More romantic dining

By Amy Culbertson
Published in Dfw.com
February 6, 2009

Last week, we offered some of our picks for Valentine's Day dinners. Here's another batch of choices, including some restaurants that are extending the celebration to other days of the week besides Saturday. Note: prix-fixe prices are per person and don't include tax or tip.

--The tiny, convivial Lili's Bistro in Fort Worth is usually a tough table to reserve, but Valentine's Day seatings are still available for the 5 and 9:30 p.m. seatings Saturday. The $65 dinner includes an appetizer such as savory pain perdu (grilled brioche topped with Gruyere, roasted tomatoes, bacon, microgreens and a poached quail egg); salad; and entree choices that include roasted chili-rubbed duck breast in a sweet-and-spicy reduction with blue-corn fritters, ancho pesto and grilled asparagus. Desserts are extra at $10 and include a hibiscus champagne cocktail. Reserve at 817-877-0700.

-- Olenjack's Grille in Arlington is planning special "Valentine's Day Week" dinners next week, kicking off with a Valentine's Surf & Turf Dinner at 6 p.m. Tuesday, a three-course prix-fixe meal whose entree choices include grilled rosemary-garlic beef and grilled lobster with spicy shallot butter, as well as dessert choices such as caramel cake with mocha mousse. It's $55.

Wednesday through Saturday, Olenjack's is offering Valentine's Day Week dinners starting at 5 p.m. These are three-course prix-fixe meals that include salad or soup and dessert; per-person pricing depends on the entree chosen: salt-and-pepper salmon, $40; tenderloin for two and chicken-fried lobster, $100; or pork tenderloin with pancetta and cream brie polenta, $45. Appetizers can be added for an extra tariff.

Olenjack's charity Rose-a-Thon offers the opportunity to pre-order red or pink roses for $50 a dozen or $4.25 a stem; proceeds benefit SafeHaven of Tarrant County. For reservations or to order roses: 817-226-2600.

-- Carrabba's restaurants are getting an early start on Valentine's Day with "Dal Cuore (From the Heart)" nights on Wednesday and Thursday. The deal features a three-course prix-fixe menu for $16.50 or $17.30 per person, depending on the entree, and $10 off on a bottle of wine. Each guest receives a Valentine card with a quote. which enters him or her in a drawing for a seven-night Italian cruise and more goodies. Find locations here.

-- The Grape in Dallas is offering Valentine's fare all weekend. You can get an early start Thursday with Valentine a la carte specials, 1/3 off all bottles of wine and Champagne specials. Friday and Saturday, there's a three-course prix-fixe menu for $65, with by-the-glass and bottle specials on Champagne. Sunday's brunch runs from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., and Sunday's dinner menu will include Valentine specials and Champagne specials. Reservations: 214-828-1981 or online.

--The elegant Pyramid at the Fairmont Dallas has a Thursday three-course Valentine's dinner that includes two glasses of Champagne for $50; Friday's and Saturday's three-course dinners, also $50, include menu cards personalized with your private message and a take-home box of chocolate truffles as well as two glasses of bubbly, $50. Add a night at the Fairmont and the whole shebang will cost you $249 per couple; call 214-720-5340 for more hotel packages and to make reservations.