Last-Minute Valentine’s Dinner Ideas That Don’t Suck

Every year, people in relationships (or those hoping to be in one) participate in the mad scramble for Valentine’s dinner reservations. This year, the task is doubly difficult since the holiday falls on a Saturday. If you’re reading this and don’t already have a table booked, it’s likely too late. But there’s no need to panic.

A fancy prix fixe menu at a romantic restaurant can be a nice treat, sure, and there are a lot of places offering just that — for some inspiration, check out the “upscale go-tos” section of our Top 50 Restaurants list. But dining out on Valentine’s night is what those in the industry refer to as “amateur hour.” The influx of diners who don’t go out often, combined with extra-busy staff, can make for a meal that’s hardly relaxing.

An obvious alternative is to skip the antics altogether. You could cook a meal at home for someone you love, or, better yet, cook together. You could forgo the need to dine out on February 14 and opt for another, less busy day — this is a notoriously slow time of year for eateries, and they could use the added support during slower times, plus you’ll likely get more attentive service.

But if you or your partner are committed to sharing a meal together on February 14 that requires no kitchen time, here are some ideas to consider:

Experience the global cuisine of Aurora

You know what’s really sexy? Supporting immigrants.

Westword contributor Antony Bruno recently completed Eat Up Havana, a year-long project in which he dined at, and wrote about, every restaurant on Aurora’s Havana Street. Reflecting on the experience, he noted the always-busy Olive Garden he’d pass on his way to eateries like Nile Ethiopian, Shin Myung Gwan Korean BBQ and Katsu Ramen, which are often overlooked, especially on holidays.

“Any door has the potential to lead to a transcendent experience that will stick with you forever. All you have to do is have the will to open it,” Bruno wrote. So why not open one of those doors on Valentine’s Day?

Check out the full Eat Up Havana itinerary for more ideas, though Aurora is packed with possible Valentine’s Day culinary adventures, such as Aroma de Brazil (located in the same parking lot as that Olive Garden off Havana and Iliff), which offers an all-you-can-eat traditional churrascaria-style menu on weekends.

Canoodle on Colfax

You know what else is super hot? Showing love to Colfax businesses.

It’s been extra hard to operate a business on the street over the past year, thanks to the ongoing BRT construction project. One spot that’s been hit hard is Mama Jo’s, which opened a year ago after a successful run as a food truck. We fell hard for its barbecue, fried chicken biscuits, Southern sides and delectable sweets from pastry chef Jodi Polson, who co-owns the joint with her husband, Ben.

But it wasn’t long before construction hampered access. Right now, you can’t even turn into its parking lot from Colfax, though you can access it by heading north on Monroe from either 16th or 17th Streets. While Bastien’s next door is totally booked for Valentine’s Day, Mama Jo’s will be celebrating its first anniversary on February 14 and is hoping to feed as many people as it can.

It will be open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., celebrating with drawings for prizes, drink specials and food specials, including a pork belly sandwich, a multi-protein barbecue plate and a dessert spread filled with goodies like sweet potato pie, whoopie pie and funfetti birthday cake.

After you get your fill of comfort food and good vibes, head over a block to 1515 Madison Street, where the owner of PS Lounge is hosting a Valentine’s party at the Corner House starting at 8 p.m. with two DJs, the Dancing Pants Band and drink specials.

Take a Chance Together

Reservations are nice for those who prefer a predictable life, but nothing grows a relationship quite like taking a leap of faith together. If you’re open to some uncertainty, two of our favorite spots are opting for walk-in-only Valentine’s celebrations.

Noodles by Nina (formerly Magic Noodle House) on 17th has been drawing crowds since its debut late last year. Here, you can dine while watching as the cooks sling hand-pulled noodles into thin strands, giving dinner and a show new meaning. On February 13 and 14, it’s inviting guests for Blooms & Balloons, during which you can slurp noods under 400 balloons. It’s not taking reservations for the event. Instead, guests will need to call ahead on the day of to be added to the waitlist. It’s a risk, sure, but a low-stakes one, and if you need to wait around a bit, you can always kill some time at a nearby bar, like the Thin Man, which is currently decorated with dozens of lanterns hanging from the ceiling.

Over at Semiprecious, a cocktail bar that opened in Sunnyside last year, February 14 brings Shuck Around and Find Out, a pop-up with Oyster Bae, which will be shucking from 4 p.m. until sold out and debuting a new addition, seafood towers. The bar will also be offering champagne specials all night. “Whether you’re celebrating love, friendship, singlehood, or just really like oysters and bubbly — you’re welcome here,” Semiprecious says.

Keep it Casual

Who says Valentine’s dinner has to be fancy? Often it’s just as fun (or even more fun) to go really big at a place with a lower price point that’s less stuffy and less crowded on Valentine’s Day. The humble hot spots section of our Top 50 Restaurants list is a great place to look for options. Imagine heading to El Taco de Mexico and ordering every taco on the menu, or snuggling up in a booth at Com Nha with a spread of Vietnamese Street food and a shot flight. That’s far more memorable than just another steak dinner.

You could also take advantage of the unseasonably warm weather with a picnic-style Valentine’s date. For a spread that’s sure to impress, pick up a couple of sandwiches from any of these top local sandwich spots and enjoy each other’s company outside, stress- and crowd-free. Because, beyond all the Hallmark expectations, this holiday should really just be about celebrating love and spending time together.