With the news that Valentine’s Day weekend (starting Friday, Feb. 12) will mark the return to indoor dining at 25 percent capacity, lovebirds across New York are scrambling to swiftly change plans from sitting on the couch surrounded by chocolate wrappers and empty bottles of wine to actually visiting the outside world and sitting down inside a restaurant.
To meet the public’s demand for a romantic meal during a rare night out, astute New York City restaurants are rolling out special Valentine’s Day menus for dine-in customers, while other establishments are maintaining the stay-at-home theme of the past year with to-go prefix meals. Though typical for city restaurants in February, these special Valentine’s Day menus are a hopeful sign that the table is set for a return to normalcy in the restaurant industry.
Let’s take a look at how five Sam Tell clients are showing their love for returning customers this Valentine’s Day weekend.
Aquavit - Photo Credit: Aquavit
Along with resuming in-house services on Feb. 14, Midtown’s Aquavit encourages customers to enjoy the romantic flavors of Nordic cuisine with its Valentine’s Kit To Go. The at-home kit includes dinner for two, along with the added special options of caviar, cheese and charcuterie, or a breakfast box. Aquavit has made their kits available for pickup and delivery on Friday, Feb. 12, and Saturday, Feb. 13. After Valentine’s Day, Aquavit will be open for limited-seating dinner Tuesday through Saturday, from 5 to 10 p.m.
Crown Shy - Photo Credit: Grub Street
Tucked away in the ground floor of the Art Deco landmark building in the Financial District, Michelin starred Crown Shy offers an at-home prefix dinner for two for both pickup and delivery. Like most at-home Valentine’s Day kits, Crown Shy’s are either fully cooked or partially cooked (depending on the dish) with full cooking and reheating directions.
Eléa - Photo Credit: Eléa NYC
The Upper West Side’s Eléa, which specializes in Greek, Mediterranean, and seafood cuisine, offers a dine-in only Valentine’s Day prix fixe menu for $95 per person. The menu includes a choice of appetizer, main course, dessert, and a glass of prosecco.
The Whitby Bar & Restaurant - Photo Credit: Firmdale Hotels
Artful hotel haunt The Whitby Bar & Restaurant in Midtown invites customers to celebrate the return of indoor dining with a bottle of Billecart-Salmon Brut Rose NV on arrival. After toasting to Valentine’s Day, diners are offered a $125 per person, three-course prefix lunch or dinner.
Limani - Photo Credit: Limani
Located near Rockefeller Plaza in the heart of Midtown, Limani carefully creates the perfect Valentine’s Day atmosphere with upscale Mediterranean and seafood cuisine. For the arrival of reduced capacity dining on Valentine’s Day, the restaurant offers $110 per person, three-course prefix, which includes a champagne toast.
Bar Primi - Photo Credit: NoHo Hospitality
Taking a trip down to the Bowery, just above East Houston Street, we come upon Bar Primi where Valentine’s Day has both a takeout and reservation option. The restaurant’s Valentine’s Day Weekend Takeaway Package is $125 for two people and is available for pickup on Friday, Feb. 12, Saturday, Feb. 13, and Sunday, Feb. 14 from 5-9 p.m. If customers decide to make reservations, they can look forward to dining on a heated terrace.
Reopening dining rooms—even at reduced capacity—can be challenging for any eatery. Sam Tell wants to help you simplify the process as the greater restaurant industry continues to recover. Contact your Sam Tell sales rep to ensure your supplies are fully restocked and ready!