Food is the number one way to anyone’s heart, and that’s why this Valentine’s Day, you should treat your partner to a romantic dinner at one of our enticing restaurants in Universal CityWalk. It’s no easy decision, however, as there are three, undeniably delicious Valentine’s menus to choose from — and each one puts up quite the flavorful fight. I’d have a hard time choosing as well, which is why I tried all three! The competition is stiff, but here’s what we’re working with:
VIVO Italian Kitchen
Nothing screams “romance” louder than an Italian dinner for two at VIVO Italian Kitchen. Luckily for all the lovebirds out there, this spot is rolling out a sensational three-course Valentine’s Day dinner menu, exclusively available February 14–16, 2025.
VIVO Chef Alexis Demoss is the mastermind behind this exciting menu. She says that when developing it, she thought about the ways guests will want to experience a Valentine’s Day date night and went for something that was both dramatic and romantic. “I think that they just really want to experience the holiday and also be able to have good conversation over the food,” she says. “Multiple items for a first course is really going to be a great conversation starter … I think it really starts off dinner on a high note.”
You’ll start with picking apart the Love & Charcuterie board that’s overflowing with tasty soppressata salami, prosciutto, broiled chorizo, a wide variety of cheeses, cocoa-covered almonds, olive tapenade, fruit chutney and fresh, heart-shaped strawberries. In short, this is a recipe worth falling for.
“When I think of Valentine’s Day, I think of chocolates,” Chef Alexis says. “I tried to think of the most common or familiar items when it comes to Valentine’s Day and then do an Italian-incorporated twist.”
More choices await as we move onto the entrée, which is a choice between the Ravioli and Land & Sea Chocolate. The Ravioli is a mushroom stuffed pasta dressed in truffle burrata cheese and champagne-strawberry beurre blanc topped with spiced walnuts and saba dressing (concentrated syrup made with grapes). The Land & Sea Chocolate brings you juicy broiled lamb chops served with diver scallops, parmesan orzo and charred broccolini drizzled in a chocolate demi glace.
There’s no sweeter ending to the night than this dessert. The Lychee-Raspberry Cake sports a white chocolate mousse and berry gelee filling. It’s garnished with shiny gold leaves, crunchy sugar pearls and a tiny love letter cookie to seal the deal.
Bigfire
Rekindle your burning passion for romance over a hot dinner at Bigfire with its indulgent three-course Valentine’s Day menu, which is yours to enjoy over the whole weekend from February 14–16. There’s so much to choose from, so let’s dive right in!
For starters, Bigfire gives you a choice between two tantalizing appetizers. A little under-the-sea dining never hurt anybody, especially not with the Seafood Cocktail on the menu. Served over ice, you’ll savor juicy snow crab claws and jumbo shrimp with smoked cocktail sauce, a squeeze of lemon and a side of dijonaise. Popcorn shoots to garnish make it the perfect shareable delight.
Bigfire Chef Elvin Correa says that when it comes to Valentine’s Day, a lot of diners tend to go for seafood, which led him to craft this appetizer. “We do our best to try to put some history behind the dishes and some stories behind the dishes,” he says. “We tried to incorporate more of the Bigfire theme by having smoked cocktail sauce to go with the shellfish, which pairs very well, along with some citrus and dijonaise.”
As if it couldn’t get more romantic, your second appetizer option is the Heartbeat Salad. Made into a lovely heart shape, this salad is made with baby arugula, assorted beets, crispy goat cheese, candied pistachios and pickled red onions drizzled in champagne vinaigrette.
Getting down to the entrées, you’re tied between another two mouthwatering dishes — both of the fishy variety! You could go for the Atlantic Halibut with its crispy herb provencal crust, parsnip textures, broiled pak choi (bok choy) and rainbow salad.
Or you can opt for the Land & Sea dish that couples a prime beef tenderloin steak with a Maine lobster tail sous vide in roasted garlic with a side of broiled caulilini and sauce au poivre (peppercorn sauce).
If choosing which restaurant to spend Valentine’s Day at has you tripped up, you’re in luck! Just like VIVO, Bigfire’s third course brings back that light, white chocolate mousse and berry gelee in the Lychee-Raspberry Cake. With a treat this tasty on the menu, decision-making has never been easier.
The Toothsome Chocolate Emporium & Savory Feast Kitchen
It’s just like Chef Alexis was saying: When you think of Valentine’s Day, you think of chocolates. And what better place to go than The Toothsome Chocolate Emporium & Savory Feast Kitchen? Get ready to see chocolate in places you’ve never seen chocolate before — and revel in the sweetness from February 14–16.
What’s more romantic than sharing bites from the Choccuterie Board? Relish a selection of assorted meats, cocoa chili dusted goat cheese, cheddar cheese, sweet toasted chocolate almond bread, strawberry arugula salad with a chocolate stout balsamic glaze and a Marcona almond cherry white chocolate brittle.
The entrée of the night is the Toothsome Beef Wellington, a tender filet of beef wrapped in a crispy puff pastry with cocoa nib mushroom duxelles (minced mushrooms), prosciutto and chocolate stout mustard. Served over a chocolate demi, you’ll enjoy this dish with a side of charred broccolini, blistered carrots and a truffle potato gratin.
I hope you saved room for dessert — which, if you’re dining at Toothsome, you undoubtedly did — because this wouldn’t be a holiday if there wasn’t a celebratory milkshake in store! Save a sip for the Chocolate-Covered Strawberry Milkshake made with chocolate whipped cream, strawberry crumbles and all the shaved chocolate you could ever imagine.
You know what pairs well with an appetizer and entrée? A drink — or two! On your left is the Fluer Robotique, a prosecco-based cocktail with rose water and strawberry syrup. To the right is the Big Strawberry, a Toothsome twist on a Manhattan (best known as the Big Apple). It sports a bourbon base with sweet vermouth and dark chocolate liqueur. We top both drinks off with a chocolate-covered strawberry to make your night as sweet as can be!
Which restaurant in Universal CityWalk will you be spending Valentine’s Day at? Let us know in the comments below!
Must be 21 or older with valid photo ID to purchase and consume alcoholic beverages.
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