How do you celebrate Valentine’s Day?
For some couples, a box of chocolates and a card will do. For others, the holiday is not complete without a romantic dinner by the candlelight.
Whatever your routine is, there’s plenty of ways to break the mold on the North Fork this year.
But you better act fast, because reservations are filling up and tickets are selling quickly.
Here are several ways to make sure this Valentine’s Day is a special night out.
Enjoy a four-course prix fixe at The Preston House
In case you missed it, The Preston House in downtown Riverhead has a new executive chef with some serious chops and he’ll be cooking up a four-course prix fixe dinner on Valentine’s Day.
The cost is $85 per person ($120 with a wine pairing) and the menu is fairlu seafood focused.
You can start your meal off with oysters with rose champagne mignonette, follow that up with linguine with little neck clams, followed by day boat sea scallops and a sharable dessert that includes chocolate covered strawberries, almond créme caramel and pear fritter.
And that’s just one direction to follow on the menu as each of the first three courses comes with at least three different options.
428 E. Main St., Riverhead, (631) 775-1500, theprestonhouseandhotel.com
Do things differently at Greenport Harbor Brewing Co.
The Greenport Harbor brewery in Peconic is also cooking up a multi-course meal on the big day and they’re calling it “Not Your Traditional Valentine’s Day Dinner.”
The menu, prepared by Chef Greg Ling, includes five courses, each paired with a beer from head brewer Pat Alfred. The $60 dinner is from 7 to 9 p.m.
The menu includes unique items like an oyster bao and more traditional fare like duck and ribeye.
The dessert includes ice cream with a beer pour-over.
42155 Main Road, Peconic, (631) 477-1100, greenportharborbrewing.com
Book an overnight at Hyatt Place East End
The Long Island Aquarium in Riverhead has long been a go-to for Valentine’s Day and they’re once again hosting their Choco Vino dinner for $199 a couple.
But why stop there?
For a total cost of $398 you can get a pair of tickets to the event and book an overnight stay at the neighboring Hyatt Place East End.
The Sweethearts Package includes breakfast the following morning and use of the hotel’s indoor pool and fitness center.
451 East Main Street, Riverhead, (631) 208-0002, longislandeastend.place.hyatt.com/LongIsland
Dance the night away at East Wind
Not everyone wants to sit still on Valentine’s Day and the East Wind in Wading River will get you on your feet with its Be My Valentine Dinner Dance.
For $70 per person you get a surf and turf dinner and a four-hour open bar with a DJ guiding the activities on the dance floor.
This deal also includes an all-inclusive overnight package ($369 per couple) that includes breakfast.
5720 Route 25A, Wading River, (631) 929-3500, eastwindlongisland.com
Celebrate early with a Paint & Sip
Not everyone can get out on Valentine’s Day, so you have to get creative and find a way to do something different another night.
Pindar Vineyards is hosting a Valentine’s theme paint and sip for $40 at 1 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 9.
The Valentine’s theme will see you paint a pair of wine glasses while sipping on Pindar wines.
37645 Main Road, Peconic, (631) 734-6200, pindar.net
