Traditionally romantic restaurants in Minneapolis and St. Paul are a safe choice, but make your reservations well in advance. This year, pressure on restaurants is eased slightly as Valentine's Day is on a Monday, so there's the whole weekend before to go out for dinner.
The Nicollet Island Inn is often spoken of as one of Minneapolis' most romantic restaurants. It has history, location, style, and great food. On Valentine's Day eve, February 13, the Nicollet Island Inn has a special menu for $70 per guest. And for around $200 more, you can stay at one of the Nicollet Island Inn's hotel rooms with city or river views.
Zelo, an Italian restaurant with Asian influences on Nicollet Mall in Minneapolis has the classic food of love - pasta - as well as many other menu options in a gorgeous dining room in the middle of downtown Minneapolis.
W. A. Frost, in St. Paul's Cathedral Hill, is in a beautifully renovated historic building with wonderful ambiance. To appeal to the ethical romantic, W. A. Frost uses plenty of local and organic ingredients.
For something a little more unusual, Como Zoo suggests that instead of giving your beloved flowers, why not dine amongst them? On February 13 and 14, you and your date can enjoy a candle lit dinner for two in the lovely Marjorie McNeely Conservatory surrounded by tropical flowers and romantic music from live musicians. Valentine's Day Dinner at Como costs $165 per couple.
Minnesota Zoo has something similar on February 14, with a "Love Tour" of the zoo and courtship rituals of the resident animals, followed by a gourmet dinner. Seems slightly creepy to me but it's a popular event. Tickets are $175 per couple.
