Looking to spoil your food-loving lover this Valentine’s Day? We’ve assembled three distinct date itineraries right here in the Hudson Valley.
You could shower your partner in gifts, chocolates, and roses on Valentine’s Day, but let’s face it: nothing compares to the gift of not having to plan the date. The February holiday is a wonderful opportunity to show that special someone that you care about them, and for foodies, there’s no better way to send the message than with excellent food and drink. With that in mind, we’ve planned three dates—in the northern, central, and lower Hudson Valley—to ensure you and your sweetheart have the yummiest Valentine’s Day date a foodie could dream up.
Foodie Date in White Plains
Cocktails and Appetizers at The Blind Pig
174 Martine Avenue
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Start off your romantic date amid the speakeasy vibes at The Blind Pig, an eatery with top-notch cocktails, charcuterie, and a robust selection of sharable plates. While you’ll want to save your appetite for Red Horse, this is a great choice for those who like to graze as they sip a signature cocktail. Speaking of, the drink menu includes options like the “One Night Stand” with vodka, elderflower, blackberry, and lemon; the “Purple Panties” made with empress, elderflower, citrus, and prosecco; and the heat-packed “Well Slapped Arse” complete with raspberry shrub, tequila, agave, and habanero.
Mouthwatering Meal at Red Horse by David Burke
221 Main Street
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You certainly needn’t worry that your date has been here before—the new Westchester steakhouse from celebrity chef David Burke only started taking its first reservations at the end of January. Situated at The Opus hotel, Red Horse has the kind of menu that makes your mouth water, whether you have a hankering for bison short ribs, lacquered duck breast with dumplings, or a lobster dinner. On Valentine’s Day, the restaurant offers a special three-course prix fixe menu at lunch and dinner.
Sweet Conclusion at Ice Cream Social
481 Mamaroneck Avenue
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After a hearty meal at Red Horse, savor the simple goodness of ice cream made with hormone-free Hudson Valley cow’s milk at Ice Cream Social. The White Plains creamery serves 10 varieties of vegan scoops on top of its 30 standard flavors, which include German chocolate cake, lavender, and salted caramel pretzel.
Foodie Date in Woodstock
Terrific Drinks at Early Terrible
45 Mill Hill Road
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At this Woodstock bar and grill, the only thing better than the atmosphere is the drink menu. Treat yourself and your Valentine to one of the specialty cocktails, such as the lychee martini, Old Fashioned, or “Part-Time Lover,” a concoction of Casamigos, elderflower liqueur, Aperol, fresh lemon, and bitters. In addition to cocktails, Early Terrible keeps a stock of red, white, pink, and sparkling wines along with drink specials that rotate daily. If you find yourself peckish, order one of the small plates to whet your palate for Good Night.
Great Meal at Good Night
15 Rock City Road
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For the yummiest Southeast Asian cuisine in Woodstock, make reservation at Good Night. The restaurant offers a modern twist on traditional dishes with appetizers like grilled edamame, Sichuan filet mignon carpaccio, and Shan tofu along with mains like crispy monkfish tempura, Thai seafood bouillabaisse, and lamb rendang curry. The artfully prepared plates are matched in elegance by the eatery’s interior, which comprises beautiful wood surfaces, shimmering chandeliers, high ceilings, and a littering of large house plants, effusing romance to the nth degree.
Sweets and Treats at Nancy’s Artisanal Creamery
297 Tinker Street
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There’s no place like Nancy’s when it comes to satisfying a sweet tooth in Woodstock. The storefront offers a range of homemade ice cream, cakes, pastries, and coffee beverages made with quality ingredients.
Foodie Date in Poughkeepsie
Valentine’s Vino at Milea Estate Vineyard
450 Hollow Road, Staatsburg
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Start your Dutchess County date just north of Poughkeepsie at Milea Estate Vineyard in Staatsburg. The winery is a gem for Hudson Valley views in all seasons, and the wine is delicious to boot. If your sweetie is a lover of reds, treat them to the 2020 Cabernet Franc, a New York State beauty filled with dark fruits. For anyone who wants to keep it light and bright, the 2021 Reserve Chardonnay delights with notes of lemon zest and pear.
Sharable Plates at Savona’s Trattoria & Bar
1 Collegeview Avenue
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It “tastes just like grandma made it!” For dishes that make you feel right at home—minus your family, as that would not be ideal for a Valentine’s date—stop into Savona’s for dinner. Given the litany of delicious picks of appetizers, salads, entrées, and pizzas, we recommend sharing a few plates with your lover to maximize the dining experience.
Sweet Endings at The Pastry Garden
2600 South Road, Suite 5
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What is Valentine’s Day if not an excuse to overindulge in all things sweet? Whether you’re a fan of classic cupcakes, pastries, or even truffles, The Pastry Garden has something that you and your love will adore. For the season, it’s hard to go wrong with treats like chocolate raspberry truffles and cannoli cupcakes. P.S. Don’t forget to snag a hot cocoa bomb to savor at home.
