Valentine's Day: 16 South Shore restaurants with chef's tastings, special menus and more
Longtime couples and people in new relationships have one thing in common: If you want to keep the love going, don't mess up on Valentine's Day.
Restaurants along the South Shore are doing their part to keep the flames of romance burning. They're offering everything from cozy fireside dining to elegant upscale cuisine for the Feb. 14 holiday, which − mark your calendar − falls on a Wednesday this year.
Some restaurants are offering fixed-price (or prix fixe, if you want to be fancy) menus with special meals prepared just for the occasion − along with wines, specialty cocktails and indulgent desserts.
Here's a look at 16 such restaurants close to home.
Abby Park in Milton to offer Valentine's Day specials from Feb. 7-19
Abby Park in Milton is starting Valentine's Day early and keeping it going for five days after the Feb. 14 holiday.
From Feb. 7-19, the Milton restaurant will offer a Valentine's Day menu created by chef Manny Melo, the highlights of which include Duxbury oysters, tuna poke and lobster bisque to start.
The choice of entrees will be lobster ravioli, herb-roasted lamb chops and a 12-ounce New York strip sirloin served "Oscar style," with roasted sweet potato wedges, asparagus, crabmeat and bearnaise sauce.
"If you're looking for city vibes without the hassle of going into town, the cozy candlelit atmosphere at Abby Park is a great way to wow your valentine," the restaurant said in an email.
Abby Park, 550 Adams St., Milton. Call 617-696-8700 or visit Abbypark.com.
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Six-course chef's tasting at Terrace Rooftop Dining in Plymouth
The recently opened Terrace Rooftop Dining overlooking Plymouth's waterfront is offering a six-course chef's tasting for $90 per person this Valentine's Day
There will be two seatings, one at 6 p.m. and the other at 8. The regular menu will be available throughout the evening. Reservations are strongly encouraged, according to the restaurant.
Terrace Rooftop Dining, 150 Water St., Plymouth. Call 774-426-4025 or visit Terracerooftopdining.com for reservations.
Cozy up at Cohasset's Red Lion Tavern
The Red Lion Tavern on South Main Street in Cohasset is once again inviting lovebirds to enjoy the ambience of the 1704 property for Valentine's Day.
As in the past, the restaurant is offering a special menu for the evening. This year's offerings include an appetizer, an entrée and dessert for $95 per person, which includes a $20 nonrefundable deposit that will be taken off customers' bills at the end of their meals.
Highlights of the menu include olive oil poached salmon, squid ink bucatini, grass-fed sirloin and pork osso buco.
To end the meal on a sweet note, guests can choose either warm ginger pudding or buttermilk panna cotta.
In addition to its fireplace, Red Lion will add to the Valentine's Day ambience with romantic music performed by Jon and Juli Finn, who have played at the restaurant on the holiday for the past two years.
Reservations are required.
Red Lion Tavern, 71 South Main St., Cohasset. Call 781-383-1704 or visit theredliontavern.com for reservations.
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Mallebar Brasserie in Plymouth
Taking someone out to a French restaurant to show your romantic side is as reliable as roses. Combining French cuisine and Valentine's Day kicks it all up a notch.
Mallebar Brasserie in Plymouth offers French fare both close to home and in style. Offerings include beef bourguignon, chicken Francaise, escargot and foie gras. Bon appetit!
Mallebar Brasserie, 15 Main St. Ext., Plymouth. For reservations, call 508-747-0471 or visit mallebarbrasserie.com.
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The Winsor House at Island Creek Oyster Farm
Oysters and romance have gone hand in hand ever since Aphrodite rose from the sea on a clamshell.
With that in mind, The Winsor House at Island Creek Oyster Farm is paying homage to that tradition of bringing food and love together this Valentine's Day with a four-course dinner for $95 per person.
Highlights include Island Creek oysters with cilantro and champagne granita, striped bass crudo with caviar and lemon confit, shrimp croquettes with spicy remoulade and sirloin.
If there's still room, visitors will top off their meals with a dark chocolate tart with graham cracker and strawberry gelato.
This will be the only menu available for the evening. The regular dinner menu will not be an option.
The Winsor House at Island Creek Farm, 390 Washington St. Call 781-934-0991 or visit Winsorhouse.islandcreekoysters.com for reservations.
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Tolson's Tap and Tavern in Pembroke
Tolson's Tap and Tavern in Pembroke will celebrate Valentine's Day with a special dinner for two for $75.
The special comes with a choice of appetizer, two entrees, two desserts and a bottle of wine. Reservations are strongly suggested.
Tolson's Tap and Tavern, 15 Colombia Road, Pembroke. Call 781-828-6999 or visit Tolsonstaptavern.com for reservations.
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Bay Pointe Waterfront Restaurant in Quincy
Nestled inside Bay Pointe Marina in Quincy, the restaurant, run by the Hynes Restaurant Group, is known for its fresh local seafood, steaks and chops. Every seat in the dining room overlooks the water and adjacent marina. The sophisticated nautical décor creates an ambience of simple elegance that sets just the right mood for Valentine's Day.
Bay Pointe Waterfront Restaurant, 64 Washington Ct., Quincy. For reservations, call 617-472-3200 or visit baypointewaterfrontrestaurant.com.
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Alma Nove in Hingham
Situated along the waterfront in the Hingham Shipyard, Alma Nove, run by chef Paul Wahlberg, is one of those places that invites you to stay for a long time to linger over the meal. Try the sweet potato gnocchi, roasted chicken thigh "pot pie," truffle Yukon frites or wood-grilled, bone-in pork chop. Cupid would probably eat here too.
Alma Nove, Hingham, 22 Shipyard Drive, Old Hingham Shipyard, Hingham. Call 781-74903353 or visit Almanovehingham.com for reservations.
Giardino's in Abington Valentine's Day drink specials
Giardino's Italian Steakhouse in Abington is serving up special Valentine's Day cocktails to add extra fun to the romantic day.
The list includes its Razzberry Lemon Delight Martini, Chocolate Heart Marshmallow Martini and Cotton Candy Cosmo made of Grey Goose vodka, cranberry and lime juice, triple sec, a splash of sparkling rosé, cotton candy and glitter for good measure.
Other drinks on the list include orange mimosa, rosé wine lemonade, a pink champagne margarita, pomegranate potion and Cupid's Long Island iced tea consisting of vodka, gin, rum, tequila, triple sec, sour mix and grenadine.
Giardino's Italian Steakhouse Abington, 47 Bedford St., Abington. For reservations, call 781-878-0388 or visit Giardinosabington.com.
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Valentine's Days at Greenside Grille in Hingham
Hingham's Greenside Grill at South Shore Country Club in Hingham is offering four days of its Valentine's Day-themed menu from 4 to 8 p.m. Feb. 14-17.
On the restaurant's Facebook page, it promised "a specially crafted menu paired with the finest wines, creating a symphony of flavors that will enchant your taste buds and set the perfect mood for a romantic evening."
The Greenside Grill at South Shore Country Club, 274 South St., Hingham. Call 781-749-1720 or visit Greensidegrille.com for reservations.
Davio's in Braintree
Davio's in Braintree will offer its Valentine's Day prix fixe dinner from Feb. 14-17.
The three-course dinner is $95 per person (plus beverages, taxes and gratuities). The restaurant's regular dinner menu will also be available.
Davio's, 250 Granite St., Braintree, Call 781-843-4810 or visit Davios.com/braintree.
Oro Restaurant at Scituate Harbor
"Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, and we have some great additions to the menu for the evening," Scituate's Oro Restaurant posted to its Facebook page.
Those additions include chicken confit, black pepper gnocchi, parmesan fondue and fried egg appetizers, which will be followed by seared bavette steak, creamed spinach, roasted potato cup and chimichurri.
To send customers home fully satisfied, the restaurant will offer a dessert of cookies and cream, homemade cookies and crème anglaise.
Oro Restaurant, 227 Chief Justice Cushing Highway, Scituate. Call 781-378-2465 or visit Restaurantoro.com for reservations.
Grille 151 in Weymouth
Grille 151 on Route 18/Main Street in Weymouth has been busy since opening in the summer of 2021, with the restaurant's mix of comfort food, such as baked macaroni and cheese, and more upscale items, such as filet mignon, offering something for everyone.
The restaurant also includes a gas fireplace enclosed in a long glass hearth that is double-sided, so diners on both sides of the flames can enjoy the warmth. The fireplace is embedded in the granite stone wall that separates the bar and the dining room, creating a warm and cozy spot.
Grille 151, 151 Main St., Weymouth. Call 781-803-6696 or visit Grille151.com for reservations.
Victory Point at Quincy's Marina Bay
Set in picturesque Marina Bay with unbeatable views of Boston, Victory Point has designed a customizable four-course prix fixe menu (two guests for $100 − tax and tip not included). For starters, choose between eggplant rollatini or shrimp scampi. Up next is Rigatoni Alla Vodka or Artisanal Cheese Ravioli made with fresh tomato, garlic and basil.
For mains, there is a grilled lamb chop or a stuffed lobster (additional $25). Both are served with a light arugula salad. To end on a sweet note, the meal comes with a classic ricotta cannoli served with strawberries.
Victory Point Restaurant and Bar, 32 Victory Road, Quincy. Call 617-481-1070 or visit Victorypointmb.com.
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The Grill at Fairview Inn in Marshfield
The Grill at Fairview Inn offers an ocean view in a spacious setting warmed by a large fireplace, creating a romantic ambience for Valentine's Day.
The menu includes seafood, steak and pasta dishes and an extensive wine list.
The inn allows couples to make a full day and night of their special time together.
The Grill at Fairview Inn, 133 Ocean St., Marshfield. Call 781-834-9144 or visit Thefairviewinn.com for reservations.
Scarlet Oak Tavern in Hingham
The restaurant is in a restored 250-year-old Colonial home and features a comfortable dining room, a large, dark-wood bar and a wood-burning fireplace.
Scarlet Oak Tavern, 1217 Main St., Hingham, 781-749-8200; scarletoaktavern.com.
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This article originally appeared on The Patriot Ledger: 16 restaurants near Quincy for Valentine's Day dinner
