How to Celebrate Valentine’s Day in San Francisco Bay Area 2021

Handmade confections from Recchiuti
Handmade confections from Recchiuti

FOOD GUIDE

One65’s O’ by Claude Le Tohic

One65

Feb. 9-14. Among the highlights of O’ by Claude Le Tohic’s Valentine’s Day six-course dinner for two are caviar, Dungeness crab and parmentier of duck confit with black truffle stew or roasted Hokkaido wagyu strip loin and a raspberry Saint Honoré to finish ($370). Pick up and delivery available. 165 O’Farrell St., San Francisco. Order | one65sf.com

Cafe Zoetrope

Preorder by Feb. 10. Cafe Zoetrope’s three-course San Valentin Special includes Arancini di Riso (Sicilian rice ball), radicchio treviso and orange salad braised short ribs, potato and leek gratin, Parmigiano-Reggiano green beans, caramelized onion and tomato focaccia. To finish the meal, enjoy a chocolate cake with fresh berry compote. The meal also includes a bottle of Director’s Cut Zinfandel or Chardonnay ($75). Pick-up available Feb. 12-13 from noon-6 p.m.  916 Kearny St., San Francisco, 415.291.1700. Order | cafezoetrope.com

One Market’s chocolate cake

One Market

Feb. 10-13. One Market Restaurant will offer a delicious three-course Valentine’s Day menu, including carrot soup or shrimp cocktail; choice of entree (grilled filet mignon or baked American red snapper); and a delicious chocolate cake with raspberry sauce (pictured) to finish the evening ($75/person). Add optional Osetra caviar or Dungeness crab cakes as extra indulgences. At One Market’s NY-style deli, Mark ‘n Mike’s, three heart-shaped latkes with sour cream and house-made applesauce will be available for pickup and delivery ($9.95). 1 Market St., San Francisco. 415.777.5577. Order 

EPIC Steak

Reopening Feb. 11. EPIC Steak is alfresco dining at its best thanks to its breathtaking views of the Bay Bridge, innovative cuisine and expertly crafted cocktails. Lucky for you it is reopening just in time for a romantic night out for Valentine’s Day. 369 The Embarcadero, San Francisco. 415.369.9955. epicsteak.com

Waterbar

Reopening Feb. 11. Waterbar, the restaurant known for its fresh sustainable seafood enjoyed overlooking panoramic views of the Bay and San Francisco Skyline, will reopen for outdoor dining and take-home orders just in time for Valentine’s Day. Don’t wait, the reservation line is now open for tables at this restaurant, named among the most romantic restaurants in the city. Don’t forget to order some oysters, because…well, you know. 399 The Embarcadero, San Francisco, 415.284.9922. waterbarsf.com

Belcampo’s “Take and Bake” Beef Wellington

Belcampo

Preorder by Feb. 12. Whether you’re celebrating a “single’s night in” or an at-home date night this Valentine’s Day, Belcampo’s “Take and Bake” Beef Wellington for two will transform your dinner into a fancy, five-star experience! Set the scene with music, candles and Belcampo’s chef-made, mouthwatering V-Day special. This traditional English dish comes prepared in oven-safe packaging and includes a 10-ounce tenderloin wrapped in mushroom duxells, prosciutto, and puff pastry with Red Wine Demi on the side ($65). Preorder through Feb. 12 for pick up on Feb. 13 or Feb. 14. 55 Webster St., Oakland. Order

Bacchus Events 

Preorder by Feb. 12. Impress your loved one with a home-cooked meal with these partially prepared Valentine’s Day meal kits, or better yet make it an event and cook together for an added element of fun. Chef Mark Sullivan gives you access to fine ingredients and cooking instructions for a three-course menu that features caviar, champagne, flowers and chocolates. Meal kits offer a range of dining experiences from vegetarian, to lobster or beef wellington. There’s really nothing left for you to do…but take it across the finish line. Orders must be placed by Feb. 12 at 5 p.m. for pick-up on Feb. 14 between 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Pick up locations: Spruce, 3640 Sacramento St., San Francisco; The Village Pub, 2967 Woodside Road, Woodside; Selby’s, 3001 El Camino Real, Redwood City. Order

Le Colonial

Preorder by Feb. 12. Titillate your taste buds with Le Colonial’s special Valentine’s Day dinner at home. Le Colonial has created two special packages to choose from that make it easy to impress. The “Two of Hearts Dinner Package” includes a three-course dinner, a bottle of J Vineyard Sparkling Cuvee, two Champagne glasses, candles and roses ($150). The “Make Everyday Valentine’s Day Dinner Package” includes a three-course dinner and a Dalmore tasting box that includes a Dalmore cocktail, 12-year and 18-year (2-ounce tasting), glassware and a YouTube video for your entertainment ($95). Add-on items are also available. Orders must be placed by Feb. 12 at 5 p.m. for pick-up on Feb. 14 from 3-6 p.m. 721 Sutter St., San Francisco. Order | lecolonialsf.com

Black Angus Valentine’s Day meal

Black Angus Steakhouse

Available Feb. 12-14. Black Angus will offer its exclusive Valentine’s Day to-go pack ($99), which includes two 6-ounce filet mignon, two lobster tails, one appetizer to share, four classic sidekicks, one dessert to share, molasses bread, and two prosecco splits. Orders can be placed on the website for takeaway or curbside pickup. This special will also be available for restaurant dining at select locations (per local mandates). Don’t forget to take advantage of Black Angus’ half-price bottles of wine deal, which includes half off on any bottle of wine with the purchase of an entree. Multiple locations. blackangus.com

Canela Bistro & Wine Bar

Feb. 12-14. Have an elegant night in, or out, with Canela’s Valentine’s meals. Check out their Valentine’s Day Dinner ($89) available for takeout, delivery and dine-in which includes a three-course meal. Course one is warm cheese fondue, red cabbage salad with smoked duck breast and cherry-sherry vinaigrette; course two is a roasted piquillo peppers stuffed with fish filet, grilled steak; course three is a cake cup of vanilla cake and strawberry cream cheese filling, chocolate truffle duo, chili dark chocolate and toasted almond caramel. Vegetarian meal available on request. F-Su 2-5 p.m. 2272 Market St., San Francisco. canelasf.square.site

San Francisco Proper Hotel’s Lover’s Cheese Fondue

San Francisco Proper Hotel

Feb. 12-21. If you are ready to fall in love again with Valentine’s Day, San Francisco Proper Hotel is offering a delightful Lover’s Cheese Fondue experience for two, with a keepsake fondue kit ($270).  The decadent experience includes a fondue pot with all tools needed to dip to your heart’s content and your choice of a signature cocktail for two (choice of Negroni, The Libby, Vesper or Manhattan); Dungeness crab salad; truffled cheese fondue experience; sourdough bread; vegetables and fingerling potatoes; shaved Wagyu beef; white and dark chocolate tart; and pairing bottle of Tohu Sauvignon. Lay it on thick with an added Dark Chocolate Fondue for two ($40), served with Valrhona chocolate, seasonal fruit and vanilla madeleines. Kits are available for delivery Feb. 12-21 from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. 1100 Market St., San Francisco. Order

The Vault 555

Feb. 14. Plan to spend the evening at The Vault 555 for a magical outdoor dining experience with a 4-course meal with two choices per course so you can savor and share. Main options include a herb-crusted petrale sole with melted leeks and caviar beurre blanc or butter-roasted beef strip loin with asparagus and bearnaise. Add on black truffles, caviar, wine pairings and more for an unforgettable night out ($85/person). 555 California St., San Francisco, 415.508.4675. Reservationthevault555.com

Soulmate Box from Krispy Rice

Krispy Rice

Through Feb. 28. Get hands-on with these Valentine’s Day offerings that make a perfect date night. Krispy rice is offering three different options including the “Hold My Handroll Box” ($45) with five different handrolls, four different Krispy Rice dishes, plus edamame; the “Plenty of Fish in the Sea Box” ($40) with one of each item (a selection of handrolls, cut rolls, Krispy Rices, nigiri and edamame); and a “Soulmate Box” ($55, pictured) with two of each item (a selection of handrolls, cut rolls, Krispy Rices, nigiri and edamame). Multiple locations. krispyricebysbe.com

Sam’s Crispy Chicken 

Through Feb. 28. Looking for an affordable Valentine’s feast option that checks all of the boxes and is perfect for that romantic picnic with your sweetheart or quarantine pal? Look no further than Sam’s Crispy Chicken’s Lovebirds Combo Box ($35) which includes Sam’s original crispy chicken sandwich, a spicy chicken sandwich, waffle fries, mac n’ cheese, your choice of Ben & Jerry’s ice cream and a slice of red velvet cake. Multiple locations. samscrispychicken.com

Umami & Chill Valentine’s Day Combo Box from Umami Burger

Umami Burger

Through Feb. 28. If you and your honey want to kick back on Valentine’s Day, check out Umami Burger’s “Umami & Chill” Valentine’s Day Combo Box ($45). The box includes an Umami cheeseburger, an Umami double truffle burger, truffle fries, cheesy tots, choice of Ben & Jerry’s ice cream pint and a slice of red velvet cake. Multiple locations. umamiburger.com

EXPERIENCES

Embarcadero Center

Roses are red, violets are blue, here are some sweet promos just for you! Embarcadero Center is making it easy for you to shop for Valentine’s Day essentials with special promotions from your favorite retailers! Find the list of participating retailers and their promotions here. embarcaderocenter.com

Ghirardelli Square

Chocolates and Valentine’s Day go hand in hand, and there is no better way to enjoy this sweet treat with your sweet than at Ghirardelli Square. Here you can take in one of Ghirardelli Chocolate’s signature sundaes or shakes while you window shop along Beach Street. Late on the Valentine’s Day gift? Not to worry. Let the retailers there inspire your gifting: Jewelry from Mashka Jewelry will never disappoint nor would a customized gift from Lola’s. 900 N. Point St., San Francisco.

Golden Gate Park

Did you know that you can acquire a special picnic permit to enjoy Golden Gate Park? You can! So, go for it. Plan a romantic picnic for your special Valentine or take a slow stroll through the park along the virtually car-free route while enjoying the great outdoors. Or… why not do both and walk off the picnic feast! Be sure to plan your route so that you can visit the various attractions and gardens along the way. A must-see for us would be to traverse the Japanese Tea Garden’s winding paths of lush, harmonious landscaping to find a bit of peace for the soul.

Red and White Fleet

Red and White Fleet

Reopening Feb. 4. Nothing says “romance” more than an intimate one-hour Golden Gate Bay Cruise. This scenic voyage transits along San Francisco’s breathtaking waterfront, passing under the Golden Gate Bridge and around Alcatraz. Fall in love with the Bay again … and with each other in this open-air museum that allows you to observe local marine life and the best of the Bay ($38/person). Located between Pier 43 ½ and Fisherman’s Wharf. 415.673.2900. redandwhite.com

Pier 39

The ultimate instagram-worthy casual Valentine’s Day date can be found at Pier 39. Start by making magical music with your Valentine on the piano stairs. As you stroll along the Pier, sample fare favorites like funnel cake and churros from the Fun Food Factory, mini donuts from Trish’s or a hot pretzel from Aunt Fanny’s. As the air cools and the sky turns orange, warm up with a bowl of chowder from the Boudin Bakery Cafe before ending the day taking a selfie with the Open Heart, a hand-painted art installation located at the picturesque Bay End of Pier 39 as the sun goes down. pier39.com

San Francisco Botanical Garden

Open daily. Feeling a bit pent up because of the pandemic? The San Francisco Botanical Garden provides a unique escape for you and that special someone—or your entire family—and a way to travel the globe in 55 acres with it’s collection of 8,000 plants from around the world. February is an especially beautifully romantic month to visit with its magnolia’s currently in bloom. See site for program schedule and rates. 1199 9th Ave., San Francisco, 415.661.1316. sfbg.org

San Francisco Ferry Building

San Francisco Ferry Building  

The Ferry Building is a one-stop-shop for all the perfect Valentine’s Day celebrations, whether you’re looking to dine out, carry out, shop, and more. Host a romantic dinner at home with a little help from Golden Gate Meat Company, capture hearts with handmade confections from Recchiuti (pictured), pick up a buzz-worthy gift from Carmel Honey Company, enjoy a cheeky treat from Humphry Slocombe, cheers your sweetheart with Fort Point Beer Company, and shop local gifts and treats at the Ferry Plaza Farmers Market. ferrybuildingmarketplace.com

Seaplane Adventures

2020 is hindsight and 2021 is about perspective and focusing on renewed love and hope for the future. Seaplane Adventures offers the opportunity for a new perspective and to nourish love and hope with its breathtaking views as you fly over the Bay. See downtown San Francisco, Fisherman’s Wharf and all the best of the Bay like you have never seen before. Our recommendation is the Sunset Champagne Tour, a 40-minute flight above the Bay as the sun sets on San Francisco ($269/person). Follow that up with dinner reservations in seaside Sausalito for the perfect date night out. Reservations are limited so book today. 242 Redwood Highway Frontage Rd., Mill Valley, 415.332.4843. seaplane.com

Union Square

Now Open. While waiting for your dinner reservation or perusing the shops in Union Square, capture that perfect selfie that best expresses your love with Union Square’s New Hearts in 2021. The 2021 Hearts in San Francisco series will be publicly displayed in the windows of the Flood Building. Several of the large Hearts will be exhibited in Union Square through Oct. 2021. Before you depart, be sure to take home sweets for your sweets from one of several vendors that will be offering Valentine’s Chocolates—from One65 to Williams Sonoma—Union Square shops have you covered this Valentine’s Day. 870 Market St., San Francisco.  Hearts in SF 

Photo credits: All images are courtesy of the venues.

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