Need fresh ideas for Valentine’s Day? A roundup of Triangle restaurant specials

Kimberly Cataudella
·7 min read

Restaurants in the Triangle are releasing their Valentine’s Day specials and starting to take reservations. Valentine’s Day might be a couple of weeks out, but those slots fill up fast.

Check out these local restaurants’ dinner, drinks and dessert menus for the upcoming dinner-for-two holiday.

If you know of any local Valentine’s specials that you think we should add to this list, email ask@newsobserver.com to let us know.

Valentine’s dinner specials in Raleigh

▪ The Willard: The Willard at the AC Hotel Raleigh Downtown is offering a four-course meal with tastings of five different Champagnes from the French house of Louis Roederer at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 16. Tickets cost $155 per person. Wine will be available for purchase to attendees at a discounted rate. Location: 9 Glenwood Ave, Raleigh Info: thewillardraleigh.com

▪ Sushi O: Open Valentine’s Day dinner only 5-10 p.m. $75 per couple for a three-course meal. Location: 222 Glenwood Ave, Suite 113, Raleigh Info: sushioraleighnc.com

▪ Overlook: The Valentine’s prix fixe menu for a four-course meal is $60 per couple. Options include butter poached lobster tail, wild mushroom risotto, parmesan crusted sea bass and more. Location: 616 South Salisbury St., Raleigh Info: overlookraleigh.com

▪ Mulino: You and your date will be greeted with a welcome drink. We will be serving a four-course meal and your choice of one classic red or white bottle of wine per couple. The prix fixe menu is $125 per person. Menu will include a vegetarian option. Location: 309 N Dawson St, Raleigh Info: opentable.com/r/mulino-raleigh

▪ The Loading Dock: Called “Love Bites: Three Course Meal for Lovers.” Experience the ultimate in romance and fine dining with our Valentine’s Day three-course dinner celebration prepared by a private chef. The $230 purchase includes a dinner experience for two. Location: 1053 East Whitaker Mill Road #115, Raleigh Info: Search “Love Bites: Three Course Meal for Lovers” on Eventbrite.com

▪ Perry’s Steakhouse & Grille: Enjoy a three-course prix fixe menu on and Perry’s Valentine Candlelight Dinner for 2. There are in-restaurant and take-home options. The Candlelight Dinner for 2 to-go includes rose petals and a votive candle with a holder. Entrees include meat, fish and vegetarian options. Location: 4509 Creedmoor Rd, Raleigh Info: perryssteakhouse.com

▪ Element Gastropub: The three-course prix fixe Valentines dinner for two menu is entirely vegan. Each dinner for two is $95. Location: 421 Fayetteville Street, Suite 103, Raleigh Info: Search “Element Gastropub” on Eventbrite.com

▪ Level 7: The Valentine’s Day Wine Dinner includes tasting of eight specially selected wines, each paired with a featured menu item inspired by elevated European cuisine with a Level 7 twist. Each ticket is $80. Location: 101 Park at North Hills St, Raleigh Info: Search “Valentine’s Day Wine Dinner” on Eventbrite.com

▪ Margaux’s Restaurant: A three-course prix fixe menu will be served at $60 per person. Location: 8111 Creedmoor Rd, Suite 111, Raleigh Info: margauxsrestaurant.com

Valentine’s dinner specials in Durham

▪ The Durham: The Restaurant at The Durham is offering a romantic three-course dinner for $80 per person from Feb. 10 through 14. The menu choices include Smoked Bay Scallop Tostada with Refried Boiled Peanuts and Jicama-Cabbage Slaw; Red Chile-Wild Mushroom Tamales; a New York Strip Steak with Roasted Shallots and Shiitake Mushrooms and Duck Fat Potatoes. The Valentine’s menu will be offered alongside the regular menu on Feb. 10, 12 and 13. The Valentine’s prix fixe menu will only be offered on Feb. 11 and 14. Location: 315 E. Chapel Hill St, Durham Info: thedurham.com

▪ Alley Twenty Six: Durham’s Alley Twenty Six is offering a special Valentine’s Day prix fixe menu with cocktail pairings for $135 dollars per person. The menu offerings include Little Gem Caesar; Yellowfin Tuna Tartare; Marinated Hanger Steak with Smoked Sweet Potato; and Dark Chocolate Mousse. Cocktail pairings include the Imagined Spring and Shipwreck. Location: 320 E Chapel Hill St, Durham Info: alleytwentysix.com

▪ Mateo Bar de Tapas: Durham’s Mateo Bar de Tapas is offering a four-course Valentine’s Day menu for $75 per person. The menu offerings include Fried Oysters with Bonito Mayo; Big Eye Tuna Poke with Marshallberg Farms Caviar; Pear Glazed Pork Belly with Lentils; Crispy Duck Confit with Porcini Arroz; Sherry-Braised Short Rib with Potato Espuma and Caramelized Onions; Chocolate Mousse and Spanish Olive Oil Cake. Guests can choose three savory options and one dessert. Location: 109 W Chapel Hill St, Durham Info: mateotapas.com

▪ Mothers and Sons: Durham’s Mothers and Sons will be offering their regular menu plus specials on Feb. 10, 11 and Monday, Feb. 13. Then on Valentine’s Day, diners can enjoy a three-course prix fixe dinner menu for $75 per person, including choice of one each from a selection of antipasti, pastas and entrees. One of the pasta offerings will be a Lady and the Tramp-style dish: think one long noodle to share with ragù di noble sauce. Desserts will be a la carte, including all the favorites from the regular menu (tiramisu, chocolate budino, cannoli and a seasonal panna cotta) plus one special dessert. Location: 107 W Chapel Hill St, Durham Info: mothersandsonsnc.com

▪ Unscripted Durham: Tucked away within the Patio, Unscripted Durham welcomes back the winter wonderland dining experience featuring private igloos. With a picturesque setting, the igloos fuse with the energy and flair that The Patio is known for. Enjoy views of Downtown Durham, weekly entertainment and signature bites and libations. Reservations can be made for parties from four to 10 people. Reservations are for a minimum of two hours and require a minimum food and drink spend per person. Location: 202 N Corcoran St, Durham Info: unscriptedhotels.com/igloos

▪ Dashi: The five-course Valentine’s Day Omakase will be on Feb. 13. This dinner is hosted in our upstairs izakaya and is offered by reservation only. Location: 415 East Chapel Hill St, Durham Info: dashiramen.com/omakase

Valentine’s dinner specials in Chapel Hill

▪ La Résidence: This four-course menu is available for $59 per person. Entrees include spaghetti lobster, filet mignon and more. Location: 202 W Rosemary St, Chapel Hill Info: laresidencedining.com

▪ Bin Fifty-Four: This three-course meal is available for $90 per person. Entrees include grilled beef tenderloin, spiced duck breast and more. Location: 1201-M Raleigh Rd, Chapel Hill Info: bin54chapelhill.com/event

▪ The Lantern: The three-course prix fixe menu is $75 per person. An optional wine pairing is an additional $27 per person. Vegetarian and vegan options are available. Location: 423 West Franklin St, Chapel Hill Info: lanternrestaurant.com

Valentine’s dinner specials in Cary

▪ The Umstead Hotel and Spa: Enjoy the intimate atmosphere of Herons this Valentine’s Day as you celebrate with someone special. Indulge in a five course dinner with choices created by Executive Chef Steven Devereaux Greene designed with romance in mind. Dinner is $245 per person, and an optional wine pairing is an additional $125 per person. Location: 100 Woodland Pond Dr, Cary Info: theumstead.com/events

▪ Peck & Plume: The romantic three-course dinner is priced at $65 per person. Entrees include short rib wellington, duck cassoulet and more. Location: 301 S Academy St, Cary Info: peckandplume.com/valentines-dinner

Valentine’s dinner specials in Hillsborough

▪ Antonia’s: This multi-course dinner is $69 per person. Entrees include spaghetti carbonara, filet mignon, eggplant fritters and more. Location: 101 North Churton St, Hillsborough Info: antoniashillsborough.com

Triangle Asked & Answered

Have a question about something in our community? The News & Observer’s Service Journalism team wants your questions for our Triangle Asked & Answered series. Reach out to us by filling out this form or by sending an email to ask@newsobserver.com.

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