10 Best Menus for Valentine’s Day

As the saying goes, “the way to a man’s (and woman’s) heart is through their stomach”, but most would agree that dining out on Valentine’s Day can be pretty unpleasant: The restrictive prix-fixe menus, overly inflated prices and swarm of couples seem reason enough to stay in. This year, we’ve made going out simple with our list of the best restaurants setting their tables to serve romantic dinners -- without any of the annoyances.  

Arbor

Best for: Statement Splurge Earning its recent Michelin star in the same year of its opening, Arbor is the perfect setting for an indulgent celebration. For this special occasion, Chef de Cuisine, Eric Räty has designed a red-themed 8-course menu blending French culinary techniques and premium Japanese ingredients such as oysters, sea urchin, Wagyu beef and the famously prized Amaou strawberries of Fukuoka — all best enjoyed alongside the sweeping views of Hong Kong’s cityscape. HK$2,888 + 10% per person (including a glass of rosé champagne) Arbor, 25/F, H Queen’s, 80 Queen’s Road Central, Hong Kong; +852 3185 8388  

BEDU

Best for: Casual Vibes The night kicks off with a complimentary glass of prosecco followed by a four-course dinner of Middle Eastern flavours. The casual chic interior with laidback vibes is ideal for those who are looking for a relaxed and intimate evening. The meal begins with the blushing Beetroot and mint Labneh, Slow baked salmon with tahini yoghurt, Charred cauliflower served with hazelnut dukkah, and is finally finished on a sweet note with the all-new White chocolate clafoutis presented with homemade honeycomb and topped with pistachio ice-cream. February 14: HK$400 per person In celebration of love, BEDU will donate HK$25 from every meal to support local charity “Pink Alliance” that promotes equal rights for the LGBTI community. BEDU, 40 Gough Street, Central, Hong Kong; +852 2320 4450  

Café Gray Deluxe

Enjoy a traditional candlelit dining experience with breathtaking views at Café Gray Deluxe. The modern European dinner takes the restaurant’s most popular dishes to curate an exciting menu that won’t disappoint, and includes its signature dishes like the Seared tuna with garlic ponzu, Oscietra caviar with seaweed oil, Toothfish with Champagne froth and sweet potato gnocchi, Coffee rubbed short rib with smoked Sichuan pepper and baked turnip, and its decadent Strawberry pavlova with mascarpone mousseline and Rosé Champagne sorbet. The five-course menu served after 8:30pm includes an additional dish of Lobster consommé with crab ravioli and pickled radish. February 14: Four-course menu at HK$1,150 (from 6pm to 8pm); Five-course menu at HK$1,550 per person (from 8:30pm onwards) + 10% per person Café Gray Deluxe, Level 49, The Upper House, 88 Queensway, Admiralty, Hong Kong; +852 3968 1106  

Chaiwala

Best for: Spice Seekers Tucked underground behind British salon Hugger Mugger is the vibrant and colourful Chaiwala, offering flavourful and exotic flavours from India. Culinary Director Balaji Balachander selects five signature dishes including Pani Puri, Aloo Tikka Chaat, Old Delhi butter chicken, to bring to its diners a tantalising Valentine’s curation.  The Lover’s cocktail, a twist on the classic Gin & Tonic is also available to mark the romantic occasion. February 14: Five-course menu at HK$520 per person; Lover’s limited edition cocktail at HK$120. Chaiwala, Basement, 43 – 55 Wyndham Street, Central, Hong Kong; +852 2362 8988  

Fumi

Best for: Seafood Lovers Hidden on the sixth floor of the California Tower, modern-Japanese haven FUMI is offering an eight-course dinner menu for the most romantic time of the year. Guests can expect a delicately prepared menu featuring premium ingredients such as the lobster and sea urchin salad straight from the Hokkaido seas, Chef’s selection of fresh toro, Hokkaido botan shrimp, striped jack and alfonsino sashimi, as well as grilled yellowtail with Kyoto green pepper and Wagyu beef cheek to name a few. February 14: Eight-course menu at HK$1,402 +10% for two guests Fumi, 6/F, California Tower, 30 D’Aguilar Street, Central, Hong Kong; +852 2328 3302  

Hugo’s

Best for: Timeless Ambiance Celebrating its 50^thanniversary, Hugo’s at the Hyatt Regency is one of the city’s most reputable restaurants when it comes to old Hong Kong western dining. Decorated with armour, mirrors, chandeliers and shield plaques, the décor exudes a warm and enchanting European drawing room. The Valentine’s Day menu at Hugo’s includes Hokkaido scallops three ways, Spanish Barabineros prawns, Basil foam soup as starters, which are followed by two mains of pan-fried Atlantic halibut and US bison tournedos with foie gras, and finally finished with a sweet yet delicate wild strawberry and pomegranate parfait. February 14: Six-course menu at HK$1,488 + 10% per person with a complimentary glass of Champagne. Hugo’s, Hyatt Regency, 18 Hanoi Road, Tsim Sha Tsui; +852 3721 7733  

Le 39V x Inakaya

Best for: Weekenders Living the Hong Kong life means that evenings may be sacrificed. That, or maybe the crowd on 14 February is just not your scene. Regardless of your reasons, Le 39V has partnered with Inakaya to bring lovers together for a boozy weekend brunch instead. Marrying French and Japanese flavours, the brunch offers guests a seafood starter of two-way oysters, sashimi and tempura, a main course of teppanyaki with a choice of lobster and sushi or abalone and A5 wagyu. Indulge to your hearts’ content with a wide spread of unlimited cheese and desserts at the buffet station, with drink packages available for add on depending on your mood. February 10 or February 17: HK$800 with free flow options of HK$100 for juice/soft drinks, HK$280 for select red/white wine, sake and champagne, or HK$380 for all beverages + 10% per person. Le 39V, 1 Austin Road West, West Kowloon, Hong Kong; +852 2977 5266  

Los Sotano

Best for: Singles The team at Los Sotano knows that Valentine’s Day isn’t just a celebration for lovers, but everyone, so the underground upscale Mexican eatery and mezcal lounge will transform itself from its early evening restaurant into Lan Kwai Fong’s most happening party for singles. After 10pm, the music goes up and the lights go down, with cocktails and matchmaking games to set the stage for the perfect meet-cute. February 14 10pm until late Los Sotano, 21 D’Aguilar Street, Central, Hong Kong; +852 2970 3887  

T’ang Court

Best for: Asian Flavours Spoil the one you love with an unconventional Valentine’s Day dinner at the three Michelin-starred Cantonese dining lounge. Apart from the restaurant’s most famous dishes like the Roasted suckling pig, Braised dried abalone with Bence-de-Mer, Chef Kwong and Chef Wong have included nourishing courses such as the Double-boiled sea whelk, fish maw and chicken soup and Imperial bird’s nest with almond juice, thoughtfully befitting the cooler weather this time of year. February 14: Six-course menu at HK$1,888 + 10% per person T’ang Court, The Langham Hong Kong, 8 Peking Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong; +852 2132 7898  

Tate Dining Room & Bar

Best for: A Romantic Atmosphere The Michelin-starred Chef Vicky Lau is known for her “edible stories” — creating meals inspired by her artistic expression and creative intuition. As always, she creates dishes that pay homage to culinary elements, and for the case of Valentine’s Day, her menu is an ode to special seasonal ingredients. The nine-course dinner highlights her rendition of Pâte-en-croûte, oysters, kumquat, seabass, Alaskan king crab rolls, French pigeon, tofu and pu’er, red fruits and ends with a special mignardise surprise. February 14: Nine-course menu at HK$1,980 for two; 6-glass wine pairing available at HK$880 or 3-glass wine pairing available at HK$530 + 10% Tate Dining Room & Bar, 210 Hollywood Road, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong; +852 2555 217

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