VALENTINE'S DAY Top Picks–Get Out and Celebrate

If you're looking for a dinner, a foodie outing, or a gift for your Valentine, we have some suggestions that will suit all tastes and budgets. Pick one (or two) that will delight a special person in your life. Or make V-Day a "Me-Day" and enjoy some time with your bestie.

Stay tuned to Broadwayworld.com Food and Wine for more Valentine's Day suggestions in and around the city.

New York Bottanical Gardens (Bronx) Stroll through the expansive Enid A. Haupt Conservatory, talk to guides on hand about the aphrodisiac plants to be found at the Garden, and enjoy expert-led chocolate discussions and tastings-or have a love poem written for you! It's all included with an All-Garden Pass during this weekend of winter escapism in our tropical glasshouse. Complete the experience with a stop at a pop-up bar in the warmth of the Conservatory, with champagne, beer, and wine available for purchase. New York Bottanical Gardens is located at 2900 Southern Boulevard in the Bronx. For more information, visit the NYBG web site at http://www.nybg.org/home/.

Daly Pie (Brooklyn) The pie shop and café in Prospect Heights is offering a wine and pie pairing on February 14th. The special comes with a slice of pie and two glasses of wine for $20. Suggested pairings include: Spicy Chocolate with Alpamanta Malbec; Honey Custard with Avinyo Petillant; Double Chocolate Raspberry with Rezzadore Prosecco and Honey Custard with Emile Balland Rose. Daly Pie is located at 665 Vanderbilt Avenue in Brooklyn. Call them at 347.425.9251 and visit https://www.dalypie.com/.

Godiva Chocolates (Boutiques throughout NYC and online) GODIVA's skilled chocolatiers have captured the essence of six celebrated cakes in a new themed collection, "Slices of Love." These brand new chocolates have been inspired by some of your favorite French desserts. Each has been created to delight, and crafted with love. They are available in six flavors including Strawberry Shortcake, Sacher Torte, Creme Brulee, Paris-Brest, Lemon Cheesecake and Green Tea Chiffon Cake. They can be purchased in any GODIVA boutique or online at http://www.godiva.com/.

Natsumi Tapas (Gramercy) Natsumi Tapas, the Japanese and Italian fusion restaurant in the Gramercy neighborhood of New York City, will be featuring a tapas menu on Valentine's Day for $38 per guest. The menu includes a complimentary glass of sparkling wine, choice of one alcoholic beverage, choice of two items (from either the sushi bar or kitchen) as well as dessert. The menu offers something for every couple to enjoy, from Grilled Beef Short Ribs to Green Tea Gnocchi with asparagus and capers in a creamy green tea sauce to the Lady Day Sushi Roll with salmon, spicy super white tuna, pepperoncini, avocado and mango. Desserts include the Tempura Fried Cheesecake, the bite sized pieces of cheesecake covered in a light tempura batter and flash fried and over a fresh berry compote. Natsumi Tapas is the latest creation from acclaimed restaurateur Barbara Matsumara. Natsumi Tapas fuses Japanese flavors from her heritage and Italian flavors inspired by her travels to Italy, with small plates for grazing and larger plates for sharing. Natsumi Tapas is located 323 3rd Avenue, NYC. Call them at 212.889.2182 and visit http://www.natsumitapas.com/.

Wine & Chocolate Wine Trail Weekend (Throughout New Jersey) Wine and chocolate will be on display at wineries throughout New Jersey when the Garden State Wine Growers Association (GSWGA) presents its annual Wine & Chocolate Wine Trail Weekend, February 11th and 12th at participating wineries throughout the Garden State. It is the perfect way to treat your special someone. The Wine & Chocolate Wine Trail Weekend is scheduled from noon to 5pm each day. The public is encouraged to visit multiple wineries along the many wine trails in the state that will be showcasing the award-winning New Jersey wines being produced by the more than 50 wineries now operating in the Garden State. From Sussex County to the tip of Cape May, as part of this special Wine & Chocolate Wine Trail Weekend, wineries along the way will offer wine tastings, new releases, pairings, tours, live music and other entertainment, special food preparations and dinners. Check with local wineries for times and pricing and visit www.newjerseywines.com for a complete listing of winery events.

Macchiavelli (Upper West Side) Northern Italian trattoria Machiavelli will be offering a special Valentine's Day menu from Executive Chef Gian Pietro Ferro. Dishes include a starter of Tartara di Salmone all'aceto di lamponi, fresh smoked salmon tartare with a raspberry vinaigrette, a handmade pasta course of Cuore di ravioli con burrata al burro e salvia, heart-shaped beet ravioli with burrata, butter and sage, and an entrée of Cappesante al pepe rosa, pan-seared scallops in pink pepper sauce, served with potato gratin. To pair with the meal, consider a pink-hued Sgroppino Rosa with Absolut vodka, Prosecco and lemon sorbet, or choose from the extensive Italian wine list. The romance will be enhanced by the artisan-designed medieval Italian interior and live jazz music. Macchiavelli is located at 519 Columbus Avenue, NYC. Call them at 212.724.2658 and visit http://machiavellinyc.com/.

Del Frisco's Double Eagle Steak House NY (Midtown Manhattan) Looking to wow your significant other with a high-class dining experience at one of NYC's most iconic steak houses? Del Frisco's Double Eagle Steak House New York is offering a variety of dinner options for two like the aphrodisiac-filled Oysters & Pearls complete with raw oysters on the half shell, caviar and glasses of Veuve or the slow roasted Chateaubriand tenderloin paired with butter poached Lobster. The Blushing Valentini Cocktail or over 2,000 bottles of award-winning wines can serve as ideal accompaniments while the Godiva Chocolate Mousse Cake makes for a picture-perfect happy ending. Del Frisco's Double Eagle Steak House is located at 1221 Avenue of the Americas. Call them for reservations at 212.575.5129 and visit their web site at https://delfriscos.com/.

Photo Credit: Courtesy of Freeimages.com

To post a comment, you must register and login.