Ball-out on a budget at 10 Phoenix restaurants dishing affordable menus on Valentine’s Day
According to a survey by market research company Drive Research, 52% percent of consumers expect to spend around $192 on Valentine’s Day this year. And it’s a good bet that the majority of those dollars are earmarked for a romantic dinner.
Not everyone has a few hundred bucks to spend on a single meal. The best things in life may not be free, but they can be relatively affordable. We rounded up Valentine's Day options that clock in at less than $150 per couple, many under $100. And they don't skimp on the charm or ambiance.
Most prices don’t include tax, gratuity or beverages, but there are a few exceptions. All menus are available on Feb. 14 only, except where noted.
Here are the 10 best Valentine's Day dining deals in metro Phoenix.
The Farm at South Mountain
Price: $125 per couple.
Enjoy the lush environs amid shade trees in the pecan grove for the daytime Valentine Picnic for Two on Feb. 10-18. Your picnic basket comes with a blanket for two along with a cheese and fruit board, chicken BLTDA sandwich, Greek salad, avocado egg salad toast, signature sweet potato salad, chef’s sweetheart dessert, chocolate dipped strawberries and bottled water. Wine, champagne, cocktails, bloody marys and mimosas will be available for purchase.
Prepaid reservations are required.
Details: 6106 S. 32nd St., Phoenix. 602-276-6360, thefarmatsouthmountain.com.
Match Market & Bar, FOUND: RE Phoenix Hotel
Price: About $80-$141 per couple.
This sleek hotel restaurant offers lots of options for a four-course meal. And with a couple of shared items, you could reasonably splurge.
To start, split the whipped feta with fennel pollen, roasted pepitas, Aleppo pepper, paprika oil and grilled noble bread ($12) or roasted heirloom carrots with honey mustard glaze and pistachios ($10). Next, choose your own order of soup or salad from: French onion soup with sourdough crouton and smoked provolone ($12), pear and fennel salad with shaved fennel, roasted pecans, dried cranberries, truffle pecorino and arcadian harvest ($14); or little gem caesar with Iberico ham, manchego, white anchovy and roasted poblano caesar dressing ($14). Select your own entree from these choices: roasted mushrooms with creamy polenta and crispy sage ($18); “Marry Me” chicken gnocchi with sun-dried tomatoes, shaved parmesan and lemon zest ($24); miso baked cod with shitake fried rice and charred scallion ($32) or blackened NY strip with smoked blue cheese crust, whipped potatoes and charred broccolini ($45). For dessert, share a warm decadent chocolate sabayon with extra virgin olive oil, cognac and crushed frozen raspberry ($10) or a vanilla bean pavlova with coconut cream and passionfruit curd ($11).
Details: 1100 N. Central Ave., Phoenix. 602-875-8080, matchphx.com.
32 Shea
Price: $130 per couple, beverage and gratuity included.
The candlelit dining room will be open exclusively for guests partaking in executive chef Jordan Marshall’s Valentine’s Day private supper club menu. The five-course dinner includes the choice of a glass of house wine, specialty cocktail or craft beer.
The experience commences with an amuse of a toasted heart-shaped English muffin topped with caviar, creme fraiche, bonito flakes and chives that’s served with crispy rice, heart-shaped tuna and marinated cucumbers topped with togarashi. A salad featuring whipped tahini ricotta, radicchio, endive, spring mixed greens, orange slices, watermelon radish, roasted olives and fresh fennel is followed by heart-shaped housemade lobster ravioli with ricotta, cured egg yolk and Calabrian chili. The main course is a half portion of black Angus sirloin beef wellington served with mushroom duxelles, truffle and potato puree and topped with horseradish creme. A housemade burnt basque cheesecake served with a biscuit, lavender honey, strawberry and mint is meant to be shared. Prepaid reservations for seatings at 5 p.m. or 7:30 p.m. are required.
Details: 10626 N. 32nd St., Phoenix. 602-867-7432, 32shea.com.
The Craftsman Cocktail and Kitchen Scottsdale
Price: $90 per couple, $30 additional per person for wine pairing.
Head to the simple yet stylish dining room or wander onto the patio and grab a spot by the fire pit for a three-course menu that starts with a bubbly toast. First course options are sesame-crusted ahi with avocado crema, charred mango salad and miso ginger sauce, or a crispy asparagus and wild mushroom risotto. Citrus glazed scallops accompanied by parmesan risotto and sweet corn succotash or pan-seared duck with cherry chutney, brussels sprouts with pancetta and gorgonzola, strawberry gastrique and forbidden rice are main dish options. A chef’s choice dessert will be the finale. Another romantic touch: All women will receive a rose upon arrival. The Verrado location in Litchfield Park will offer a different prix fixe menu. The Tempe location will offer a la carte specials only.
Details: 20469 Hayden Road, Scottsdale. 480-401-1102, thecraftsmanaz.com.
Kasai Japanese Steakhouse
Price: $85 per couple.
Fire always makes things hotter. And this teppanyaki date-night destination knows how to turn up the heat with its Valentine’s Day special. A Chateaubriand for two is served with bordelaise, seasoned roasted white rose potatoes, grilled asparagus and two chocolate-dipped strawberries.
Details: 14344 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale. 480-607-1114, kasaiteppan.com.
Feringhee Modern Indian Cuisine
Price: $130 per couple.
Embark on a culinary journey through India with a four-course menu that begins with an amuse of beetroot, coconut khandvi and mini dabeli pao and many options for every course that follows. Appetizer choices include chicken malai tikka, gunpowder calamari and palak patta chaat. Main courses are accompanied by black dairy dal, saffron pulao rice, garlic naan and options include Feringhee’s paneer roulade, banana leaf wrapped fish, jackfruit kofta, Kashmiri lamb curry and Old Delhi butter chicken. A dark chocolate tart with macerated strawberries and rose ice cream, and a mango and jaggery cake with aamras mousse and sorbet and saffron tuile are dessert options.
Details: 3491 W. Frye Road, Chandler. 480-534-7178, feringhee.com.
The Blue Heron
Price: Under $40 per couple, including cocktails.
The clandestine nature of a speakeasy ups the romance factor at this low-lit cocktail lounge. From Feb. 14-18, two cocktails crafted in celebration of Valentine’s Day will be available for $11 apiece: the Heart Recker is made with tequila, chocolate liqueur, Crème de Cacao, Velvet Falernum, strawberry, fresh lime juice and mole bitters; and the My Little Pornstar martini is made with vodka, raspberry puree, fresh lemon juice and topped with Prosecco. Order any of the nine rustica 20-inch pizzas ($12-$16) from the adjacent restaurant Crust Simply Italian in a heart shape to enjoy with your tipples.
Details: 2470 S. Recker Road, #101, Gilbert. 480-656-0085, theblueheronbar.com.
Ko’Sin, Sheraton Grand at Wild Horse Pass
Price: $140 per couple.
Soak in the visuals of this stunning resort's surroundings before, during and after enjoying a three-course prix fixe dinner. The meal starts with a burrata salad composed of crispy prosciutto, baby kale, microgreens and fresh berries tossed in an ice wine vinaigrette. The main course is a surf and turf dish of cast iron tri-tip, grilled kale and lobster stuffed twice-baked potato with truffle hollandaise. A rich chocolate cake with chocolate mousse and Caramelia whipped ganache is the sweet ending.
Details: 5594 W. Wild Horse Pass Blvd., Gila River Reservation. 602-385-5777, wildhorsepassresort.com.
The Sicilian Butcher
Price: $95 per couple.
Italians know how to do romantic meals right and this casual yet inviting spot is no exception. A five-course dinner for two features pull-apart garlic bread, imported burrata and heirloom tomatoes topped with arugula pesto and basil oil, Sicilian NY strip, Nova Scotia lobster fra diavolo with roasted garlic, Calabrian chili, San Marzano tomato, saffron and wine, gnocchi mac and cheese and a strawberry-filled puff pastry for dessert. The menu will be offered Feb. 12-18.
Details: 9780 W. Northern Ave., #1100, Peoria. 623-471-5721. Other locations at thesicilianbutcher.com.
Black Angus Steakhouse
Price: $68 per couple; or $115 per couple including prosecco.
Two options await. Diners who opt for the Campfire Feast Dinner for Two ($68) will choose a shared starter like shrimp cocktail, loaded potato skins or crab and pimento cheese dip. Next, choose two entrees including prime rib, grilled fresh salmon or barbecue chicken and a half rack of ribs, each comes with sidekicks like fresh broccoli, mac and cheese or red skin mashed potatoes. Split a dessert such as the Big Mountain Fudge Cake, spiced carrot cake or creme brulee.
If you want to splurge a bit more, the Dinner for Two Surf ‘n’ Turf ($115) features two 6-ounce filet mignon steaks, two lobster tails, one steakhouse starter, four classic sidekicks, molasses bread, one dessert and two prosecco splits.
Details: 7606 W. Bell Road, Glendale. 623-878-6200. Other locations at blackangus.com.
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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Best Valentine's Day dinner deal at Phoenix restaurants
