Restaurant specials for Valentine's Day

"Isn't it romantic?"

On Valentine's Day, every restaurant tries to be. Which one suits you will depend on your appetite for romance and how to satisfy it. When Lorenz Hart wrote the lyrics, he included onion soup.

You'll find that and more at these eateries, which have specials to celebrate the special date, sometimes with roses, too.
 

FINE DINING

Aperitif

FOOD 2 1/2 stars

242 Sunrise Hwy., Rockville Centre, 516-594-3404, aperitifbistro.com

COST $$-$$$

SERVICE Excellent

AMBIENCE Very good

This updated bistro, warm and welcoming, has enough Parisian imagery and flair to suit the day of hearts. And there's a $60 fixed-price menu to supplement the regular one on Valentine's Day. Highlights include lobster bisque, grilled filet mignon with garlic-mashed potatoes, and a trio of "crusteds" - pistachio-crusted sea scallops, potato-crusted halibut and walnut-crusted rack of lamb. Sweets: fruit napoleon, crème brûlée, chocolate cake.
 

LOLA

FOOD 3 1/2 stars

113A Middle Neck Rd., Great Neck, 516-466-5666, restaurantlola.com

COST $$$

SERVICE Excellent

AMBIENCE Very good

LOLA, which balances cozy and festive, is a sleek spot for the cool romantic. Lots of red decor. A la carte Valentine's Day specials include anise-cured salmon, tuna tartare-and-avocado tempura, peekytoe crab-and-scallop cakes, seared Hudson Valley foie gras, strip steak with foie gras flan, striped bass with Jerusalem artichoke-and-saffron vanilla emulsion, whole duck a l'orange, Greek yogurt ice cream with honey, and a three-chocolate mousse tower dessert.
 

La Pace With Chef Michael

FOOD 3 stars

51 Cedar Swamp Rd., Glen Cove, 516-671-2970, lapaceglencove.com

COST $$$

SERVICE Excellent

AMBIENCE Excellent

The handsome, elaborately decorated dining room will appeal to traditionalists. La Pace greets Valentine's Day with a $65 fixed-price menu and a long-stemmed rose for "every lady." Appetizers include lobster bisque; heart-shaped goat cheese-and-spinach ravioli; eggplant rollatine; red snapper Livornese; braised pork shank with root vegetables, white beans and escarole; spaghettini with shellfish; a surf-and-turf of filet mignon and shrimp oreganata; and chocolate "lava cake."
 

Muse Restaurant & Aquatic Lounge

FOOD 2 stars

760 Montauk Hwy., Water Mill, 631-726-2606, muserestauranthamptons.com

COST $$-$$$

SERVICE Very good

AMBIENCE Very good

A colorful New American restaurant, Muse has a playful approach for the whimsical romantic. The $24.95 "build it yourself" three-course menu, goes from Feb. 10 to 14. Dishes include pork-times-three, with pulled pork, house-made bacon and teriyaki pork belly; meatballs in Italian, Asian, Swedish and "Thanksgiving" styles; meatloaf with onion rings and macaroni-and-cheese; tilapia treated like Wiener schnitzel; and Cornish game hen with collard greens, whipped butternut squash and red-eye gravy. Vegetarian options, too. 

View

FOOD 2 1/2 stars

3 Consuelo Place, Oakdale, 631-589-2694, viewoakdale.com

COST $$-$$$

SERVICE Very good

AMBIENCE Very good

View, with windows on Great South Bay, has a grand site. On the table: a $29.95 fixed-price menu Feb. 11-13, and a Valentine's Day menu with specials for two highlighting "aphrodisiac foods." A duet can share sliced chateaubriand ($60) or a five-pound steamed lobster ($95); or go solo with dishes such as pan-seared diver scallops with lobster-and-white-truffle risotto; pappardelle Bolognese; colossal shrimp cocktail; yellowfin tuna tartare; lobster bisque; and wild-mushroom bisque.
 

The Woodlands

FOOD Not yet rated

1 Southwoods Rd., Woodbury, 516-921-5707, woodlandsatwoodbury.com

COST $$$-$$$$

SERVICE Very good

AMBIENCE Very good

The converted mansion signals the lush life on the Town of Oyster Bay Golf Course. The establishment hosts dinner and dancing for $175 a couple. Prepaid reservations are required. Five hours of open-bar service, cocktail hours, three-course dinner and a dozen long-stemmed roses are included. There will be passed hors d'oeuvres and table-side main courses: pan-seared Chilean sea bass; filet mignon; mozzarella-and-spinach stuffed chicken breast. Desserts are macadamia-and-passion fruit cheesecake and chocolate mousse with "his and hers" chocolate-dipped strawberries.

Vero

FOOD 3 1/2 stars

192 Broadway, Amityville, 631-608-4340, verorestaurant.biz

COST $$-$$$

SERVICE Excellent

AMBIENCE Very good

All Vero needs is a Vespa parked outside and some paparazzi at work to complete the Italia moderna image. The lively small-plates dishes celebrate on Feb. 14 with specials that will include Blue Point oysters with pomegranate granita; vegetable-stuffed shrimp in puff pastry with mustard-shallot sauce; an open raviolo of lobster; pan-roasted beef tenderloin with Gorgonzola cheese, black truffles and a Marsala-blood orange sauce; and wine-poached pear with chestnut mousse.
 

CHEAP EATS

Sen Asian Bistro

FOOD 2 stars

636D Wantagh Ave., Levittown, 516-520-8811, senasiancuisine.com

COST $$

AMBIENCE Very good

SERVICE Good

The lighting is dramatic, the vibe Zen-like at this Asian spot where dinner for two goes for $60. Start with any two drinks on the menu, followed by a choice of two appetizers (such as a duck spring roll and spicy tuna tartare). A choice of two entrees follows. Kitchen options include black pepper steak and Thai grilled chicken; from the sushi bar, there's a "sweetheart" or "spicy girl" roll. Finish by sharing a dessert, such as mango cheesecake or fruit maki.
 

Lola's Kitchen & Wine Bar

FOOD 2 stars

180 W. Park Ave., Long Beach, 516-442-1090

COST $$

AMBIENCE Very good

SERVICE Very good

A lounge with sofas sets the tone for this hip but comfortable bistro. Here, an $85 Valentine's Day "romance package" for two includes a four-course dinner as well as a complimentary bottle of red or white wine and a Champagne toast. Start with an appetizer, such as pernil tortillas or mac and cheese bites, followed by soup or salad and a main course, such as filet mignon, rack of lamb or crab-stuffed shrimp. Conclude by feeding one another chocolate-covered strawberries.
 

Pasquale's Pizza & Pasta Café

FOOD 2 stars

505 Bedford Ave., Bellmore, 516-679-3661, Pasqualespizzaandpasta.com

COST $$

AMBIENCE Good

SERVICE Very Good

What could be more apropos than an Italian restaurant with checkered tablecloths? Remember Disney's "Lady and the Tramp"? At this friendly spot, dinner for two goes for $50 and includes a free glass of wine as well as salad, entree (such as rosemary roasted chicken, lobster ravioli, seafood fra diavolo or veal Milanese) followed by dessert and coffee.

Lemon Leaf Thai Restaurant

FOOD 2 stars

197 Mineola Blvd., Mineola, 516-877-1899, lemonleafthairestaurant.com

COST $$

AMBIENCE Good

SERVICE Good

To celebrate romance, this tranquil Thai spot will have flowers and candles on the tables. Choose between two couple's combo dinners at $34.99. Choices include soup (such as chicken coconut) or appetizer (such as calamari salad), entree (consider mango chicken or a pork chop) and dessert (such as fried banana or Thai coconut cake.)

Bellissimo Ristorante

FOOD 2 stars

786 Grand Blvd., Deer Park, 631-274-3378

COST $$

AMBIENCE Very good

SERVICE Good

You wouldn't expect to find such a romantic little spot in a strip mall across from Tanger Outlets in Deer Park, but there it is, with warm Tuscan decor and candlelight. Italian nonna Josephine Foresto turns out a repertoire of comforting Italian specialties; her rolled baked lasagna is a treat; so, too, her ultralight cheesecake and tiramisu. A glass of wine with dinner is on the house. Note: reservations essential.

Raga

FOOD 2 1/2 stars

130 Old Town Rd., East Setauket, 631-689-7242, ragali.com

COST $$

AMBIENCE Very good

SERVICE Good

A plush and urbane dining room with candlelight and white linens is the backdrop for nuanced Indian cuisine with a few Western touches. On Valentine's Day, expect background music and a three-course dinner for two at $50, which starts with soup, salad or an appetizer, such as dry "chilli" chicken, followed by an entree, such as chicken tikka or malai kofta (vegetarian potato-cheese dumplings), and a choice of dessert. 

Domo Sushi

FOOD 2 1/2 stars

180 Rte. 25A, East Setauket, 631-751-2299, domosushiny.com

COST $$

AMBIENCE Very good

SERVICE Very good

Snuggle into a white leather banquette at this sophisticated sushi spot and share a "kiss on fire" roll (crunchy spicy tuna, jalapeño, escolar, salmon and spicy sauce). For Valentine's Day, chef-owner Ken Ming created the sweetheart roll: sweet potato tempura topped with tuna, salmon, yellowtail and multicolored roe. Desserts are on the house; a specialty is the mango and sticky purple rice. There's also cheesecake.

Old Fields

FOOD 2 1/2 stars

81 Broadway, Greenlawn, 631-754-9868

COST $$

AMBIENCE Very good

SERVICE Very good

At this nostalgic new restaurant, reborn from a venerable steakhouse, a roaring fireplace in a wood-paneled room sets the stage for romance. In honor of the day, tables will be topped with white linens and red roses and everyone gets a complimentary glass of Perrier-Jouët Champagne. Specials include local oysters, a surf and turf burger, lobster and porterhouse, as well as a dessert tasting plate for two.