Valentine’s Day is around the corner – whether you want to take your better half out on the town, find a stranger to make out with, cry into your tequila, or have a ragey anti-Love dance party, we’ve got ideas for you.
NY| MIA| CHI | LA | SF
105 NE 3rd Ave.
Miami, FL 33132
305-577-3454
This downtown Peruvian spot buzzes with energy, and on any given night, you’ll find a packed house with servers whizzing from corner to corner. Take your date there to try one of the namesake dishes – the “red and white” ceviche ($12.95) is an homage to the Peruvian flag and chef Juan Chipoco’s father, who hails from that country. The creamy pisco ceviche (12.95) adds the popular liquor to the mix, and after that boozy treat, you might end up diving into the “seafood orgy” ceviche ($13.95). Swimming in leche de tigre, or tiger’s milk, it is known for being extra-spicy and creamy. Plus the restaurant is doing a special giveaway of a romantic Valentine’s dinner for two, which includes a three-course meal and drinks specially designed by the chef. Enter to win here.
LAS VACAS GORDAS
Miami Beach, FL
33141 305-867-1717
This is the spot to eat if you don’t have any post-dinner plans with your Valentine – because after all the red meat, blood sausage, chorizo, Malbec, and dulce de leche crepes, all you’re going to want to do is take a nap. But this may be the most romantic move of all – you know what they say: barriga llena, corazón contento.
ROSA MEXICANO
900 S. Miami Ave.
786-425-1001
On Valentine’s Day, a restaurant’s ambiance becomes more important than usual – the lighting, the layout, the music – all contribute to setting a romantic mood. Which is why Rosa Mexicano – voted best restaurant decor of 2012 by the Miami New Times – is the perfect spot to take your boo. Rosa’s trademark pomegranate margaritas and the fresh guacamole prepared table-side are draws, but it’s the outdoor tables that sit by lily-pad ponds on the black-and-white stone mosaic of Lincoln Road’s trendiest block, as well as the handsome design of the soaring 3,500-square-foot indoor space that will really impress your date.
BARECELONETA
305-538-9299
In keeping with the Catalan tradition of “Mercat” dining, this cozy bistro offers smaller tapas like plates that include Spanish goat, sheep, and cow cheeses — from Manchego to Mahón to the Catalan Garrotxa as well as charcuteries like jamón ibérico and Serrano ham. They also serve more substantial bistro plates; highlights include the juicy eight-ounce skirt steak from Meyer Ranch (Montana) and meaty octopus tentacle from Spain. Music and alcohol are also part and parcel of the dining experience. The tunes rotate nightly, with reggae one night, Latin pop another, and a live flamenco act. A smartly sourced and mostly Spanish wine list boasts about 50 bottles in the $30 to $40 range and 14 reserves from $50 to $105.
[insert-event id=47008,47011,46527,47030 share=1 cw=280px filter=1]