Will you be entwined with someone significant on February 14 or sitting at home eating a lot of chocolate?
Either way there’s plenty on offer this year for the day when we should celebrate love in all its forms.
Ed+bK top picks
- Vanilla Pod’s Valentines Day Conversation Cupcakes - Pop into Vanilla Pod at Ascot for a set of six of these darlings for $29.
- Chocolate Masterclass at Spring – What better way to spend Valentine’s Day but deep in chocolate. Learn how to temper, make treats to take home and maybe pop a little chocolate into your mouth along the way - 6.30 to 9.30pm $130 per person.
- Dinner and a diamond! – Does it get better than the Vintaged Bar + Grill at Hilton Brisbane and Monili Jewellers offer that will see one lucky lady taking home a custom jewellery package worth $12,000. Alongside a special Valentine’s Day five course menu created by executive chef Jeremy Clark, each couple will receive a glass of Veuve Clicquot champagne on arrival, romantic live entertainment and the choice of one out of three custom designed Monili timber jewellery boxes, each containing a prize, to take home. Placed in one of the timber boxes will be the grand prize of a 4ct loose Tanzanite stone which the winning couple will get to take to Monili Jewellers, located on Elizabeth Street, for a complimentary design and hand craftsmanship into a Monili masterpiece valued at $4000. Other prizes on offer include a $500 Monili Jewellery voucher and free clean and polishes. $125pp (includes glass of Veuve Cliquot on arrival)
What’s on around town -
The Barracks, Caxton Street
Cabiria
Looking for a nook with a difference that offers distinctive food? Then head to wine and oyster bar Cabiria at The Barracks, as they’ve designed a special three course dinner inspired by love. At a haunt where seasonal produce and world-class wines are made to be shared and enjoyed, this is your chance to test if oysters really are an aphrodisiac!
Cost: $55pp ($85pp with matched wines)
Seating times: 6pm and 8.30pm
Peasant
Peasant has decided to go against the grain this Valentine’s Day, choosing to dismiss the set menu and per-head format typical of Brisbane restaurants. Instead, they’re creating an original share plate, dessert and cocktail unique to the day of love.
Cost: Prices vary
Seating times: No set seating times, reservations essential
Libertine
Libertine is gifting Brisbane diners with a week to treat their sweetheart. “Valentines Days” consists of a four day special menu option for couples, every evening from Tuesday 11th February to Friday 14th February. For $135 couples will share six courses including dessert plus a bottle of Chevalier Blanc de Blanc. Reservations are essential.
Cost: $135 per couple
Seating times: 6pm and 8pm (applies to Friday night only)
The Chelsea
The hopeless romantics at The Chelsea believe that love should be celebrated everyday! As such, they are offering dinners the chance to enjoy their full a la carte menu on Valentine’s Day. Delight in mushroom arancini with caramelised onion aioli, or for something light try tarragon poached chicken salad with herb vinaigrette. For those with a sweet tooth, the raspberry & polenta cake with yoghurt mousse is divine!
Cost: Regular menu and prices apply
Seating times: 6pm and 8pm
Brisbane CBD
Spring
Spoil your Valentine with a four course menu and a glass f sparkling wine.
Cost: $85 per person.
Alchemy
Dazzle your darling by the river with Alchemy’s five course degustation menu. This offering is designed to please, with Cod with Soya Miso Glaze, Black Garlic, Kohlrabi Puree and Citrus Salad, Braised Pork Belly with Dutch Carrots, Sweet and Sour Glaze, and Fig and Apple Tart with Truffle Honey Ice Cream.
Cost: $120pp ($170pp with matched wines)
Seating times: 6pm, 7pm and 9pm, bookings are essential
lab bar + restaurant
Treasury Heritage Hotel’s signature restaurant Valentine's Day menu has a glass of sparkling wine on arrival and a two or three-course lunch or three-course dinner menu. Highlights include natural oysters, crisp skinned pork belly and croquette with celeriac and burnt citrus reduction and, for those who like to savour the sweet moments, a decadent dessert of chocolate fondue, candied ginger, marshmallows, banana and strawberries. Lunch Friday 14 February: two courses for $45 per person, or three courses for $55 per person. Dinner Friday 14 & Saturday 15 February: three courses $80 per person.
Treasury Hotel
Treasury Heritage Hotel Valentine’s Day package will send hearts a-flutter with their exclusive Lovers’ Getaway package. This s includes an overnight stay in a Deluxe Hotel Room, a sumptuous three-course dinner at the award-winning the lab bar + restaurant and an indulgent 30 minute in-room massage for two.
The following morning, guests will also be treated to a champagne breakfast for two delivered to their hotel room. Available Friday 14 and Saturday 15 February, 2014.
Hilton Valentine’s themed high tea
Romance has never been so sweet. Get the girls together this Valentine’s for tipples and nibbles on Vintaged’s V.Day high tea. Peck on buttery scones with fresh conserves and scrumptious Valentine’s inspired morsels. We vow to make valentines delightfully and delectably fun just for the girls. Menu High tea – standard pricing - $35 sans liquor, $45 + glass of sparkling, $55 + glass of French, $65 + seasonal cocktail.
Cost: $35, $45 and $55 options
Gasworks
Hatch & Co
Dine under the iconic Gasometer at Hatch & Co with their special three course dinner. Choose from two entrees, two share plates for mains with sides and a set dessert which includes a glass of Mumm Cordon Rouge NV on arrival.
Cost: $75
Bookings are essential, phone 07 3257 2969
Peng You
Indulge in a four course dinner at Peng You China Kitchen and Bar with salt and pepper New Zealand lamb rack, Malaysian-style lychee and roast duck curry, mango pudding and a host of other delectable dishes with a glass of French sparking on arrival.
Cost: $120 per couple
Buzz Gasworks
Enjoy a three course modern-Australian dinner for two including champagne on arrival
Cost: $120 per couple
Woolloongabba
Story Bridge Hotel
Deery’s Restaurant & Smokehouse will serve up a range of entrées, main courses and a tempting dessert, each designed to be shared and perfect for a romantic dinner for two. Plus, each couple will receive complimentary appetizers on arrival.
Cost: Prices for the Valentine’s special dishes range from $20 - $62 (between two people).
Best tip: Talk about Valentine’s Day expectations with your partner and read the subtext. Everybody likes to be spoiled occasionally.
Bottom line: This a busy night in restaurant land, take your good vibes with you and if everything is not perfect, blame Eros (Greek god of love)!
Kerry Heaney