Ohio’s Restaurants Have a Table Reserved for You
 
Whether you’re planning a romantic dinner for two on the town or you just want to dine at home, Ohio’s restaurants have just what you need to celebrate in style.
 
And speaking of style, Cameron Mitchell Restaurants of Columbus serve it up daily in a variety of cuisines. From the sophistication of M and the elegance of Mitchell’s Steakhouse and Mitchell’s Ocean Club, to the upscale bistro settings of Cameron’s American Bistro, Martini Italian Bistros and Molly Woo’s Asian Bistro, this restaurant group knows how to take care of you and your Valentine. Not to be left out, Mitchell’s Cap City Fine Diner and the Columbus Fish Market have a style of their own with a casual, distinctive flair.
 
You’ll find plenty of style at John Q’s Steakhouse, Cleveland, where they’re serving a Valentine’s tradition: a 48 oz. Porterhouse for two. Jay’s Restaurant, Dayton, has a tradition of fine dining and is running a Valentine’s Day special of crab legs to go with its fresh seafood and certified Angus steaks. The stylish Heather Downs Country Club, Toledo, not only offers ambiance but also pours complimentary champagne with your Valentine’s Day meal.
 
Special Menus at Special Prices
Many Ohio restaurants are wooing Valentine’s Day diners with multiple-course dinners at prices that leave a little leftover for flowers and candy.
 
The Nutcracker Family Restaurant, Pataskala, has a couples’ special of two prime rib dinners, including dessert for just $24.99. Grinders Above & Beyond restaurants, with six northeast Ohio locations, are offering strip steak dinners for two for $27.99. And, yes, they also include dessert.
 
Paul’s Restaurant, Whitehall, wants customers to know they can choose among six entrees for their four-course meals. The price is just $29.99 for two. The Broad Street Grille, Fairborn, has all-American fare on hand with two strip steak dinners on special for $29.99.
 
The Amish Door, Wilmot, also offers a prime rib dinner for two with an all-you-can-eat salad bar for $29.98. They also want you to know that you can impress your sweetheart with a dozen red roses and six fudge dipped strawberries for an extra $55.
 
 
For those looking for a truly special deal, all 25 Central Ohio White Castle restaurants will be offering a special menu and candlelight dining from 5-8 p.m. on Valentine’s Day. Tableside service is part of the deal and you better make reservations if you expect to be a part of this festive occasion. However, in case you are running late, White Castle also offers its Cupid’s Crave Kit, a handy Valentine dinner to-go package priced at $20 and packed with what you crave, including special gifts.
 
Out of the Ordinary
Perhaps you’re looking for something different this Valentine’s Day.
 
Tropical Bistro, Hilliard, features a luau feast bursting with Chinese, Polynesian and American flavors. Akira Sushi & Hibachi, Solon, has the Ultimate Surf and Turf for Two, including the popular Volcano Shrimp Appetizer.
 
Johnny Chan 2 Restaurant, Cincinnati, wants you to celebrate Valentine’s Day and the Chinese New Year from Feb. 12-18. The gourmet Chinese food and sushi restaurant has five family-style dinners from which to choose. Other celebrations this time of year include the Third Annual OgreFest Feb. 12-19 at the BREW Kettle Taproom & Smokehouse, Strongsville. They have quite a selection of barley wines and strong ales for you, your Valentine and the occasional ogre.
 
Iron Skillet Restaurant, Cincinnati, specializes in schnitzels, sauerbraten, goulash, and cabbage rolls in addition to its traditional fare of steaks and seafood. The restaurant has a Valentine’s Day special of roast turkey, dressing and all the fixings for just $7 each. Wanting to share a fondue for two? Head over to Cecil & Lime Café, Springfield, where they have a three cheese and wine fondue that will melt your Valentine’s heart.
 
Ben’s Table, Bowling Green, celebrates Valentine’s Day all day long. Cherry pancakes are the breakfast special and a cranberry chicken salad wrap with fresh fruit tops their lunch special menu. Don’t forget dinner, too, where you can dine on the house specialty, Margaret’s Chicken, at either of the seatings at 5 or 7 p.m.
 
At Café in the Park, Toledo, the student driven restaurant at the Toledo Restaurant Training Center puts out an impressive menu for Valentine’s Day, featuring four-course meals that will warm the soul. Stella’s Restaurant in neighboring Perrysburg gives every lady a pink glass flower commissioned by local artist Gwen Smith as a special Valentine’s Day gift.
 
A little music to set the mood on Valentine’s Day can be found at Culver’s in Troy. They plan to have employees playing violins. Lollis Restaurant and Banquet Center, Canton, will have a jazz saxophone while The Porch of All Sorts, Cincinnati, will feature DJ Johnny B playing from 9:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m.
 
Heart Shaped Delights
Mama Mimi’s Take ‘n Bake Pizza, with four Columbus locations, is once again offering its heart shaped pizzas that will “put some lovin’ in your oven” for Valentine’s Day. The gourmet Italian carryout specializes in award-winning take and bake pizzas. Not to be outdone, Richard’s Pizza in the Cincinnati area also will be taking orders for heart shaped pizzas as early as 8 a.m. on Valentine’s Day.
 
You can’t pass up the heart shaped pastry specials at Mozart’s Bakery & Café and Café Mozart, both of Columbus. The bakery half of the business has a chocolate ganache heart, chocolate heart cake and heart shaped petit fours available for Valentine’s Day. The gourmet restaurant side offers a selection of four-course dinners priced at $22.95 per person and live music.
 
And then there’s the raspberry stuffed chocolate chip cookie topped with warm fudge at Wendell’s in Westerville. They have wonderful dinner specials planned for Valentine’s Day, too, but plan your meal around that dessert!
 
Can’t find your Valentine a dessert anywhere in Ohio? Baskin-Robbins will have $3 off ice cream cake specials (minimum $15 purchase) at all Ohio locations.
 
Comfy Cozy, Fine Dining
The Granville Inn, in scenic Granville, offers its complete menu in a romantic setting with live, soft music. The historic English manor inn exudes old-world charm and features an award-winning restaurant in addition to guest rooms and suites. Hudson’s Restaurant on the Green, also features a romantic setting in downtown Hudson. The restaurant will have special martini and wine offerings to complement chef specials and a couples’ menu.
 
“It’s worth the drive” to the Plaza Inn Casual Family Restaurant in Mt. Victory. A wonderful buffet featuring chicken and noodles with baked steak complements a special menu, including salmon, steak, chicken and pasta. The lights are low, the fire is burning and you’re invited on Valentine’s Day.
 
If a view with your Valentine’s Day dinner is important, then there is no better than the one from Primavista, Cincinnati. Breathtaking is the word, as you look out over the Cincinnati skyline, northern Kentucky and the Ohio River. The award-winning Italian menu is worth a look as well!
 
Fine dining for Valentine’s Day awaits in Columbus, too. Handke’s Cuisine offers an elaborate six-course meal that will impress your Valentine. Lindey’s in German Village has all of its classics available, featuring scrumptious ingredients for couples to enjoy. Smith and Wollensky and Ruth’s Chris Steak House both have their full menus of quality steaks, chops and seafood available for hungry guests.
 
The Hyatt on Capitol Square offers a five-course Valentine’s Day dinner featuring traditional American cuisine with influences from the Mediterranean. The same menu also will be offered on Feb. 10-11. The Plaza Restaurant will offer a Valentine’s a la carte Sunday brunch Feb. 11 from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
 
Wine to Go
Many a couple will be sharing a bottle of wine over their Valentine’s Day dinner. Some restaurants will automatically pair wines with the meals they serve and at the customers’ request.
 
Henke Winery, Cincinnati, offers a gourmet, four-course surf and turf dinner in a relaxed atmosphere. Each course will be paired with a pour of Henke wine to complement the dish. Benjamin’s Grille, Canton, and Ferdos Mediterranean Restaurant, Toledo, both offer a bottle of wine inclusive with their special Valentine’s Day dinner menus.
 
Diners should take special note of a new Ohio law in effect this Valentine’s Day. The law allows diners to take home an unfinished bottle of wine, provided they purchased a meal from the restaurant. The unfinished bottle of wine also must be securely resealed and tamper resistant for the customer’s drive home.
 
Restaurant staff must either reseal the bottle of wine with a special seal or use what has become known as wine doggy bags. Restaurants can obtain wine doggy bags from www.winedoggybag.com or from the Ohio Restaurant Association web site, www.ohiorestaurant.org.
 
More information on your favorite Ohio restaurants can be found at www.ohiorestaurant.org.