Valentine’s Day gets a lot of flack. Dubbed a “Hallmark holiday” by haters, you might be surprised (and relieved) to know that four out of five Americans get excited about celebrating it. So let’s stop with the shame and embrace the loving spirit this year! 

Tell your sig other or best pals to get dressed up – you’re going out for a lovely dinner on February 14. Then make a reservation at one of these South Jordan restaurants serving special Valentine’s Day menus you’re sure to heart.

Porch Restaurant

At Porch, you won’t have to stress about what to order. Their $50 three-course prix-fixe dinner (with an optional $30 wine pairing) has just a few items to choose from per course – and every single option sounds simply divine.

For starters, opt for the arugula and goat cheese salad or truffle-infused wild mushroom bisque. As your main, choose from pan-seared scallops with Bourbon sriracha Brussels sprouts, filet mignon with a port wine demi-glace and root veggies, sea bass with French lentils, or vegetarian ratatouille with fresh basil.

Most importantly, be sure to leave room for dessert. Selections include Porch’s famous banana pudding, flourless chocolate decadence with salted caramel sauce, carrot cake with cream cheese chevre frosting, or vanilla goat’s milk panna cotta with pickled blackberries.

Grab a reservation while they’re still available by calling 801-679-1066. Porch is located at 11274 Kestrel Rise Road, Suite G, in South Jordan.

The Wild Rose

Could there be a more appropriately named restaurant to patronize on V-Day? It’s unlikely. The Wild Rose has the perfect evening planned, with a chef-curated prix-fixe menu that includes three courses and a shared dessert for $85 per person. Add on a wine pairing for just $35.

Choose from sea scallops or braised pork belly as an app before enjoying the second-course salad featuring mixed greens with roasted poblano dressing, manchego, pomegranate, and toasted pepitas. Lean into the fanciness while enjoying a palate-cleansing sorbet next.

For your entree, options include a New Zealand elk tenderloin, filet mignon and lobster tail, coconut and cashew-crusted halibut, or slow-braised lamb shank. And for dessert, dig into a decadent five-layer chocolate cake with Tuaca liqueur creme Anglaise and fresh berries.

The Wild Rose is located at 11516 South District Main Drive in South Jordan. Call 801-790-7673 or use OpenTable to make a reservation.

For more activities and events in and around Jordan, visit the Olympus at the District blog.