By Lori Fredrich Senior Food Writer, Dining Editor, Podcast Host Published Feb 12, 2024 at 8:56 AM Photography: Lori Fredrich

However you feel about Valentine’s Day as a holiday, it’s always a great excuse to enjoy an indulgent meal at a local restaurant. 

While nearly every restaurant in town will be welcoming guests to dine on the holiday, these spots are showcasing special menus or experiences that are worth checking out.

If something catches your eye, be sure to make a reservation ASAP (if required). Few of these will last very long.

Need more ideas? Check out my 52 Restaurants List for 2024 or our always popular Romantic Dining Guide.

Bacchus
925 E. Wells St., (414) 765-1166
bartolottas.com/bacchus

Bacchus will offer a special three-course menu on Valentine's Day from 4 to 10 p.m. The cost is $100 per person with an optional wine pairing for $65 per person. Guests choose from dishes including crab risotto; baked lobster tails with black truffle potatoes; and horchata tart. Reservations are required and can be made online.

Birch
459 E. Pleasant St., (414) 323-7372
birchonpleasant.com
Birch will be offering a three-course pre-fixe menu for $84 per person on Valentine’s Day. The evening begins with a curated selection followed by guests' choice of courses. First course options include: cold-smoked tuna carpaccio; smoked walleye cheesecake; beet tartare; or sweet potato filled pasta. Second course options include: charcoal-grilled beef flatiron; hot-smoked steelhead trout; dry-aged duck; or wood-roasted sweet potatoes with cranberry beans.  Dessert will be chocolate rye tart crafted by Pastry Chef Ariel Welch for dessert. Expertly curated beverage pairings are also available for an additional charge. View the full menu and make your reservations online.

If you’d prefer to celebrate your Valentine on another day, Birch will be offering a similar seasonal pre-fixe menu (as well as regular a la carte service) Feb. 15-17. 

The Dark Room at Saint Kate Arts Hotel
139 E. Kilbourn Ave., (414) 431-1211
saintkatearts.com/dining/the-dark-room 

The Dark Room at Saint Kate will be hosting a very special Love in the Dark dinner for Valentine’s Day (with options to celebrate the weekend before). The menu features four indulgent courses with wine pairings for $175 per person (plus tax and service charge). Courses include scallop crudo; herb tagliatelle; smoked New York strip; and chocolate explosion cake.

Reservations are available for Friday, Feb. 9 at 6 p.m.; Saturday Feb. 10 at 5:30 or 8 p.m.; and Wednesday, Feb. 14 at 7 p.m. View the full menu and make your reservations online.

Eldr+Rime
2300 N. Mayfair Rd., Wauwatosa, (414) 867-9200
eldrandrime.com
Eldr+Rime will be offering Chef David Cook’s special four-course prix-fixe menu for two ($120 per person) or a chef-curated Valentine’s Day menu. The prex-fixe menu includes: lobster tomato bisque or roasted beet salad; scallop grenobloise; coriander pork tenderloin; and dulce chocolate mousse. Highlights of the Chef Curated Menu include: scallop tartare; lobster ravioli; miso glazed black cod and dry aged ribeye.

Both options will be available Feb. 14-17 (Eldr+Rime’s regular menu will not be available on these dates). Reservations are required. Please call the restaurant with questions.

Harbor House
550 N. Harbor Dr., (414) 395-4900
bartolottas.com/harbor-house
Harbor House will offer a special three-course menu on Valentine's Day from 5 to 9 p.m. The cost is $100 per person. Guests can choose from dishes including oysters and
caviar; lobster thermidor; and chocolate and hazelnut torte.
Reservations are required and can be made online.

Joey Gerard's – A Bartolotta Supper Club
5601 Broad St, Greendale, (414) 858-1900
bartolottas.com/joey-gerards

Joey Gerard's will offer a special three-course menu on Feb. 9, 10 and 14 with reservations available from 5 to 9 p.m. Guests can choose from menu items including crab-stuffed shrimp; red wine-braised short ribs; and a "Dessert Trip" featuring chocolate lava cake, red velvet cake and cherries jubilee cheesecake. Guests can view the full menu and make reservations online.

Lake Park Bistro
3133 E. Newberry Blvd., (414) 962-6300
bartolottas.com/lake-park-bistro

Bartolotta’s Lake Park Bistro will offer a special four-course meal Feb. 9-14 from 5 to 9 p.m.  Guests can choose from dishes like a foie gras torchon with pistachio crust; soupe de champions with mushrooms and Madeira; bacon-
wrapped roasted monkfish; and choux pastry filled with pistachio cream and served with roasted strawberries. View the full menu and make your reservations online.

La Merenda
125 E. National Ave., (414) 389-0125
lamerenda125.com
For the first time in 17 years, La Merenda will be offering the opportunity to celebrate Valentine’s Day at the Walker’s Point Restaurant. Reservations are available for 5 p.m., 7 p.m. and 9 p.m., with limited availability at 6 p.m. and 8 p.m.. A credit card number is required to hold your reservation. Reservations canceled less than 48 hours of the scheduled time or do not arrive will be charged a $10 per person cancellation fee. 

Lupi & Iris
777 N. Van Buren St.,  (414) 293-9090
lupiandiris.com 

Head to Lupi & Iris for a three-course prix-fixe menu featuring dishes like wood-grilled Dover sole, cold water lobster tails with pasta, wood oven roasted duck breast and bone-in New York strip. Dinner starts $80 per person (depending on selections), plus tax and gratuity. Guests are also invited to pre-order a red rose arrangement designed by Florist in Residence, Daria Aitken-Siegel (all arrangements must be pre-ordered by Sunday, Feb. 5). View the full menu and make your reservations online.

Mr. B's – A Bartolotta Steakhouse (Brookfield)
18380 W. Capitol Dr., Brookfield, (262)  790-7005
bartolottas.com/mr-b-s-steakhouse/brookfield

Mr. B's in Brookfield will offer a three-course menu for two on Feb. 14 from 4 to 9 p.m. The cost is $255 (for two) with optional beverage pairings for an additional $80. Guests can choose from menu items including Snake River Farms wagyu meatballs with marinara; Surf n’ Turf For Two with lobster tails, filet mignon, and choice of sides and
sauces; and Baked Alaska for Two.  View the full menu and make reservations online.

Mr. B's  - A Bartolotta Steakhouse (Mequon)
11120 N. Cedarburg Rd., (262) 518-5500

bartolottas.com/mr-b-s-steakhouse/mequon
Mr. B's Mequon will offer a special three-course menu for two on Feb. 14 from 5 to 10 p.m. The cost is $225 with optional wine pairings for an additional $125. Guests can choose from dishes including goat cheese croquettes with black truffle balsamic vinaigrette; dry-aged tomahawk ribeye for two; and dark chocolate crème brûlée with fresh raspberries. View the full menu and make reservations online.

Old Town Serbian Gourmet Restaurant
522 W. Lincoln Ave., (414) 672-0206
oldtownserbian.com
Old Town Serbian will be serving up a variety of Valentine's Day specials including white chocolate martinis; lobster stuffed in phyllo dough with cream, aromatic vegetables and cognac; and raspberry chocolate schaum torte for dessert. Their regular menu will also be available. Reservations are highly recommended and can be made by calling the restaurant.

Pilot Project Brewing 
1130 N. 9th St.,  (414) 988-1551
pilotprojectbrewing.com

In addition to its regular menu, Pilot Project will be offering guests half-off bottles of wine and BOGO beer on Feb. 14 along with a special dessert menu featuring Mexican hot chocolate liquor churros; chocolate covered strawberries and chocolate cake. The special dessert menu is available all week long.

Ristorante Bartolotta dal 1993
7616 W. State St., Wauwatosa, (414) 771-7910
bartolottas.com/ristorante-bartolotta
Ristorante Bartolotta will offer a four-course tour of Milanese cuisine Feb. 9-13 from 5 to 9 p.m. and Feb. 14 from 4 to 9 p.m. The cost is $75 per person, with optional black truffle pairings available. Menu items include dishes like Milanese veal liver pâté; short tube pasta swith savory braised cabbage, sausage,
and Grana Padano; sautéed breaded perch filets; and a
traditional sabayon with Milanese cookies. View the full menu and make reservations online.

The Rouge at The Pfister
424 E. Wisconsin Ave., (414) 390-3830
thepfisterhotel.com

Enjoy a decadent evening of wine and chocolate during Sweet Love: A Chocolate & Wine Tasting Experience with the Pfister’s Executive Pastry Chef Travis Martinez. The evening begins with red wine, cheese and charcuterie and commences with seven hand-selected chocolates and multiple wine pairings. Even better, it ends with a custom chocolate dessert featuring Republica del Cacao chocolate and a chocolate parting gift. Tickets are $130 (plus tax and service charge) for two people; complimentary parking is included. Reservations are required and can be made online.  

Saffron
223 N. Water St., (414) 539-4980
saffronmke.com

Saffron will be offering a specially curated pre-fix 3-course dinner for guests on Valentine’s Day. Cost is $75 per person, plus tax and gratuity. Both vegetarian and non-vegetarian options will be available. Reservations are required.

Shully’s Cuisine & Events
146 Green Bay Rd., Thiensville, (262) 242-6633
shullyscuisine.com

Shully’s will be offering a special six-course “Love Songs” dinner on Feb. 14 beginning at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $100 per person or $150 per person with wine pairings. Guests will enjoy past hors d’oeuvres followed by dishes including steak frites, crab ravioli and more. Each course will be accompanied by a love song curated by Shully’s staff. View the full menu and purchase tickets online.

Third Coast Provisions
724 N. Milwaukee St., (414) 323-7434
thirdcoastprovisions.com

Third Coast Provisions will be offering a special Valentine’s Day tasting menu on Feb. 14 for $119 per person. The menu includes an amuse bouche followed by four delicious courses including Ahi Tuna crudo; choice of halibut or dry-aged duck; choice of braised beef shortrib or black cod; and a choice of desserts.

Optional upgrades include caviar bumps and champagne for +$29 per person (served with brioche, creme fraiche and chives). Expertly curated wine pairings are also available. View the full menu and make your reservation online.

Union House - Cedarburg
W62N559 Washington Ave, Cedarburg, (262) 421-8068
unionhousecedarburg.com

Union House will offer a special curated four-course Valentine’s Day menu for $95 per person. Expertly paired drinks are available for an upcharge. The menu includes Caprese Crostini; a choice of Arugula or classic Caesar Salad; Filet Mignon, Shrimp; and Toffee Cake and Salted Caramel Chocolate Ice Cream. A vegetarian menu is also available upon request. Reservations are required.

The Wolf on Broadway
600 N. Broadway, (414) 935-2076
broadwaywolf.com

The Wolf will be hosting a special five-course prix fixe dinner designed especially for Valentine's Day. Dishes include raw oysters with raspberry granita;  pork and lobster wontons with beet beurre blanc sauce; scallop with heart of palm, citrus and endive; coulette steak with pomegranate, squash, potato puree and dark chocolate cardamom creme brulee. Cost is $120 per person.  Reservations are required and can be made online.

Lori Fredrich Senior Food Writer, Dining Editor, Podcast Host

Lori is an avid cook whose accrual of condiments and spices is rivaled only by her cookbook collection. Her passion for the culinary industry was birthed while balancing A&W root beer mugs as a teenage carhop, fed by insatiable curiosity and fueled by the people whose stories entwine with each and every dish. She’s had the privilege of chronicling these tales via numerous media, including OnMilwaukee and in her book “Milwaukee Food.” Her work has garnered journalism awards from entities including the Milwaukee Press Club. 

When she’s not eating, photographing food, writing or recording the FoodCrush podcast, you’ll find Lori seeking out adventures with her husband Paul, traveling, cooking, reading, learning, snuggling with her cats and looking for ways to make a difference.