Everything You Need for Valentine’s Day in Lincoln Square

Though naysayers will claim Valentine’s Day is just a corporate holiday—a holiday kept alive by card companies—it’s likely that people just enjoy a reason to celebrate. Whether you have a Valentine or not, February 14 is an opportunity to indulge in chocolate, dinner out, or other special treats. And for those looking to stay in Lincoln Square, there are plenty of ways to enjoy the holiday.

Show Your Love with a Gift

Cards & Decorations – You’ll find heart-shaped cards and decorations galore at Paper Source (The Shops at Columbus Circle) and Target (1863 Broadway at the corner of W 61^st). The neighborhood bookstore, Shakespeare & Co. (2020 Broadway between W 69^th and W 70^th), also has a number of Valentine’s Day cards located in the front of the store.

Sweet Treats – At The Shops at Columbus, artisan chocolates from La Maison Du Chocolat will likely delight any recipient. Other sweet ideas include specialty boxes of macarons from Ladurée (The Shops at Columbus Circle); holiday items from Maman (152 Columbus Ave between W 66^th and W 67^th) like white chocolate raspberry rose cookies and heart shaped croissants with vanilla, raspberry, and fresh berries; and treats like praline nuts and truffles nestled in heart-shaped boxes at Épicerie Boulud (1900 Broadway at W 64^th). You can even get your love a big (Hershey’s) kiss, among many other types of candies, at IT’SUGAR (1870 Broadway between W 61^st and W 62^nd).

Flowers – A pretty bouquet is one way to brighten your loved one’s day. Morton Williams (2015 Broadway between W 68^th and W 69th), Gourmet Garage (155 W 66^th between Amsterdam Ave and Broadway), and Whole Foods Market (The Shops at Columbus Circle) all offer a wide assortment of floral arrangements—or find luxury roses that can last more than a year at Venus et Fleur (The Shops at Columbus Circle).

Jewelry – Hoping to dazzle your loved one with jewelry? You’ll find one-of-a-kind items at The Emporium Ltd. (20 W 64th Street between Central Park West and Broadway), the neighborhood’s only antique store. Now through Valentine’s Day, The Store at MAD (2 Columbus Circle) is offering 20% off all fine jewelry. At The Shops at Columbus Circle, Swarovski and Monica Rich Kosann both have Valentine’s Day gift guides with a variety of sparkling ornaments.

Enjoy a Special Meal

A Mexican Feast – Rosa Mexicano (61 Columbus Ave between W 63^rd and W 62^nd) is celebrating love with a Valentine’s Day special. The set menu, which starts with chips, salsa, and guacamole, is 3-courses paired with pink prosecco, all for $149. For an extra $25, order a “Lover’s Margarita for Two”—a sweet and spicy pineapple habanero margarita served with two straws.

Elevated Luxury – RSVP for an upscale evening at Ascent Lounge (in The Shops at Columbus Circle). Couples will enjoy shared plates and desserts alongside premium champagne. The meals cost either $200 or $275, depending on your champagne preference.

Dinner with a View – Robert (located within the Museum of Arts and Design) provides stunning views of Central Park and Columbus Circle, making it an enchanting spot for a special meal. On February 14, the set menu ($170 per person) offers many options. Appetizers range from octopus to artichoke heart, and mains include duck, bass, butternut squash, and more. The meal ends with two tropical desserts—a chocolate mousse with passion fruit jam or a mango cheesecake.

Old Fashioned Glitz – Lincoln Square newcomer Rampoldi (49 W 64th St between Broadway and Central Park West) has a luxe interior and red accents that seem like they were meant for Valentine's Day. For the holiday, the restaurant will serve a special 3-course prix-fixe menu ($150 per person) by Michelin-starred Chef Antonio Salvatore. Reservations are available on Resy.

A Real Catch – For fresh seafood and Mediterranean food, take your special someone to Atlantic Grill (50 W 65^th Street between Broadway and Central Park West). For $125, the three-course meal has seafood appetizer options like lobster bisque and scallops carpaccio, followed by entrée options that include ravioli with Maine crab, salmon with asparagus, and halibut with parsnip puree.

Splurge with Sushi – At Masa (The Shops at Columbus Circle), you’ll enjoy omakase in the intimate dining room ($1,200 per person) or at the Hinoki counter ($1,300 per person). Tax and beverages are not included in the cost of the prix-fixe menu (reservations available here), but diners can expect the chef’s signature A5 Ohmi Beef Tataki, seared over Japanese charcoal and topped with shaved truffle.

Plan a Date

Celebrate as a Family – Celebrate Valentine’s Day as a family the weekend before, on February 11, at Color Me Mine (177 Amsterdam Ave at the corner of W 68^th Street). Book a 2.5-hour seating for the Family Valentine’s Paint Date between 10:30am and 1pm to decorate any number of the studio’s many Valentine’s-related ceramics and more.

Watch a Movie – Film at Lincoln Center (located on W 65^th Street between Amsterdam Ave and Broadway) has a Valentine’s Day special, offering a 2-for-1 ticket special for select screenings on February 14. Watch British contemporary Gothic Don’t Look Now, Belgian drama Here, Korean whodunit Mother, or American drama We Need to Talk About Kevin. At 1:30pm, the theater will also play My Love, Don’t Cross That River—a heartwarming documentary that follows the 76-year relationship between an aging couple in rural South Korea.

Jazz Night – At Dizzy’s Club (10 Columbus Circle), you can celebrate with dinner and a show. Award-winning singer and songwriter Morgan James will perform music from her 2023 release Nobody’s Fool, in addition to acoustic interpretations of classics (venue cover is $90). Meanwhile, the kitchen will be serving a special menu at the 7:00pm show that includes soup or salad, brisket or arctic char, and chocolate mousse or citrus tart. A second performance will be held at 9:00pm.

Believe it or not, this is just a short summary of the many Valentine’s Day specials offered in Lincoln Square. Many of the stores in Lincoln Square, from alo yoga (The Shops at Columbus Circle) to Kiehl’s (154 Columbus Ave between W 66^th and W 67^th), are also having special Valentine’s Day deals and products. The Shops at Columbus Circle even created its own Valentine's Day Gift Guide. For even more ideas of where to shop or dine, check out our neighborhood guide.

Photo Credit: Whole Foods Market