Octane Coffee’s Latte Art; photography by Andrew Thomas Lee

Hungry Hearts

by Stephanie Davis Smith | The Atlantan magazine | February 6, 2012

Because, like Springsteen says, "Everybody's got a hungry heart..." Here are six romantic, prix fixe dinners to make Feb. 14 a delicious date.

Open Season
On two of the most popular date nights of the month—Saturday, Feb. 11 and Tuesday, Feb. 14—Park 75 at Four Seasons Hotel Atlanta will be hosting a treat-your-taste buds, four-course prix fixe menu. Chef Robert Gerstenecker has put together scads of dishes to choose from for each course. Expect inventive plates such as hamachi crudo with soy yuzu vinaigrette, foie gras tourchon, butter-poached lobster, mini shellfish ravioli, grilled eye of rib eye and chocolate bread pudding with Guinness Stout ice cream that will seriously make you fall in love. 6-10pm. $75 per person (includes valet parking). 75 Fourteenth St., 404.253.3840, fourseasons.com/atlanta

Muss it Up!
On Tuesday, Feb. 14, Muss & Turner's is hosting an imaginative three-course prix fixe with four to five choices for each course. The only thing you and your sweetheart will argue over is which was better, the blue point oysters with den chan shoyu “mignonette,” Welsh rarebit, duck meatballs, goat’s milk truffles or candied peppadews? $45 per person. 1675 Cumberland Parkway SE, Smyrna, 770.434.1114, mussandturners.com

Three for Two
The trio of mad geniuses at Local Three in Buckhead are hosting a prix fixe that's anything but constricting. Fall head over heels with the slew of savory choices such as foie gras “cheesecake” with cranberry and truffle cream, She Crab soup, Masami Ranch Wagyu flatiron with turnip-potato gratin, winter beet risotto, Mississippi rabbit or white chocolate tart. $49 per person. Three seatings at 6, 7:30 and 9pm. 3290 Northside Parkway, 404.968.2700, localthree.com

Dial This Number
With more engagements than any other restaurant in the city (over 400 per year), The Sun Dial is where lovebirds perch during Valentine’s weekend. This year, chef Russell Sleight has prepared an elegant prix fixe, four-course dinner with plates such as wild mushroom napoleon, Kumato tomato salad, prosciutto-stuffed pork porterhouse with purple sweet potato mash and a “Lover’s Trio” dessert to put you in a sweet mood before you head home. 5:30-10:30pm. Starting at $70 per person. 210 Peachtree St., 404.589.7506, sundialrestaurant.com

Absolute Amore!
Maybe Cibo e Beve’s Executive Chef Linda Harrell understands the chaos of Valentine's Day better than any other resto in town. They've concocted a fantastic combo of romance-inspiring Italian dishes and cocktails that are sure to stir up some amore. So if you're the type that likes to celebrate on the big day, or Friday or Saturday night beforehand, they'll be ready for you. Peruse passionate a la carte options such as Italian wedding soup, lobster ravioli with salsa Americana, pappardelle with lamb ragu and romance-inspired dessert choices such as Madagascar chocolate panna cotta with Bergamot sauce and olive oil cake with honey gelato and mission figs. 4969 Roswell Road, 404.250.8988, ciboatlanta.com

W for Wonderful
All weekend long Whiskey Blue at W Atlanta–Buckhead will be bringing romance to the rooftop with Champagne specials, complimentary chocolate-dipped strawberries and signature Valentine’s Day cocktails such as their Candy Heart and Love Potion #9. For couples that want to make a night of it, guests can snag a SPARK Valentine’s Package: a Wonderful Room; chilled bottle of Moët & Chandon Rosé Champagne; rose petal turndown service; complimentary in-room movie; complimentary valet parking; and 4pm late checkout. $269 per night, Offer valid for Friday-Sunday stays, Feb. 3-26 and on Tuesday, Feb. 14. 3377 Peachtree Road NE, 678.500.3100, watlantabuckhead.com/valentines