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Food

Coming up roses: Where to dine in D-FW this Valentine's Day

Love it or hate it, Valentine's Day is fast approaching. Whether you're married, dating, single, in love, out of love or none of the above (it's complicated), you owe it to yourself to find an excuse to celebrate this controversial holiday -- even if it's just that you're happy to have survived a month and a half into the new year. Treat yourself this V-Day to dinner at one of these D-FW restaurants. Unless otherwise indicated, all specials are for Feb. 14. Be sure to make reservations: Valentine's Day is one of the biggest dining-out occasions of the year.

The Adolphus Hotel

It's all romance and indulgence this year at the Adolphus Hotel as they offer several ways to celebrate. Both City Hall Bistro and The French Room have their own special Valentine's Day menus. At City Hall Bistro, enjoy items like linguini & clams and a 48-hour sous vide short rib for $55 a person from Feb. 9-14. If you're looking to take the evening one step further, 10 lucky couples will have the option to participate in a beverage class led by Beverage Manager Anna Pereda. You'll learn to make two love-inspired cocktails to pair with the meal for $150 per couple. If the sophistication of the French Room is more appealing, Chef Michael Ehlert is offering a seven-course meal for $195 a person that showcases the most luxurious ingredients, like seared foie gras and Kagoshima Wagyu. This special menu is offered the weekend before and every day leading up to Valentine's Day (Feb. 9-14). 1321 Commerce St., Dallas. 214-742-8200. adolphus.com.

Cool River Cafe 

Celebrate this Valentine's Day at one of Las Colinas' most popular restaurants. The three-course meal for $155 per couple includes your choice of a Cool River salad or Caesar salad, two 6-ounce filets mignons and two cold-water lobster tails, then a layered chocolate mousse cake. 1045 Hidden Ridge Road, Irving. 972-871-8881. coolrivercafe.com.

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Dallas Fish Market 

If you love fish but your bae prefers steak, Dallas Fish Market is a solid choice. Its three-course prix fixe menu offers a ton of options, like grilled radicchio salad, beef tataki, Patagonia salmon, blackened flatiron steak, strawberries and cream and red miso soufflé. And the best part? The price: It's $65 a person, plus an optional $55 for wine or Champagne pairings. 1501 Main St., Dallas. 214-744-3474. dallasfishmarket.com.

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Dodie's Rockwall 

If you missed out on Dodie's special New Year's Eve menu for two, you'll have another chance to indulge with the Cajun diner's Sweetheart Dinner. The meal begins with a shared appetizer of either oysters on the half shell or shrimp cocktail, followed by your choice of rib-eye steak, stuffed Cajun chicken Rockefeller, redfish Pontchartrain or crawfish ravioli with pan-seared scallops. Each meal also comes with a fresh Dodie's salad, all for just $54.99 per couple. And what's more romantic than sharing chocolate-covered strawberries to end the evening? 2074 Summer Lee Drive, Rockwall. 972-771-0004. dodiesattheharbor.com.

El Chico Mexican Cafe 

If you don't want to break the bank during the holiday, but still want a romantic evening, El Chico has the perfect menu for you. For just $29.99 per couple, guests will enjoy a three-course dinner, including guacamole made fresh at the table, fajitas for two, including steak, chicken, shrimp and baby-back ribs, and finishing with their strawberry nachos. And you'll still have enough money left over for that expensive bottle of wine you've been eyeing. 12 locations in D-FW: Arlington, DeSoto, Far North Dallas, Flower Mound, Garland, Granbury, Irving, McKinney, Mesquite, Pantego, Richland Hills and Rockwall. elchico.com.

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Holy Grail Pub

Valentine's Day doesn't have to be all red wine pairings, and Holy Grail Pub is here to prove it. For $65 a person, the Plano pub is offering five courses paired with your favorite beers, including seared scallops with Strange Lands Ploughshare Saison, duck breast with Three Nations Brown Ale and cherry chocolate bread pudding with bourbon barrel-aged Raspberry Temptress. 8240 Preston Road, Plano. 972-377-6633. holygrailpub.com.

Lark on the Park

The already romantic restaurant on the edge of Klyde Warren Park is amping up the amour for its special St. Valentine's Dinner. Chef Ryan Barnett will prepare a four-course prix fixe menu with options such as fire-roasted leek and potato soup, olive-oil poached salmon, quail with sunchokes and strawberry-hibiscus tea cake. Choose from these and more for $95 a person, plus an extra $45 if you'd like wine pairings. 2015 Woodall Rodgers Freeway, Dallas. 214-855-5275. larkonthepark.com.

Lavendou 

The weather outside might be frightful (or at least a little chilly), but Lavendou wants to take you the sunny, temperate Southern France this Valentine's Day. Dig your toes into the sand of a beautiful beach in Nice as you enjoy their specially prepared three-course prix fixe menu, with item choices like crab cakes, warm goat cheese and mixed baby greens, beef tenderloin, braised lamb shank and gâteau au chocolat du Lavendou, a Belgian chocolate mousse cake with crème anglaise. The meal runs $69.95 per person, which is much more affordable than a plane ticket to France. 19009 Preston Road, Dallas. 972-248-1911. lavendou.com.

Lawry's famous prime rib with creamed corn and mashed potatoes is one of the restaurant's...
Lawry's famous prime rib with creamed corn and mashed potatoes is one of the restaurant's offerings for Valentine's Day.(Used with permission from Lawry's the Prime Rib)

Lawry's the Prime Rib 

Is there a better excuse than Valentine's Day to enjoy Lawry's famous prime rib? We didn't think so. For $125 per couple, the elegant restaurant known for their tableside carving is offering a glass of house wine, a spinning-bowl salad, a cut of roasted prime rib or the chef's fish selection and chef's dessert to share. If you can't make it in on the holiday itself, don't worry: this special menu is being served for dinner from Feb. 9-17. 14655 Dallas Parkway, Dallas. 972-503-6688. lawrysonline.com.

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Max's Wine Dive 

Treat your BFF and your BF to a special meal this year thanks to Max's Valentine's and Galentine's Day menus. You don't have to know Leslie Knope to celebrate this new holiday, you've just gotta spread the love. From Feb. 10-13, the restaurant known for their fried chicken and champagne is serving red and rosé wine flights. Their menu during these days is meant to be shared amongst friends and includes items like blackened shrimp, hanging tender steak , and Nutella tiramisu. After Galentine's ends, head back to Max's for Valentine's from Feb. 14-17 for special menu items like diver scallops, sous vide duck breast and red velvet cheesecake. 2421 W. Seventh St., Fort Worth. 817-870-1100. maxswinedive.com.

The Meddlesome Moth 

Want to dine with the King this Valentine's Day? Then head to Meddlesome Moth, where you can sit right under the unique stained-glass windows featuring Elvis and other favorite musicians. If that's not enough to convince you, maybe the four-course prix fixe menu will. For $70 a person,enjoy items like oysters, fig and blue rocket salad, miso black cod and tart cherry cobbler. You won't be able to help falling in love with this food. 1621 Oak Lawn Ave., Dallas. 214-628-7900. mothinthe.net.

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Mudhen Meat and Greens 

Calling all vegans: Mudhen is offering a vegan Valentine's Day dinner. For $40 per person, or $65 with beer or wine pairings, enjoy four courses, which include basil flatbread, a massaged kale salad, butternut squash risotto and gooseberry cobbler -- with vegan ice cream! Even your nonvegan friends and family will want to get in on this special menu. 900 S. Harwood St., Dallas. 214-698-7000. mudheninthe.net.

Pakpao Thai 

For a twist on the typical Valentine's Day meal, Pakpao is serving a three-course Thai menu at both locations for $45 per person. Start with yellowfin koi pla (a traditional Thai dish), then move on to five-spice braised lamb shoulder and finish with sticky toffee monkey bread with fried bananas and coconut caramel. And don't forget to enjoy one of Pakpao's cocktails to celebrate properly. 7859 Walnut Hill Lane, Dallas, 214-484-8772; and 1628 Oak Lawn Ave, Dallas, 214-749-7002. pakpaothai.com.

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Ra Sushi 

In addition to regular in-restaurant dining on Feb. 14, the trendy sushi restaurant is offering a couples sushi-rolling class on Feb. 7 in anticipation of the holiday. For just $40, plus an extra $5 for sake and sparkling rosé, learn to make your favorite rolls, like the Soy Crazy For You roll, which includes strawberries and sweet crab, as well as a Rainbow Roll and tuna and salmon nigiri. 7501 Lone Star Drive, Plano. 469-467-7400; 5100 Belt Line Road, Addison. 972-581-2905. 1131 E. Southlake Blvd, Southlake. 817-601-9590. rasushi.com.

The Ragin' Crab Cafe

It's not quite crawfish season yet, so Ragin' Crab is serving up the next best thing for you and your boo to crack open: two different shellfish feasts to choose from on Valentine's Day. The first open, the Mon Cherie Amour Love Feast, comes with a half-pound of king crab, a half-pound of snow crab, a half-pound of shrimp, a half-pound of sausage, one order of potatoes and two pieces of corn on the cob. If that's not enough, it also includes two drinks per couple (choice of beer, wine or a well cocktail) and either cheesecake or chocolate cake to share, and costs $79.95 per couple. The Sea of Love Feast for Two is a little pricier at $89.95 per couple, and includes two whole lobster tails with dirty rice and garlic-butter broccoli and choice of two drinks and one dessert per couple. 2100 Greenville Ave., Dallas. 214-827-2722. ragincrab.com.

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Sea Breeze Fish Market and Grill 

Indulge in all the lobsta and chowda you love so much at this Plano seafood restaurant. In addition to their full regular menu, they're serving up a slew of specials like grilled octopus, Lobster Thermidor, strawberry arugula salad and cinnamon crème-brûlée and more. With Lent starting on Valentine's Day this year, Sea Breeze is the perfect place for a wide variety of Lenten options -- and for those who just really love fish. 4017 Preston Road, Plano. 972-473-2722. seabreezefish.com.

Second Floor Regionally Inspired Kitchen

The restaurant located inside the Westin Galleria on, as the name suggest, level two, is serving up a more traditional Valentine's Day meal. The three-course prix fixe menu available from 5-10 p.m. on the holiday includes choices like potato parsnip soup, pan-seared diver scallops, wild mushroom gnocci and a decadent chocolate stout cake for dessert. A guaranteed romantic evening at the lavish restaurant runs $125 per couple, or $200 with wine pairings. 13340 Dallas Parkway, Dallas. 972-450-2978. faecbook.com/SecondFloorDFW.

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Steel 

Couples have been choosing Steel as their Valentine's Day restaurant for nearly 18 years, and this year, you can find out why. The restaurant that specializes in Indochine cuisine has put together a five-course menu for $85 per person that includes dishes such as king crab legs, beef tataki, rack of lamb and cheesecake. Steel will also throw in a complimentary glass of Champagne to sweeten the deal. 3180 Welborn St., Dallas. 214-219-9908. steelsushi.com.

Table 13

If your Wednesday night is too busy to go out, or you'd rather decompress after work on the couch with a glass of wine instead, Table 13 is offering a special Valentine's Day menu every day leading up to the holiday, starting Feb. 9. In addition to its full regular menu (except on Feb. 14, when the regular menu will not be served), the Addison restaurant's prix fixe menu is $75 per person and includes choices like jumbo lump crab cakes, Caesar salad, filet mignon, duck breast and chocolate-covered strawberries. 4812 Belt Line Road, Addison. 972-789-9558. table13addison.com.

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Texas Ale Project 

With the number of local breweries in Dallas, romantic Valentine's beer dinners are a great alternative to their pricier counterpart (we're talking about you, red wine and Champagne). Chef Evan Moore paired up with Texas Ale Project to create a five-course meal, each course paired with beer selected to complement the flavors of the dish. Begin with homemade pain au levain with whipped sea salt butter, candied cascade hop and citrus savory jam, paired with the Texas Blood IPA. Move on to chicken, sweet potato and corn chowder paired with Payne Pils, then a spinach-strawberry salad with 50ft Jackrabbit. The main course is crispy pork belly with smoked fruit agro dolce and stone grits, paired with 100 Million Angels Singing. End the evening with chocolate croissant bread pudding paired with Somethin' Shady for a sweet finish. There will also be music by Red Letbetter throughout the night and special gift from Chocolate Secrets. All this for only $60 a person? Move over rosé! 1001 N. Riverfront Blvd., Dallas. 214-965-0606. texasaleproject.com.

Other restaurants with Valentine's specials:

III FORKS 17776 Dallas Parkway, Dallas. 972-267-1776. iiiforks.com.

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B&B BUTCHERS AND RESTAURANT 5212 Marathon Ave., Fort Worth. 817-737-5212. bbbutchers.com/fortworth.

CBD PROVISIONS 1530 Main St., Dallas. 214-261-4500. cbdprovisions.com.

CANARY BY GORJI 5100 Belt Line Road, Dallas. 972-503-7080. chefgorji.com/canarybygorji.

CANTINA LAREDO 1125 Legacy Drive, Frisco, 214-618-9860; 530 Throckmorton St., Fort Worth, 817-810-0773; 4546 Belt Line Road, Addison, 972-458-0962; and 2225 S. Stemmons Freeway, Lewisville, 972-315-8100. cantinalaredo.com.

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CRU FOOD AND WINE BAR 842 Market St., Allen, 972-908-2532; 3699 McKinney Ave., Dallas, 214-526-9463; and 7201 Bishop Road, Plano, 972-312-9463. cruawinebar.com.

DALLAS CHOP HOUSE 1717 Main St., Dallas. 214-736-7300. dallaschophouse.com.

DEEP ELLUM BREWING CO. 2823 St. Louis St., Dallas. 214-888-3322. deepellumbrewing.com.

DEL FRISCO'S DOUBLE EAGLE STEAK HOUSE 812 Main St., Fort Worth, 817-877-3999; 5905 Legacy Drive, Plano, 972-312-9115; and 2323 Olive St., Dallas, 972-490-9000. delfriscos.com.

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DEL FRISCO'S GRILLE 154 E. Third St., Fort Worth, 817-887-9900; 1200 E. Southlake Blvd., Southlake, 817-410-3777; 7200 Bishop Road, Plano, 469-661-8012; and 3232 McKinney Ave., Dallas, 972-807-6152. delfriscosgrille.com.

EL BOLERO 1201 Oak Lawn Ave., Dallas. 214-741-1986. elboleromexican.com.

FEARING'S RESTAURANT 2121 McKinney Ave., Dallas. 214-922-4848. fearingsrestaurant.com.

GRANGE HALL 4445 Travis St., Dallas. 214-443-5175. ufgrangehall.com.

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THE GRAPE 2808 Greenville Ave., Dallas. 214-828-1981. thegraperestaurant.com.

GREENVILLE AVENUE PIZZA COMPANY 1923 Greenville Ave., Dallas. 214-826-5404 and 1145 Peavy Road, Dallas. 214-324-2726. gapc.co.

HIBASHI 13465 Inwood Road, Dallas. 972-620-3474. hibashi.com.

HIGHLAND PARK CAFETERIA 1200 N. Buckner Blvd., Dallas. 214-324-5000. highlandparkcafeteria.com.

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HOTEL ST. GERMAIN 2516 Maple Ave., Dallas. 214-871-2516. hotelstgermain.com.

JALISCO NORTE 3858 Oak Lawn Ave., Dallas. 214-443-5183. jalisconorte.com.

MIRADOR 1608 Elm St., Dallas. 214-945-8200. mirador-dallas.com.

MOXIE'S GRILL & BAR 100 Crescent Court, Dallas. 469-687-0050. moxies.com.

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OAK 1628 Oak Lawn Ave., Dallas. 214-712-9700. oakdallas.com.

OCEAN PRIME 2101 Cedar Springs Road, Dallas. 214-965-0440. oceanprimedallas.com.

PAPPAS BROS. STEAKHOUSE 10477 Lombardy Lane, Dallas. 214-366-2000. pappasbros.com.

PERRY'S STEAKHOUSE & GRILLE 2000 McKinney Ave., Dallas. 214-855-5151; and 2440 Parkwood Blvd., Frisco. 214-494-4645. perryssteakhouse.com.

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PRINCI ITALIA 5959 Royal Lane, Dallas. 214-739-5959; 3300 Dallas Parkway, Plano. 972-378-9463. princiitalia.com.

PROOF + PANTRY 1722 Routh St., Dallas. 214-880-9940. proofandpantry.com.

RIGHTEOUS FOODS 3405 W. Seventh St., Fort Worth. 817-850-9996. eatrighteously.com.

ROSEWOOD MANSION ON TURTLE CREEK 2821 Turtle Creek Blvd., Dallas. 214-443-4747. rosewoodhotels.com.

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SAVOR 2000 Woodall Rodgers Freeway, Dallas. 214-306-5597. savorgastropub.com.

SER STEAK + SPRITS 2201 N. Stemmons Freeway, Dallas. 214-761-7479. sersteak.com.

SHELL SHACK 2916 McKinney Ave., Dallas. 877-434-1411 and 1855 Dallas Parkway, Plano. 972-735-0400. theshellshack.com.

THE STATLER 1914 Commerce St., Dallas. 214-459-3930. thestatlerdallas.com.

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STEPHAN PYLES FLORA STREET CAFE AT HALL ARTS 2330 Flora St., Dallas. 214-580-7000. florastreet.com.

STEPHAN PYLES STAMPEDE 66 1717 McKinney Ave., Dallas. 214-550-6966. stampede66.com.

SUSHI MARQUEE 3625 The Star Blvd., Frisco. 214-351-0951. sushimarquee.com.

TAVERNA ROSSA 4005 Preston Road, Plano. 972-403-3321 and 1151 E. Southlake Blvd., Southlake. 817-809-4533. tavernarossa.com.

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THIRSTY LION GASTROPUB & GRILL 350 W. Las Colinas Blvd., Irving. 214-496-0400. thirstyliongastropub.com.

TRULUCK'S 2401 McKinney Ave., Dallas. 214-220-2401. trulucks.com.

Y.O. RANCH STEAKHOUSE 702 Ross Ave., Dallas. 214-744-3287. yoranchsteakhouse.com.

ZIZIKI'S 5809 Preston Road, Plano. 972-943-8090; 4514 Travis St., Dallas. 214-521-2233; 11661 Preston Road, Dallas. 469-232-9922; 6765 Winning Dr., Frisco. 972-377-2276. zizikis.com.

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Twitter: @SarahKramerDMN