Celebrate Valentine's Day 2020 in Connecticut

Valentine's Day in Connecticut

Are you looking for a special place to celebrate the sweetest day of the year? Look no further than some of these great places in Connecticut.

From the shoreline to the city, there's something and someplace for everyone to savor and enjoy!

Guilford Mooring

Guilford Mooring will be offering Valentine’s Day specials, as well as its a la carte menu, from Thursday, February 13 – Sunday, February 16.  Specials include:

• Clams Casino – peppers, onions, bacon, butter ($12)
• Tempura Lobster Tail – lemon aioli, Cajun aioli ($18)
• Filet a la Oscar – fresh picked Maine lobster topped with Hollandaise sauce, served with Yukon Gold mashed potatoes and grilled asparagus ($50)
• Pan Seared Chilean Sea Bass – herb-crusted and served over a corn-pepper-carrot-lentil salsa with crispy pancetta, topped with an orange citrus Beurre Blanc ($42)
• Cavatelli a la Vodka – homemade cavatelli with picked Maine lobster meat ($32)
• Red Velvet Cake ($10)
• Chocolate Lava Cake – gluten-free served warm with vanilla ice cream ($10)

 Reservations can be made via OpenTable, or by calling (203) 458-2921.

Guilford Mooring, located on the shores of the Long Island Sound at 505 Whitfield Street in Guilford, Connecticut, honors its waterfront location by offering classic preparation of timeless seafood dishes, in addition to land lover’s favorite meat options.  The seasonal menu includes Gluten Free, Vegetarian and Vegan options, and a special $5 children’s menu honors young foodies.  The restaurant is open year-round, seven days a week for lunch and dinner, offering unparalleled views from an outdoor bar and deck, as well as the newly-renovated indoor bar/dining area, featuring a rustic stone fireplace for the New England winter months and air-conditioning for the heat of summer.  For more information, visit www.guilfordmooring.com.  The restaurant can also be found on Facebook (GuilfordMooringCT) and Instagram (theguilfordmooring).

Carbone’s Prime

Carbone’s Prime is celebrating “Love & Lobsters,” offering Valentine’s Day specials, as well as its a la carte menu, during dinner service on Friday, February 14 and Saturday, February 15.  Specials include:

• Lobster Bisque - Creme fraise, poached lobster knuckles ($9)
• Lobster Cake - Baby arugula, basil aioli ($15)
• New England Cioppino - Clams, mussels, half lobster, calamari, and shrimp in a saffron tomato brodo, with a grilled crostini and Calabrian aioli ($39)
• Baked Stuffed Lobster - 1 1/4 pound lobster stuffed with crab, shrimp and scallop stuffing, paired with a 1/2 baked sweet potato and grilled asparagus ($39)
• Prime Surf & Turf - 8 oz filet with butter poached lobster tail and a Meyer lemon hollandaise sauce, served with whipped potatoes and grilled asparagus ($49)
• "Devil Dog" Sundae - Chocolate cream filled cupcake with strawberry stracciatella gelato ($12)

Reservations can be made via OpenTable, or by calling (860) 969-8088.

Carbone’s Prime, the newest to the Carbone’s family of restaurants in Connecticut, is a reinvention of the classic Italian steakhouse with a range of menu items – signature steaks, daily raw bar specials, wood-oven pizzas, updated Italian dishes and Vegan/Vegetarian/Gluten-Free options – with all breads, doughs and sauces made in-house from scratch.  Easily accessible off of I-91 at 838 Cromwell Avenue in Rocky Hill with ample free parking, the restaurant’s sleek and modern décor lends itself to business lunches, date night, happy hour with friends and family dinners.  Serving weekday lunch and dinner seven days a week, Carbone’s Prime also offers an extensive bar menu, weekday happy hour specials, takeout options and private dining, and accepts reservations for parties of all sizes.  For more information, visit www.carbonesprime.com, or visit the restaurant on Facebook (CarbonesPrime) or Instagram (CarbonesPrime).

Carbone’s Kitchen

Carbone’s Kitchen will be offering Valentine’s Day specials, as well as its a la carte menu, during dinner service on Friday, February 14 and Saturday, February 15.  Specials include:

• CK Crab Cake – lump style blue crab cake, vegetable remoulade sauce, fried capers ($14)
• Sunday Sauce – slow cooked traditional beef & pork tomato sauce, pappardelle pasta, housemade ricotta cheese ($28)
• Grilled Beef Tenderloin Filet – smoked garlic butter, fingerling potato gratin, charred broccolini ($36)
• Lobster Stuffed Maine Gulf Flounder – caponata beurre blanc sauce, creamy polenta, spinach ($32)
• Chocolate Chocolate Mousse Cake – dark chocolate cake, milk chocolate mousse, raspberry Chambord buttercream, vanilla gelato ($12)

Reservations can be made via OpenTable, or by calling (860) 904-2111.

Carbone’s Kitchen, located at 6 Wintonbury Mall in Bloomfield, celebrates casual Italian-American cuisine in a contemporary, comfortable setting with a spacious lounge.  Offering weekday lunch service and dinner seven days a week, “The Kitchen’s” menu, which is available to-go, includes wood-fired pizzas, pastas, Italian small plates meant for sharing and seasonally-inspired dishes, as well as a dedicated children’s menu, Happy Hour options and a special Sunday menu, in addition to Vegetarian, Vegan and Gluten-Free options.  The restaurant accepts reservations and has complimentary parking.  For more information, visit www.carboneskitchen.com.  The restaurant can also be found on Facebook (CarbonesKitchen) and Instagram (CarbonesKitchen).

Carbone’s Ristorante

Carbone’s Ristorante will be offering Valentine’s Day specials, as well as its a la carte menu, during dinner service on Friday, February 14 and Saturday, February 15.  Specials include:

• Scallops Mornay – pan seared diver scallops, gruyer mornay sauce, toasted oreganato breadcrumbs ($16)
• Lobster Ravioli – fennel crema, cherry tomatoes, basil croutons, burrata saffron sauce ($36)
• Herb Crusted Mahi-Mahi – roasted fingerling potatoes, sautéed swiss chard, orange saffron aioli ($34)
• Molten Chocolate Cherry Cake – vanilla gelato, cherry crème anglaise ($10)

Reservations can be made via OpenTable, or by calling (860) 296-9646.

Carbone’s Ristorante, at its original 588 Franklin Avenue location in Hartford’s South End since opening in 1938, offers timeless Italian dining in a relaxed and elegant atmosphere.  Third generation Chef/Owner Vinnie Carbone has carried on his family traditional Italian dishes, while incorporating modern ingredients and techniques to also offer seasonal innovations as well as Vegetarian, Vegan and Gluten-Free options.  Offering old-world hospitality, including tableside service for house classics such as a Caesar Salad or flaming dessert, and first-class service, the restaurant is open weekdays for lunch and dinner, and dinner on Saturday evenings, with complimentary parking.  For more information, visit www.carbonesct.com.  The restaurant can also be found on Facebook (Carbone’s CT) and Instagram (CarbonesRistorante). 

Geronimo Tequila Bar & Southwest Grill (Fairfield and New Haven locations)

Geronimo Tequila Bar & Southwest Grill will be celebrating Valentine’s Day Friday, February 14 – Sunday, February 16, offering food specials in addition to its a la carte menu, as well as a “Forget Me Not” flight of Tequila ($23), including:

• Corazon Reposado (corazon translates to heart in Spanish) 
• Strawberry infused Casamigos 
• Grand Love Anejo (heart shaped bottle)  
• Pomegranate Margarita  

For Bubbly drinkers, Veuve Clicquot will be available by the glass ($15).

Food specials include:

• Prime New York Strip Loin, Caramelized Onions, Spinach Patatas Bravas ($29)
• Pan Roasted Sea Scallops, Cauliflower-Cranberry Puree, Crispy Bacon, Saffron Sauce ($30)
• Dessert for Two – Don Macho – White Chocolate Dome, Dark Chocolate Lava Cake, Vanilla Ice Cream, Coffee Tequila Caramel Sauce ($18)

Reservations can be made by calling Fairfield (203.955.1643) or New Haven (203.777.7700).

Geronimo Tequila Bar and Southwest Grill brings the authentic taste of Santa Fe, New Mexico to Connecticut.  With acclaimed Executive Chef Arturo Franco-Camacho at the helm, Geronimo’s cuisine is 100% Southwestern, even sourcing its Chile peppers directly from New Mexico, with the menu including tacos, award-winning chile, quesadillas, Navajo frybread, tamales and more.  In addition to its award-winning cuisine, Geronimo has received several accolades for its cocktails, as the restaurant features the largest selection of Tequila on the East Coast.  With over 400 options, the bar also offers more than 40 varieties of Mezcal, an extensive wine list and top-shelf liquors.  The restaurant recently became one of 40 establishments in the world to receive its CRT Award T Certification from the Mexican government’s Tequila Regulatory Council, recognizing their commitment and knowledge of Tequila.

With locations at 271 Crown Street in New Haven and 2070 Post Road in Fairfield, both restaurants feature indoor and outdoor dining, indoor fireplaces, private event space and catering services.  Geronimo is open for lunch and dinner seven days a week and offers brunch on Sunday’s.  For more information, visit http://geronimobarandgrill.com/.  The restaurant can also be found on Facebook (Geronimo Tequila Bar and Southwestern Grill) and Instagram (geronimotequilabar).

Shell & Bones Oyster Bar and Grill

Shell & Bones Oyster Bar and Grill will be celebrating Valentine’s Day Friday, February 14 – Sunday, February 16, offering food specials in addition to its a la carte menu, as well as its popular “Shell & Bubbles” special, including a Tower of Shells (Whole Lobster, Lump Crab, Shrimp, Oysters, Clams, Ceviche, Crudo, Cocktail Sauce & Mignonette) with a bottle (750ml) of Nicolas Feuillatte Champagne Brut ($139).

Food specials include:

• Lobster Cassoulet, White Beans, Sherry, Sausage, Parmesan Crust ($18)
• All Spice Duck Breast, Coconut Bamboo Rice, Baby Bok Choy, Plum Ginger Sauce ($38)
• Roasted Butternut Squash “Steak,” Shaved Brussels Sprouts, Apple Cider Braised Shallots, Winter Roasted Vegetables, Cranberry-Cauliflower Sauce ($28)
• Dessert for Two with Chocolate Lava Cake, Raspberry White Chocolate Center, Fresh Berries, Chocolate Dome ($18)

Reservations can be made via the restaurant’s website (http://shellandbones.com/), or by calling (203) 787-3466.

Shell & Bones Oyster Bar and Grill, located on the waterfront in the historic City Point area of New Haven, Connecticut (100 S. Water Street), offers the finest in seafood and steak, receiving accolades from Yankee Magazine (Best Waterfront Dining), Connecticut Magazine, New Haven Living Magazine and a “Very Good” review from The New York Times since opening in July 2015.  Acclaimed Executive Chef Arturo Franco-Camacho incorporates fresh and sustainable ingredients to present new takes on classic dishes, including his award-winning New England Clam Chowder, with all soups, stocks, sauces and desserts made in-house.  In addition to its cuisine, Shell & Bones offers an extensive wine and beer list and creative cocktail menu, with several beers, liquors and wines sourced locally in Connecticut.

The restaurant features both indoor and outdoor waterfront dining with an indoor fireplace and outdoor fire pits, complimentary parking and private event space.  Shell & Bones is open for lunch Wednesday-Friday, dinner seven days a week, and offers Brunch Saturday-Sunday beginning at 11:00am.  For more information, visit http://shellandbones.com/.  The restaurant can also be found on Facebook (ShellandBones) and Instagram (shellandbonesoysterbarandgrill).  

The Cottage

The Cottage in Westport will be celebrating Valentine’s Day on February 14 with a special three-course menu for $85 per guest.  The menu options are available on the restaurant’s website:  https://www.thecottagewestport.com/valentines-day.

Reservations can also be made via the restaurant’s website or by calling 203-557-3701.

The Cottage, located in the shoreline town of Westport, is the vision of chef Brian Lewis, and represents his commitment to produce Connecticut’s premier neighborhood destination for the finest, locally sourced cuisine. Located in the heart of Downtown Westport, The Cottage elevates the standard for seasonal American cooking delivered with casual simplicity and coastal charm. Lewis’ award-winning dishes are hand crafted with exceptional ingredients procured from local purveyors and farmers responsible for growing, raising, harvesting, and producing within the region. Menus change weekly to reflect the season’s best bounty, and the restaurant is open six days a week for dinner and Sunday Brunch at 256 Post Road East.  For more information, visit http://www.thecottagewestport.com/.  The restaurant can also be found on Twitter (@thecottagect), Facebook (The Cottage in Westport) and Instagram (thecottagect). 

Do you have a special place in Connecticut that you recommend? 

Send me the info, including any specials, reservation info, telephone, special menu links (if applicable)  and social media handles to homeplaceblogger@live.com with "Valentine's Day Specials" in the subject line, and I'll add it to this list!