Valentine's Day dining options in Bradenton and Sarasota

VALENTINE'S ROMANCE

In Cortez: Seafood Shack Marina Bar & Grill wants guests to "Feel The Love" with a romantic dinner date honoring Valentine's Day and featuring a three-course dinner, live jazz music, and authentic pearl keepsake on Feb. 13 starting at 6 p.m. The Seafood Shack's newly renovated second-floor Neptune Room will host the event. The prix fixe menu offers guests a choice of appetizer, entrée and dessert. Main course selections include Truffle Lobster Risotto, Grilled Beef Tenderloin, and Herb & Onion-Crusted Gulf Grouper. The price is $115 for two people (plus tax and service gratuities). Seatings are available on the half hour from 6-8 p.m. For reservations and additional information, call The Seafood Shack's Special Occasions Line at (941) 527-7868.

In Bradenton: Pier 22, on Bradenton's Riverfront, is offering a special Valentine's menu beginning at 4 p.m. Appetizers include prosciutto scallop blankets, crab cake, mussels, lamb lollipops, escargot, Asian lettuce wraps. Soup or salad includes lobster bisque, baked onion soup, spinach and apple salad, Pier 22 house salad and Caesar salad. Entrees include grouper Oscar, prime rib, chicken chevre, pork osso bucco, lobster tails, wasabi crusted ahi tuna, surf and turf, stuffed lobster, New Zealand rack of lamb, roast duckling and filet Oscar. Sushi and dessert menus are also available. Reservations: 941-748-8087.

In Village of the Arts: Ortygia: 1418 13th St. W., Bradenton. Enjoy a "romantic aphrodisiac" dinner 6 p.m. or 8:30 p.m. Feb. 14 featuring exceptional food with ingredients that are known to have romantic powers, plus delectable wines and entertainment by Skip Eaton. Cost: $80 per couple, excludes tax and tip. Reservations: 941-741-8646 or ortygiarestaurant.com.

In Village of the Arts: Arts & Eats Restaurant and Gallery, 1114 12th St. W., Bradenton. Experience a charming, romantic place for your Valentine's Day dinner 4-8 p.m. Feb. 14 featuring a menu with a variety of choices. Cost: $50 per person, includes a glass of champagne. Reservations: 941-201-6647 or andeatsfl@gmail.com.

In Palmetto: Spend Valentine's Day on the Manatee River at Palmetto's Riverhouse Reef & Grill's Annual Sweethearts Night Event on Feb. 14. This special event for couples features a bottle of wine, music, dancing, flowers, chocolates, and a very special menu including an appetizer, salad, dessert, and spectacular entrees. Cost: $100 per couple. Seating is limited. Reservations: 941-729-0616.

In Lakewood Ranch: This Valentine's Day, Feb. 14, the Polo Grill and Bar on Lakewood Ranch Main Street offers an evening of irresistible food, spirits and entertainment. The pre fixe dinner menu features local, culinary specialties. Strolling violinist Laurie Vodnoy-Wright will be here to pair your romantic evening with a relaxing and elegant atmosphere. The four-course menu is $65++ per person and includes amuse bouche, starter, main course and dessert. To view the complete Valentine's Day menu, visit pologrillandbar.com/valentines-day. Reservations are recommended. Call (941) 782-0899 ext. 2 to reserve your spot today.

In Lakewood Ranch: MacAllisters Grill and Tavern, 8110 Lakewood Ranch Main Street, is offering a special Valentine's Day menu after 4 p.m. Entrees include lobster ravioli, filet Oskar, sausa and roasted red pepper stuffed chicken breast and cioppino stew. Information: 941-359-2424.

At Mall at UTC: A "Tale of Two Risottos" brings two bellissimo dishes to guests of BRIO Tuscan Grille at

International Plaza in Tampa & The Mall at University Town Center in Sarasota, Jan. 19-March 27, for only $19.95 each. Storied dishes include a broiled Maine lobster tail served over risotto with shrimp, mushrooms, asparagus, roasted red peppers, basil and Parmesan cheese. Five large sea scallops will served over a roasted vegetable ratatouille risotto.

In Sarasota: The Table Creekside, 5365 Tamiami Trail, South Sarasota, will offer a special Valentine's Day menu that will have guests enjoying fine culinary cuisine with a romantic waterfront view. They can enjoy one of the Chef's special creations or dine from the regular dinner menu from 4-10 p.m. Feb. 12-14. Menu: Oven-roasted Chilean seabass, Napa stir fry, rock shrimp, Albariño grapes, fingerling potatoes, oyster mushrooms, Pacific oyster crisp, osetra caviar; Duck confit ravioli, wild mushroom reduction, mascarpone cream, Colorado lamb, fig jam, goat cheese, Jerusalem artichoke puree Crusted Kobe NY strip, yukon truffled croquette; Deconstructed Maine lobster, Vermont butter poached lobster tail, manchego lobster brûlée, organic spinach, Wisconsin cheddar cheese corn bread croutons. Reservations: 941-921-9465.

ON THE MENU

Royal tea: Everybody must get sconed! Royal Tea Service will be held at the Powel Crosley Estate on Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons Feb. 16-17 and 23-24. Hosted by Simply Gourmet, expect such delicacies as Cassis Marinated Strawberry Parfait, Vanilla Cream Fruit Tartlets, Currant Scones/Devonshire Cream, Double Chocolate Triangles, Turkey/Sundried Tomato Pinwheels, Royal Tea Sandwich Medley. Tickets are $32. A portion of the proceeds benefits the Crosley Foundation. To reserve, call 941-225-9122.

Jazz dinner: Hot Jazz At Arts & Eats! Beat the start of the week blues with Arts & Eats' Monday Jazz Dinner from 6-9 p.m. Enjoy the music of Studio Kitchen Jazz Quintet with Chef Jim Copening on bass (when he can get out of the kitchen), Jim Martin on piano, Mark Mitchell on flute and sax, Jerry York on drums, and Nick Haas on guitar. Space limited. Reservations: 941-201-6647 or on Open Table.

Jazz brunch: The Sandbar's Sunday Jazz Brunch features nationally recognized, top local jazz musicians. The menu, served from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., includes items made with farm-to-fork produce along with fresh gulf seafood, breads made on site and drinks made with fresh fruits. Lunch menu is also available. The restaurant is at 100 Spring Ave., Anna Maria. Information: 941-778-0444.

COOKING CLASSES

Giuliano Hazan, chef, teacher, cookbook author and son of Italian culinary legend Marcella Hazan, continues his series of intimate Italian cooking classes in 2016.

Recipient of the coveted "Cooking Teacher of the Year" award from the International Association of Culinary Professionals, Hazan is the author of five cookbooks. Hazan and his wife, Lael Hazan, a food historian, will open their Sarasota riverside home to a maximum of nine participants per class. Guided by Hazan, attendees will prepare a four-course Italian meal, which will be enjoyed at the table and paired with select Italian wines.

All classes are from 10:30 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. Cost is $150 per person per class. To make reservations, call 941-363-1258 or email at info@giulianohazan.com.

Following is Hazan's class schedule for early 2016: Jan. 7, Jan. 15, Feb. 4, Feb. 10, Feb. 18, Feb. 26 and additional dates in March and April.For more information on Hazan, his cookbooks, Italy cooking/tour excursions and cooking demonstrations, go to www.giulianohazan.com.

Apron's classes: Apron's Cooking School at Publix At University Walk, 2875 University Parkway; students may register for all classes online at www.publix.com or by calling 941-358-7829.

Culinary Calendar: Email information to calendar@bradenton.com.

This story was originally published February 10, 2016 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Valentine's Day dining options in Bradenton and Sarasota ."