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Dinner for woo

A roundup of Portland-area eateries with special plans for Valentine's Day

By Meredith Goad mgoad@mainetoday.com
Staff Writer

Looking for a place to take your sweetie for a nice Valentine's Day dinner? Here's what Portland-area restaurants have got going on for Feb. 14:

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LOVES ME, LOVES ME NOT ...

Whether your love glass is half-full or half-empty, here's a list of love songs paired with their polar opposites to toast -- or curse -- St. Valentine:

HALF-FULL

"All I Want Is You," U2

"All Is Full of Love," Bjork

"Love is All Around," The Troggs

"I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)," The Proclaimers

"Love Will Keep Us Together," The Captain & Tennille

"Fade Into You," Mazzy Star

HALF-EMPTY

"Don't You Want Me Baby," The Human League

"Empty Heart," The Rolling Stones

"Love Don't Live Here Anymore," Madonna

"50 Ways to Leave Your Lover," Paul Simon

"Love Will Tear Us Apart," Joy Division

"Fade Away," Chris Isaak

BACK BAY GRILL, 65 Portland St., Portland, will serve a four-course dinner for $80 per person. The restaurant will also be opening Monday for anyone wishing to celebrate Valentine's Day a day early; the regular a la carte menu will be served that day. Call 772-8833 or visit backbaygrill.com.

BAR LOLA, 100 Congress St., Portland, is offering a five-course dinner for $45 per person. There will be three choices per course, including a vegetarian offering. Call 775-5652 for reservations, or reserve online at barlola.net.

BRESCA, 111 Middle St., Portland, is creating a five-course dinner around the theme "Paris 2066 -- The Future Awaits." Dinner costs $65; add beverage pairings for $35 more. Call 772-1004.

CINQUE TERRE, 36 Wharf St., Portland, will serve a five-course dinner for $59.95 per person that will be available both Monday and Tuesday. The menu will feature the classic dish Vitello Tonnato, Trenette pasta with Maine lobster, and scallops over Maine crab risotto. For reservations, call 347-6154 or go online to cinqueterremaine.com.

FIVE FIFTY-FIVE, 555 Congress St., Portland, is serving a five-course tasting menu for $75, as well as an enhanced $100 menu with extra offerings of foie gras, 24K edible gold, lobster, truffles and tableside service. A three-course, $55 menu will be available in the bar and lounge. For a look at the complete tasting menu, go to fivefifty-five.com/events. For reservations, call 761-0555.

THE FROG AND TURTLE, 3 Bridge St., Westbrook, will serve a three-course dinner for $45 per person, plus tax and gratuity. The menu will include dishes such as a petit filet of beef with mashed potatoes, sauteed spinach and a lobster cream sauce. For reservations, call 591-4185 or visit thefrogandturtle.com.

PETITE JACQUELINE, 190 State St., Portland, will offer a four-course tasting menu for $65 per person. Wine and champagne pairings will be available as well. Reservations are strongly recommended. Call 553-7044 or visit bistropj.com.

THE SALT EXCHANGE, 245 Commercial St., Portland, has a Valentine's Day menu that features starters, soups, cold plates, hot plates and desserts. To view the complete menu, go to thesaltexchange.net. For reservations, call 347-5687.

SEA GLASS AT INN BY THE SEA, 40 Bowery Beach Road, Cape Elizabeth, will serve a four-course menu for $62 per person. To see the menu, go to innbythesea.com. The restaurant's regular menu will also be served. Call 799-3134 for reservations.

SEA GRASS BISTRO, 305 U.S. Route 1, Yarmouth, will offer a four-course dinner for $65 per person. For reservations, call 846-3885. More info at seagrassbistro.com.

VIGNOLA, 10 Dana St., Portland, will serve a four-course dinner for $39.95 per person. The menu will include crispy pork belly, veal osso buco and Maine lobster ravioli. For reservations, call 772-1330 or go online to vignolamaine.com.

ZAPOTECA, 505 Fore St., Portland, will offer a four-course chef's tasting menu for $40 per person, with optional wine and tequila pairings for an additional $20. The dinner will be available beginning Friday through Valentine's Day. Call 772-8242 for reservations.