Sydney restaurants expect record-breaking proposals this Valentine's Day

Romance will be at an all-time high at Sydney restaurant Infinity this Valentine's Day, with staff revealing that a record number of marriage proposals are planned for February 14.

The revolving restaurant, positioned 81 floors above the CBD, is a popular choice for popping the big question with an average of one proposal each week.

General manager Alex Kerner says Tuesday night could double their record of three proposals in one night, with staff primed for "at least five, maybe six" over two sittings.

"We have heard through the grapevine that there will be quite a few," he says.

Proposals have been ramping up at two-hatted Circular Quay restaurant Aria, where the Valentine's Day service is now fully booked. Assistant manager Katharine Crowe-Mai reports around eight or nine reservations with engagement notes on them each week.

"I've worked in the industry for more than 16 years and it's the most I've ever seen," Crowe-Mai says. "It's always special."

The romance extends to the Aria kitchen, where chef Trisan Jaya first met his husband Timothy Zahara.

"It always makes me happy when I hear people got engaged in Aria," Jaya says. "I think there's nothing better than a nice meal, good wine, and with an amazing view for a proposal."

Last week the entire restaurant "stopped and held their breath" as Victorian couple Chad de Lany and Rex Sun surprised each other with a double proposal.

Crowe-Mai says staff at Matt Moran's flagship fine-diner were working with Boggs to organise the dinner proposal in the week leading up to the reservation, but became confused when De Lany approached the front desk with an engagement ring of his own.

"De Lany told us he was planning to propose and asked us to bring the ring over in a black napkin during dessert, and help by filming," she says. "We thought we must have gotten the gentlemen mixed up."

When staff approached the table with De Lany's ring, Sun revealed his proposal plans.

"He got out his ring, threw it down on the table and said, 'I was planning to propose! You beat me to it!'," says Crowe-Mai. "He started crying, they said yes … and everyone cheered."

Executive chef of Pyrmont's Cucina Porto, Martino Pulito, says many restaurants revel in creating romance. Over his two decades in the hospitality industry, Pulito has delivered love letters with dessert, planned secret post-proposal parties with friends and family, and even corralled his kitchen into a flash mob.

"I like to get involved in every aspect, from the music to customising the menu," he says. "Then, when the couple celebrate their anniversary, they come back here to relive that experience."

But not all restaurant proposals go to plan. Crowe-Mai recalls an awkward proposal at an unnamed restaurant she previously worked at, where the pastry chef wrote "Will you marry me?" in brown icing on a mud cake.

The cake was presented to a woman, who was unable to read the message due to the dim lighting and low contrast.

"Her partner sat there and watched her as she ate the whole thing," Crowe-Mai says. "Everyone was mortified."

Planning to pop the question?

DO: Let staff know more than 24 hours in advance. They'lll do their best to assist if given enough notice.

DO: Consider the dish that arrives as the ring box is opened – it will be present in photos for many years to come.

DO: Ask someone to record the moment.

DON'T: Mix engagement rings with food. From sticky fingers to choking hazards, mixing expensive jewellery with food is never a good idea. "Please, don't stick the ring in the dessert," says Kerner.

DON'T: Go overboard with alcohol. It can be tempting to assuage your nerves with a few drinks, but don't let it turn your proposal pear-shaped.

DON'T: Forget to enjoy the moment. Don't let the situation prevent you from enjoying the date, says Pulito. "When ... you've planned everything down to the minute, sometimes you forget to pay attention to the person sitting in front of you," he says. "Trust the staff, live in the moment, enjoy it."