Where To Spend Valentine’s Day In Palm Desert

PALM DESERT, CA — Valentine’s Day may just be a Hallmark holiday drawn from a rather dark, ancient Roman tradition, but it’s still a great excuse to make your loved ones feel special with chocolates, flowers or a night on the town.

Around the Coachella Valley, there are plenty of date ideas, dinner deals, prix fixe menus and beloved restaurants with reservations still open. But you’d better not wait to snag a reservation because this year, Valentine’s Day (Feb. 14), falls on a Friday and you can bet it’ll be a busy one.

If you aren’t able to make it happen on Friday, there’s no shame in making plans for the weekend that follows. Whether you’re Valentine is your significant other, a crush, or a fellow single friend this year — happy planning!

Some chains will also be offering deals. Rally’s will offer two Big Bacon burgers for $4, while Chick-fil-A will offer its annual heart-shaped tray.

In Palm Desert, suave dinner destination Cuistot is offering a special, two-course Valentine's menu for $139 per person. The menu includes entre options like a butcher-cut sliced filet, coquillete pasta, Loup de Mer "Branzino" with Almond Crust and an Almandine Herb Lemon Sauce. See the full menu here.

Here’s a list of eateries in and around Palm Desert to make reservations at this Valentine’s (or Galentine’s) Day:

• French Rotisserie Cafe
• Pacifica Seafood Restaurant
• Mastro's Steakhouse
• Wildest Restaurant + Bar
• Mitch's on El Paseo Prime Seafood
• Castelli's
• Sullivan's Steakhouse
• Cuistot

There's also a variety of events happening around Riverside County. On Feb. 6, check out the February Arts Walk at the Riverside Art Museum, where you can stop by the art classroom and make a Valentine's card for a loved one. At Europa Village Wineries and Resort in Temecula, a Galentine’s Dinner will be held on Feb. 13 with a photo opp, food and of course, wine.

Over in Southwest RivCo, Temecula Valley Wineries are offering the following on Feb. 14:

• Valentine's Sweetheart Dinner at Doffo Winery: Five-course meal paired with wine and live music. 6 p.m. / $169
• Valentine's Dinner in The Barrel Room at Ponte Winery: Four-course meal, one bottle of wine, and live music from guitarist Michael LeClerc. 6 p.m. / $139
• Sweetheart Ball at Wilson Creek Winery: Four-course dinner, live music, dancing and a bottle of bubbly for the table. 6 p.m. / $160
• Valentine's Dinner at Fazeli Cellars: Free flow of bubbly upon arrival, 4-course dinner, wine pairing and a live harpist. 6:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. / $169
• Bolero Valentine's Dinner at Europa Village Wineries & Resort: Curated menu available all night/menu priced à la carte.
• Sweetheart Special at Cougar Vineyard and Winery: A heart-shaped pizza, two glasses of wine or beer, Caesar salad and two heart-shaped desserts. Available all night / $75.