By Raphael Beretta, Anthony Minda, and Olivia Rose
Ah, Valentine’s Day. It’s that “love it” or “hate it” holiday that takes over stores and shops every February without fail. In the Hudson Valley, local businesses and restaurants go all out for February 14 with prix fixe dinner specials for dine-in and to-go. From classic Italian food to modern fusion, local eateries serve incredible dishes in honor of the love-centric holiday. Here’s where to look for the most romantic meals in the region this year.
Kingston
February 8
$75/person
Looking for something more than just a meal? The Venue Uptown hosts a murder mystery dinner before the amorous holiday. The interactive event includes a three-course meal with an entrée choice, so rest assured your famished needs will be met. Enjoy your meal and the dinner performance featuring music, mystery, and comedy before choosing from a selection of delicious desserts to satisfy your taste buds. And, best of all, the winning couples who guess whodunit can earn a prize!
Newburgh
February 10
$15/general admission, $150/private table for 10
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Book a spot at Hudson Valley Arts Live in Newburgh for a one-of-a-kind Funk Junkies Valentine’s Show. The event comprises two floors of music, two bars, and a curated Valentine’s Day food menu. There will be special performances by Hollywood Herb and Funk Junkies, so you can dance your heart out the whole night through.
Tarrytown
February 10, 11, or 14
$130/person
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Chef Dale Talde has appeared everywhere from Chopped to Top Chef and Beat Bobby Flay. To commemorate the day of love, he’ll prepare four courses of cuisine for romantic dining at Goosefeather in Tarrytown. Couples can mix and match between to-die-for bites like spicy hamachi tartare, roasted mushrooms, and caviar noodles. Main course options like wok-charred lobster, filet of beef with red braised potatoes, or branzino will delight, but make sure to save room for dessert. The warm churros are beyond indulgent.
P.S. For anyone who wants to go the extra mile, Goosefeather offers a bottomless wine package for an additional $35 per person.
Marlboro
February 10-14, 17-20
$35/person
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There aren’t many things that go better together than cheese and wine, which is why it’s worth a trip to visit Benmarl Winery and Vineyard for its annual Valentine’s Day wine and cheese pairing event. Each person who arrives samples four different vinos and a curated snack board featuring Hudson Valley cheeses, locally sourced jams, house-made chocolates, and other offerings. Who could possibly say no to that?
Poughkeepsie
February 11
$59/person
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Valentine’s Day doesn’t have to be all about love, chocolate, and roses, does it? For the adventure and mystery lovers out there, Revel 32 in Poughkeepsie hosts an exuberant, interactive Murder Mystery party. Bring your friends, loved ones, partners, or just yourself for this fun night out. A gourmet charcuterie table, decadent desserts, and specialty cocktails, including boozy coffees, will be served while you figure out the culprit in this 1920s whodunit event.
Milton
February 11, 12, 14
$45/person
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In good Valentine’s Day spirit, Nostrano Vineyards offers a wine and dessert pairing event for lovers everywhere. Indulge in a variety of decadent and flavorful wines, a charcuterie cone, and sweet treats handmade by Newburgh Flour Shop with your loved ones during this lovely occasion. Tasting time slots are on the hour, and every reservation made lasts two hours, which is more than enough time to try the vineyard’s extensive selection of vino.
Montgomery
February 13
$40/person
Looking to celebrate with your best friends before Valentine’s Day hits? The Venue at Winding Hills hosts a lovely brunch for you and all your friends just before the occasion. Bring all your besties and splurge over fresh charcuterie or the fresh burrata platter for starters. Move onto bigger dishes like the frittata du jour, chicken scarpariello, and a beautiful seasonal vegetable medley. End the meal with assorted mini desserts with all your girlfriends. Did we mention that each person enjoys a complimentary mimosa? Tickets are booking up quickly, so purchase while you can.
Newburgh
Pickup on February 14
$162/couple (takeout)
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A beloved Orange County restaurant on the Hudson River, Blu Pointe is a great choice for top-tier dining at home. This gourmet meal includes fresh shrimp cocktail, Caesar salad, and two filet mignons cooked to your preference. The package also comes with a bottle of bubbly and chocolate-covered strawberries (in addition to chocolate mousse layer cake).
Monticello
February 14
$110/person or a la carte
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This Italian-inspired steakhouse in the Catskills feels like a getaway in and of itself. Each and every bite of Chef Scott Conant’s cooking is savory, like the polenta with bacon and truffles, endive salad with pine nut vinaigrette, and a Sardinian semolina gnocchi with a bold porcini mushroom ragu. Familiar favorites line the entrée list, like surf-and-turf or roasted branzino. Conclude the evening with strawberry cheesecake, a chocolate tortino, or any of the other decadent offerings. The choice is yours.
Montgomery
February 14
$75/person
Who needs a full dinner when you can fill up on mushroom risotto bites, brie cranberry relish, and cherry lime panna cotta all while embarking in a guided painting class with your loved one? For lovers of all things vino and art, head to City Winery for a unique tasting experience. Art Vicki will guide you through the process of replicating a unique scene as City Winery’s sommeliers guide you through six special tastings paired with light fare. This experience will open your eyes to the full spectrum of flavor (and paint color) combinations. Plus, if you’re craving something more, a la carte ordering is available all evening with specialty cocktails, wine, and food. Pick up a bottle of wine to take home and celebrate all month long.
Germantown
February 14
$75/person
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This community gathering place from NYC expats Nick and Sarah Suarez will offer a three-course Valentine’s Day dinner. Each course is carefully curated to match the themes of passion and love. For your first course, try the beet salad with fermented leek and cacao nibs. Mains include braised beef brisket with buttermilk mashed potatoes, squid ink pappardelle with calamari, and more. Finally, choose from a delicious walnut honey tart, a decadent chocolate olive oil cake, or a cool coconut sorbet.
Nyack, Harrison
February 14
$85/person
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Treat the one you love to something special, as this four-course meal from Chef Constantine Kalandranis is sure to impress. Chef Kalandranis specializes in Greek meze, so come hungry. When you first arrive, you will be greeted with a table spread of warm pita with tzatziki, fava hummus, melted eggplant, and red caviar taramosalata. For a meze course, choose between romantic staples such as fresh shucked Blue Point oysters, lobster smothered potato croquettes, and more. But don’t fill up before you enjoy the entrée options: lamb, surf-and-turf, sea bass, or homemade ravioli. Every reservation even comes with a glass of bubbly to get the evening started.
Hastings
February 14
$90-$125/person
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Harvest on Hudson’s take on Valentine’s Day includes a wide range of options. Enjoy a lovely three-course meal or an indulgent five-course soiree for you and your lover. Both options boast delicacies such as oysters, beef tartare, burrata, lobster tail, rack of lamb, and more. Splurge on the five-course option and have an additional salad and pasta course. Harvest on Hudson also offers some classic desserts like tiramisu and cheesecake.
Beacon
February 14
$95/person
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Beacon’s The Roundhouse is an impressive venue with lots of atmosphere and breathtaking views. Your evening includes a decadent three-course dinner in the beautiful waterfall room. Start your Valentine’s feast with mouth-watering truffle gnocchi, then move onto butter poached lobster served with roasted sunchokes. End your romantic date with light and airy green tea panna cotta, champagne mousse, or a heart-shaped chocolate torte. A glass of bubbly is included for you and your loved one.
Kingston, Poughkeepsie, Red Hook, Hudson
February 14
$125/couple
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Does heart-shaped prosciutto make you swoon? Dine in at any of Savona’s four locations across the Hudson Valley. The classic Italian fare satisfies on cold winter nights. Enjoy lobster risotto with wood-fired cherry tomatoes, filet mignon with roasted shallot mashed potatoes, or a house-made cheese and spinach ravioli. Wood-fired Nutella pizza, a mini cannoli platter, and heart-shaped cheesecake can’t be missed for dessert. For an additional $25, choose your favorite bottle of Italian wine. Now that’s amore.
Poughkeepsie
February 14
$75/person
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Just for Valentine’s Day, Shadows has a three-course dinner special for dine-in meals. There are 10 main courses on the menu, and they all sound absolutely scrumptious. Dishes from seared scallops to lobster ravioli to beet puree risotto to filet mignon cover the spectrum of possible cravings, plus there are plenty of appetizers and desserts from which to choose. With all the options this restaurant offers for this romantic holiday, you can sleep soundly knowing Shadows has Valentine’s Day covered.
Rhinebeck
February 14
$99/person
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In honor of the most romantic day of the year, Terrapin invites couples to celebrate with a three-course prix fixe dinner menu that includes a choice of tapas, an entrée, and dessert. Fall in love with specials like Nantucket Bay scallop ceviche, pumpkin ravioli, and butter-poached lobster tails with ginger beurre blanc. Looking for something a bit more casual? Just drop into the Red Bistro, located next to the Dining Room, for the regular menu.
Related: 5 Chocolate Shops for Valentine’s Day in the Hudson Valley