Local Love This Valentine's Day: Where to Go, Shop, Drink
Show your local love this Valentine's Day! These gifts show your sweetheart your heart is in the right place: right in your own backyard.
Concert Under the Stars
Valentine’s Day Concert at the Deering Estate
WHEN: Valentine’s Day, 8pm-10pm
WHERE: Deering Estate, 16701 SW 72 Ave., Miami
MORE INFO: Deering Estate at Cutler
Gifts to Ship or Deliver
Is your love out of town? Send a thoughtful local gift.
Pamela Wasabi Vegan Cookies, Chai Milk, Poetry
WHEN: Order by Feb. 11 for delivery
MORE INFO: Pamela Wasabi Bakery
Handmade Truffles and Bonbons from Cao Chocolates
WHAT: Boxes of truffles (from $12), vegan chocolate gift baskets ($85), brownie platters (from $8) and more.
WHEN: Ship by Feb. 11 to be on time for Valentine’s Day; shop open Mon.-Sat.
WHERE: 9800 SW 77 Ave, Miami
MORE INFO: Cao Chocolates
Heart-Shaped Macarons, Heart and Rose Cupcakes at JWPastry
WHAT: Special sweets include lava cakes, chocolate-dipped strawberries ($25/dozen), macarons with passion fruit, chocolate, vanilla and pink champagne ($25/dozen), cupcakes ($25/dozen)
WHEN: February
WHERE: 5665 S University Dr, Davie
MORE INFO: JW Pastry
Red Velvet Cheesecake from Fireman Derek’s Bake Shop
WHAT: Order a cheesecake with generous swirls of red velvet cake folded in, topped with red velvet cake crumbles and white chocolate drizzles.
WHEN: All of February
WHERE: Fireman Derek’s in Wynwood and Coconut Grove
MORE INFO: Fireman Derek's
Apeeling Chocolate at Exquisito
WHAT: Single-origin heart-shaped chocolate with salted, crispy platanito chips. Or try their bonbon collection of six flavored made with cacao processed in their Little Havana factory.
WHEN: Valentine’s Day
WHERE: Exquisito Chocolates, 2606 SW 8th St, Miami
MORE INFO: Exquisito Chocolates
Dreamy Valentine's Dinners
Aventura
Three-course Dinner at CORSAIR kitchen & bar
WHAT: Oysters on the half-shell, grilled lamb chop and dessert buffet are on the special menu ($65 per person) at Turnberry’s American-inspired kitchen and bar.
WHEN: Valentine’s Day
WHERE: JW Marriott Miami Turnberry Resort & Spa
MORE INFO: 786-279-6800
Brickell
Five-course Menu at Nativo Kitchen & Bar
WHAT: New restaurant and lounge with beautiful views offers a special dinner ($90 per person) with dishes like slow-cooked golden tilefish or sweet and spicy braised pork belly.
WHEN: Valentine’s Day
WHERE: Conrad Miami, 1395 Brickell Avenue
MORE INFO: 305-503-6529
Al Fresco Dinner at Toscana Divino
WHAT: Four-course dinner menu ($65 per person) includes Atlantic sea scallop gratin or homemade tagliolini with lobster.
WHEN: Valentine’s Day
WHERE: Mary Brickell Village
MORE INFO: Toscana Divino
Coconut Grove
Three-course Tasting Menu at Ariete
WHAT: Chef Michael Beltran is preparing an elegant tasting menu ($65 per person) that includes venison or potato-crusted local fish, and homemade chocolate cherry truffles for all.
WHEN: Valentine’s Day
WHERE: 3540 Main Highway
MORE INFO: Ariete or call 305-604-5862 for reservations
Isabelle’s Grill Room & Garden Special Menu
WHAT: Newly appointed executive chef Gregory Sgarro’s elegant prix fixe menu includes dandelion & pear salad ($18) and 36-oz porterhouse for two ($125).
WHEN: Valentine’s Day and Sat., Feb. 15
WHERE: The Ritz-Carlton Coconut Grove
MORE INFO: Isabelle’s Grill Room & Garden
Romantic Italian Food at Navé
WHAT: Special dishes include spaghetti with cauliflower velouté, uni and black olive, and strawberry and coconut semifreddo.
WHEN: Valentine’s Day
WHERE: 3540 Main Highway
MORE INFO: Navé Miami or 786-615-3747
F*** Valentine’s Day Party at Taurus Beer & Whiskey House
WHAT: Annual party in partnership with Illegal Mezcal, featuring $10 Love Hurts cocktails (Illegal Mezcal, lime, grapefruit and habanero; or ask the bartender to “Make Me Something Good with Mezcal.”
WHEN: Valentine’s Day
WHERE: 3540 Main Highway
MORE INFO: Taurus Beer & Whiskey House
Design District/Upper East Side
Menu de la Saint Valentin at L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon
WHAT: Dazzling five-course menu ($175+ per person) includes two amuse-bouche (Le Foie Gras and Le Panais), plus choices that include langoustine ravioli, grilled Wagyu ribcap and Le Passion Chocolate.
WHEN: Valentine’s Day
WHERE: Miami Design District
MORE INFO: L'Atelier or 305-402-9070
Chef’s Tasting Menu at CHICA Miami
WHAT: Special menu ($85 per person) includes choices like seared foie gras with sweet plantain puree and wood-fired grilled beef tenderloin.
WHEN: Valentine’s Day
WHERE: 5556 NE 4 Ct., Miami
MORE INFO: Chica
Downtown Miami
Chic V-Day Specials at Zuma Miami
WHAT: Fixed-price menus ($165 and $225) feature lobster tempura and grilled scallop with ume butter.
WHEN: Valentine’s Day
WHERE: Epic Hotel, 270 Biscayne Boulevard Way
MORE INFO: Zuma or 305-577-0277
Sharing Specials at Kiki on the River
WHAT: Spend a romantic evening on the Miami River dining on modern Greek cuisine in dishes to share.
WHEN: Valentine’s Day
WHERE: 450 NW N River Drive
MORE INFO: Kiki on the River
Four-course Dinner at Toro Toro
WHAT: Pan Latin dishes from chef Richard Sandoval, ending on a sweet note with Fresas y Nata ($89 per person).
WHEN: Valentine’s Day
WHERE: InterContinental Hote, 100 Chopin Plaza
MORE INFO: Toro Toro or 305-372-4710
Fort Lauderdale
Four-course Tasting Menu at Lona
WHAT: Fixed-price ($55 tasting menu) includes lobster tostado, choice of mole, surprise dessert.
WHEN: Valentine’s Day
WHERE: Westin Fort Lauderdale Beach, 321 N. Fort Lauderdale Beach Blvd.
MORE INFO: Lona or 954-245-3069
Stupid Cupid for Singles, Love at First Bite for Couples
WHAT: Specially create menus for one, including all-you-can-eat PEI mussels ($22 per person), or for two, like 36-oz dry-aged porterhouse with Perigord truffle jus ($85).
WHEN: Valentine’s Day
WHERE: Auberge Residences and Spa, 2200 N. Ocean Blvd
MORE INFO: Dune or 754-900-4059
Key Biscayne
Surf and Turf for Two at the Rusty Pelican
WHAT: Extravagant specials prepared by chef Jim Pastor include a 32-oz. porterhouse and a two-pound Maine lobster with sides ($165), or a 5-lb. Caribbean snapper ($150).
WHEN: Valentine’s Day
WHERE: 3201 Rickenbacker Causeway
MORE INFO: The Rusty Pelican or 305-361-3818
Little Havana
Peruvian Treats at El Santo
WHAT: Chef Jimmy Gallagher has created a special menu ($65 per person) with traditional Peruvian dishes. Cap off your evening in Don Diablo with cocktails and dancing.
WHEN: Valentine’s Day
WHERE: 1620 SW 8th St, Miami
MORE INFO: El Santo Miami
Miami Beach
Valentine’s Day Opera Aria Night at The Betsy South Beach
WHAT: Jazz artist Charu Siri will perform with her band in the lounge (no charge). At LT Steak & Seafood, there’s a special prix fixe menu ($85) from executive chef Danny Ganem.
WHEN: Valentine’s Day
WHERE: The Betsy Hotel, 1440 Ocean Drive
MORE INFO: thebetsyhotel.com or 305-673-0044
Luxurious Dinner at Jaya at The Setai
WHAT: Two multi-course tasting menus – One ($1,000 per couple) features free-flowing Cristal champagne all night long, while a $125 per-person option is a four-course tasting menu.
WHEN: Valentine’s Day
WHERE: The Setai, 2001 Collins Ave.
MORE INFO: The Setai or 855-923-7899
Three-Course Dinner at Traymore by Michael Schwartz
WHAT: Special menu ($55) featuring fresh Floridian- and Asian-inspired offerings from Michael Schwartz.
WHEN: Valentine’s Day
WHERE: COMO Metropolitan Miami Beach, 2445 Collins Ave.
MORE INFO: COMO Metropolitan
Sunny Isles Beach
Dreamy Evenings at Il Mulino New York and AQ Restaurant by Il Mulino
WHAT: Four-course Italian dining at Il Mulino New York ($200 per person) and AQ ($150 per person).
WHEN: Valentine’s Day
WHERE: Acqualina Resort and Residences on the Beach
MORE INFO: Il Mulino and Acqualina Resort
