As Valentine’s Day 2015 approaches in just over a week many restaurants a planning for happy couples to come out for dinner and show their love for each other. Whether you like sushi, southwestern or contemporary American food the 5 options below are offering special dishes, prix-fixe menus or Valentine’s Day themed parties.
Sierra Bonita Grill
On Valentine’s Day, enjoy a romantic brunch or dinner at Sierra Bonita Grill. For brunch, enjoy southwestern-inspired cuisine, including the Monte Cristo ($13) with Cure 81 ham, oven roasted turkey, scrambled eggs, bacon and manchego cheese between two egg battered pieces of sourdough bread, served with oven roasted root vegetables. The Cowboy Hash ($12) is roasted root vegetables tossed with Schrieners linguisa sausage and chorizo, topped with fried eggs, salsa verde and salsa fresca. For dinner, the evening’s specials include Smoked Prime Rib ($33), served with green chile mashed potatoes, horseradish sour cream and beef au jus. The fresh catch of the evening will be Pan Seared Crab Crusted Shrimp and Scallops ($35), served with tomato fettucini pasta tossed with spinach and cherry tomatoes, and topped with a white wine chile cream sauce. Pair dinner with a special cocktail created for the evening. The Hibiscus Margarita ($10) features hibiscus infused blanco tequila, Cointreau, St. Germain, fresh lime juice, agave and is garnished with an edible flower. Sierra Bonita Grill is located at 6933 N. 7th St., Phoenix, AZ 85014. For reservations, call 602-264-0700 or visit www.sierrabonitagrill.com.
The Herb Box
The Herb Box features savory twists on tried-and-true cuisine and fresh, seasonal ingredients that unify regional flavors. For Valentine’s dinner, The Herb Box will be serving a five-course, plus cocktail “Honey and Date” prix fixe menu featuring local ingredients. The dinner is $89 per couple. The meal begins with a Spicy Shrimp, Corn, Leek, and Sweet Potato Chowder, with Corto olive oil and honey-fennel roasted pepitas. The next course is a shard Petite Brioche Fromage with Seahive sea salt and honey cheddar, capicola, gouda bechemel, honeycup dijon, with a salade rouge of radicchio, red oak, red onion, avocado, golden raisins, and Sphinx Farm dates. The intermezzo is a Champagne-Grapefruit Sorbet with date syrup. For an entree, choose from a Date-Balsamic Roasted Free Range Chicken with Maya Farm baby turnips, petit carrots, and watermelon radish, or Grilled Spring Garlic Lamb Lollipops with warm butter beans, feta, fresh mint and sumac-honey vinaigrette. Finish the meal with a Sweet Honey Date Cake, served with a blackberry swirl goat cheese ice cream, bourbon sugared pecan pieces, honey “dust”, and blackberries, topped with a drizzle of honey-bourbon syrup. Included with the dinner is a My Darling Lemon-Thyme cocktail featuring Singh Farms Honeycomb. There are two locations of The Herb Box: Southbridge in Old Town – 7134 E. Stetson Dr., Scottsdale, Ariz., 85251. DC Ranch on Market Street – 20707 N. Pima Rd., Scottsdale, Ariz., 85255. For more information, email www.theherbbox.com.
RA Sushi Bar Restaurant
A sushi dinner is meant to be savored and shared, making RA Sushi the perfect Valentine’s date night. Splurge with the Lobster Salmon Roll ($13.45) featuring lobster, mango, avocado, and cucumber, rolled and topped with lobster, salmon and a lobster cream sauce. Spice up the night with the Zonie Roll ($9.95), featuring spicy salmon, cucumber, lettuce, cilantro, and jalapeño, rolled and topped with avocado and Sriracha. Fall in love with the Red Heart Roll ($10.95), featuring crab mix, fresh avocado and cucumber, rolled and topped with crispy spicy tuna, spicy mayo and Sriracha. Pair dinner with a tropical cocktail meant for sharing. The Passion Punch Bowl ($18) is a fruity and refreshing drink featuring Amaretto Di Saronno, pineapple vodka, aged rum, passion fruit, pineapple and citrus juices, and coconut water, served in a giant fish bowl. For dessert, share a sweet with your sweet, such as the Sweet Mochi Trio ($7.69), a traditional Japanese dessert of mango, strawberry and vanilla ice cream wrapped in sweet rice cake with sliced kiwi and strawberries. For more information, visit www.RAsushi.com
RA Sushi has five Valley locations in Mesa, Tempe, Ahwatukee, Old Town Scottsdale and North Scottsdale.
Ahwatukee: 4921 E. Ray Road; Phoenix, 85044
Dana Park in Mesa: 1652 S. Val Vista Drive; Mesa, 85204
Tempe: 411 S. Mill Ave.; Tempe, 85281
Kierland Commons: 7012 E. Greenway Pkwy., Scottsdale, 85254
Old Town Scottsdale: 3815 N. Scottsdale Rd., Scottsdale, 85251
RA Sushi in North Scottsdale and Ahwatukee Hosting Valentine’s Themed Painting Parties:
From Rodin to Klimt, artists have used love as their muse, and now RA Sushi invites couples to celebrate love by bringing out their inner artist at a painting party on February 15. Pinot’s Palette and Uptown Art will set-up at RA Sushi for a fun afternoon of painting, sushi, sake, and romance! On February 15 from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Kierland location in North Scottsdale, Pinot’s Palette will teach aspiring artists how to paint the chosen artwork, Mandarin Sunset. The Kierland Commons RA Sushi is at 7012 E. Greenway Pkwy, Scottsdale, AZ 85254. For the Kierland class, the cost $39 and includes a 16×20 canvas, painting supplies and step-by-step instructions. Register at http://www.pinotspalette.com/paradisevalley or call 480-696-7220. On February 15 from noon to 2 p.m., Uptown Art will inspire with the themed painting, Love is in the Air, during an al fresco class on the patio at RA Sushi in Ahwatukee. The Ahwatukee location is at 4921 E. Ray Rd., Phoenix, Ariz., 85044. The Ahwatukee class cost is $25 and includes a 16×20 canvas, painting supplies and step-by-step instructions. Register at www.uptownart.com/chandler or call 480-813-8059. Besides making beautiful art, guests can enjoy RA Sushi’s new Sunday offering made for two: Sushi for 2 for $25. Choose four food items from a select menu, plus edamame for just $25. A wide variety of rolls from the Tootsy Maki to Crunchy Shrimp Tempura to Spicy Tuna are available, as are appetizers like Pineapple Cheese Wontons and Chicken Yakitori.
The Shout House
A fun option for couples looking for a entertaining night out on Valentine’s Day, head to the Chocolate Wasted Party at The Shout House! For dinner, order a variety of dishes meant for sharing, such as the BBQ Pork Short Ribs, featuring a half a rack of ribs with a housemade rub in a slow cooked BBQ sauce, served with coleslaw, or the Chokes and Hummus Plate, served with artichoke hearts, garlic citrus hummus, kettle chips and a balsamic drizzle. Set the mood with a signature cocktail, such as the Sex on the Piano, a mix of Stoli peach vodka, Razzmatazz, melon liquor, cranberry and pineapple juice, or the Pear-A-Dise City with Absolut pear vodka, malibu rum, frangelico, pineapple juice, and ginger ale, topped with a champagne float. For dessert, indulge in all things chocolate, such as $5 Chocolate Martinis, $4 Chocolate Cake Shots, and $3 Chocolate Covered Strawberries.The Valley’s only dueling piano bar, at The Shout House musicians play classic rock ‘n’ roll hits to today’s popular music. An adult-oriented, 21-and-over, non-stop, audience request driven show, the performers involve the audience in sing-alongs, roasts and on-stage interaction. The party will be from from 4 p.m. to 2 a.m. Reservations can be made beginning at 7 p.m. and pianos will start at 7:30 p.m. The Shout House is located in the Westgate Entertainment District at 6770 Sunrise Blvd, Ste. 207, Glendale, Ariz. For more information, visit www.theshouthouse/az.
Paul Martin’s American Grill
Indulge in a romantic dinner during Valentine’s weekend at Paul Martin’s American Grill. From February 12-16, Paul Martin’s will be serving a variety of appetizer, entree and dessert specials. Begin the meal with a shared appetizer of a half a pound of Chilled Alaskan King Crab Legs ($25), served with house cocktail sauce and lemon. For a main course, choose from a variety of options, including the Herb Rubbed All Natural Filet Mignon ($45) with mashed potatoes, Bloomsdale spinach, and garlic confit, or Seared Ahi Tuna ($28), accompanied by bok choy salad with watermelon radishes, snow peas and sesame-ginger vinaigrette. For the seafood lover, try the full pound of Alaskan King Crab Legs ($48), served with crispy red potatoes, drawn butter and lemon. Grab two spoons and finish the meal with a Campfire Sundae ($9), featuring vanilla ice cream, warm fudge, smoked almonds, and toasted housemade marshmallow fluff. Paul Martin’s American Grill is located at 6186 N. Scottsdale Rd., Scottsdale, Ariz., 85253. For more information, visit www.paulmartinsamericangrill.com.
