Where to Dine with Your Valentine

Cupid will shoot his arrow on Valentine’s Day, striking the hearts of hopeless romantics, couples and new love interests.

While these lovebirds exchange greeting cards punctuated with hearts and kisses, others will celebrate the Hallmark Holiday either sulking at home with a pint of ice cream or painting the town red with a group of single friends. (Rest assured there’s no reason to feel lonely on a holiday created for consumer spending!)

However you decide to spend Feb. 14, it will be hard to ignore the themed aisles at the grocery store lined with chocolate boxes and candy hearts, or the restaurants and store-front windows decorated in shades of pink and red. For those blushing with love, showering your sweetheart with truffles and red roses is easy, but finding a perfect venue for a Valentine’s Day dinner can be arduous.

Here is Patch’s guide to the best restaurants in South San Francisco, where you and your loved one, or whoever you choose to dine with, can ring in the most romantic of holidays.

• : There is nothing more romantic than sipping a pinot grigio or smoking martini (whichever you prefer) while overlooking a breathtaking view of the South San Francisco wharf. South Harbor’s relaxed setting is ideal for couples to enjoy a drink and a perfect Valentine’s Day dinner while watching the sun set. Monday’s special four course dinner menu includes: arancini or fried calamari, a bacon wrapped filet minon, pistachio crusted halibut, and for dessert split a raspberry sorbet between you and that special someone.

• : Picture you and your sweetheart dining under a capiz shell chandelier, which softly dims the dark wood walls lined with venetian style mirrors. As you enjoy Intramuros’ succulent chicken and pork adobo or bistecca (rib-eye) on a bed of sweet potatoes, the grand piano releases the soothings sounds of classic jazz, bound to set the mood for loving. Enjoy a pre-Valentine’s concert by Grammy Award winning song writer and jazz pianist David Benoit Saturday, Feb. 12 at this upscale and affordable Filipino-fusion restaurant. Purchase tickets here.

• : Nothing says that's amore more than an intimate Sicillian dinner by candlelight, with tunes of the late crooners filling the air. Head over to this  and sip on bubbly or share a bottle of house burgundy with your loved one. Be sure to save room for a complimentary dessert wine after savoring your parmigiana, chicken marsala or spaghetti malignani. Salute!

• : Make it an unforgettable Valentine’s dinner under the palm trees and amidst the serene koi pond at Embassy Suites’ Two Fifty restaurant. With dishes inspired by traditional San Francisco cuisine, complimented with an exclusive California wine list, Two Fifty offers the freshest fish and best-aged beef, sure to satisfy your appetite and make you feel miles away from your South City backyard.

• : If you’re ready to ditch the roses and have a fun night on the town with your girlfriends or bros, Houlihan’s is your destination. Sit back, relax and mingle at bar while the best contemporary music plays in the background. Houlihan’s is throwing a weekend long Valentine’s Day celebration, Feb. 11-14, where couples and singles can dine from a special three-course “Love Bites” menu.

Now that you have the options, there's no reason not to make this Valentine's Day a happy one. Bon appetit!