Look, I’m going to be honest with you here. There have been many times in my past where I dropped the ball on Valentine’s Day, usually by forgetting to make restaurant reservations. Then my date and I would end up waiting for hours for a table at some lousy chain restaurant. And of course, that wasn’t the best way to create any sparks for the evening. It’s hard to get in the mood when you’re sitting elbow to elbow with other miserable couples waiting for a table at Chili’s.
So let’s just bypass that mess this year, shall we? There are dozens of local Little Rock restaurants waiting for your Valentine’s Day weekend reservations right now, and pretty much all of them are guaranteed to set the table for a romantic excursion. Below you’ll find a rundown of Valentine’s Day special menus and brunch services taking place all over Central Arkansas. So take a look, and then make your reservations now. Believe me, you don’t want to wait until it’s too late.
Note: Since Valentine’s Day falls on a Sunday, some Little Rock restaurants will not be open. If you don’t see a restaurant here, be sure to call in advance before showing up on Valentine’s Day.
Afterthought Bistro and Bar – On Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Afterthought has a special four-course prix fixe meal for $55 per person. Entree options include a short rib, duck breast, or surf and turf. Call to make reservations. 501-663-1196
Arthur’s Prime Steakhouse – Offering a special Valentine’s Day menu for the entire weekend (Friday through Sunday). The restaurant will be adding some new feature items to its full menu. Call to make reservations. 501-821-1838.
At The Corner – The eatery plans to offer a special romantic pre fixe dinner on Saturday night. Reservations are required, call 501.400.8458 for more information.
Big Orange – Both locations will be serving up a ribeye steak burger with béarnaise mayo for Valentine’s Day weekend. No reservations, walk-in only.
Brave New Restaurant – Brave will be open for dinner only Friday through Sunday on Valentine’s Day weekend. In addition to the full menu, the restaurant will serve a special dessert sampler. Call to make reservations. 501-663-2677.
Bruno’s Little Italy – Closed on Valentine’s Day, but will do a special handmade seafood ravioli for Valentine’s Day weekend. No reservations, walk-in only.
The Butcher Shop Steakhouse – The restaurant will open at 4:30 p.m. Valentine’s Day and have its full menu. No reservations, walk-in only.
Cache Restaurant – Cache is serving up a special prix fixe menu for two on Friday and Saturday during Valentine’s Day weekend. It will not be open for Sunday dinner, but will be open for Valentine’s brunch from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Call to make reservations for dinner. 501-850-0265.
Capers – The restaurant will be open on Valentine’s Day with its full menu and a few specials that have yet to be determined. No reservations, walk-in only.
Ciao Baci – On Saturday, Ciao Baci will present a special four-course meal for $55 per person, as well as an a la carte menu. On Sunday, the restaurant will open for a brand new brunch service from 11:30 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. Call to make reservations for dinner and/or brunch. 501-603-0238.
Copper Grill – The restaurant will offer a few special menu items on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. There will be no Sunday dinner service. Call to make reservations. 501-375-3333.
The Faded Rose Restaurant – Female guests will receive a free red rose in an annual Faded Rose tradition. The full menu will be available. No reservations, walk-in only.
The Fold Botanas and Bar – Get to The Fold for a special Valentine’s Day brunch menu. No reservations, walk-in only.
Heritage Grille, Steak and Fin – Heritage is doing a special four-course meal for two with a bottle of house wine on both Saturday and Sunday. The cost is $150 per couple. Also on Sunday, the restaurant will unveil a Valentine’s Day brunch buffet at $35 per person. Call to make reservations for dinner and/or brunch. 501-906-4000.
Ira’s Park Hill Grill – Ira’s will have a special menu Valentine’s Day weekend that will be announced soon. Call to make reservations. 501-771-6900.
Kemuri – The Hillcrest restaurant will offer a unique “Kemuri Experience” tasting menu with multiple dishes that make Kemuri special. The restaurant will still have its standard Sunday brunch service. Call to make reservations for dinner and/or brunch. 501-660-4100.
Kent Walker Artisan Cheese – The cheese shop will be open for a unique, and very cheesy, Valentines date night on Sunday the 14th. Offerings include Handcrafted beer & wine cocktails courtesy of Southern Ash, Light bites & cheese pairings by Kent Walker, Dessert pairings from Loblolly Creamery, and Classical Guitar by Danny Vazquez. Tickets are $40 per ticket, $70 for 2, or $100 for 3. To make a reservation please email gwen@kentwalkercheese.com or go to http://bit.do/kwac.
Loca Luna – On Valentine’s Day, the restaurant will offer a three-course champagne dinner package at $38 per person. The regular menu will also be available. No reservations, walk-in only.
Lulu’s Latin Rotisserie and Grill – Lulu’s will present its usual Sunday brunch and lunch menu with a couple of special items for Valentine’s Day. Also, the restaurant will sell its mimosas for $3. No reservations, walk-in only.
Loblolly Creamery – Loblolly is offering a Limited Edition Valentine’s Day Chocolate “Box” for $30 featuring 4 chocolate ice creams as well as a Sundae Kit for Two for $30 that includes 2 Pints, 2 Sauces, and 2 Toppings. These are both available from Feb 1st – 10th for order at mkt.com/loblollycreamery. They will also hold a special event at Soda Fountain on 2/13 featuring gallon sundaes.
One Eleven at the Capital – One Eleven will serve a six-course Valentine’s menu special on Friday and Saturday. On Sunday, the restaurant will serve a special Valentine’s Day brunch. There will be no dinner on Sunday. Reservations are a must and are filling up fast. Call 501-370-7011.
The Pantry/The Pantry Crest – Both locations will open on Valentine’s Day with the full dinner menu. In addition, the restaurants will have a special family meal for two featuring a saffron seafood stew and a dark chocolate strudel for dessert. Call to make reservations. 501-353-1875 (The Pantry) or 501-725-4945 (The Pantry Crest).
The Pizzeria at Terry’s Finer Foods – On Saturday and Sunday, The Pizzeria will have a special couples’ menu featuring two salads, a pizza and an affogato for dessert for $40. Add a bottle of wine and liqueur to the affogato for $20 more. No reservations, walk-in only.
Raduno Brick Oven & Barroom – Raduno will be debuting a brand new brunch menu on Valentine’s Day. The restaurant will still have its regular brunch menu as well. No reservations, walk-in only.
Red Door – The Riverdale eatery will serve a three-course champagne dinner all weekend long. The regular menu will be available on Friday and Saturday. Call to make reservations. 501-666-8482.
The Restaurant at Terry’s Finer Foods – The Heights restaurant will have a prix fixe dinner with seatings at 6 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. on Valentine’s Day. The four-course menu is $75 per person (alcohol and gratuity not included). Call to make reservations. 501-663-4154.
Ristorante Capeo – Capeo will open its doors on Valentine’s Day with its full menu. Call to make reservations. 501-376-3463.
Riverfront Steakhouse – Riverfront will be open for Valentine’s Day with its full menu. Call to make reservations. 501-375-7825.
Root Cafe – The Root Cafe will host a special 5 course Valentine’s dinner prepared by Chef Jonathan Arrington on both Friday and Saturday nights. Full details and tickets here.
Samantha’s Tap Room and Wood Oven – Samantha’s will open at 4 p.m. on Valentine’s Day with its full menu, as well as a special entrée and dessert item. Walk-ins are accepted, though you can call to make reservations. 501-379-8019.
1620/RH Cuisine – Chef Tim Morton, of RH Catering, is offering a Prix Fixe dinner at 1620 Market Street on Sunday, February 14. The dinner, which is $75 per person, will consist of 4 courses. Seatings are at 6pm and 8pm. For reservations, call 501.221.1620.
SO Restaurant-Bar – SO will have a menu available Saturday and a pre fixe service on Sunday. Reservations are highly recommended and the cost is $100 per person. Call 501-663-1464 to save your spot.
Sonny Williams Steak Room – On Saturday and Sunday, Sonny Williams will have a special three-course meal featuring fried saffron oysters, braised Guinness pork shank and a chocolate cake with strawberries. The full menu will also be available. Call to make reservations. 501-324-2999.
South on Main – Usually closed for Sunday dinner, South on Main will be opening up with a special tasting menu. The menu is still to be determined. Brunch will be served as usual. Call to make dinner reservations. 501-244-9660.
The Southern Gourmasian – The restaurant will serve up a special prix fixe menu on Friday and Saturday evening, menu can be found here. The restaurant will also feature special music performances each night. Cost is $35 for reservations at 5-6:30 or $40 for reservations from 6:45-9:00. Call 313-5645
Table 28 – The restaurant will serve up a prix fixe four-course menu, complete with champagne toast, on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. In addition, the Burgundy Hotel is giving away a special package including dinner at Table 28, a one-night stay in a studio king suite and breakfast the next morning. Call 501-224-2828 to make dinner reservations, and click here to register to win the giveaway contest.
Zaffino’s by Nori – Sherwood’s excellent Italian restaurant will run a lobster ravioli dinner special all Valentine’s weekend, including Sunday. Call to make reservations. 501-834-7530.
