Where to eat in Melbourne on Valentine's Day 2017
Don't ruin the romance by serving your sweetheart a homemade sunken souffle. Save yourself the culinary shame and dine out this Valentine's Day. Here's what's happening on February 14 in Melbourne.
Bibelot
It doesn't have to be a late dinner and it doesn't need to involve savoury elements. If your sweetheart has a sweet tooth, take them to Bibelot to eat their fill of pastries, gelato and chocolate. In addition to the usual offerings, the pastry chefs have devised two special Valentine's-themed indulgences consisting of a chocolate and raspberry tart with pistachio streusel, or a strawberry compote with lime foam, almond sponge and vanilla mousse. Both specials cost less than a tenner and would probably pair well with an espresso martini, or two. Bibelot closes at 6pm on the day so head in early.
Price: Regular menu available; special desserts $9.50 each.
285 -287 Coventry Street, South Melbourne, 03 9690 2688, bibelot.com.au
No.35
If your lover likes to share every moment on social media, they will be well-chuffed with this spot. Thirty-five levels high, the city skyline is the perfect backdrop for a romantic selfie. You'll both receive a glass of non-vintage Veuve D'argent bubbles on arrival, followed by a starter of charred kingfish, spiced avocado and ponzu dressing. There is lamb for main with buttered carrots and minted peas and a Valrhona chocolate heart for dessert, complete with Instagrammable gold dust. Each course will be paired with a glass of French wine that will have you #feelingloved.
Price: $199 per person, or $209 per person for a window seat.
Sofitel Melbourne, 25 Collins Street, Melbourne, 03 9653 7744, sofitel-melbourne.com.au
Massi
Step into a world of Italian love and passion, complete with honeycomb-shaped chandelier, marble-topped bar and leather booths. Massi's Valentine's offering is aptly Sicilian, with a shared starter of cold meats, burrata, olives and grilled figs. For main, you can choose from a pepper-crusted T-bone steak accompanied by polenta chips and caramelised onion; pumpkin tortelli with truffle, sage and brown butter; or a seafood selection with fish broth. Conclude the evening by spoonfeeding each other white chocolate panna cotta with poached peaches and rose petals.
Price: $85 per person for three courses and cocktail on arrival.
445 Little Collins Street, Melbourne, 03 9670 5347, massi.com.au
Bar Lourinha
Practice your "Te quiero tanto" (Spanish for "I love you so") and head to Bar Lourinha for a lovingly prepared shared meal. There will be mood-boosting oysters and bubbles on arrival, as well as traditional tapas offerings such as yellowtail kingfish 'pancetta' with lemon oil, sweet roasted angus oxtail and heirloom carrots, and baked mascarpone with poached cherries.
Price: $60 per person for eight shared courses including glass of bubbles on arrival.
37 Little Collins Street, Melbourne, 03 9663 7890, barlourinha.com.au
Bottega
Instead of arguing over who washes up, go to Bottega for an intimate meal with your loved one. There is Peroni or champagne on arrival and the chefs have prepared a seafood-centred menu. Start with crumbed oysters with sweet and sour peppers and scallop crudo with finger limes before moving onto smoked trout ravioli with capers and pan-seared john dory. Cap off the evening with white chocolate fondant.
Price: $140 per person for seven courses including arrival drink.
74 Bourke Street, Melbourne, 03 9654 2252, bottega.com.au
Pascale Bar & Grill
Commence the evening with a canape of heirloom vegetable crudites, followed by a choice of entrees including chicken terrine, aioli and pickled caper leaves; or oysters with a champagne mignonette. Robust mains include confit duck ballotine with grilled mango and apple balsamic; john dory with barbecued corn and basil; or zucchini flowers with goat's curd, pinenuts and mint. This leaves dessert, a strawberry lovers' scroll cake with almond biscuits, vanilla, strawberry jam and white chocolate.
Price: $249 per couple for five courses including champagne on arrival. Or skip dinner altogether and splash out on a special $300 dessert (room key included).
QT Melbourne, 133 Russell Street, Melbourne, 03 8636 8808, qthotelsandresorts.com
San Telmo
Like to be in control? San Telmo will be offering their regular a la carte menu on February 14, so you can eat as much or a little as you like. The meat-centric menu is crafted around the Argentine tradition of sharing food, and includes classics such as entrana (skirt steak), black sausage, chorizo, pork jowl, short ribs ... you get the jist. While they do have vegetarian options and some blissful desserts (hello, dulce de leche) it's probably a better spot for carnivorous lovers.
Price: A la carte menu.
14 Meyers Place, Melbourne, 03 9650 5525, santelmo.com.au
Elyros
If you can't travel to the Greek Islands, Elyros will bring Crete to you instead, with a four-course shared menu inspired by the ancient Greek god of love. For starters, the snack on a selection of cheeses, olives, bread and honey. There will also be kakavia – a traditional fish soup with kingfish, prawns, mussels and clams – followed by lamb for main and a soulful semolina custard dessert with honeycomb and bee pollen.
Price: $65 per person for four shared courses.
871 Burke Road, Camberwell, 03 9882 8877, elyros.com.au
Circa, The Prince
Sharing a chocolate delice with raspberries and mint seems like the cupid-approved way to end a five-course meal at Circa. We know what you're thinking, they're a private dining space now, not a restaurant right? Well yes, but thankfully the former-hatted restaurant has devised a menu for Valentine's Day, and you're all invited. The menu will kick-off with kingfish, young coconut, ginger and purple daikon, before moving onto scampi with tomato and tarragon. This will be followed by roasted duck with blood plum and hazelnut, or lamb with vegetables and ricotta.
Price: $110 per person for five courses.
2 Acland Street, St Kilda, 03 9536-1135, melbournepubgroup.com.au
BangPop
This anti-Valentine's dinner promises no roses, no slow dancing, no romantic music and definitely no awkward moments. Instead get stuck into tequila specials and succulent Thai food. Grab some friends and say no to commercial holidays and yes to shots! Sorry cupid, you're not invited.
Price: a la carte menu available plus tequila specials.
35 South Wharf Promenade, South Wharf, 03 9245 9800, bangpop.com.au
Sake Restaurant and Bar
First date nerves? Starting at Sake's well-stocked bar is a good way to ease into the evening. Once you start to feel it, ask to be seated and continue to heat things up with jalapeno kingfish and prawn dumplings with spicy ponzu sauce. For the main event, there will be lamb cutlets with plum wine miso, followed by a beef tenderloin with watermelon salad. Things get really exciting with the onset of dessert, the famous dragon egg with yuzu caramel chocolate and fresh raspberries.
Price: $110 per person for five courses including a glass of champagne.
121 Flinders Lane, Melbourne, (also at Southbank), 1300 670 910, sakerestaurant.com.au
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