The four best Valentine’s Day menus in Sydney for 2020

Raspberry and dark chocolate framboisier made to look like a delicate rose in full bloom (pictured above) should tell you all you need to know about how creative chefs get whenever Valentine’s Day comes around. That particular dessert, part of Mode Kitchen & Bar’s set VDay menu for this year, is but one of the many things you and your loved one can indulge in on the 14th, if you take a look at some of Sydney’s best loved-up set menus.

Valentine’s Day is always a good time to eat your way around town, even if you aren’t doing so as a couple. Below we’ve listed four Valentine’s Day menus and experiences we feel are the best options in Sydney this year, from classic set dinners, to an sleek overnight stay with live poetry readings.

Mode Kitchen & Bar

Mode Kitchen & Bar, located conveniently at the junction of Sydney CBD and The Rocks inside the lavish five-star Four Seasons Hotel Sydney, is putting on a show-stopping Valentine’s Day dinner menu for those who truly want to indulge on the day. Break out the classic ideals of candlelit dinners and rich flavours, spun into a five-course set menu complemented by the restaurant’s fashionable, warm and intimate setting.

Award-winning Head Chef Francesco Mannelli has put together the kind of produce-forward feast that’ll make even the hardiest food connoisseur feel spoiled, starting on a high with scallops tartare served with finger lime and smoked Yarra Valley caviar. The menu will continue with “Gnudi” zucchini flowers stuffed with buffalo ricotta, butter and sage; saffron risotto with scarlet prawn and stracciatella; and, for mains, a choice between either Mayura Station striploin MB 7+ with caramelised fig and orange, or wood roasted Glacier 51 and spicy tomato consommé with baby summer vegetables. It ends with a stunning raspberry and dark chocolate framboisier (feature image) created by French pastry duo Elliot and Quentin, and a round of petit fours. Pure decadence.

The menu is priced at $130pp and is only available on 14th February. Limited bookings are essential via calling +61 2 9250 3160, emailing [email protected] or by visiting modekitchenandbar.com.au.

199 George Street Ground Floor, Sydney NSW 2000.

QT Sydney

QT Hotels around Australia are getting in on the whole Valentine’s Day vibe, which means QT Sydney should be a fun night out with a bunch of love-themed quirks including dedicated “QT Cupids” carrying out random acts of love for guests, and the hotels music turning to non-stop love songs for 24 hours.

But food is where the heart is, and the hotels Gowings Bar & Grill will be turning their dining room into a share-table dining experience to encourage everyone to mingle with one another (so singles are welcome) over card games by influencer/presenter FlexMami and, of course, a feast.

Although if that isn’t your bag, there’s still that classic 1-on-1 table setting, with dinner for two starting with a bottle of G.H. Mumm Grand Cordon, leading into a three course set menu with the likes of swordfish cudo, lamb rump and roasted aubergine, before finishing up with the restaurant’s signature “love bomb” dessert. Special V-Day cocktails will also be available.

Stay packages are also included, with overnights including live poetry readings from a QT Cupid, a bottle of Champagne, and breakfast for two.

All information can be found at qthotels.com/.

49 Market St, Sydney NSW 2000.

CicciaBella

Still-fresh Mitch Orr-led Italian eatery CicciBella will be heading into its very first Valentine’s Day with a special set menu for anyone wanting to get their fill of pizza and pasta.

The lights will be dimmed, there’ll be a DJ serenading couples with loved-up jams, and Orr will be handling a menu that starts with oysters and clams with pinzimonio, mozzarella, and garlic pizzette, followed by the popular spaghetti with tomato, lobster oil and kombu. Mains will include the veal marsala, and the night will wrap with twin desserts of tea-ramisu and choco cannoli. Those wanting to add a little extra to the menu can opt to include the wood-fired marron with saffron butter, available for pre-order.

Bookings are essential by calling the restaurant directly on +61 2 8090 6969 or visiting cicciabella.com.au.

75-79 Hall St, Bondi Beach NSW 2026.

KOI Dessert Bar

Head to the reliably inventive KOI Dessert Bar’s original Chippendale venue for a bit of a sugar-fix this Valentine’s Day. The kitchen team have created a special six-course menu for the day for intimate dining with unique savoury and sweet dishes like a foie gras ganache with potato cream mochi donut, and scallops with coconut dashi, chive oil, lardo and ponzu gel. It only gets more out-there as the night progresses, with a bubble tea inspired dish featuring parmesan bubble, mushroom tea and potato espuma, leading up to the finish of “Bee Mine” chamomile cake with dulce cremeux, burnt honey gel, puffed buckwheat and jasmine gelato.

The menu is priced at $120pp and is available on both the 14th and 15th February. Bookings are available online at koidessertbar.com.au/valentine.

46 Kensington St, Chippendale NSW 2008.

Feature image: Mode Kitchen & Bar.

Chris Singh

Chris Singh is an Editor-At-Large at the AU review, loves writing about travel and hospitality, and is partial to a perfectly textured octopus. You can reach him on Instagram: @chrisdsingh.