Seeking a special night out for Valentine's? Here are 30 Columbus restaurants with specials
Hearts are aflutter throughout Greater Columbus: Valentine’s Day is upon us.
Some couples may opt to stay in this year, but for those who would like to spend a night out on the town — and avoid cleaning dishes afterward — numerous area restaurants are offering special menus and packages next weekend.
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The options range from fancy to casual, but whatever your taste or price range, there is sure to be something to satisfy you and your significant other.
Culled from responses to The Dispatch’s solicitation from local restaurants and other sources, listed below are menu highlights and pricing. Hours vary; call for information on reservations and other details.
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The Avenue Steak Tavern — Dublin
94 N. HIGH ST.
Details: Specials offered Feb. 11-14, including 8-ounce braised short rib ($42), crab-stuffed sole ($38) and carrot cake ($8).
Contact: 614-591-9000, www.theavenuesteaktavern.com
The Avenue Steak Tavern — Grandview Heights
1307 GRANDVIEW AVE.
Details: Specials offered Feb. 11-14, including 16-ounce bone-in rib-eye ($65), pan-seared ahi tuna ($44) and white chocolate-strawberry cheesecake ($8).
Contact: 614-485-9447, www.theavenuesteaktavern.com
The Barn at Rocky Fork Creek
1370 E. JOHNSTOWN ROAD
Details: Specials offered Feb. 11-14, including crab-crusted filet ($54) and seared scallops ($43).
Contact: 614-855-9840, www.thebarncolumbus.com
Brio Italian Grille
1500 POLARIS PARKWAY; 3993 EASTON STATION, EASTON TOWN CENTER
Details: Valentine’s weekend prix fixe menu for dine-in or to-go, Feb. 11-14: Romano-crusted Chilean sea bass with roasted fingerling potatoes, spinach, tomatoes and lobster butter sauce ($34); Parmesan-crusted beef medallions with shrimp and black pepper sauce ($36); both served with a slice of marble chocolate chip brulee cheesecake with heart-shaped sprinkles.
Contact: 614-410-0310 (Polaris Parkway); 614-416-4745 (Easton); www.brioitalian.com
Buxton Inn
313 E. BROADWAY, GRANVILLE
Details: Valentine’s Day: five-course menu, including choice of fried brie or shrimp ceviche; French onion soup or lemon chicken and orzo soup; Buxton house salad or roasted beet salad; lemon butter scallops and shrimp skewer, beef tenderloin and crab cake or Tuscany stuffed chicken breast and meatballs; and turtle lava cake, New York cheesecake or raspberry creme brulee ($70 a person).
Contact: 740-587-0001, www.buxtoninn.com
Cameron’s American Bistro
2185 W. DUBLIN-GRANVILLE ROAD
Details: Specials Feb. 11-14, including blackened grouper with black beans, zucchini, and salsa verde ($45).
Contact: 614-885-3663, www.cameronsamericanbistro.com
Cap City Fine Diner and Bar
6644 RIVERSIDE DRIVE, DUBLIN; 1301 STONERIDGE DRIVE, GAHANNA; 1299 OLENTANGY RIVER ROAD, GRANDVIEW HEIGHTS
Details: Special offers at all locations, Feb. 11-14, including jumbo lump crab cakes with succotash — roasted tomatoes, green beans, bacon, lima beans and sweet
corn cream ($25.79).
Contact: 614-889-7865 (Dublin); 614-478-9999 (Gahanna); 614-291-3663 (Grandview Heights); www.capcityfinediner.com
Columbus Fish Market
1245 OLENTANGY RIVER ROAD
Details: Valentine’s weekend, Feb. 11-14: three-course menu featuring choice of salad or clam chowder; 6-ounce filet Oscar or crab-stuffed salmon; key lime pie, creme brulee or cheesecake ($36 a person for crab-stuffed salmon, $62 a person for filet).
Contact: 614-291-3474, www.mitchellsfishmarket.com
Cooper’s Hawk
4230 THE STRAND, EASTON TOWN CENTER
Details: Valentine’s Day lunch and dinner menus: filet medallions and lobster gratin ($38.99) and twin Parmesan-crusted lobster tails ($42.99).
Contact: 614-428-6999, www.chwinery.com
Del Mar SoCal Kitchen
705 N. HIGH ST., 1ST FLOOR
Details: Specials offered Feb. 11-14, including Chilean sea bass, sesame sticky rice, bok choy, pickled mushrooms and ginger garlic broth ($46.99).
Contact: 614-300-9500, www.delmarcolumbus.com
El Segundo Mexican Kitchen
698 N. HIGH ST.
Details: Special offers Feb. 11-14, including asada platter, with two chicken tinga flautas, two carne asada tacos, cilantro rice and borracho beans ($20).
Contact: 614-965-6660, www.elsegundocolumbus.com
El Vaquero Mexican Restaurant
LOCATIONS THROUGHOUT GREATER COLUMBUS
Details: Valentine’s Day special: fajitas for two (choice of chicken or beef), two House Lime Jumbo Margaritas and one dessert ($36.99)
Contact: www.vaquerorestaurant.com
1487 Brewery
7620 INDUSTRIAL PARKWAY, PLAIN CITY
Details: six-course tasting menu for two, Feb. 12-13, each course paired with a 1487 beer; Champagne toast included. Courses: ricotta-and-cornmeal fritters, griddled sweet potatoes, crispy oysters, salad, duck and dumplings, butter and Scotch meringue tart, ($214 a couple).
Contact: 614-536-1487, 1487brewery.com
The Guild House
624 N. HIGH ST.
Details: Special offers Feb. 11-14, including angus beef striploin, butter-poached lobster claw ($45) and black forest cake ($10).
Contact: 614-280-9780, www.theguildhousecolumbus.com
Hofbrauhaus Columbus Brewery and Restaurant
800 GOODALE BLVD.
Details: Valentine’s Day menu, Feb. 13-14: three-course menu, including choice of haus salad or potato soup; wurstplatte, dunkel bourbon chicken, dunkel bourbon salmon, dunkel bourbon chicken or Jagerschnitzel; Bavarian cream puff or chocolate-covered strawberry cream puff; and one alcoholic beverage per person (choice of half-liter of beer or glass of house wine), $50 a couple.
Contact: 614-294-2437, www.hofbrauhauscolumbus.com
Hudson 29
1600 W. LANE AVE., UPPER ARLINGTON; 260 MARKET ST., SUITE D, NEW ALBANY
Details: Special offers at both locations, Feb. 11-14, including grilled blackened snapper with wild rice blend, kidney beans, roasted red pepper, red onion, cilantro, parsley and golden balsamic vinaigrette ($38).
Contact: 614-487-0622 (Upper Arlington); 614-859-2900 (New Albany); www.hudson29.com
JP’s BBQ Bolton Field
2000 NORTON ROAD
Details: Valentine’s festivities, Feb. 14: menu including appetizers, dinner and dessert; also, music, activities and prizes ($129 a couple); add 20-minute flight around Downtown Columbus ($259 a couple).
Contact: 614-878-7422, www.jpsbbq.com
The Keep Kitchen & Liquor Bar
HOTEL LEVEQUE, 50 W. BROAD ST.
Details: Valentine’s weekend, Feb. 11-12: menu includes oysters on the half shell ($2 each), bruschetta ($10), red chile grilled shrimp ($16), smoked celery root ($25), snow crab ($38), mole-crusted filet ($45) and and sundae for two ($10).
Contact: 614-745-0322, www.thekeepcolumbus.com
Lincoln Social Rooftop
711 N. HIGH ST.
Details: Valentine’s Day cocktail dinner, 6 to 9 p.m. Feb. 14: classic pairings of food and beverages ($100 a person); visit website for details.
Contact: 614-300-9494, www.lincolnsocialrooftop.com
Lindey’s Restaurant & Bar
169 E. BECK ST.
Details: Valentine’s Day a la carte menu being finalized; check website for details.
Contact: 614-228-4343, www.lindeys.com
Marcella’s — Polaris
1319 POLARIS PARKWAY; 615 N. HIGH ST.
Details: Special offers Feb. 11-14, including lobster ravioli with shrimp, artichokes, fresh tomato, sherry cream sauce ($27.99) at the Polaris location; and garlic-rubbed prawns with sun-dried tomato ravioli, spinach, lemon cream and crispy proscuitto ($36) at Shorth North
Contact: 614-844-6500, 614-223-2100; www.marcellasrestaurant.com
Martini Modern Italian
445 N. HIGH ST.
Details: Special offers Feb. 11-14, including Chilean sea bass with potato gnocchi, lobster, asparagus, blistered tomatoes, prosecco cream ($57).
Contact: 614-224-8259, www.martinimodernitalian.com
Melting Pot
4014 TOWNSFAIR WAY, EASTON TOWN CENTER
Details: Feb. 12-13, set menu includes cheese fondue, salad, entree (Cupid's Combo or Lover's Delight), chocolate fondue ($65 a person). Kids’ three-course meal ($35). Valentine's packages on Feb. 14: menu as above, table sprinkled with rose petals for all. Sweetheart package ($170 a couple, includes a rose). Lover’s package ($200 a couple, includes a three-rose arrangement and three chocolate-covered strawberries). Ultimate romance package ($230 a couple, includes a half-dozen roses and six chocolate-covered strawberries).
Contact: 614-476-5500, www.meltingpot.com/columbus-oh
McCormick & Schmick’s
3965 NEW BOND ST., EASTON TOWN CENTER
Details: Prix fixe three-course dinner, Feb. 11-14: starter (salad or clam chowder), main course (crab and shrimp-stuffed salmon, cobia, filet mignon or lobster tail and shrimp), dessert (cheesecake, chocolate silk pie or upside-down apple pie with ice cream), $50 to $60 a person, depending on entree.
Contact: 614-476-3663, www.mccormickandschmicks.com
Mitchell’s Steakhouse
1408 POLARIS PARKWAY; 45 N. 3RD ST.
Details: Special offers Feb. 11-14: featuring chef features, 7-ounce filet Maxwell ($59) or 14-ounce Carrara Wagyu rib-eye ($89).
Contact: 614-888-2467 (Polaris Parkway); 614-621-2333 (North 3rd Street); www.mitchellssteakhouse.com
Molly Woo’s Asian Bistro
1500 POLARIS PARKWAY
Details: Special offers Feb. 11-14, including lobster and shrimp fried rice ($24.99).
Contact: 614-985-9667, www.mollywoos.com
The Pearl — Short North
641 N. HIGH ST.; 88 N. HIGH ST.
Details: Special offers Feb. 11-14, including prosciutto-wrapped monkfish with popcorn puree, asparagus and basil pistou ($38) at the Short North location; and Chilean sea bass with celeriac puree, verjus, king oyster mushrooms ($50) at the Dublin location.
Contact: 614-227-0151, 614-695-6255; www.thepearlcolumbus.com
Plank’s Cafe and Pizzeria
743 PARSONS AVE.
Details: Special offers Feb. 11-14, including grilled pork chops, stuffed peppers, Turkey Tom pizza, Popeye pizza, Paradise cheeseburger pizza, red velvet cake, strawberry cheesecake and peanut butter cream pie (prices vary). Homemade heart cookies will be sold, with proceeds going to the Ronald McDonald House.
Contact: 614-443-6251, www.plankscafe.com
The Refectory Restaurant & Bistro
1092 BETHEL ROAD
Details: Feb. 12-14: five-course menu, including choice of arctic char or duck and crawfish terrine; scallop timbale mousseline or Chilean sea bass “pave” mushroom duxelle; sauteed beef tournedos or Grand Veneur-marinated venison loin; fresh goat cheese medallion or fourme d’ambert; triple chocolate torte or mixed berry feuillete ($135 a guest); vegetarian Valentine’s menu also available.
Contact: 614-451-9774, www.refectory.com
'Valentine’s Day Dinner In a Box'
CAMERON MITCHELL PREMIER EVENTS, 7619 HUNTINGTON PARK
Details: Four-course dinner for two includes charcuterie, sweetheart salad, choice of two 8-ounce filets or two 6-ounce cuts of sea bass, roasted fingerling potatoes, roasted asparagus, sourdough bread with whipped butter and chocolate raspberry financier ($175); four-course family dinner for four includes charcuterie, Caesar salad, boneless whole roasted chicken, carbonara pasta, haricot verts, sourdough bread with whipped butter; surprise heart cupcakes ($150); Champagne and strawberries available for $50; orders by 5 p.m. Feb. 5 for pickup noon to 6 p.m. Feb. 11 or Feb. 14.
Contact: www.cameronmitchellpremierevents.com