Looking for Romance? Some Love-ly Restaurant Choices

From heart-shaped bread to yummy chocolate desserts, Montclair bakeries and restaurants will offer a smorgasbord of special treats to wow you and your special Valentine. Since the 14th of February comes on a Monday this year, many restaurants will be expecting customers to celebrate over the weekend. So be sure to make your reservations early!

—Zod Arifai, owner/chef of Blu at 554 Bloomfield Ave., said there will be a four-course menu created for Valentine’s Day, featuring an appetizer, fish course, meat dish, and dessert. Diners can switch the offerings around if they so choose.

—At Nicolo’s Italian Bakery and Deli at 6 Baldwin St. the most unusual item will be bread baked in the shape of hearts.

—The Southern Belle at 615 Bloomfield Ave. will feature a three-course dinner. Starters include Lobster Bisque; entrees include Beef Wellington; and highlights on the dessert menu include Red Velvet Trifle and Molten Chocolate Cake.

—Tosca at 15 Church St. will present a Valentine’s Day Menu on Sunday, Feb. 13 and Monday, Feb. 14. The second course pasta choice is “Lover’s Ravioli." Also on the holiday menu: Cornish Game Hen with cherry Marsala sauce, and for dessert, “Decadent Sweetheart Dessert Pizza for Two”! It’s an Italian tradition, but the ingredients are a secret.

—Egan & Son’s at 118 Walnut St. will have “Steak for Two” on the menu for couples who like to share.

—Terra Fair Trade Tea Salon at 10 Church St. will hold its annual “All’s Fair in Love and Chocolate” contest on Saturday, Feb. 12, at noon.  They’ve invited local cooks to enter their favorite recipes in a “bake off” for the best treat.

—Bistro 18 at 18 S. Fullerton Ave. is certain to come up with something chocolate for the holiday of hearts, according to the manager. There will be some different specials on the a la carte menu as well.

—Sally Reinhardt, owner of The Bread Company at 115 Walnut St., said she’s featuring heart-shaped cookies to mark The Day.

—Gina’s Bakery at 110 Walnut St. will be making lots of goodies for Valentine’s Day, such as heart-shaped brownies with chocolate ganache, and a raspberry-chocolate truffle tart decorated with hearts on top.

—Uptown 596 at 596 Valley Rd. will spotlight “red ravioli” filled with cheese and smothered in cream sauce as well as mussels in a red marinara sauce. Valentine's Day marks the third anniversary of this popular eatery in Upper Montclair.

—Mesob, the unique Ethiopian restaurant at 515 Bloomfield Ave., will feature a performance of Eskesta dancing on Monday, Feb. 14 for Valentine's Day at 6:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. Reservations are required.  There will also be a "surprise menu" in honor of the holiday.