The only thing harder than picking the perfect restaurant on Valentine's Day is getting reservations. Three suggestions: Go with two other couples and sit at a six-top (a six-top is rarely, if ever, reserved on Valentine's Day), pick a restaurant that doesn't require reservations, or go out tonight instead. Yard House (1863 Village West Parkway, 913-788-4500) doesn't require reservations, and chef Carlito Jocson has created a special Valentine's weekend (February 12-14) menu focusing on aphrodisiac flavors. Beef and mushrooms are known for their sultriness, and the porcini-crusted filet mignon with wild-mushroom ragout spotlights both ingredients. The Romans believed that garlic and seafood were carnal foods — Yard House will serve scallops with ahi tuna in brown butter, with cauliflower and garlic sauce. Seal the meal with a fine champagne such as Piper-Sonoma or Veuve Clicquot or a specialty drink like the chocolate-berry-truffle martini. There are more than 100 beers on tap here, including Lindemans Framboise and Young's Double Chocolate Stout. Just keep your hands above the table.
Thu., Feb. 12; Fri., Feb. 13; Sat., Feb. 14, 2009
