Last Minute Astorian Valentine's Day Ideas

Valentine's Day is almost upon us - love it or hate it.  Whether you're hanging with your hunny or celebrating love with great friends, here's a quick last minute guide to some fun things to do.

Rest-Au-Rant - For something intimate, low key yet very special, check out Rest-Au-Rant's 4-course V-day menu, paired with a champagne toast and a box of homemade assorted chocolates.  Their cocktails are fabulous and the wine selection will certainly fit the occasion.  The dinner will set you back $45/person and reservations are required.  30-01 35th Avenue, Astoria NY 11106.  718.729.9009

Bear - The menu at Bear is looking mighty rich for Tuesday night, with a 3-course prix-fixe, including dishes such as a three vodka shot special, short rib braised in red wine, diver sea scallop barley risotto and the piece-de-resistance, rose macarons and chocolate.  Dinner costs $45/person and $75 with wine pairings.  12-14 31st Avenue, Astoria NY 11106.  917.396.4939

Vesta & Pachanga Patterson - Both sister restaurants are featuring impressive menus in honor of cupid, and they always deliver (I speak from experience).  At Vesta, you'll enjoy a 3-course dinner, featuring yummies such as foie gras, a braised pork shank, charred gnocchi with roasted cauliflower and more.  Pachanga brings a Mexican flair with family style dishes such as empanada, quesadilla and taquito platters, $1 fried oysters, $2 shots and drinks specials.  Vesta - 21-02 30th Avenue, Astoria NY 11102.  718.545.5550.  Pachanga Patterson - 33-17 31st Avenue, Astoria NY 11103.  718.554.0525

Veslo - Always up for celebrating a festive occasion, Veslo has created a 3-course special menu with decadent options such as pan seared scallops, a crown rack of lamb, gnocchi in veal sauce (they're delish) and a Croatian style dessert of thin crepes or blueberry cheese strudel.  Reservations are highly recommended and the dinner will set you back $50/person.  32-11 Broadway, Astoria NY 11106.  718.728.0549 

Astor Bake Shop - I just love the special love menu at Astor Bake Shop, with a mix of sweet and savory.  Their custom V-Day offering is affordable at $23.95/person and scrumptious sounding, with items such as saffron arancini, a steelhead trout, pan seared polenta with cauliflower ragout and plenty of desserts such as a red velvet crepe, blood orange mousse and more.  12-23 Astoria Blvd, Astoria NY 11102. 718.606.8439

Homemade Goodness - If you're staying in to create that romantic atmosphere at home, there's a couple of of homemade dishes I highly recommend making, including crab cakes, broiled steaks and potato gratin.  And for dessert, I've got tons of delectable ideas such as homemade truffles, chocolate covered bacon or fudgy skillet brownies.  

For some really great last minute shopping ideas, scrumptious food options, shopping and more, check out Mackenzi's awesome Valentine's Day Gift guide on We Heart Astoria. 

Valentine's Day Dessert in Astoria

Image by www.zastavki.com

Happy Valentine's Day Astoria.  I hope you're having a lovely day or a fantastically planned night with your loved ones (whoever that may be for you).  In addition to my V-Day restaurant round-up, I also wanted to supply you with an impromptu mini round-up of V-Day desserts sold only today at your local Astorian bakeries. 

Astor Bake Shop - A very sweet Valentine extravaganza has hit this awesome sweet shop, where you can get anything and everything from homemade chocolates, lollipops, cookies, chocolate mousse cake, tiramisu cake, raspberry marshmallows with Belgian chocolate casing and so much more.  Prices range from $3.25 - $24.95.  12-23 Astoria Blvd, Astoria. 718.606.8439

Artopolis - Never having a shortage of delicious Greek cookies, cakes and even savory specialties, Artopolis is ringing in V-Day with their 6 or 8 inch chocolate hearts and specialty gift baskets.  Prices run between $5.50 for the hearts to $45 for a big love basket full of yummies.  23-18 31st Street, Astoria. 718.728.8484

Martha's Country Bakery - Known primarily for their cupcakes, they're having a special V-Day version that's strawberry flavored.  If you're looking for variety, you can also choose their V-day chocolate mousse cakes or the decadently dipped chocolate strawberries.  Prices range between $2.25 for the strawberries and $25/$30 for the cakes.  36-21 Ditmars Blvd, Astoria.  718.545.9737

Frank's Bakery - If you're in the mood for traditional Italian cakes & pastries, try Frank's Bakery on 30th Avenue.  Their V-Day offering includes heart shaped cakes with classic buttercream frosting, cupcakes and even fruit tarts.  Cupcakes are priced at $2.25 while the cakes and the tarts range between $19.95 - $24.95.  36-02 30th Avenue, Astoria.  718.726.7813

Terrizzi Pastry Shop - Just a few steps away fro Frank's, you've got Terrizzi, which is also on the traditional side and so, so delicious.  This V-Day check out their chocolate mousse or red velvet hearts, cupcakes and even cute little petit fours.  Prices range between $11.95 - $29.95 for the bigger items.  35-14 30th Avenue, Astoria.  718.726.9698

Cavo's V-Day Menu - It's Right Around the Corner

With Valentine's Day creeping up on us, it's never too early to start thinking about what you want to do with your special someone or a group of good friends.  While a lot of restaurants are still in planning mode for this day, others are thinking ahead. 

Cavo certainly seems to have their act together, as they'll be featuring a 3-course prix-fixe menu for $45/person.  The menu and the price-point caught my eye, as it was a lot lower than year's past, and for the nice options you're getting (below), I think it's a good value.  Check out the menu and make your reservation if you're so inclined.

Cavo's Valentine's Day Menu

Appetizers for the Table:
Greek salad with vine ripened tomatoes, cucumbers, olives, feta and red onions
Jumbo shrimp wrapped in filo dough, topped with Cretan honey drizzle (Mmmm...this sounds amazing!)
Saganaki Kefalograviera cheese flambe

Entrees (choice of 1):
Four Greek cheese ravioli with creamy feta white truffle sauce
Four-hour braised black angus short ribs of beef over creamy polenta
Pan seared North Atlantic salmon served over spinach vegetable cous-cous, topped with sauteed asparagus and beurre blanc sauce

Desserts:

Cupid's Chocolate Surprise

Cavo - 42-18 31st Ave, Astoria, NY 11103

718.721.1001

R/M Train to Steinway or 46th Street

www.cavoastoria.com