For the last year, the COVID-19 pandemic has placed plans on hold — whether it’s vacations, trips to loved ones’ houses for the holidays, or even a date night out on the town. For those who still want to stay in and stay safe, these local businesses are providing meal-kits and carry-out options so that you and your sweetheart can celebrate Valentine’s Day.
Jeff Ruby’s Culinary Entertainment's Valentine’s meal kit
Jeff Ruby’s Culinary Entertainment is offering Valentine’s Day meal kits for your stay-at-home holiday weekend. The $200 kit includes two 8-oz. Jeff Ruby filet mignons, two 8-oz. cold-water lobster tails, four tiger shrimp with cocktail sauce, a Freddie salad, asparagus, mashed potatoes, Sixteen Bricks sourdough round, strawberry butter pie and a 3-oz. tin of steakhouse seasoning. The kit serves two and includes instructions to prepare. You can preorder the kit now, which will be available to pick up Feb. 12-14. The Precinct, 311 Delta Ave., Columbia-Tusculum; Carlo & Johnny, 9769 Montgomery Road, Montgomery.
Emery Mariemont’s Valentine's Day meal kit
Emery Mariemont will offer a $99 meals-for-two to be picked up on Feb. 13. The kit includes two each 6 oz. center-cut filet mignon with a red wine demi-glace; the meat will be packaged cold to grill or cook, and the red wine demi-glace will be packaged separately. To accompany the entree, herb-roasted marble potatoes, fresh green beans, an Emery house salad, and two chocolate pot de crème will already be prepared to be reheated as needed. Meal preparation and instructions will also be provided. Wine pairings are also available at an additional cost. Curbside pick-up will be on Feb. 13 between 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Emery will contact you with your pick-up time once you place your order. Orders close Feb. 10. Emery Mariemont, 6914 Wooster Pike, Mariemont.
Carry-out dinner for two from Branch
Though Branch is currently closed for dine-in services, they are offering a Valentine’s Day 4-course dinner for two for pickup. The meal includes bruschetta, a pickles shrimp cocktail, herb-roasted pork loin and a love bird trio dessert (chocolate-covered strawberries, grapes & coconut macaroons and a baklava bird’s nest). The $120 dinner also includes a wine, and you can schedule pickup on Sunday, Feb. 14 only. Available all-day Feb. 14. Branch 1535 Madison Road, East Walnut Hills.
Elm Street Social Club Valentine’s meal
Elm St. Social Club’s meal-kit includes lobster risotto, crispy mushrooms with hazelnut pesto and burrata salad with bitter greens, beets and winter citrus. End with a raspberry rose and vanilla bean profiteroles topped with chocolate ganache and pistachios. The $125 kit is meant for two and includes a bouquet by Eve Floral Co., instructional video and romantic Spotify playlist. We can’t think of a better way to spend Valentine’s Day. Elm St. Social Club, 1819 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine.
Lonely Pine Steakhouse’s Valentine's Day meal kit
Lonely Pine offers a $80 six-course dinner for two meal-kit for you and your loved one. To begin the meal, the couple will have a choice between a garden or caesar salad for two with salted rye or arcade sourdough bread to share. Some sidekicks include lobster macaroni and cheese and butternut squash hash. Soup servings include veggie caldo, a traditional Mexican soup, and a slow-roasted red pepper bisque. Main entrees are verlasso salmon and sakura petite tender filets. For dessert to share, there is a duo or raspberry brulees or flourless chocolate torte with balsamic strawberries. Drinks such as a martini, manhattan and specialty wines are also available for an additional fee. Orders are due by Feb. 12 at 5 p.m. Pick-up will be available on Feb. 13 between 3-10 p.m. Lonely Pine Steakhouse, 6085 Montgomery Road, Pleasant Ridge.
Longfellow Cincinnati’s single dinner
Longfellow plans to offer dinner, drinks and a mix-tape of “break-up and heartache songs” as a singles package for Valentine’s Day. The meal includes fresh beet pasta with tomato cream sauce, garlic herb bread, and a chocolate pot de creme with angostura whipped cream. Longfellow will also include instructions on how to cook and prepare each item. Within the package, you'll enjoy a Cosmopolitan and your choice of a sparkling rosé or a nigori sake. Dig into your closet or search on Ebay for a tape deck to listen to a curated playlist of anti-Valentine’s Day songs via a mix-tape. Customers are encouraged to order via email at [email protected] by Feb. 11 at 7 p.m.
Nicola’s Restaurant carry-out Valentine’s menu
If you want to stay in without the cooking responsibilities, Nicola’s Restaurant offers a special carry-out menu. The meal, which costs $68 per person, includes bucheron goat cheese, crispy potato gnocchi, and braised short ribs. Roasted potatoes and mixed root vegetables are also included as side dishes. Orders must be placed before Feb. 12 at 8 p.m. Pick-up times can be scheduled between 1-5 p.m. on Feb. 14.
Salazar’s Carry-Out Valentine’s menu additions
Salzar has added new, limited items to their menu for Valentine’s Day weekend. The new entrees include seared foie gras with cornmeal blini, fresh spaghetti with lobster-tomato brodo and gulf shrimp, and a grilled wagyu strip steak in a truffled parsnip puree. To order carryout, place an online order at Salazar’s website. Salazar, 1401 Republic St., Over-the-Rhine.
Crown Republic Gastropub’s take-and-bake and DIY pasta kits
Crown Republic is offering a way to experience a taste of their kitchen at home. Pasta kit options, which all cost roughly around $25, include vodka rigatoni, bolognese rigatoni, truffle mac and cheese orecchiette, squid ink spaghetti and lamb amatriciana garganelli. Each pasta kit serves two people and includes one pound of house-made pasta, sauce, fresh parmesan cheese. Specific, clear cooking instructions are also provided. Crown Republic’s take-and-bake dinner options, which also include the ingredients and instructions, are chicken parmesan and beef braciole. The special deal runs from Feb. 12-14.
The Melting Pot’s Fondue Night In
The melting pot is offering a three-course fondue night at home with your special someone. The meal, which costs $27 per person, includes a cheese fondue selection to share, one salad (either house, caesar or California) per person, and a chocolate fondue item of your choice. Some cheese fondue options include Wisconsin cheddar, spinach artichoke or the signature classic Alpine dish. To sweeten the pot, you can share the original chocolate fondue with crunch peanut butter, the “flaming turtle” of candied pecans and rich caramel over chocolate or the pure chocolate fondue in either milk, white or dark variations. Melting Pot, 11023 Montgomery Road, Montgomery.
