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Elsewhere in the nation, couples are making reservations for Valentine’s Day at the local Waffle House.
Seriously, Waffle House is offering special white table cloth service and omelets served by candlelight.
Assuming that’s not your idea of romance, here are five places within the Greater Patchogue area to stage your special night:
Ristegio’s | North Patchogue
If you are looking to impress your date by eating in a very swanky and luxurious setting, take them to Ristegio’s. The former location of Pat & Jim’s, Ristegio’s is a posh restaurant with a granite bar, secluded booths, intimate tables and a serious wine list.
This year, they are offering a special prix fixe Valentine’s Day menu with an array of delicious options, so make your reservations now for one of their four exclusive seatings.
The holiday menu includes appetizers, such as Lobster Mac & Cheese, Chilled Shrimp Cocktail and Beet & Goat Cheese Salad, the entrees include Pan-Seared Scallops, French Cut Chicken and a Filet Mignon dish that you don’t want to miss.
Your romantic evening can come to a close with a His & Hers Dessert that includes Chocolate Crunch Cake and Caramel Sauce. Wow. And, all for $69.50 plus tax and tip.
Avino’s Italian Table | Bellport
The lighting is warm as you pass through each charming room furnished with plush booths and comfy chairs. This old-world Italian restaurant offers a culinary tour of Italy, and not the one they offer at the Olive Garden.
You can start by sharing the Antipasto for Two and enjoy artisanal cheeses, cured meats, and roasted and pickled vegetables or a Flat Bread Pizza with a selection of toppings, and that’s only your first course.
Second, you can choose from one of the pasta dishes, a seafood, beef or chicken dish, or one of the several Mamma Rose’s Parmigiana Classics.
If you want Italian for Valentine’s Day, give Avino’s a try.
Le Soir | Bayport
When the menu has to be translated and both languages sound delicious, you know you are dining somewhere fancy. At this French restaurant, the succulent menu items all include some delicious version of cheese, cream or butter; three items that take most dishes from good to amazing. Keep in mind that trying a new cuisine with your sweetie can create everlasting memories.
Also, their Pomegranate Martini is a favorite.
Chachama Grill | East Patchogue
Tucked away in Swan Nursery Commons, there is a restaurant that creates a celebration with every meal. Their Zagat-rated cuisine is far beyond what you’d expect next to a Rent-A-Center.
This year, Chachama is offering a special Valentine’s Day prix fixe menu for $70 that includes Chilled Oysters, Jumbo Crab Meat Salad, Filet Mignon or Maine Lobster and a dessert specially prepared by the chef. Also, a glass of champagne or dessert wine is included.
On occasion, I have even seen the chef come out to greet the guests.
South Ocean Grill | Patchogue Village
Chef Herben Manzanares is cooking up food that rates above most at South Ocean Grill, and the restaurant is not even a year old yet. Their menu includes delicious flatbreads, salads, Barrel-Cut Filet Mignon with Steak Fries in Truffle Oil, Caribbean Rib Eye with Coconut Rice, Pan-Seared Jumbo Scallops with Rock Shrimp and sandwiches on bread that they make in-house.
On Valentine’s Day, there will be live music to really set the mood.
If you’re still in search of a sweetie, then head to downtown Patchogue for the Anti-Valentine’s Day Singles Bar Crawl at 7 p.m. on Valentine’s Day to look for love — and for some great food, too.
Courtesy Photo: The bar area at Ristegio’s, located on Route 112 in North Patchogue.
