Top Venues for Valentine’s Dinner in Waterford
by Michelle Heffernan
Love is in the air…and so are the delicious aromas wafting from award winning restaurants across Waterford city. Nothing says “Be my Valentine” quite like a delicious meal for two and we have selected the most romantic restaurants and menus for you to wine and dine your Valentine this week in Waterford and in no particular order here they are.
Momo 47, Patrick Street.
They say the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach and Momo will certainly lead you in the right direction! A restaurant featuring international cuisine, Momo has scooped countless awards since its opening including a place in the Sunday Times Top 100 Restaurants in Ireland Guide. This is a business built on love of food and luurve, run by beautiful couple Kamila and Harry, who joined forces three years ago to create a restaurant focused firmly on flavour. This Valentine’s week Momo offers a special sharing dinner-sharing board for two, sharing dessert and two glasses of prosecco comes in at a neat €65 per couple, a dinner that will delight the heart and the pocket. For more information on Momo visit momorestaurant.ie or call 051 581509 to book a table
Bodega, 54 John Street
“Bodega is one of the great Irish restaurant rooms” wrote John and Sally McKenna who recently named this beautiful restaurant as one of the Best Places to Eat in Ireland. With exciting contemporary cooking, dining in Bodega is the equivalent of a great culinary hug, a warm and affectionate experience that you never tire from. Star chef Malcolm Starmer has worked alongside such culinary greats as Gordon Ramsey and Dylan McGrath and hones his talents in the Bodega kitchen to produce a menu that celebrates food, flavour and the best in Waterford produce.. With special Valentines menu this Tues-Thurs of €69 for two people, including three courses, book now to make the most of Bodega’s flavoursome feats. See bodegawaterford.com or call 051 844177
Café Goa, 36 Merchant’s Quay
I like my food like my men, hot and spicy! If its fire and passion you’re after this Valentine’s Day, look no further than Café Goa, a favourite of Waterfordians for its warm reception and warmer Indian cuisine. Prepare for excitement and fireworks here as the hot and sweet aromas from the open kitchen excite your senses the moment you’re in the door. A new second floor at Goa now provides an even cosier and more intimate spot for a romantic meal, while Shamim’s hospitality will always leave your plate and heart warmed. For a real taste of India this Valentine’s try the Goa Khaari, bhuna or biryani, three dishes just packed with flavour, and all available for vegetarians or vegans. See www.cafegoa.ie or call 051 304970 to book your spicy evening out now.
Burzza, 53 John Street
Burzza may be more economical than its sister restaurant Bodega, but less pricey doesn’t mean less flavoursome! Burzza, named aptly for specialising in burgers and pizzas, is fast becoming a favourite of locals and tourists alike, with delectable pizzas and succulent burgers, cooked to perfection with the finest ingredients. Taste the real flavour of Naples with soft doughy pizzas heaped in mouth watering mozzarella, and authentic Italian meats, all cooked in a classic wood fire oven. Feast your eyes and your mouth on beef burgers built on complimentary flavours, with ingredients such as Gubbeen smoked cheddar or Crowe Farm cured bacon nesting on Tom Kearney’s local 100% Irish beef.. With beers, wines and even cocktails, Burzza continually guarantees a tasty meal for excellent value. Call 051 844969 to book
Emiliano’s, 21 High Street
Does anything say amore quite like Italian? If it’s true romance your after this Valentine’s Day , look no further than the amazing Emiliano’s, a firm favourite of Waterford cuisine, unrivalled for its authentic Italian cuisine, atmosphere and aroma of amore. With its rustic décor and deep red interiors, Emiliano’s takes you out of Waterford and over to enticing flavours of Rome, Venice and Naples with pasta, meat and pizza dishes packed full of Italian passion. Here, the ingredients speak for themselves, with Emiliano ensuring his chefs use the finest Italian herbs, sweetest tomatoes and press the most fresh and flavoursome pasta on site. Order the bruschetta al pomodoro or the penne siciliana and I think your date will be hard pushed not to swoon into a spaghetti kiss. For true romance this Valentines call Emiliano’s on 051 820333
The Olive Tree, No. 8 The Mall
Love is all about sharing, and what better way to practice than over a delicious board of Spanish tapas? The Olive Tree Wine & Tapas Bar guarantees to please even the most picky palette, with an array of meat, fish, veg, sweet, and savoury tapas dishes served with a side of Spanish hospitality. Try your own combination choosing from a menu of 20 plus tapas or opt for one of their delectable sharing boards for a recommended round of complimentary foods and flavours. This Valentine’s Day The Olive Tree offers a wonderful set Three Course Menu for a tasty price of just €26.95 per person. Featuring mouth watering bruschetta, scrumptious seafood paella and the heavenly sweetness of real Spanish churros, this is a menu you’ll both fall in love with. Call 051 585 555 to book
The Reg Restaurant
Usually dazzled by its disco lights and dance floor dreams, a lot of us forget how much is on offer at this fantastic venue in the heart of the Viking triangle. Known for its quality events and entertainment, The Reg places the same level of professionalism into its food, serving delicious, locally sourced and evenly priced cuisine, alongside its extensive range of beers, wines and cocktails. Diners can enjoy their meal in the classy SUAS restaurant upstairs or equally enjoy their courses in the atmosphere of the premises lively bars. This Valentine’s weekend(14-17) the chef here is offering a fantastic three course menu with sharing cocktail for the nice price of just €32 per person. For an evening of great food, great atmosphere and great entertainment under one roof, head to heart of the old city and book your table at The Reg.
Everett’s, 22 High Street.
A recent arrival on the Waterford culinary scene, Everett’s has fast established itself as an exceptional dining experience. Ballinakill native Peter Everett previously worked at the prestigious Restaurant Forty-One and has now returned to him home town to open Waterford mouths to the taste of haute cuisine. Combining the best of Irish cooking in the beautiful setting of the 15th century John Collyn House, Everett’s promises a romantic evening like no other. Indeed Ireland’s longest serving restaurant critic Tom Doorley called it “a gem”, saying “Beat a path to its door”. Find out what the fuss is about for yourself this Valentine’s Day by calling 051 325174
Oh la la, l’amour c’est magnifique! Or at least the food at La Boheme is; The French are an equally romantic race and chef Eric at La Boheme restaurant is fast sending Waterfordians on a love affair with French food and fine dining. Situated in an historic landmark of Waterford City in the vaulted basement of The Port Of Waterford building on Georges Street, La Boheme will welcome you to a warm embrace, and wafting smells of garlic and wine, La Boheme will transport you to another world of French charm, style and sophistication. For a Valentine’s meal that’s warm, rich and hearty in essence, head to La Boheme and begin your new love affair with la cuisine de France.
As Eric says, “For me, cooking is life. Anything before or after is just waiting. I love everything about food, the ingredients, the preparation, the dining, and camaraderie. For as long as I can remember, I always wanted to be a chef and share my passion, because without people, food is nothing. It must be shared to be enjoyed. Fine dining is more than fine food; it’s good company. I also wanted to marry my love of food with my love of France, because in many ways, when I think of one, I think of the other. From the windswept coastline of Brittany, where the lamb tastes of the salty fields on which it grazes to the delicious fish stews of Marseilles and the Mediterranean, La Boheme to me is France on a plate, full of flavour and rich in character.”
Call La Boheme at (051) 875 645
For a full list of restaurants in Waterford then visit https://visitwaterford.com/eat-drink/
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