Valentine’s Day is the most romantic day of the year. Looking for a restaurant to celebrate or a span and hotel deal to make the night extra special? Here’s a list of restaurants and hotels to do just that. Reservations are recommended. (This is part two of a series.)
Scottsdale:
The Herb Box:
The Herb Box features savory twists on tried-and-true cuisine and fresh, seasonal ingredients that unify regional flavors. For Valentine’s dinner, The Herb Box will be serving a five-course, plus cocktail “Honey and Date” prix fixe menu featuring local ingredients. The dinner is $89 per couple. The meal begins with a Spicy Shrimp, Corn, Leek, and Sweet Potato Chowder, with Corto olive oil and honey-fennel roasted pepitas. The next course is a shard Petite Brioche Fromage with Seahive sea salt and honey cheddar, capicola, gouda bechemel, honeycup dijon, with a salade rouge of radicchio, red oak, red onion, avocado, golden raisins, and Sphinx Farm dates. The intermezzo is a Champagne-Grapefruit Sorbet with date syrup. For an entree, choose from a Date-Balsamic Roasted Free Range Chicken with Maya Farm baby turnips, petit carrots, and watermelon radish, or Grilled Spring Garlic Lamb Lollipops with warm butter beans, feta, fresh mint and sumac-honey vinaigrette. Finish the meal with a Sweet Honey Date Cake, served with a blackberry swirl goat cheese ice cream, bourbon sugared pecan pieces, honey “dust”, and blackberries, topped with a drizzle of honey-bourbon syrup. Included with the dinner is a My Darling Lemon-Thyme cocktail featuring Singh Farms Honeycomb. There are two locations of The Herb Box: Southbridge in Old Town – 7134 E. Stetson Dr., Scottsdale, Ariz., 85251. DC Ranch on Market Street – 20707 N. Pima Rd., Scottsdale, Ariz., 85255. For more information, email www.theherbbox.com.
Paul Martin’s American Grill:
Indulge in a romantic dinner during Valentine’s weekend at Paul Martin’s American Grill. From February 12-16, Paul Martin’s will be serving a variety of appetizer, entree and dessert specials. Begin the meal with a shared appetizer of a half a pound of Chilled Alaskan King Crab Legs ($25), served with house cocktail sauce and lemon. For a main course, choose from a variety of options, including the Herb Rubbed All Natural Filet Mignon ($45) with mashed potatoes, Bloomsdale spinach, and garlic confit, or Seared Ahi Tuna ($28), accompanied by bok choy salad with watermelon radishes, snow peas and sesame-ginger vinaigrette. For the seafood lover, try the full pound of Alaskan King Crab Legs ($48), served with crispy red potatoes, drawn butter and lemon. Grab two spoons and finish the meal with a Campfire Sundae ($9), featuring vanilla ice cream, warm fudge, smoked almonds, and toasted housemade marshmallow fluff. Paul Martin’s American Grill is located at 6186 N. Scottsdale Rd., Scottsdale, Ariz., 85253. For more information, visit www.paulmartinsamericangrill.com.
RA Sushi in North Scottsdale and Ahwatukee Hosting Valentine’s Themed Painting Parties:
From Rodin to Klimt, artists have used love as their muse, and now RA Sushi invites couples to celebrate love by bringing out their inner artist at a painting party on February 15. Pinot’s Palette and Uptown Art will set-up at RA Sushi for a fun afternoon of painting, sushi, sake, and romance! On February 15 from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Kierland location in North Scottsdale, Pinot’s Palette will teach aspiring artists how to paint the chosen artwork, Mandarin Sunset. The Kierland Commons RA Sushi is at 7012 E. Greenway Pkwy, Scottsdale, AZ 85254. For the Kierland class, the cost $39 and includes a 16×20 canvas, painting supplies and step-by-step instructions. Register at http://www.pinotspalette.com/paradisevalley or call 480-696-7220. On February 15 from noon to 2 p.m., Uptown Art will inspire with the themed painting, Love is in the Air, during an al fresco class on the patio at RA Sushi in Ahwatukee. The Ahwatukee location is at 4921 E. Ray Rd., Phoenix, Ariz., 85044. The Ahwatukee class cost is $25 and includes a 16×20 canvas, painting supplies and step-by-step instructions. Register at www.uptownart.com/chandler or call 480-813-8059. Besides making beautiful art, guests can enjoy RA Sushi’s new Sunday offering made for two: Sushi for 2 for $25. Choose four food items from a select menu, plus edamame for just $25. A wide variety of rolls from the Tootsy Maki to Crunchy Shrimp Tempura to Spicy Tuna are available, as are appetizers like Pineapple Cheese Wontons and Chicken Yakitori.
RA Sushi has five Valley locations in Mesa, Tempe, Ahwatukee, Old Town Scottsdale and North Scottsdale.
Ahwatukee: 4921 E. Ray Road; Phoenix, 85044
Dana Park in Mesa: 1652 S. Val Vista Drive; Mesa, 85204
Tempe: 411 S. Mill Ave.; Tempe, 85281
Kierland Commons: 7012 E. Greenway Pkwy., Scottsdale, 85254
Old Town Scottsdale: 3815 N. Scottsdale Rd., Scottsdale, 85251
Orange Sky Restaurant at Talking Stick Resort
Head to the 15th floor from 5 p.m. – 11 p.m. and devour items from the Orange Sky chefs’ special menu. The floor-to-ceiling windows and elegant décor will make ideal backdrop to declare your love.
Wandering Horse Buffet at Talking Stick Resort
Try the Valentine’s Day Brunch menu at the international buffet. Kicking off at 9 a.m., the special fare will be offered for six hours straights and will include marinated prime rib, herb and butter basted turkey, roasted ham, honey peppercorn slab bacon, roasted garlic and chile dusted pork ribs, grilled sirloin steaks, king crab legs lobster claws and an assortment of Chef Peggy’s pastries. Adults $28.95; children $18
But that’s not all! The restaurant is also offering a dinner menu from 4:30-10 p.m. It will include roasted garlic and herb crusted New York strip loin, honey basil marinated salmon, spinach Gorgonzola ravioli, bacon wrapped beef tenderloin and so much more. Adults $44.95; children $19.95
Arizona Room Patio Grill at Casino Arizona
In addition to its regular menu, Arizona Room Patio Grill is offering a Valentine’s Day dinner special that will make all hearts swoon. Grilled shrimp will serve as the scrumptious appetizer while a beef filet will take center stage as the main course. The dish will include a jalapeno bacon wrapped filet topped with lump crabmeat, black cherry mole and glazed baby carrots.
The dinner special, which will also feature a sweet dessert, will be available from 4 p.m. – 9 p.m. Prix fixe $21
Pink Pony
Parada del Sol falls on Valentine’s Day this year. Pink Pony is opening at 7 a.m. for people who want to watch the parade pass by while sipping on a cocktail. Full lunch menu is also available from 7a.m. to 4 p.m.
Spa at the Village
On Valentine’s Day weekend (Friday, February 14 to Sunday, February 16), The Spa at The Village, located within each Village Health Club & Spa®, is offering the Valley’s most pampering packages that will last through the whole month of February.
- Salted Caramel Chocolate Truffle Escape ($94, 60 minutes): This featured body treatment for February includes a whipped honey and sea salt exfoliation with a warm dark-chocolate full body-softening mask. The mask cocoons you in warmth to allow the antioxidant rich CoQ10 enzymes to penetrate and soften the skin. A light peppery caramel lotion is also used in a re-hydrating massage that will take you away.
- Pink Grapefruit Vitality Treatment with Dermaplane ($125): This amazing February Spa Bar Facial includes a complimentary “pout-o-matic lip treatment from Bliss for fabulips.” Eminence Organic Pink Grapefruit Vitality Treatment is a vitamin-rich burst of pink grapefruit that revitalizes skin and brings life and vitality to the skin. It will make your skin immediately hydrated, lifted and toned with the high anti-oxidant richness of the treatment. The Dermaplane is performed for maximum exfoliation; lip treatment is a mini microderm for the lips with a plumping mask and hydration. Enjoy 20% off the purchase of an Eminence Lip Trio product when you receive this service!
- The Bundle Up Package (any 2 services: $240, any 3 services: $310): This soothing bundle up package will have you pampered and beautified, with a complimentary breakfast or lunch entrée and your choice of soft drink or glass of wine. Choose from any two or three services including: 60-minute facial, 60-minute massage, Seasonal Body Treatment, Haircut/Style. Village Signature Manicure and Pedicure.
- Even better, each Spa will be offering complimentary sparkling wine, long stemmed rose and chocolate covered strawberries for all spa guests on 2/14 – 2/16. Plus, purchase a Valentine gift card anytime from 2/01 – 2/14 for a one-hour spa treatment and receive a complimentary box of Godiva Chocolates.
Locations include:
Scottsdale: 7477 E. Doubletree Ranch Rd. OR 18501 North Thompson Peak Pkwy.
Phoenix: 4444 East Camelback Rd.
Roaring Fork Valentine’s Day Specials
The concept at Roaring Fork is simple, an appreciation for the Old West and the spirit of bold American cuisine. A proud member of the Guy Villavaso and Larry Foles restaurant portfolio, the cuisine at Roaring Fork is made to create flavors that crackle with a rugged edge. Freshness and flavor are at the core of every dish served. Guests can select from lamb, chicken, beef, pork and fresh fish entrees all perfectly prepared by wood fire rotisserie, open flame grill or wood oven roasting.
Location: 4800 N. Scottsdale Rd.
Tucson:
This year, the iconic Westin La Paloma Resort & Spa invites couples to fall in love again over a table – dining or massage – for two while dancing the weekend away.
Serving up 70-degree weather and picturesque views of the pools overlooking the Santa Catalina Mountains, AZuL Restaurant offers up a decadent four- or seven-course menu for Valentine’s Day. Executive Chef Russell Michel showcases a wide range of love-inspired cuisine including a scallop ceviche verde, slow baked organic salmon, natural beef tenderloin, roasted lobster, or stuffed poblano chile. Satisfy a sweet tooth with vanilla guava cheesecake or dulcey chocolate tart. Five-course menu: $74/person and Seven-course menu: $95/person. Go all out with wine pairings for $89/person and $125/person. On Sunday, take advantage of AZuL brunch with endless Mimosas and Bloody Mary’s on top of the carving + omelet station, fresh seafood options along with breakfast, lunch and dessert staples.
Along with delectable menus, the iconic 250-acre resort will feature live entertainment for the entire lovers’ weekend. Sway to Tony Frank Jazz Trio playing from 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 13. On the day of love, saxophonist Neamen Lyles will perform in AZuL Lounge from 6 – 10 p.m. On Sunday, experience a live Las Vegas style piano and vocal performance by Daniel “Sly” man Slipetsky and Sheryl “Sassy Sheryl” Ann McKinley in conjunction with Meetup.com.
Spoil that special someone at The Elizabeth Arden Red Door Spa with a slew of weekend specials ranging from Lovely Duo (Swedish Massages, champagne, chocolate strawberries in outdoor cabanas for $300) or Romantic Evening (one Red Door Signature Facial, shampoo and blow dry, plus a glass of champagne for $176.50). Enhance the experience with a surprise room delivery turn down featuring bottle of sparkling rose with chocolate dipped strawberries and scattered rose petals for $50.
For reservations visit westinlapalomaresort.com/blog/valentines-weekend/
Glendale:
The Shout House:
A fun option for couples looking for a entertaining night out on Valentine’s Day, head to the Chocolate Wasted Party at The Shout House! For dinner, order a variety of dishes meant for sharing, such as the BBQ Pork Short Ribs, featuring a half a rack of ribs with a housemade rub in a slow cooked BBQ sauce, served with coleslaw, or the Chokes and Hummus Plate, served with artichoke hearts, garlic citrus hummus, kettle chips and a balsamic drizzle. Set the mood with a signature cocktail, such as the Sex on the Piano, a mix of Stoli peach vodka, Razzmatazz, melon liquor, cranberry and pineapple juice, or the Pear-A-Dise City with Absolut pear vodka, malibu rum, frangelico, pineapple juice, and ginger ale, topped with a champagne float. For dessert, indulge in all things chocolate, such as $5 Chocolate Martinis, $4 Chocolate Cake Shots, and $3 Chocolate Covered Strawberries.The Valley’s only dueling piano bar, at The Shout House musicians play classic rock ‘n’ roll hits to today’s popular music. An adult-oriented, 21-and-over, non-stop, audience request driven show, the performers involve the audience in sing-alongs, roasts and on-stage interaction. The party will be from from 4 p.m. to 2 a.m. Reservations can be made beginning at 7 p.m. and pianos will start at 7:30 p.m.
The Shout House is located in the Westgate Entertainment District at 6770 Sunrise Blvd, Ste. 207, Glendale, Ariz. For more information, visit www.theshouthouse/az.
Phoenix:
Sierra Bonita Grill:
On Valentine’s Day, enjoy a romantic brunch or dinner at Sierra Bonita Grill. For brunch, enjoy southwestern-inspired cuisine, including the Monte Cristo ($13) with Cure 81 ham, oven roasted turkey, scrambled eggs, bacon and manchego cheese between two egg battered pieces of sourdough bread, served with oven roasted root vegetables. The Cowboy Hash ($12) is roasted root vegetables tossed with Schrieners linguisa sausage and chorizo, topped with fried eggs, salsa verde and salsa fresca. For dinner, the evening’s specials include Smoked Prime Rib ($33), served with green chile mashed potatoes, horseradish sour cream and beef au jus. The fresh catch of the evening will be Pan Seared Crab Crusted Shrimp and Scallops ($35), served with tomato fettucini pasta tossed with spinach and cherry tomatoes, and topped with a white wine chile cream sauce. Pair dinner with a special cocktail created for the evening. The Hibiscus Margarita ($10) features hibiscus infused blanco tequila, Cointreau, St. Germain, fresh lime juice, agave and is garnished with an edible flower.
Sierra Bonita Grill is located at 6933 N. 7th St., Phoenix, AZ 85014. For reservations, call 602-264-0700 or visit www.sierrabonitagrill.com.
Valentine’s Day at Royal Palms Resort and Spa, T.Cook’s Valentine’s Day Special Menus
Available year-round, but particularly popular on Valentine’s Day, the resort turns up the passion with Romantication, which are customized, romantic experiences. These can range from couples massages and rose-petal turndowns to love notes and private dining in an intimate Via Cappello, a tucked-away, candlelit “lover’s corners” throughout the grounds. Royal Palms even has a Director of Romance on-staff to arrange customized romantic experiences with an unprecedented level of personal attention and one-of-a-kind activities such as private plane rides and mountaintop proposals.
A few of the most popular Romantication stay packages include:
Do Not Disturb Package – Priced from $669 per night
One night luxurious accommodations.
Candlelit dinner for two from the featured Valentine’s Day in-room dining menu complete with a special Valentine’s Day dessert.
Champagne and rose petal turndown.
Valid February 1 – February 28.
Royal Romance Package – Priced from $639 per night
One night of luxurious accommodations.
Dinner for two at the T. Cook’s Restaurant.
Rose petal turndown set up in your guestroom.
Romantic in-room welcome amenity.
Resort Fee included within package rate.
Royal Experience Package – Priced from $688 per night
Two-night of luxury accommodations.
$100 T. Cook’s dining credit.
Two 50-minute Alvadora Spa treatments of your choice.
T. Cook’s, the renowned restaurant at Royal Palms, is offering an ultra-luxe prix-fixe menu the day before Valentine’s Day, for those who want to avoid the crowds, and on Valentine’s Day from Executive Chef Paul McCabe. Awarded “Best Romantic Restaurant” by Phoenix Magazine and The Arizona Republic, guests can enjoy a selection of starters, entrees and desserts. The specialty menu features a selection of options with a few highlights including Oysters Rockefeller, Lobster Bisque, Pink Grouper with Dungeness Crab, Colorado Lamb Loin and White Chocolate Mousse. Perigord black truffles can be added to any entrée for $26. Reservations are available for Friday, Feb. 13 (menu starting at $105++) and Saturday, Feb. 14 (menu starting at $125++).
Nested at the bottom of Camelback Mountain, Royal Palms combines the gracious sophistication of a Mediterranean villa with the intimacy and privacy of a secluded retreat, not found anywhere else in Arizona. The lush landscape and orange groves, exceptional personalized touches throughout the property and inviting rooms make this the ideal location to spend Valentine’s Day.
One lucky guest has an opportunity to win a one-night stay on Valentine’s Day night and dinner for two at T. Cook’s along with a rose-petal turndown. Contestants can enter-to-win by sharing their personal Royal Palms romance stories on the Royal Palms blog or on social media using the hashtag #myroyalpalmsromance. The contest begins Monday, 1/26/15 and runs through 2/8/15. The winner will be announced on 2/9/15. http://www.royalpalmshotel.com/resort-blog
To book a stay for Valentine’s Day visit www.royalpalmshotel.com. For T. Cook’s dinner reservations, visit www.tcooksphoenix.com.
Kimpton’s Hotel Palomar Phoenix Valentine’s Package Special
“Rated Paloma-R” Valentine’s Day Package – Starting at $289/night
Package includes:
Beautifully appointed deluxe accommodations
A dozen mood-enhancing raw oysters and two craft cocktails at LUSTRE Rooftop Garden
LUSTRE Rooftop Garden has dyed the 3rd floor pool pink to celebrate Valentine’s Day and the Pink Rooftop Pool will be open to guests for a late night swim
A racy in-room intimacy kit
Morning coffee and tea service in the living room
Hosted wine reception in the living room
Complimentary access to Gold’s Gym Elite
For more information, visit http://www.hotelpalomar-phoenix.com
Location: 2 E. Jefferson St.
Blue Hound Kitchen & Cocktails Specials
Guests can expect thoughtful dishes from Executive Chef Sean Currid that are sure to ignite the passion this Valentine’s Day.
“His and Hers” Valentine’s Day at Blue Hound Kitchen & Cocktails
4-course prix-fixe menu
Saturday, Feb. 14 from 5:30pm to 11:30pm
$80++ PER PERSON
Cocktails available from Head Barkeep Stephanie Teslar, starting at $10
Menu options include:
Bacon Wrapped Oysters – Brioche, lemon and chive
Chilled Dungeness Crab – Celerian mousse, fennel, gaufrette and caviar
Local Arugula Salad – Beets, fennel, blood orange, pickled shallots and feta
Sunchoke Soup – Crispy shallots, extra virgin olive oil and parsley puree
Pork Belly and Scallop – Tomato Jam, turnip, truffle and veal jus
Petite Filet and Short Rib – organic mushrooms, parsnips and sauce perigoux
Petite Sweets – Macaroons, chocolate strawberries and blackberry and cabernet gelato
To make a reservation, visit http://www.bluehoundkitchen.com
Location: 2 E. Jefferson St.
Spa Pampering from the Pointe Hilton Locations
Tocaloma Spa at Pointe Hilton Tapatio Cliffs Resort
From toffee and buttered rum to sweet cream, chocolate and wine, Tocaloma Spa at Pointe Hilton Tapatio Cliffs Resort in Phoenix is offering great deals on decadently sweet spa packages just in time for Valentine’s Day. The intimate spa located at the mountainside Pointe Hilton Tapatio Cliffs Resort is whipping up the following the spa deals that are as sweet as they are sinful and available during the month of February:
Wine & Chocolate Facial – 50 minutes, $100 (reg. $125). A fully customized facial featuring exfoliation, firming wine serum featuring Texas winery grapes, a warmed chocolate masque featuring live carrot cells, cocoa and coconut oil, and ultra-hydrating facial milk.
Love My Butter Rum Body – 50 minutes, $92 (reg. $115). Made of a Werther’s caramel dreams, the treatment features a brown sugar, butterscotch and dark rum fine body scrub and warmed sweet cream body milk.
Sweet Cream Pedi Dream – 50 minutes, $120 per couple (reg. $144). Couples can escape to a private pedicure room for a warmed whirlpool foot soak, butter rum scrub, leg and foot massage, warmed sweet cream milk moisturizer with a toe polish for the ladies and a shine for the gentlemen. Served with a complimentary glass of wine and chocolate covered strawberries.
Cupid’s Couples Escape – 50 minutes, $100 (reg. $210). Couples that are guests of the resort can enjoy a relaxing couples massage with rose petal turndown in the comfort of their own suite, complete with a split of red wine and chocolate covered strawberries.
Spa guests can also enjoy same-day access to the resort’s Falls Water Village, which features two expansive pools, waterslide, cabanas, poolside bar and grill and more. In addition to Tocaloma Spa, the all-suite mountainside resort nestled in the granite bluffs of the Phoenix Mountain Preserve offers eight pools, a Troon golf experience, awarding-winning dining at Different Pointe of View, and dramatic city views found throughout the resort grounds.
To reserve spa packages, visit www.pointehiltontapatiocliffs.com.
Location: 11111 N. 7th St.
Tocasierra Spa at Pointe Hilton Squaw Peak Resort
Featuring sweet treats and services to make you glow for your sweetheart, Tocasierra Spa at Pointe Hilton Squaw Peak Resort is offering four special spa services during the month of February:
Couples Massage – 80 minutes, $225
Couples can enjoy 50 minutes of Swedish massages complete with a hot oil scalp treatment and a chocolate foot masque in the spa’s luxurious couples room. Afterwards, toast to your love with a complimentary glass of champagne.
Cupid’s Cupcake Pedicure – 50 minutes, $50
A sweet treat for your feet begins with a relaxing and soothing foot soak, followed by a sweet cream exfoliating scrub, and finished with a gentle foot massage.
Berries and Bliss Body treatment – 50 minutes, $85
Enjoy finding your inner bliss with a warm butter bruleé milk towel wrap to soften and soothe the skin, followed by a sweet cream scrub to exfoliate and smooth, ending with a strawberry smash cream gentle massage.
Brightening Facial – 50 minutes, $90
Show your inner and outer glow for your sweetheart with this facial designed to diminish dark spots and even out tone and texture.
Spa guests at Tocasierra Spa & Salon can enjoy all-day use of the spa’s 10,000 square feet of amenities including a state-of-the-art fitness center, daily fitness classes, steam and sauna facilities and a private lap pool and whirlpool. For spa reservations, call 602-906-3820.
Location: 7677 N. 16th St.
Papa Murphy’s HeartBaker Pizza
Share the love this Valentine’s Day with the entire family around a Papa Murphy’s HeartBaker® Pizza. This valentine favorite is freshness you will fall in love with. This traditional offering is available for a limited time at all Phoenix Metro locations, February 2nd through February 14th for $8. The HeartBaker Pizza starts with Papa Murphy’s fresh, scratch-made dough in the shape of a heart which is then topped with traditional red sauce, generous portions of 100 percent whole milk mozzarella cheese and premium pepperoni slices. The HeartBaker should be taken home, baked at 425 degrees and served fresh out of the oven in 12 – 18 minutes and shared with the ones you love.
There are currently more than 45 locations in the Phoenix metro area, with more slated to open in 2015. Visit www.papamurphys.com for locations, phone numbers and hours of operation.
