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When flowers and chocolate won’t cut it, maybe a sprawling multicourse feast will. Try one of these Valentine’s Day menus for a special night out.
Where: Bru, 5290 Arapahoe Ave., Boulder, 720-638-5193, bruboulder.com
What: An eco-friendly brewpub churning out unfiltered ales and beer-infused eats, such as a fire-roasted sourdough pizza with IPA tomato sauce.
How much: $40/person
On the menu: Five courses incorporating barley and hops complete with—you guessed it—beer pairings on the side. Highlights include wood-roasted oysters with smoked chorizo and malt aïoli, a charred kale salad with pickled cone hops, and a hop-cured flat iron steak with barley and spinach risotto.
Where: Argyll Whisky Beer, 1035 E. 17th Ave., 303-847-0850, argylldenver.com
What: A U.K.-inspired gastropub serving more than 240 types of whiskey and a refined take on classic British dishes like bangers and mash.
How much: $59/person
On the menu: Three courses made up of at least three choices in each—we’ll let you add up the number of possibilities. Start with warm asparagus and wild mushroom salad or shrimp bisque with chile oil. Then feast on striped bass with celery root purée or beet risotto with shaved Parmesan. Save room for spicy chocolate fondue or walnut cheesecake with a dried fruit compote.
Where: Old Major, 3316 Tejon St., 720-420-0622, oldmajordenver.com
What: Contemporary farm-to-table cuisine focused around high-quality Colorado meats (butchered and cured in house) and an extensive wine list.
How much: $60/person
On the menu: The five-course meal, which begins with smoked oyster ceviche and a roasted beet salad, includes lamb carpaccio with pistachio pesto and pork tenderloin with blood orange. Red wine velvet cake (for two) with cream cheese mousse completes the spread.
Where: Lower48 Kitchen, 2020 Lawrence St., 303-942-0262, lower48kitchen.com
What: A different menu each day incorporates heirloom vegetables, house-made pastas, and a tasting menu, all inspired by techniques found in the “lower 48” states.
How much: $64/person
On the menu: Four courses starting with your choice of three “each” items—small bites with big flavor—and a hearts of palm salad. Choose between three entrées including a beef trio, seafood platter, and vegetarian pappardelle pasta. Dessert includes a shareable platter of sweet treats including of cookies, truffles, and French macarons.
Where: Dorchester Social Eatery, 1448 Market St., 303-872-5986, dorchesterdenver.com
What: Shared plates inspired by foods from around the globe in an intimate 50-seat setting.
How much: $65/couple
On the menu: Three courses picked from Dorchester’s current menu with bubbly to toast. Pick one social plate to start—options include confit chicken quesadillas, Belgian meatballs, and shrimp tempura. Then choose two individual entrées such as campanelle with sausage or chicken tagine with Israeli couscous, and finish the night off with chocolate mousse tiramisu or crème brûlée to share.
Where: Tamayo, 1400 Larimer St., 720-946-1433, richardsandoval.com/tamayo
What: Modern Mexican with a collection of more than 100 tequilas in the heart of Larimer Square.
How much: $65/person
On the menu: Three courses featuring achiote-braised pork wrapped in banana leaf, house-smoked duck breast with a chipotle-mushroom cream sauce, and white chocolate mousse with a passion fruit reduction. The dinner comes with a Serrano hibiscus margarita and a long-stem rose. Bonus: Don’t want to face the Valentine’s Day crowds? This special menu is available Feb. 13 and 15 as well.
Where: Central Bistro and Bar, 1691 Central St., 303-477-4582, centralbistrobar.com
What: American comfort food focused on modern presentation located in trendy LoHi.
How much: $75/per person
On the menu: A sweeping seven courses starts off with roasted persimmon with chipotle syrup and oysters two ways. Blood orange sorbet serves as a palate cleanser before snow crab ravioli, lamb lollipops, and, finally, milk chocolate trifle arrive.
—Photo via Shutterstock
