Show some love to your better half and local businesses this Valentine’s Day by letting someone else do the cooking.
Whether you want to dine in (socially distanced, of course) or order take-out, the Leander area serves up some wonderful options. Here are just a few:
Dining In So They Can Do the Dishes, Too
Want a full evening out? Drive into Austin or stay local at these fine restaurants:
Farm to Fork
Perennial favorite Farm to Fork is offering a delectable dining experience for Saturday, Feb. 13 — a six-course menu. Share a charcuterie board for the first course before each enjoying a Wedge Caesar Salad for round two. It’s back to sharing for the third course as you indulge in Grilled Oysters Rockefeller. The indulgences continue for course No. 4 as you enjoy Lobster Bisque. Save room for the fifth course, which includes a 32-ounce Prime Tomahawk Ribeye with Creamy Mushroom Herb Risotto and Roasted Seasonal Root Vegetables shared family-style. Dinner ends with a Crème Brulee, chocolate-covered strawberries and a glass of champagne each. This dinner is reservation only and can be made by phoning 512-246-8158. The cost is $175 per couple.
Blue Corn Harvest Bar and Grill
Blue Corn Harvest Bar and Grill is turning Valentine’s Day into a three-day celebration Friday through Sunday, Feb. 12-14, with a special menu you’re sure to love. Their popular Fried Green Tomatoes Caprese is the starter course followed by your choice of Texas Pecan-Crusted Chicken Salad; Grilled Mahi Mahi with red skin mashed potatoes and roasted rosemary tomato broth; or a Surf and Turf with beef tenderloin in a Texas Cabernet wine sauce with red skin mashed potatoes, a seafood enchilada with ranchero sauce and steamed broccoli. Cap off the evening with raspberry chocolate cheesecake. The night’s specialty cocktail is a Tito’s Pomegranate Martini.
Staying In Is Also Fun
Prefer to have a romantic evening at home? Nearby restaurants give you a choice of cuisines:
Jardin Del Rey
One of the area’s highest-rated Mexican restaurants, Jardin Del Ray offers a big menu of traditional Tex-Mex favorites: tacos, chimichangas, chalupas, tamales, fajitas and 16 – yes 16! – choices when it comes to enchiladas. Don’t forget to get some queso — or two, if you can’t decide from the seven options.
Mouton’s Southern Bistro
Spice up your Valentine’s Day and satisfy your Cajun cravings with dinner from Mouton’s Southern Bistro. Staples include boudin balls, gumbo, jambalaya and shrimp-and-grits. Or go for their award-winning chicken-fried steak (with a half order available if you don’t think you can eat it all) or hickory-smoked meatloaf. Watch their Facebook page to see if crawfish will be available.
Kai Sushi
Give your Valentine’s Day an Asian spin at Kai Sushi, offering an expansive menu. And by “expansive,” we mean huge! Choose from 58 rolls, 20 choices of sashimi and 29 options for nigiri. And if your loved one doesn’t love sushi, the restaurant offers hot entrees, rice bowls, noodle dishes, tempura and more. Don’t skip the starters — you’ll find plenty of pleasing appetizers.
Sweets for the Sweet
Of course, whipping up a home-cooked meal for your significant other is another way to show your love. Put all of your effort into the entrée and let Casa Costa Bake Shop take care of the dessert. Located in Old Town Leander, this bakery offers a variety of cakes and treats, including cheesecakes, brownies, pot de crème, arroz doce (Portuguese rice pudding), cake pops and much more. They even have a special Heart-Breaker Geode Box for Valentine’s — chocolate geodes filled with cookies, cake truffles, brownies and more. Order by Feb. 9.
