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Best Valentine's Day 2013 Restaurant Specials In Sacramento

After celebrating all those winter holidays, wrapping endless presents, stuffing turkeys and entertaining house guests with hoards of hyper children, isn't it time to spend some quality time alone with your special someone? Never mind those pesky New Year's resolutions. Take a day off from "eating right" and eat right this Valentine's Day at these exceptional Sacramento restaurants offering special love menus for just such an occasion.

Nurse holding test tube with blood for 2019-nCoV analyzing. Novel Chinese Coronavirus blood test concept
Nurse holding test tube with blood for 2019-nCoV analyzing. Novel Chinese Coronavirus blood test concept

The Firehouse Restaurant
1112 2nd St.
Sacramento, CA 95814
(916) 442-4772
www.firehouseoldsac.com

The Firehouse Restaurant is inside a beautiful Sacramento landmark and is home to the largest selection of wine in the Central Valley. Dinner can be enjoyed inside the rustic interior or outside in the courtyard. It was also listed in Zagat's "America's Top Restaurants." On a typical day, enjoy oysters on the half shell, a filet mignon or braised veal. This Valentine's Day, enjoy the chef's special menu currently in the works, available one day only. Make sure to make a reservation.

red rabbit
The Red Rabbit Kitchen and Bar
2718 J St.
Sacramento, CA 95816
(916) 706-2275
www.theredrabbit.net

Once inside The Red Rabbit, you may feel as if you really have gone down the rabbit hole. In a wonderland-type environment, offset by brick walls and bright lights, the diner is king. The Red Rabbit is a true locavore haven, as all of its business (from the food to the beer and wine to the bank account) is done locally. The dishes are innovative and surprising American fare, like rabbit ravioli or the Quack Quack salad with duck prosciutto. The Red Rabbit will be offering a special Valentine's Day menu; check the website for more details.

Related: 2012 Tasted Good: The Best New Restaurants That Opened In Sacramento

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Il Fornaio
400 Capitol Mall
Sacramento, CA 95814
(916) 446-4100
www.ilfornaio.com

Il Fornaio offers traditional Italian food on either the patio or inside the dining room. The restaurant usually has a quiet soothing ambiance and its décor is grandiose and elegant. The pasta sauces are traditional yet unique, the true mark of Italian pastas. This year, Il Fornaio doubled its regional menu and plans to offer special selections of locally grown, in-season dishes for Valentine's Day. Based on what the season harvest has in store, the Valentine's Day menu will be an extra special regional delight. Check the website for more information.

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Cafeteria 15L
1116 15th St.
Sacramento CA 95814
(916) 492-1960
www.cafeteria15l.com

The atmosphere at Cafeteria 15L is industrial and modern, full of metal accents and square sofas. Enjoy a meal on any of a mix of indoor chairs or outside on one of two patios. The menu is a mix of traditional cafeteria-type foods, like fish and chips and the French dip, with re-imagined classics, like chicken and waffles and truffle tater tots. One of Sacramento's "Diner's Choice" winners, everything on the menu is under $30. This Valentine's Day, Cafeteria 15L will be offering traditional favorites and a special menu just for the day.

(credit: Ella Dining Room and Bar website) (credit: Ella Dining Room and Bar website)
Ella Dining Room & Bar
1131 K St.
Sacramento, CA 95814
(916) 443-3772
www.elladiningroomandbar.com

One step inside this restaurant and it becomes instantly apparent that Ella is probably short for elegance. One look a the menu and it's obvious that there is no shortage of grandeur at this establishment. The menu changes regularly, based on the availability of local quality ingredients. On an ordinary day, you can enjoy beef, duck or fresh fish but it won't look or taste like any you've had before. On Valentine's Day, Ella is offering a four-course adventure for $125, including a bottle of champagne. Dining will never be the same again.

Related: Best Sommeliers In Sacramento

Laurel Hanson is a freelance writer uncovering Sacramento's healthy food secrets in local restaurants, locavore havens, and even local foraging. Her work can be found on http://www.examiner.com/healthy-food-in-sacramento/laurel-hanson

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