This year, Valentine’s Day may look a little different with many couples riding out the pandemic from home. This calls for new traditions with many restaurants redefining and reimagining takeout since COVID-19 hindered in-person dining. From delivering a four-course meal to specialty cocktails, these five local restaurants will make for an ultimate night in.
Adega
Located in Cleveland’s Metropolitan at the 9, Adega prepares trendy and modern family-style meals for two. Choose between rigatoni Bolognese, sweet basil salad, brick-oven chicken, confit chicken piada and pappardelle cioppino for your entree. For the true Valentine’s Day restaurant experience, add an appetizer package of either local sausage and goat cheese, hummus or polenta cubes and pistachio cookies for dessert. $28-$82, 2017 E. Ninth St., Cleveland, 216-331-6289, metropolitancleveland.com/eat-drink/adega
Michaelangelo’s Italian Restaurant and Wine Bar
Michaelangelo’s family-style to-go meals feed four: perfect for a double-date, leftovers or a Valentine’s Day spent with the whole family. You can even have your meal delivered if you live within a certain distance of the Little Italy restaurant. The weekly special consists of a meat entree, a side pasta and a salad, with recent features including veal marsala, veal piccata and chicken parmesan. You can even add a bottle of red or white wine for an additional cost. $50 - $100, 2198 Murray Hill Road, Cleveland, 216-271-0300, mangelos.com
Thyme Table
Thyme Table of Avon Lake has you covered if you’re aiming for a romantic four-course meal in your own dining room. The Valentine’s Day special includes an appetizer of brie, thyme and honey crisps with a berry fig compote; grilled espresso porcini tenderloin with roasted beets, arugula and raspberry vinaigrette; veal osso bucco, gremolata, Asiago potato gratin and baby carrots and a chocolate ganache cake with raspberry rose coulis and pistachio dacquoise for dessert. Each meal comes with a bottle of champagne. $100 for two, 33682 Walker Road, Avon Lake, 440-617-6964, thymextable.com
Toast
With cocktail names such as “Humans can be Awful Cruel” and “The First Sentence of Truth is Always the Hardest,” it’s hard not to order more than one. Add a romantic charcuterie board and dessert to-go to accompany your philosophical drinks and lavish spread. Cleveland’s Toast also has a Valentine’s Day special, for which you choose an appetizer, two entrees, a dessert and a bottle of wine for an additional cost. 1365 W. 65th St., Cleveland, 216-862-8974, toastcleveland.com
Zhug
Douglas Katz’ Zhug in Cleveland Heights has been a heavy hitter in the takeout and delivery game as of late. Elevate each order by choosing one of 12 cocktails or classic cocktail kits for two. For a hearty meal, choose the honey roasted beets alongside butter roasted shrimp and beef kofte for a Middle Eastern-inspired surf & turf. Whether Katz delivers the food himself or you swing up for curbside service, this spot is worth checking out. 12413 Cedar Road, Cleveland Heights, 216-862-2508, zhugcle.com
