Hello Hamptons Lovers! Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, make sure you have a great date night planned for your sweetheart!  Don’t think because it’s winter that you won’t need a reservation. Lots of restaurants get fully booked. Here are a few of my suggestions:

1. Start Valentine’s Day off right ~ and that means with flowers! Arrange to pick up or send a gorgeous bouquet of flowers from Topiaire Floral Boutique at 51 Jobs Lane in Southampton. Owner Erin Meaney is the best at creating romantic, pretty, and gaspworthy arrangements.

2. Shakespeare’s “Romeo And Juliet” screening starring Orlando Bloom at Guild Hall, Sag Harbor. Two-time Tony nominee Condola Rashad co-stars with “The Lord of the Rings” hunk Orlando Bloom, who made his Broadway debut during a limited run of William Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet.”  Guild Hall is now screening the special cinema event that directed by five-time Tony nominee David Leveaux.

Tickets are $18 for General Admission and $16 Members on Friday, February 14, at 7:30 p.m.  The John Drew Theater in the Dina Merrill Pavilion at Guild Hall is located at 158 Main Street in East Hampton. For more information call 631-324-0806 or visit www.guildhall.org.

3. Indulge in a romantic winter offering from Topping Rose House, the scenic, 22-room hotel and restaurant in Bridgehampton operated by acclaimed chef Tom Colicchio.

For Valentine’s Day, executive chef Ty Kotz has created a four-course tasting menu highlighting seasonal and local ingredients for $125 per person. The menu is available all weekend in addition to the restaurant’s seasonal à la carte menu. Children under ten dine for $45. Full menu details below.

Additionally, now through April 30th, couples can book the Winter Romance Package, a two-night getaway at Topping Rose House, which includes massages (in room or at the on-property spa), dinner for two and breakfast in bed. Rates for the package start at $875/night with a two-night minimum. Additional nights may be added for $325 per night. Call 631.537.0870 or email reservations@toppingrosehouse.com to book.

Valentine’s Day Weekend Tasting Menu
(Select one dish from each course)

FIRST COURSE

FARM GREENS
Shallot Vinaigrette
BRAISED CHILI BACON, HORSERADISH AND MOLASSES JUS
Fried Montauk Oysters
LEMON AND SMOKED HON-SHIMEJI MUSHROOMS
Seared Yellowfin Tuna
SECKLE PEAR AND YOUNG GARDEN GREENS
Foie Gras Torchon

SECOND COURSE
PACCHERI
Milk-Fed Pork Ragoût and Green Mustard
SMOKED PAPPARDELLE
Mangalista Guanciale and Scallions
BUCATINI
Lobster and Calabrian Chilies
GNOCCHI
Butternut Squash and Brown Butter

THIRD COURSE
BLUE & GOLD POTATOES, LEMON AND CHERVIL
Day Boat Tilefish
CHESTNUT SPAETZLE, BLACK TRUFFLE AND CROSNES
Roasted Organic Chicken
TURNIPS, BLACK GARLIC AND BONE MARROW
Beef Strip Loin and Short Rib Crépinette
ROASTED FENNEL AND CITRUS BUERRE BLANC
Whole Local Striped Bass for Two

DESSERT
BRIOCHE DOUGHNUTS
Caramelized White Chocolate Filling
PASSION FRUIT POT DE CRÈME
CHOCOLATE PRALINE SEMIFREDDO CAKE
Spiced Hazelnuts

4. Acoustic Jazz with saxophonist John Ludlow at Sweet Tomato’s. Take a romantic ferry ride to Shelter Island for a decadent Italian dinner with live jazz.

Sweet Tomato’s is located at 15 Grand Avenue in Shelter Island.  Don’t miss the acoustic jazz from 8-10pm.  For private parties or saxophone lessons, go to johnludlowsax.com.  For reservations, call Sweet Tomato’s at (631) 749-4114.

5. BELL & ANCHOR loves foodie lovers! The Bell & Anchor [3253 Noyac Road, Sag Harbor [631] 725-3400] loves lovers! The Bell & Anchor will be celebrating St. Valentine with plenty of oysters and champagne. In addition to the a la carte menu and specials, diners may enjoy a dozen Montauk Pearls and a bottle of Paul Laurent Brut Champagne for $85, or a half bottle of Billecarte-Salmon Brut Rose for $85.

6. Ice Skating at Buckskill Winter Club. Channel Ice Castles and cuddle up with your Valentine for a night time skate around the rink. Location:  178 Buckskill Road, East Hampton; 6:30-9:30 pm.

7. Valentine’s Day Specials at Nick & Toni’s (136 N. Main St., East Hampton, [631] 324-3550). Italian food fanatics can indulge in the a la carte specials for Valentine’s Day, Friday, February 14th.  Dinner will be served starting at 6 p.m. and reservations are suggested. In addition to the regular menu, specials offered include:

Appetizer
Foie Gras Torchon with toasted Brioche, Baby Arugula & Pomegranate Syrup $21

Entrée
Pan Roasted Red Snapper with Saffron Cockle Broth, Barlotti Beans & Baby Spinach $36 & Grilled Ribeye Steak for 2 with Truffle Butter & Roasted Beet Sformato $95

Dessert
Puff Pastry “Souffle” with Chocolate Mousse, Candied Hazelnuts and Chocolate Sauce $14
Champagne Sorbet $10
Gianduja Ice Cream $10

Sweet Amuse
Espresso Macaron

Special Cocktail
Box O’ Chocolates
House-Made Sour Cherry Liqueur, prosecco, 99% dark chocolate rim, orange twist $13

8. Love Lane Kitchen in Mattituck is serving up a delicious breakfast for two this Valentine’s Day. The best part? It is delivered right to your door! The special menu includes Satur Farms’ spinach and chevre quiche, Nutella and banana stuffed French toast, assorted freshly baked pastries, fresh seasonal fruit, chocolate dipped strawberries, freshly squeezed orange juice, fresh roasted coffee, and of course, a long stemmed rose.

When: Friday, February 14 & Saturday, February 15.  Where: 240 Love Lane, Mattituck lovelanekitchen.com 631-298-8989

Love Lane also offers a delicious Valentine’s Dinner for two Friday, February 14 through Sunday, February 16. True to it’s name, this local eatery is the place to be with your sweetheart. Sip on sparkling wine and indulge in dishes made with the finest local ingredients and of course, a lot of love. For less than $100 per person, couples can enjoy a three-course dinner with a toast for two of Sparkling Pointe Sparkling Brut in the warm and inviting atmosphere. The cost is $69 per person with an optional local wine pairing for $89 per person. The menu and pairings are as follows:

Toast for Two
Sparkling Pointe Sparkling Brut

Cheese and Charcuterie
Choice of Three
Prosciutto, triple creme brie, Catapano chevre, hot salami, soppresatta, beemster
Served with olives, cornichons, French bread and truffle honey
Wine: Coffee Pot Cellars Chardonnay

Shared Plates For Two
Seafood Risotto
Lobster, shrimp, clams, scallops, and peas, with saffron risotto
Wine: Lieb Hungarian Oak Chardonnay

Braised Lamb Shank
Slowly braised with red wine reduction, and gorgonzola mashed potatoes
Wine: Bedell Cabernet Franc

Heart Shaped Raviolis
Stuffed with ricotta cheese, and served with homemade Italian tomato sauce and Parmesan
Wine: Paumanok Festival Red

Dessert
Mom’s Famous Chocolate Cake
Hand Dipped Chocolate Covered Strawberries
Homemade Fudge
Wine: Macari Block E Dessert Wine

For reservations or more information, contact Love Lane Kitchen at 631-298-8989. Find us online at lovelanekitchen.com,