, has a Valentine’s Day special menu available Feb. 11 to 14, prix fixe at $88 a person. First course options are calamari, Caesar salad, PEI mussels and beet salad. Second course options are lobster ravioli, filet of sole, surf and turf, New York strip, zuppa di pesce, pappardelle or Maine lobster with linguine and crab meat. Third course options are limoncello cake, flourless chocolate cake, butterscotch cheesecake, red velvet cake and Godiva chocolate mousse cake.

Max Catering and Events is partnering with Crystal Ridge Winery, 257 Belltown Road in Glastonbury, for a Valentine’s Day dinner on Feb. 14 starting at 6 p.m., with music by Dana Lauren. The evening includes a cocktail, amuse-bouche, lobster bisque, ricotta-beet gnudi, surf & turf with asparagus salad and potato puree, and chocolate-strawberry cake. The main course is paired with red or white wine. The dessert is paired with Ca’Bianca Brachetto D’Acqui. $299 per couple. maxrestaurantgroup.com/calendar.php.

The Charles, 161 Main St. in Wethersfield, has a three-course prix fixe dinner on Feb. 14 from 5 to 7 p.m., for $65 a person plus gratuity. Appetizer choices are a lobster French onion soup, oysters Gremolata, burrata rouge, antipasto, shrimp cocktail, beet salad, tuna tartare, pork belly, lamb lollipops or beef carpaccio. Entrée choices are Airline chicken, filet mignon, pasta Piedmontese, truffle risotto, halibut, lobster mac and cheese, short rib and surf and turf. Dessert is a chef special. thecharlesct.com.

Café Aura, 45 East Center St. in Manchester, has Valentine’s Day specials including lobster bisque, crab ravioli in tequila cream and garnished with caviar, Parmesan risotto with scallops and raspberries, duck breast, swordfish, veal chop. A dinner for two special is an amuse bouche, ravioli and surf and turf, with Key lime baked Alaska or red cherry cheesecake. cafeaura.com.

Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse and Wine Bar, 44 S. Main St. in West Hartford, has a special Valentine’s Day menu from Feb. 11 to 14 for dinner, and for lunch on Feb. 12 and 13. Entrée choices are petite filet mignon and crab-stuffed shrimp scampi ($85), petite filet mignon and lobster tail scampi ($95), and prime surf and turf for two ($230). All meals include salad and dessert. flemingssteakhouse.com.

Millwright’s, 77 West St. in Simsbury, has a four-course prix fixe menu on Feb. 11 to 14, $95 per person. First course choices are tuna tartare, tapioca custard, green salad and butternut and tomato soup. Second course choices are spiced hummus, chicken and dumplings, buckwheat cavatelli and torchon of foie gras. Third course choices are mushroom fricassee, roasted half chicken, salmon or New York strip. Dessert choices are a chocolate bar, lemon tart, a chocolate and strawberry heart and a pavlova. millwrightsrestaurant.com.

La Figata, 9 Bank St. in Granby, has a special menu for Valentine’s Day. Appetizers are lobster bisque lobster and corn fritters, beef carpaccio, wood-fired oysters and a 10″ pizza. Entrees are Chilean sea bass, beef Wellington and pesto chicken house-made ravioli. lafigata.com.

Hartford Baking Company, with locations in West Hartford, Glastonbury and Farmington, offers a heart double layer chocolate cake with raspberry buttercream, chocolate truffle boxes and decorated cookie bags for Valentine’s Day. They will be on sale starting Feb. 11. hartfordbaking.com.

At the Barn, 17 E. Granby Road in Granby, has a special three-course meal and a bottle of wine for two, for $125. Starters are focaccia, baby spinach and strawberry salad, buttermilk fried oysters and a charcuterie. Entrees are beet risotto, pork tenderloin, shrimp and scallops and skirt steak. Desserts are strawberry cheesecake, red velvet bread pudding and gluten-free lava cake. atthebarngranby.com.

TJ’s Burritos, 3 Turkey Hill Road in East Granby, has brunch, dinner and cocktail specials. Brunch specials served from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Feb. 13, are coffee, bloody mary and mimosa flights; red velvet waffles topped with chocolate-covered strawberries; and a fire-roasted tomato skillet. Dinner is Feb. 14 from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. by reservation. Appetizer specials are shrimp; masa stuffed with cheese and jalapeno; and tomato-braised chicken. Entrée special is a fajita flight with shrimp and carne asada. Dessert specials are flourless chocolate cake with cherries and chocolate-covered strawberries with whipped cream. Cocktail specials also available. tjsburritos.com.

The Hollow at Manchester Country Club, 305 S. Main St., will be closed Valentine’s Day but has specials on Feb. 11 and 12. Those include lobster bisque burrata and brosciutto, beet-apple salad, house-made potato gnocchi, pan-seared scallops, filet mignon Oscar, crème brulee and molten lava cake.

La Piastra, at 1975 Silas Deane Highway in Rocky Hill and 63 Hebron Ave. in Glastonbury, has to-go Valentine’s Day dinner for two for $95, to be ordered by Feb. 7 and picked up Feb. 12 or 13 at either location from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Entrée choices are beef Wellington, butternut squash spaghetti, baked stuffed shrimp and stuffed chicken. Choice of two sides from grilled portobello. Roasted vegetable risotto, potato dauphinoise or cauliflower bake. One salad, choice of Caesar, chopped or Mesclun Mandarin orange. Dessert choices are mini cream puffs, chocolate mousse bar and red velvet cupcakes. Appetizers are available a la carte. lapiastra.com or 860-757-3052.

Café Louise, 1156 New Britain Ave. in West Hartford, is offering Valentine’s Day specials for takeout. Orders must be placed by Feb. 9 and picked up Feb. 12 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Feb.13 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Feb. 14 from 3 to 5 p.m. Appetizers, for two, include gorgonzola terrine ($19.95), a seafood sampler ($39.95) and a combo meat platter ($32.95). Salads are Caesar, mixed green and spinach. Entrees, for one, are 12-ounce ribeye ($56.95), crab cakes ($48.95), chicken cordon bleu ($46.95) and vegetarian risotto ($38.95). Desserts include panna cotta, chocolate-dipped strawberries, key lime tarts or chocolate tarts. cafelouise.com.

The Whisk, 335B Salmon Brook St. in Granby, will offer Valentine’s Day specials, to be picked up on Feb. 14 between 4 and 6 p.m. They include (all enough for two) a lemon-roasted chicken dinner for $45, a New York strip steak dinner for $50, French onion soup for $16, bacon-wrapped scallops for $17, chocolate covered strawberries for $12 and flourless chocolate cake for $8. thewhisk.com.

Max Restaurant Group offers Valentine’s Day Dinner Packs for two people, to be ordered by Feb. 9 and picked up on Feb. 13 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Max Fish, 110 Glastonbury Blvd. in Glastonbury or Max Burger, 124 LaSalle Road in West Hartford. The eight-ounce filet mignon with crab-stuffed baked shrimp dinner, and the baked stuffed 1 ½ pound lobster dinners, are $195. The 14-ounce strip steak and rack of lamb dinners are $165. The 8-ounce Chilean sea bass is $155. The vegetarian lasagna is $105. Each comes with one appetizer, two sides and a dessert. For extra, wine or cocktails can be ordered. maxrestaurantgroup.com/maxtogo/index.php/store/.

Mulberry Street, 981 Main St. in Manchester, is offering Valentine’s Day specials on Feb. 12 and 13. Appetizer specials include cauliflower bisque with croutons and prosciutto, and pancetta wrapped shrimp. Entrée specials include beef tenderloin and wild mushroom lasagna. Dessert specials include roasted hazelnut chocolate tiramisu, white chocolate mousse napoleon, carrot cake, coconut cake and crème brulee. themulb.com.

Barcelona Wine Bar in West Hartford, New Haven, Fairfield, Norwalk and Stamford ha two dine-in Valentine’s Day options. The Aperitivo Experience, $65 for two, includes one glass of Cava per person, an aperitivo board, two tapas and a take-home bottle of Barcava. The Barcelona Wine Bar Experience, $130 for two, includes two flights of three Spanish wines per person, six tapas, a half paella, and a take-home bottle of Barcava. Buy online and redeem on-site. barcelona-wine-bar-restaurant.myshopify.com.

Butchers and Bakers, 270 Farmington Ave. in Farmington, has a special prix fixe Valentine’s Day dinner on Feb. 14 until 10 p.m., for $75 a person. Appetizer choices are beef tenderloin skewers, charred octopus and oysters. Salad choices are asparagus-blood orange-crab meat and mixed greens with tomatoes, goat cheese and beets. Entrée choices are rosemary chicken, Chilean sea bass and filet with crab meat. Dessert is chocolate-covered strawberries, flourless chocolate-raspberry cake or a strawberry champagne trifle. A jazz duo will perform from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. butchersandbakers.com.

JAR + Bar, 179 Park Road in West Hartford, has a Valentine’s Day menu of lobster risotto, heart-shaped ravioli, 8 oz. filet, grilled mahi mahi, cabernet-braised short rib, stuffed French-cut chicken breast, pork chops and specialty cocktails. jarbarct.com.

Roux, 10 Wilcox St. in Simsbury, has a four-course meal, including drink, for two for $120. Appetizers include strawberry shortcake biscuits, oysters on the half shell and shrimp cocktail. Salads and soupls include house salad, Caesar salad, strawberry-spinach salad, French onion soup and chicken and sausage gumbo. Entrees include shrimp and grits, red beans and rice, crawfish etouffee and bourbon chicken and andouille sausage. Desserts include beignets, chocolate truffles, bread pudding and bourbon-pecan pie. Rouxct.com.

Republic at The Linden, 10 Capitol Ave. in Hartford, will offer a special holiday prix fixe menu on Feb 14 from 4 to 9 p.m. Entree choices include braised short ribs, surf and turf and Icelandic cod. Price with a starter and dessert is $48. republicct.com/hartford-valentines-menu/

Smoke Public House, 140 Park Road in West Hartford, has Valentine’s Day specials on Feb. 14. For $79 per person prix fixe, the appetizers are Caprese salad or bacon-wrapped dates; the entree is a half rack of ribs, smoked salmon or bulgogi; and dessert is smoked pineapple upside down cake or smoked mile-high chocolate cake. For $85 per person prix fixe, the appetizers are house or Caesar salad; the entree is a full rack of ribs or smoked salmon; and dessert is smoked pineapple upside down cake or smoked apple crisp. A glass of champagne comes with every order. smokepublichouse.com.

Mill on the River, 989 Ellington Road in South Windsor, has a three-course Valentine’s Day prix fixe menu on Feb. 14 from 4 to 9:30 p.m. $47.95 per person. It includes entrée choices such as Chateaubriand served in a Bordelaise sauce with haricots vert and roasted red bliss potatoes. Starter and dessert included. themillontheriver.com/valentines-day/

Michael Jordan’s Steak House at Mohegan Sun, 1 Mohegan Sun Blvd. in Uncasville, has Valentine’s Day offers on Feb. 14 only. Appetizers include oysters-and-champagne ($59), beef tartare toast ($17) and lobster salad ($32). Entrees are striped bass ($45) or filet mignon ($85). Dessert is Chocolate Lover, with Grand Marnier cake, pistachio gelato, strawberry ganache and passion fruit. mohegansun.com/poi/dining/michael-jordan-s-steak-house.html.

SolToro Mexican restaurant at Mohegan Sun, 1 Mohegan Sun Blvd. in Uncasville, has Valentine’s Day offers on Feb. 14 only. Appetizer is roasted apple walnut salad ($14). Entrée is seared salmon ($28). Dessert is ChocoFlan ($12). soltororestaurant.com.

Jasper White’s Summer Shack at Mohegan Sun, 1 Mohegan Sun Blvd. in Uncasville, has a Valentine’s Day special on Feb. 11 to 14. The “Eat Oysters, Get Lucky Platter for Two,” for $30, has two oysters, tuna sashimi, four oysters on the half shell and two oyster shooters. mohegansun.com/poi/dining/jasper-white-s-summer-shack.html.

Sushi Koya at Mohegan Sun, 1 Mohegan Sun Blvd. in Uncasville, has a Valentine’s Day special on Feb. 11 to 14. The “Love Boat for Two” ($60) has four sashimi, four nigiri, two dinosaur eggs and a Valentine Roll. mohegansun.com/poi/dining/sushi-koya.html.

The Lansdowne Pub at Mohegan Sun, 1 Mohegan Sun Blvd. in Uncasville, has Valentine’s Day offers on Feb. 14 only. Appetizer is crab cakes ($18). Entrée is surf and turf ($52). Dessert is fried ice cream. ($10). lansdownepubmohegansun.com.

1741 Pub and Grill at Lyman Orchards Golf Course, 70 Lyman Road in Middlefield, has a Valentine’s Sunday brunch on Feb. 13 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., music by pianist Dan Catuccio. The pub also will have a prix fixe Valentines’ Day dinner on Feb. 14 starting at 4 p.m. Appetizer is Brussels sprouts, Salas is a raspberry-and-cucumber. Pasta is butternut squash ravioli. Entrée is braised short ribs or salmon. Dessert is crème brulee or a chocolate torte. A bottle of red or white wine is included. 1741pubandgrill.com/events/.

Shipwright’s Daughter at The Whaler’s Inn, 20 East Main St. in Mystic, has a prix fixe Valentine’s Day menu from Feb. 11 to 14, for $65 a person. First-course choices are a salad of local winter vegetables; sunchokes, fingerling potatoes, radishes and radicchios with truffle vinaigrette; and poached Rhode Island squid. Second-course choices are Berkshire pork agnolotti, crispy pork with butter, parmesan and sage; finback cheese; and spaghetti cacio pepe. Third-course choices are roasted chicken; chicken fat potatoes, broccoli and salsa verde; six-ounce New York strip; braised winter greens; and monkfish. Dessert choices are dark chocolate pot de crème; hazelnut espuma; candied pistachios, hibiscus powder in a puff pastry; and passion fruit cheesecake. whalersinnmystic.com.

S&P Oyster Restaurant and Bar, 1 Holmes St. in Mystic, is offering a Valentine’s Day prix fixe meal on Feb. 12 to 14, for $65 to $95, depending on the main course. First course offerings are Peruvian beef tartare, wild mushrooms, cauliflower tamal, mussels, ceviche and oysters. Second course offerings are a quinoa salad, lobster bisque and black bean soup. Third-course offerings are surf & turf, halibut, seafood lasagna, duck, yellowfin tuna, pork chop, lamb chops and vegan mushroom and basil ravioli. Dessert is chocolate cake, berries, strawberry cheesecake or Ecuadoran caracoles. sp-oyster.com.

Shell & Bones, 10 South Water St. in New Haven, offers specials from Feb. 11 to 14, for eat-in. Shells & Bubbles — a whole lobster, lump crab, shrimp, oysters, clams, ceviche, crudo and a bottle of Schramsberg Blanc de Blancs — is $165, for two. Other specials, for one, are a Lonely Heart cocktail ($14), pistachio-crusted beet salad ($16), swordfish chop ($42), conchiglie ($39). Dessert for two options range from $13 to $18. A takeout package for two is $149 and must be ordered by Feb. 9. It includes eggplant soup, pistachio-crusted beet salad, surf and turf or conchiglie, chocolate-dipped strawberries, roses and candles. Wine and cocktails are available for dine-in and takeout. shellandbones.com.

The Wharf at the Madison Beach Hotel, 94 West Wharf Road in Madison, has a la carte Valentine’s Day specials on Feb. 11, 12 and 13. Starters are baked Black Mission figs and duck confit salad. Entrees are a grilled veal chop and rack of lamb. Desserts include “Coeur Chocolate,” with chocolate cake, chocolate mousse and raspberries; and “Red Velvet Cloud,” with coconut cream cheese mousse and strawberry mousse. Reservations encouraged. thewharfmadison.com.

La Marea, 732 Middlesex Turnpike in Old Saybrook, is offering a Valentine’s Day menu on Feb. 14. Appetizers are tuna tartare and stuffed shrimp with crab meat and scallops. Pasta special is butternut squash ravioli. Entrée special is lamb chops. Dessert special is lemon olive oil cake and flourless chocolate almond cake. lamareact.com/events.

La LLorona Progressive Mexican Cuisine, 13 Hope St. in Niantic, is offering Valentine’s weekend specials including shrimp chowder; roasted vegetable guacamole; tuna ceviche; salmon salad; pappardelle pasta with scallops, shrimp, clams, mussels and ham; and a char-grilled cowboy steak. Dessert is five-layer chocolate cake. facebook.com/La-LLorona-Progressive-Mexican-Cuisine-106079588063507.

Susan Dunne can be reached at sdunne@courant.com.