Love it or hate it, Valentine’s Day in Portland provides some great dining opportunities, as restaurants and bar across town bust out indulgent, romantic menus for the holiday. Most of these spots are oriented towards prix fixe menus, but a few are more casual affairs. Let us know where you’re spending this Valentine’s Day at our Facebook or Twitter.

 

The Italian inspired bistro Accanto is hosting a playful Valentine’s Day dinner, with cardamom-orange milkshakes to share (with two straws, naturally), and crayons for drawing on papered tabletops. Plenty of bubbly wines will be offered, along with some specials like seared foie gras with french toast. (2838 SE Belmont St.; 503-235-4900)

 

Andina
Andina is looking to transport guests to Peru with its four course dinner of Peruvian cuisine. Each course comes with a variety of choices that include vegetarian, gluten free, and even vegan selections. À la carte oyster specials will also be offered, and the full menu is available here. Reservations for the dinner should be made by calling in. (1314 NW Glisan St.; 503-228-9535)

 

With an amazing view of the Willamette and downtown Portland, Altabira makes for a great Valentine’s Day date spot. The gastropub is cooking up some specials for the holiday along with its regular menu, such as confit pork loin, seared tuna, and flourless triple chocolate mousse cake. Reservations can be made by calling. (1021 NE Grand Ave. Suite 600; 503-963-3600)

 

Spanish tapas and sherry bar Bar Casa Vale recently got a new head chef, and those looking to check out the more robust new menu may find Valentine’s Day the perfect opportunity to do so. The bar is offering a three course prix fixe dinner with dishes including grilled octopus and lamb cazuela. Stop in, rather than make reservations. (215 SE 9th Ave.; 503-477-9081)

 

While Valentine’s Day is often all about the wine, there’s nothing that says that beer can’t be just as romantic, especially when it’s an Oregon brewery as good as pFriem. The sprawling cocktail bar and diner Buckman Public House is teaming up with said brewery for a paired beer dinner, with courses like pork loin paired with a Pruim, a lambic with a plummy twist, and strawberry panna cotta with a raspberry lambic-inspired ale. Call for reservations. (1310 SE Stark St.; 503-206-5451)

 

The speakeasy themed bar and restaurant Circa 33 will be serving up Valentine’s Day à la carte specials, rather than a fixed menu. Sparkling rosé specials will be available along with dinner items like winter squash and gorgonzola ravioli, along with the full regular menu. (3348 SE Belmont St.; 503-477-7682)

 

Chef/owner Sarah Pliner of Aviary is serving a Valentine’s Day menu with her inconic style of classic French technique with Asian flavors. The four course dinner includes vegetarian-friendly options, optional wine-pairings, and great cocktail options from the bar as a nightcap. Call for reservations. (1733 NE Alberta St.; 503-287-2400)

 

The excellent seafood-focused Jacqueline is celebrating Valentine’s Week, with a special menu available from February 13 through February 17. The two-person shared menu celebrates the Pacific Northwest’s most iconic romantic ingredient, as almost every course has shaved truffles. (2039 SE Clinton St.; 503-327-8637)

 

Already one of the most romantic bars in the city, La Moule will be offering a three course prix fixe dinner. In addition, the already solid wine list will be seeing some extra sparkling wines by the glass and bottle, at a variety of styles and price points. Expect some fun sparkling cocktails, as well. Reservations can be made at the website or by calling. (2500 SE Clinton St.; 971-339-2822)

 

Led by one of the city’s most celebrated chefs, Gabriel Rucker, Le Pigeon is a hot destination every year for Valentine’s Day with its prix fixe menus. This year is no different, as the restaurant is planning a five-course dinner available for couples, with dishes like hamachi with foie gras and black truffles, ducketta for two, banana split for two, and more, each paired with high-end wines. Reservations should be made sooner than later, and can be made here. (738 E Burnside St.; 503-546-8796)

 

Little Bird
For those looking to indulge in some of Chef Rucker’s cooking without the Le Pigeon price tag, Little Bird is offering a smaller, more accessible (but no less decadent) three course dinner for Valentine’s Day. Fried Chicken “Coq au Vin”, bacon glazed mushrooms, goat cheese gnocchi, and more make for a great V-Day dinner. Reservations must be made by calling. (219 SW 6th Ave.; 503-688-5952)

 

One of the city’s best spots for sparkling wines, as well as for chocolates, macarons, and other delicate pastries, Pix is hosting a chocolate and bubbles party on Sunday, February 11. Owner and cookbook author Cheryl Wakerhauser will be joined by Alan Tardi, author of Champagne, Uncorked, for a tasting of sparkling wine paired with chocolates. They’ll also give a demonstration on the best way to safely saber a bottle of champagne. Tickets are $20 and available by calling. Furthermore, the shop is open late on the holiday itself, and will be hiding a pair of white gold earrings in one box of Pix handmade chocolates. (2225 E Burnside St.; 971-271-7166)

 

This year, Punch Bowl Social offers a playful alternative to the traditional Valentine’s Day date. Couples can challenge each other to games of shuffleboard or bowling, share a bowl for two of the seasonally appropriate Shot Through the Heart punch, and enjoy some shareable snacks like chicken and waffles. (340 SW Morrison St.; 503-334-0360)

 

Tony Starlight is an iconic Portland performer, having performed in Portland since the 90s, and having opened his own venue in 2003. Valentine’s Day this year at Tony Starlight is a “Lovers and Dancers” themed show, which includes a three-course dinner. Tickets are available here. (1125 SE Madison St.; 503-517-8584)

 

The cute rural French-inspired restaurant Verdigris is offering a special set dinner this year for the holiday. Each course includes a few different options including at least one vegetarian dish, as well as two shared dishes, a cote de beouf and a California Muscovy duck, the latter of which adds an additional course. Of course, a generous wine pairing is also offered. Reservations can be made at Verdigris’ website. (1315 NE Fremont St.; 503-477-8106)

 

Basque restaurant and wine bar Urdaneta is offering a couple’s Valentine’s Day dinner, multiple courses with the option of Spanish wine pairings (it’s almost essential to get the wine). The dinner starts with pintxos and tapas before moving on to more robust dishes. (3033 NE Alberta St.; 503-288-1990)