Love is in the air

11 swoon-worthy Austin restaurants for a romantic Valentine's Day dinner

Toast your sweetheart with a decadent Valentine's Day dinner.

Photo courtesy of III Forks

UPDATE: A previous version of this story listed a Valentine's Day event at Guero's Taco Bar. That event has since been canceled.

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Valentine’s Day is right around the corner, and if you’re a diligent and organized lover, you’ve already locked in your reservations, ordered the flowers, and bought the jewelry. If you’re like the rest of us, consider this article your friendly reminder to get on task. Tables are going fast, and dining rooms are filling up.

Here are some great suggestions for what you and your main squeeze might do on the big day. If romance ain’t your thing, there are a few ideas in here for how to avoid the mushiness as well.

Cannon + Belle
For a genuine Texas Valentine’s vibe, Cannon + Belle is offering a four-course meal that will satisfy any discerning palate. The menu features rosé steamed Littleneck clams; Waterloo bisque with hazelnut, parsnip, and lobster; beef tenderloin with a marrow hollandaise; and a clementine and Prosecco sorbet. $64 per person.

Central Standard
In the heart of the South Congress Hotel, chef Casey Wilcox and his team at Central Standard are offering a three-course Valentine’s menu in tribute to the great American love story of Johnny Cash and June Carter. You and your "Darlin’ Companion" will enjoy selections like seared scallops, fried red snapper, and pineapple pie. At $50 per person, you’ll feel like an outlaw for taking such a deal.

Geraldine’s
Not only will you and your sweetie have a great Valentine’s meal at Geraldine’s — with selections including roasted bone marrow with a bacon caraway crumble; herbed gnocchi and red wine braised oxtail; and a Heart Beet sponge cake — you’ll also enjoy some great live music while you dine. $75 per person.

The Infinite Monkey Theorem
Leave it to the “back alley winery” to inject some irreverence into the holiday. Show up on V-Day for all-day happy hour featuring the winery's signature, zero-pretense canned and on-tap wines and its Texas sparkler, “Bubble Universe,” all at deep discounts.

Kemuri Tatsu-Ya
What better way to say, “I love you,” than taking your one-and-only to one of Austin’s best new restaurant for Valentine’s Day? Over five courses, you’ll experience some of the city’s most innovative cuisine, including a scallop ceviche with yuzu and nukazuke jalapeño, a lobster and prawn miso bouillabaisse, and a strawberry adzuki bean truffle for dessert. $85 per person.

L’Oca d’Oro
Feeling a bit ambivalent about the your V-Day date? Head on over to Mueller’s L’Oca d’Oro where chef Fiore Tedesco is cooking up a Love/Hate Valentine’s Mashup inspired by the music of The Carpenters and Sex Pistols. For $65 (a $40 wine and cocktail pairing can be added), feast on hits like a brick chicken roulade and a strawberry-hazelnut hot fudge sundae.

Native
Be one of the cool kids, and take your Tinder date to Native Hostel’s Sexy Time, Vinyl, and V-Day Dinner. Enjoy some super hip tunes while feasting on a gorgeous three-course menu that includes a scallop crudo, coriander crusted lamb chops, and a coconut bread pudding. $150 per couple includes a bottle of wine.

Pitchfork Pretty
Chef Max Snyder has designed a stunning farm-to-table prix fixe meal with a wide selection to choose from. Starting with oysters on the half shell and caviar with smoked egg yolk, the full meal includes snapper crudo, grilled beets with candied ginger and sesame, a beef short rib for two, and other locavore-inspired dishes. $85 per person.

Second Bar + Kitchen
If you’re the type to wear black on Valentine’s Day, you’ll be in good company at Second Bar + Kitchen downtown. Their Anti-Valentine’s Night features special dishes like a blood sausage and deviled egg puree, a chocolate and burrata dessert, and free Lambrusco to toast your long lost love life.

III Forks
What could be more classic for a romantic dinner than a classic steak. The $65 prix fixe menu at this 2nd Street District restaurant offers a choice of filet mignon or New York strip, plus a starter and couple's chocolate ganache dessert to share. If either of you don't go gaga over red meat, opt for Atlantic salmon or roasted chicken.

Walton’s Fancy & Staple
Walton’s is opening its doors for a rare dinner service, hosting a special four-course dinner on Valentine’s night prepared by chef Phillip Anderson. Couples will enjoy an artisan cheese board, and selections which include a farm-fresh butter lettuce salad, coffee crusted hangar steak, roasted salmon, and desserts from its acclaimed bakery. $75 per person.

holidays

A takeout miracle

10 top Austin takeout options for an easy Christmas feast at home

Photo courtesy of MYLK Collective

The "Christmas Dinner To-Go" from Walton's Fancy and Staple.

This year, restaurants and businesses are really showing up for Austinites who don't feel like cooking their way through the holidays. While some places are staying open so you can go out on Christmas, others are making eating at home much easier with takeout options. From meals to desserts to wine pairings, this list of 10 takeout options should check all the boxes on your Christmas food wish list.

Launderette Cookie Boxes
Pick up from December 6-23, 2115 Holly St.
Between December 6 and 23, pick up a cookie box at Launderette. These boxes will include a festive assortment of cookies: raspberry cheesecake blondies, chewy gingersnaps, peppermint white chocolate macaron, chocolate crinkles, rosemary brown butter fudge, caramel pecan squares, butterfinger truffles, praline millionaire's shortbread, and sparkle toffee. Orders can be placed online.

Launderette's festive cookie box can be picked up anytime before December 23. Image courtesy of Jon Scotty

Central Market
Pick up by Christmas Eve at either Austin location
As per usual, Central Market is going big for Christmas. Its holiday meal options include a tamale casserole with black beans and rice, an all-natural hickory smoked ham meal, a "holiday feast" that comes with both ham and turkey and plenty of fixings, Urban-crusted beef tenderloin, a Beef Wellington meal, a vegetarian butternut squash. If that's not enough, there's plenty of sides like mashed potatoes, Brussel sprouts, mac and cheese, savory cornbread dressing, and more. Desserts include a chocolate bûche de noël (yule log), and just about any type of pie you'd like. Holiday meal orders can be placed online and must be picked up by December 24. A minimum order of $50 is required.

Whole Foods
Pick up by Christmas Eve at various locations
Like Central Market, Whole Foods is offering a variety of pre-made holiday meals for in-store pickup. You can order complete meal packages, or appetizers, entrees, sides, desserts, beverages, and other goodies separately. Some highlights listed on the Whole Foods website include a plate of finger sandwiches, cranberry goat cheese flatbread, and Champagne Dijon roasted salmon. Order anytime between now and December 29.

Walton's Fancy and Staple
Pickup December 22-24, 609 W 6th St.
This year, Walton's Fancy and Staple is preparing a Christmas dinner to-go, including a brown sugar and mustard-glazed ham, sharp cheddar mac and cheese, shaved Brussels sprouts and kale Caesar salad, Yukon gold potatoes, and more. There's also a variety of 9-inch pies and mini-pies. Dishes can be mixed and matched, or you can order everything.

Fresa's Chicken al Carbon
Pick up between December 22 - 24, multiple locations
Fresa's is offering a special menu presenting all sorts of holiday tamales, cookie trays with Mexican Wedding cookies and fudgy brownies, and a kale and pomegranate salad. You can pre-order your tamales and add-ons now through December 22, to be picked up from December 22-24. Be sure to order before 5 pm for next-day pickups.

Zoe Tong
Pick up December 23 or 24, 1530 Barton Springs Rd.
Chinese-meets-Southern Comfort restaurant Zoe Tong is offering a take-home feast package inspired by the Christmas classic A Christmas Story. Dishes include things like BBQ char siu glazed ham, scallion swirls, kale and roasted sweet potato salad, and holiday spiced banana pudding. One package includes enough food to serve four to six people ($280) and the other should feed eight to 12 people ($480). Orders can be made on toasttab.com.

TCL Christmas To-Go Spread TLC's Christmas To-Go Spread should feed eight to 10 people this holiday season. Photo courtesy of TLC

Tare Austin
Pick up December 23 or 24, 12414 Alderbrook Dr.
This Michelin Recommended restaurant is bringing us exclusive holiday caviar boxes, including its famous Black River Royal Oscietra Caviar. Additionally, each box is paired with traditional blinis, blue potato chips, house-made salsa macha crème fraiche, green onions, and hard-boiled eggs. Prices range from $150 to $510, depending on the size of box. Boxes are available to pre-order now and can be picked up on December 23 or 24.

TLC Christmas To-Go
Pick up December 23 or 24, 1100 S Lamar Blvd Ste. 1150
TLC's Christmas family meal serves 8-10 people and includes Nueske's Applewood Smoked Bone-in Ham (6-7 lb), rosemary fingerling potatoes, country green beans, honey glazed carrots, chocolate pecan pie, white chocolate-peppermint bark, a hot cocoa kit, cookies for Santa with a decorating kit (TLC bakes the cookies, you decorate), and carrots (for Santa's reindeer). The TLC Christmas Package is $299 and can be ordered at tlcaustin.com.

Aburi Oshi Sushi
Pick up by December 31, 5610 N. Interstate Hwy. 35
Award-winning, Canada-based sushi group Aburi Oshi will be offering a 48-piece holiday takeout platter through December 31. This platter includes several signature bites like salmon, tuna, yellowtail, and more. This is all available for a limited price of $98. Orders can be placed here.

Aburi Oshi Sushi platter Aburi Oshi Sushi's 48-piece holiday sushi platter. Photo courtesy of MYLK Collective

Cape Bottle Room
Pick up anytime (not open Christmas), 500 San Marcos St. Ste. 102
These expertly curated South African wine boxes have been created to pair perfectly with whatever type of food you're eating over the holidays. If you're serving turkey, your box will include a Silverthorn Greenman MCC, Free to Be Riesling, Sophie Rose, and Elgin Ridge 282 Pinot Noir. If you're having brisket or ham, your box will be completely different. Each box is $185.

holidays christmas takeout