Valentine’s Day is coming soon.

Restaurateurs are whipping up special menus and taking out their extra tables for two from dusty storerooms.

What’s important to you on this day? A panoramic view? Sublime service? Food that melts in your mouth? Gooey chocolate desserts to share?

We have compiled a list of ideas to start off with and restaurants that feature special Valentine’s menus. Be sure to book soon.

*Click on the restaurant’s name for more details

Cape Town
Chef Ristorante Italiano
Call: 021-419 6767
Ginja – consistently great
Call: 021-426 2368
Nyonis Kraal – African food
Call: 021-422 0529 Special Menu
Au Jardin – at the chic Vineyard Hotel
Call: 021-657 4545
Haiku – great for sharing!
Call: 021-424 7000
Merriman – at the stylish Leinster Hall
Call: 021-424 1836
Caveau – excellent wine selection, excellent food and an intimate atmosphere in the city centre
Call: 021-422 1367
Beluga – Dine and dance to the sounds of jazz
Call:021-418 2948/9
Cellars-Hohenort Hotel, Constantia: Exquisite dining at either the Greenhouse restaurant or Cape Malay restaurant. Menus: Greenhouse/Cape Malay.
More info www.collectionmcgrath.com
Salt – intimate views of the sea and excellent food from consulting chef Pete Goffe-Wood
Call: 021-439 6170
Polana – very sensual, right by the waters edge
Call: 021-788 7162
Azure – Twelve Apostles Hotel – outstanding view
Call: 021-437 9029 Special Menu
Cape to Cuba – go for the cocktails and the Afro-Caribbean atmosphere
Call: 021-788 1566
Chapmans Peak Hotel Restaurant
Call: 021-790 1036 
Savoy Cabbage
Call: 021-424 2626
Pastis Brasserie – dine along to the sounds of Edith Piaf and Francois Hardy
Call: 021-794 8334
Reubens – Winelands
Call: 021-876 3772
Chamonix Restaurant – Winelands
Call: 021-876 2393 Special Menu
De Oude Paarl – Paarl: Dinner and the sounds of Chris Chameleon
Call: 021 872 1002
Lanzerac – Winelands
Call: 021-887 1132
Laborie Restaurant – Paarl
Call: 021-807 3095 Special Menu
Sommelier at Santé Winelands Hotel (Winelands) – Special Menu
Moyo at Spier – Winelands
Call: 021-809 1133
Die Ou Pastorie – Winelands
Call: 021-850 1660 Special Menu

Breakfast/lunch
La Petite Tarte – De Waterkant
Call: 021-425 9077

In the mood for bells and whistles?
Rive Gauche at Hôtel Le Vendôme
Call: 021-430 1200 Special Menu
Pigalle – live band, dancing and swish finishes

Riebeek Kasteel
Café Felix – Provencal chic, perfect for a country Valentine meal
Call: 022-448 1170

Free State
De Oude Kraal Country Estate (outside Bloemfontein) – Valentine Buffet Ball at R300pp
Call: 051-5640 733

Mpumalanga
Blue Mountain Lodge, Kiepersol
Call: 013-737 8446 Special Menu

Johannesburg
Auberge Michel – needs no introduction! elegant dining at its best – FULLY BOOKED 14/02/07
Call: 011-883 7013
Bellgables – opulence and style  – FULLY BOOKED 14/02/07
Call: 011-659 0430
Casalinga – Italian country getaway, perfect for long lazy lunches
Call: 011-957 2612
Fino – Spanish/tapas – perfect for sharing
Call: 011-880 6808
Linger Longer
Call: 011-884 0465
Green Truffle
Call: 011-486 1645 Special Menu
Sabayon Brasserie & Vodka Bar – Special Menu
Call: 011-482 4309 Bistro at The Peech – sip Veuve Clicquot at this chic boutique hotel
Call: 011-537 9797
Bleu Bistro – three course French dinner R150pp
Call: 011-880 1946
Sides Restaurant, Ten Bompas Hotel – Four course dinner R175pp at a contemporary boutique hotel
Call: 011-325 2442
Osteria Tre Nonni – Seafood platter for two
Call: 011-327 0095

KZN – Durban/Pietermaritzburg
Elements (Beverly Hills Hotel, Umhlanga) – intimate views of the sea
Call: 031-561 2211
Mango Blu, Pietermaritzburg
Call: 033-342 3064
Royal Grill (Durban) – recently revamped, with worldly elegance and silver cutlery
Call: 031-333 6000
Spice (Morningside) – a cosy intimacy
Call: 031-303 6375
New Cafe Fish Restaurant (Victoria Embankment) – think seafood, the harbour and yachts
Call: 031-305 5062/3
Roma Revolving Restaurant – impressive views, Italian cuisine
Call: 031-337 6707
Fabulous Moroccan Restaurant
Call: 031-201 7292 Special Menu
Ile Maurice (Umhlanga)
Call: 031-561 7609
Bel Punto (Umdloti) – spectacular sea views and a deck
Call: 031-568 2407
9th Avenue Bistro – for those who let the food do the romancing, not the decor
Call: 031-312 9134
The Store – for the organic couple
Call: 031-202 6182

Lunch
Nourish (Berea) or Rosehurst (Pietermaritzburg)

KZN – Midlands
Horizons Gourmet Picnics – Rosetta, close to Nottingham Road
Get a traditional picnic blanket with cushions and a low Japanese style table to set up in the gardens with beautiful views. Picnic baskets include seven savoury dishes at R99 per person for the Valentine weekend. Fully licensed.
Call: Athena 083 782 4772

KZN – Pennington
Lynton Hall – Pennington
Call: 039-975 3122

Pretoria
Smoke Café & Grill Lounge
Call: 012-346 0916 Special Menu
Imagine – Pretoria
Call: 012-342 9281
La Madeleine – Pretoria
Call: 012 -361 3667

GARDEN ROUTE

Knysna
Firefly Eating House – Knysna
Call: 044-382 1490

Plettenberg Bay
The Grand
Call: 044-533 3301
Emily Moon
Call:044-533 2982

George
Kafé Serefé – George
Call: 044-884 1012

Mossel Bay
Stonehill – Mossel Bay
Call: 044-696 6501

Wilderness
Serendipity – Wilderness
Call: 044-877 0433

Port Elizabeth
De Kelder
Call: 041-583 2750