Valentine’s Day is right around the corner, and although I love the decorations and dressing up my little one — check out the limited edition Valentine’s Day peplum top available at cuteheads now — it’s not a holiday I take too seriously. It’s definitely not one I like to spend at a restaurant; restaurants are always so crowded, the menus are usually prix fixe, and it never lives up to expectations. A few years ago, my husband and I went to a popular restaurant for Valentine’s Day and it was so crowded that the waiter dumped butter sauce from a bowl of mussels onto me, ruining my silk shirt. That was the year we vowed to start creating a Valentine’s Day menu at home. And bonus: no babysitter needed!
It’s one of the days of the year we splurge on great ingredients and cook a really nice meal together. I’m a seafood lover and he’s a meat eater (though he likes everything), so we try to make things that will make us both will enjoy. We’re creatures of habit, so we have a tried and true menu that we stick to now, though we do try to change it up a bit. This year will be a little different because we’re having a baby in a couple of weeks, so who knows how ambitious we’ll be. But to me, this is the ideal Valentine’s Day menu for a romantic night at home.
Valentine’s Day Menu
Valentine’s Day Cocktail or Mocktail
Grapefruit Rosemary Mocktail – I love interesting cocktails, but not overly sweet ones. I prefer aromatic and herbal drinks, and this totally hits the spot. Add a little gin to this mocktail and you’ve got a bona fide Valentine’s Day drink. It’s pink too!
Valentine’s Day Appetizer & Salad
Baltimore Crab Cakes – This is the perfect crab cake recipe, calling for jumbo lump crab meat, which is the most important ingredient for good crab cakes. None of that canned stuff, these are the real deal. (via Bon Appetit)
Healthier Caesar Salad – I’m a big fan of caesar salad, but it’s not the healthiest salad in the world. This lighter version is just as good. (via Gimme Some Oven)
Valentine’s Day Main Course
Grilled Lobster Tail with Sriracha Butter Sauce – We go to one of our favorite grocery stores and buy really fresh lobster tails to make on Valentine’s Day. It’s definitely a splurge, but it’s actually so easy to cook, and so delicious. I love the sriracha twist in this recipe. (via Fifteen Spatulas)
Filet Mignon with Grilled Onions – A simple and delicious filet mignon recipe. We’d normally make one, and I’d have a bite if I was in the mood. (via RecipeGirl)
Valentine’s Day Dessert
No-Bake Reeses Peanut Butter Cheesecake – Dessert is arguably the most important part of the meal. Any meal. 9 times out of 10, we’re choosing something chocolate peanut butter (maybe that’s why we get along so well). This is a really easy cheesecake recipe (thanks CincyShopper.com!), and totally decadent and delicious, all the things a Valentine’s Day dessert should be.
What will you be doing this year? Do you do anything special, or is it just another day? If you’re creating your own Valentine’s Day menu, what will you be making?
I stay far away from restaurants on Valentine’s Day. My husband and I always have a nice, romantic meal at home complete with candlelight. These are all great choices for that special meal.
I think this is a great idea to spend your money on ingredients you love and cook them with love at home! The whole pressure of finding the perfect restaurant for this one night of the year gets a little too crazy for me. This year I will be taking a leaf out of your book!
Great food lineup for any special occasion.
Oh my gosh, I definitely want all of this for my Valentine’s Menu! Crab cakes, lobster, and then peanut butter/chocolate dessert? Count me in! 🙂
We’re not doing anything special for Valentine’s Day. I’ll most likely watch something special with my youngest.
This looks like a delicious meal! I’m especially interested in the mocktail, and it’s pink color might make it perfect for my daughter’s 1st birthday party next month.
You’re making me hungry! I love the surf and turf idea!
this is such an awesome menu! Im a sucker for seafood! I might have to steal this idea!
This is so great!!! I am trying to plan a Valentine’s Day at home this year so this is exciting!
Holy cow this all looks amazing!! Super disappointed I won’t be 21 until 10 days after VDay or I would totally make that cocktail for my fiance and I!!
My husband can’t cook to save his life. I’m going to print this and leave it on his desk. Maybe he’ll get inspired to make ONE of your recipes. 🙂
Great choices! We always go out on a day other than Valentine’s to avoid the crowds but having a nice dinner at home might be even better! That cheesecake looks amazing.
Molly and Stacie
That mocktail is so pretty! And my husband would love that dessert, I’ve always wanted to try a no-bake cheesecake. Peanut butter is my favorite so this one looks perfect! I’ve never tried to make lobster, it seems scary to me, but I trust you if you say it’s easier than expected. 🙂
It’s all so gorgeous! We stay home and often make steak and lobster. I’ve never put Sriracha butter sauce on my lobster though. That’s genius and I can’t wait to try it!
Oh gosh…I love everything that you compiled for this Valentine’s day meal. I wish my hubby would prepare them for me…LOL! Those crab cakes are to die for!
What an amazing Valentine’s day menu!! We tend do a family dinner since the kids are still younger but they love being included!
Sounds like a lovely menu! We don’t celebrate Valentines Day, but we celebrate February 13 because that’s when my husband proposed! Ha!
Ooh, my family would be happy with all of the seafood on the menu. It would be a lot of fun making some of those mocktails too!
Talk about a YUMMY Valentine’s Day dinner menu! Sign me up for that Grapefruit Rosemary Mocktail. It sounds super delicious <3
Those crab cakes and that dessert look so delicious! I might have to make these.
Your menu looks and sounds delicious! My favorite date on Valentine’s Day is always spent at home!
We typically just order a heart shaped pizza for Valentine’s day but I love your menu. This year we will actually be on vacation for Valentine’s Day but I will keep this in mind for next year or any date night at home.
My fiance would love the no bake Reeses cheesecake! I think I will have to make it for him on Valentine’s day. The only problem will be keeping myself way from it.
This is a great list of food for the holiday. This day can still be celebrated when you’re at home.
Sounds like a recipe for a great evening. I am going to try the cheesecake for sure!
We always stay home and cook a nice meal for Valentine’s, it’s my favorite! I haven’t created the menu and this is giving me some great ideas, thanks. That sriracha butter sounds great.
We usually go out to lunch instead of dinner to stay away from the crowds, and now I have all sorts of ideas for that dinner at home floating around in my head. I want those lobster tails and the steak for a surf ‘n turf theme…and grapefruit and rosemary sound like the perfect combo in that mocktail!
That is one delicious menu! I completely agree about going out on Valentine’s Day – it’s way too much trouble than it’s worth. My husband and I love just spending time together in a low-key way 🙂
What a perfect Valentine menu! We love to stay in and avoid the crowds for Valentine’s Day. Thanks for the great menu ideas!!
Oh my!!! This menu looks so good! I agree with you chocolate and peanut butter are the best flavor combination ever.
I agree with staying home for V-Day it gets way to expensive and I rather cook at home by candlelight.
I would love to try salad and dessert! Such a wonderful ideas, I’m sure Valentine’s day would be fun.
Yum… delicious selections. Love these recipes.
Filet Mignon and the Reese’s peanut butter cheesecake look so so delicious. Yummy!!! These are what I will be cooking for my other half for Valentine’s day. Thanks for sharing this amazing menu.
You had me at Grapefruit Rosemary cocktail, that thing looks cute and sounds amazing!! Great menu!
Oh my hubs would love to have me make these dishes for him for Vday! Thank you for sharing such great recipe ideas!
Awesome menu. Might try this soon. Love it!
This all looks amazing. We do Valentine’s at home every year – not worth the crowds!
Wow that Reeses Peanut Butter Cheesecake looks like something my family would love to devour. I think everyone would love that one but it wouldn’t last long so maybe just a special treat for Valentine’s Day!
Each dish looks amazing. I’d be more than happy with any or all of these on my Valentine’s Day table. Especially that dessert. – Katy