From wine pairings to bread bouquets, try one of these foodie events for Valentine's Day
With Valentine's Day approaching, restaurants and other businesses are offering fun, food-filled ways to help you show the love. Here are some ideas for every taste, taking place in Brunswick, Pender and New Hanover counties. Let us know if there are others we should add to the list by emailing aballard@gannett.com.
More:23 florists and candy shops in the Wilmington area for Valentine's Day
More:32 romantic restaurants for date nights in the Wilmington area
Amelia's Grille
In Ocean Isle Beach, this restaurant is open on Feb. 14 serving a Dinner for Two that includes a cocktail or a glass of wine, choice of soup or salad, entrees and a dessert to share. Find it at 1564 Market Place Blvd. It's $120 and reservations are recommended. Details: 910-579-9200.
aView
At the Aloft hotel at the Coastline Center at 501 Nutt St. in downtown Wilmington, their rooftop bistro is offering a pre-fixe, five-course menu on Feb. 11, with options ranging from a pink pepperberry soup to a chocolate-peanut butter creme brulee. Details: www.facebook.com/AloftWilmington
Blue Surf Arboretum West
This restaurant at 414 Arboretum Drive in Wilmington is hosting a four-course dinner with a shareable appetizer and dessert, and a choice of soup or salad, and entree on Feb. 14. It's $95 per couple and reservations are required. Details: 910-406-5050 or https://bluesurfrestaurants.com.
Bull City Ciderworks
This cidery at 615 S. 17th St. in Wilmington's Cargo District is partnering with Pink Baking Co. for a cupcake pairing on Feb. 14. There are four flavor pairings. Tickets are $25 and available until Feb. 9. Details: https://www.facebook.com/BullCityWilmington.
Caprice Bistro
In downtown Wilmington at 10 Market St., look for a special three-course menu on Feb. 14, with options that include classic French favorites, from escargot and lobster bisque to cassoulet and Waterzooi. It's $55. Details and reservations: 910-815-0810.
Fermental
If you're looking for something more unconventional, try the Bugaboo, an edible insect and wine pairing at this bottle shop at 600 S. 17th St. in Wilmington. It's 6-9 p.m. Feb. 14. (There's also live music and a food truck.) Details: https://fermental.net.
Floriana
This downtown restaurant (the one with the balcony tables) is hosting a five-course Italian dinner with a bottle of wine on Feb. 14. It's $85 per person, with seatings at 5, 7 and 9 p.m. Details: http://wilmington.florianarestaurant.com.
The George on the Riverwalk
On the Cape Fear, this restaurant is offering a special four-course meal on Valentine's Day with an appetizer to share, soup or salad, two entrees and a dessert. It's $90 per couple at 128 S. Water St. in downtown Wilmington. Details: www.facebook.com/TheGeorgeILM.
Grand Cru Food & Wine
In Lumina Station, this restaurant is offering a special menu for Valentine's Day, in addition to the normal menu. It offers options for four courses, from a seared scallop appetizer to a red velvet mousse for dessert. Details: www.grandcruwb.com.
Green House Restaurant
At 1427 Military Cutoff near Wrightsville Beach, this restaurant is serving a Parisian-inspired plant-based menu cuisine to celebrate the most romantic night of the year. It's available Feb. 14 and 15. Details: www.thegreenrestaurant.com.
The Joyce
In Leland, at 1174 Turlington Ave. this neighborhood pub is offering a special menu beginning at 4 p.m. for Valentine's Day. It includes a prime rib entree and a stuffed salmon with shrimp mousse, as well as appetizers and desserts. There will also be a selection of special cocktails. Details: www.facebook.com/TheJoyceLeland.
Little Dipper Fondue
At 138 S Front St. in downtown Wilmington, this spot is offering a fondue menu that can come with add-ons like a succulent arrangement, a gift card to the nearby 20 Orange Spa, chocolate-covered strawberries, and/or a bottle of champagne. On Feb. 14, a professional photographer will be on site to take free photos of couples. Details: www.littledipperfondue.com.
Little Loaf Bakery & Schoolhouse
This Wilmington bakery at 3410 Wrightsville Ave. is bringing back their Bread Bouquets this year, which are available for delivery. There’s an option to add other goodies, flowers and/or wine. For details on placing your order, go to www.facebook.com/littleloafbakeryandschoolhouse.
Melting Pot
The Wilmington location of this fondue restaurant at 885 Town Center Drive in Mayfaire, is offering a four-course dinner with cheese fondue, salad, a Cupid’s entrée and chocolate dessert with a champagne toast. The $85 per person cost also includes take-home keepsakes. Details: www.meltingpot.com/wilmington-nc.
Michael's on the Waterfront
At 5 S. Water St. in downtown Wilmington, this restaurant will be offering a couple of romantic specials, in addition to their regular menu. Look for a surf-and-turf entree, as well as pasta dishes. Details: www.michaelsonthewaterfront.com.
Milliken's Seafood
At 4462 Main St. in Shallotte, they'll be open 4-9 p.m. on Feb. 14. They're offering a menu that includes an appetizer, two entrees of your choice served with a side and a salad and your choice of two desserts. Optional add-ons (like roses, a teddy bear or a box of chocolates) can complete the experience. Details: 910-754-6909.
More:New year, new restaurants: Brunswick County eateries tweak concepts for 2023
Nineteen Restaurant
The restaurant at Olde Point Country Club, 513 Country Club Drive in Hampstead, is offering a special dinner menu for the holiday that's available Feb 10, 11, 13 and 14. There will also be a selection of cocktails, breakfast specials and Sunday brunch. Details: http://oldepointgolf.com/february.
Rosalie's Trattoria
This favorite Italian spot at 5031 Market St. in Wilmington has released a special menu for Valentine's Day with dozens of options. Look for familiar favorites and some special occasion dishes. Details: https://rosaliestrattoria.com.
Ports of Call
At 116 N. Howe St. in Southport, this spot is once again offering a special menu for the special holiday. The dinner offers four courses, with a choice of two options for each course. There's even a bœuf bourguignon for two. It's available for dine in or take out. Details: 910-457-4544, https://portsofcallbistro.com.
Salty Turtle Beer Co.
On Feb. 9, Salty Turtle Beer Co. and Fusion Blue Cuisine are working together to host a five-course meal with beer pairings. It takes place at their brewery's event space The Cove at 112 Triton Lane in Surf City. Details: https://shop.saltyturtlebeer.com/product/valentines-day-beer-pairing-ticket.
Savor Southern Kitchen
This breakfast and brunch restaurant at 3704 Carolina Beach Road in Wilmington is open for a special dinner service on Feb. 14. Look for a romantic setting and a four-course dinner (with three or four options per course) available from 5 to 8:30 p.m. Details: 910-769-8112 or http://savorsouthernkitchen.com.
Seabird
This restaurant (with a chef that was recently named a semifinalist for a James Beard Award) is offering a four-course menu on Feb. 14. It's $85 with optional wine pairings, with dishes like salad Lyonnaise, lobster corndogs, seafood entrees and vegan options. Details: www.seabirdnc.com.
More:Two popular Wilmington chefs make list of 2023 James Beard Award semifinalists
SeaWitch Tiki Bar
At 227 N. Carolina Beach Ave. in Carolina Beach, this local favorite is offering a special menu Feb. 10-11, which includes dishes like the “Cuddling Crab Bisque” and the steak-and-bearnaise “Puppy Love Pasta.” Also check out a selection of romantic cocktails. Details: https://seawitchtikibar.com.
The Second Glass
In Wilmington’s South Front District, this restaurant at 1540 S. Second St. is hosting a five-course dinner that can come with or without wine pairings ($85 or $140 per person). There’s also a vegan option for each course. Details: https://secondglasswinebar.com.
STAY CONNECTED: Keep up with the area’s latest food news by signing up for the Port City Foodies newsletter and following us on Facebook and Instagram.
Shuckin’ Shack
The downtown Wilmington location of this seafood restaurant is offering a special Valentine's menu from Feb. 10-19. Dishes include tomato basil chargrilled oysters, fisherman's stew and shrimp scampi fettuccine. Also try the Luv Shack and Smokeshow cocktails: Details: www.facebook.com/shuckinshackdowntownwilmington.
Smoke on the Water
For Valentine's Day with a view of the Cape Fear River, check out this spot at 3704 Watercraft Ferry Ave. in Wilmington. They are offering a special menu on Feb. 14 that includes chargrilled oysters, a dinner for two, wine pairings and more in addition to the usual menu. Details: 910-833-5069 or www.smokeonthewaternc.com.
Allison Ballard is the food and dining reporter at the StarNews. You can reach her ataballard@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Valentine's Day specials at Wilmington restaurants
