Valentine’s Day is a day to celebrate love. Feb. 14 can either be spent hand in hand with your significant other by enjoying a romantic dinner or by yourself on the couch with lots of Ben and Jerry’s, sappy rom-coms and maybe even a tissue box. No matter what your current relationship status says on Facebook, Valentine’s Day is a great day for some good food. Whether you are a dude trying to impress your girlfriend who thinks her Valentine’s Day will be spent watching you play Halo and take-out Thai food or a single girl looking to steer away from the mainstream cupid, here are a few restaurants to celebrate a love for food:
Best Romantic Ambiance: La Bocca
699 South Mill Ave. Tempe, Ariz.
La Bocca is a dimly lit gourmet pizzeria perfect for a romantic and intimate dinner with your special someone.
What to order: Bocca Trio Pizza
Best Valentine’s Day Brunch: Ncounter
310 S. Mill Avenue, Suite A101 Tempe, Ariz.
Want to spend Valentine’s Day enjoying breakfast and coffee for two on a fabulous morning on Mill Ave.? Well Ncounter is right for you.
What to order: The Farmers Market
Best Old Fashioned Dinner Date: House of Tricks
114 East 7th Street Tempe, Ariz.
This place is for the vintage-loving folk. The historic House of Tricks offers a great Valentine’s Day special dinner menu, enough to thoroughly impress your date.
What to order: Zinfandel Braised Short Rib with Mascarpone Creamed Potatoes
and Garlic Sautéed Kale (Special Valentine’s Day Entree)
Best Sweet-tooth Deal: Culver’s
1909 S. Country Club Dr. Mesa, Ariz.
On a strict college budget? Culver’s has got you covered with a $2 banana split and a bouquet of flowers. When you celebrate Valentine’s Day at Culver’s (any Valley location), you receive a free carnation from Phoenix Flower Shop.
Best place to celebrate Single’s Awareness Day: Culinary Dropout
7135 E. Camelback Rd. Suite 125 Scottsdale, Ariz.
This one is for the “single and loving it” crowd. Restaurant rebel, Culinary Dropout, will be hosting its “Single Awareness Day” Feb. 15 at 5 p.m. Good food and no teddy bears in sight.
What to order: Soft Pretzels and Provolone Fondue (get ready to have your single taste buds blown away)
If you are planning on going to any restaurant on Valentine’s Day, it would be very wise to call and get reservations ahead of time. If you don’t, you could be waiting a very long time for a table with a very angry date.
Reach the reporter at hdiiullo@asu.edu or follow on Twitter @HaleighD_SP.