Drool-Worthy Valentine's Prix Fixe Menus

Meritage Steakhouse is one of the many fine dining spots offering special Valentine's menus

​Sometimes love requires some visual stimulation.

That includes Valentine's Day dining, where the promise of culinary hedonism with the object of your affection sounds hot enough, but getting a glimpse of the menu can really sweep you off your feet.

Curious about who's serving what around town?

Read on, Chow Bella followers, for a sampler of some of the city's most intriguing prix fixe menus, meant to get you in the mood with everything from oysters to champagne to chocolate.

Estate House: "All Things Chocolate" three-course menu ($75 per person)
Toasted coriander seared Ahi tuna, smashed plantains, toasted coconut espuma, milk chocolate chipotle glaze

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Grilled Maine lobster profiterole, honey roasted shallots, white chocolate silk

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Black cherry wood smoked duck breast, vanilla scented duck confit spanakopita, grilled scallions dark chocolate demi

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Valrhona shiraz braised buffalo short rib, pasilla de Oaxaca blue corn pastel, nopalitos, queso fresco

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Peanut White Chocolate Cathedral - Praline chocolate bark, peanut cocoa butter mousse, smooth caramel ganache, fresh raspberries and chantilly cream

La Hacienda: "Latin Lovers" four-course menu ($48 per person), Friday through Sunday
"Mariscos trio" with shrimp ceviche, marinated lobster tamal and plantain masa sopes

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Arugula salad or cream of asparagus and chile Serrano soup

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Entrée choice of roasted chicken with mole poblano, a coriander rubbed filet mignon with entomatadas or pan seared scallops

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Cinnamon and anise dusted chocolate hearts with honey almond ice cream