If you're choosing to dine out to celebrate Valentine's Day with your special someone, have a gander at this list to see what some Tampa Bay area restaurants are offering for the occasion. For some spots, there will be weekend-long offerings and for others, the special menus will only be offered on the 14th. My advice: Make reservations ASAP!
(Prices listed are per person unless otherwise noted.)
BELLA BRAVA 204 Beach Dr NE, St. Pete, 727-895-5515; bellabrava.com. Spend a romantic evening dining on Beach Drive and indulge in Bella's Valentine's Day specials, like the Chocolate Vesuvius brownie. Regular menu also available.
BELLINI'S MEDITERRANEAN GRILL 2832 Beach Blvd S, Gulfport. 727-327-4222, bellinisonline.com. If you're in the mood for South American fare, Bellini's is offering a Valentine's menu ($44.99) which includes a full churrasco dinner, complete with Champagne and chocolate-covered strawberries. Available Sunday and Monday.
BRIO TUSCAN GRILLE 2223 N. West Shore Blvd., Tampa, 813-877-3939; brioitalian.com. Offering a special Valentine's weekend menu with Tuscan-inspired dishes and to-die-for desserts: lobster and shrimp salad, beef medallions with black pepper shrimp, chocolate lava cake topped with vanilla bean gelato — just to name a few. RSVP recommended; menu available after 4 p.m.
This article appears in Feb 3-9, 2011.