Restaurants offer Valentine’s specials

Garfrericks in Oxford, specializing in local and organic foods, will be serving a special four-course Valentine’s menu: strawberry arugula salad, oysters and pearls (poached oysters with tapioca pearls and sauvignon), surf-n-turf (filet mignon and scallops), and strawberry panna cotta for dessert. A few a la carte items will also be available, including rack of lamb, quail and steak Diane. $49 per person; add three different wines for another $10. 5 p.m.-closing Friday-Saturday; reservations only. 655 Creekside Drive, 256-831-0044.

Effina’s Tuscan Grill in Jacksonville will offer its regular menu of Italian fare as well as a special four-course Valentine’s menu: baked oysters; soup or salad; entrée (diver scallops, filet mignon or pork ossobucco); and chocolate lava cake. The Valentine’s menu will be available from 5-10 p.m. Saturday, and also for Sunday lunch, from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. $55 per couple, includes two glasses of champagne (Saturday night only). 501 Pelham Road N., 256-782-0008.

Classic on Noble will feature its annual Valentine’s dinner on Friday and Saturday nights, and will have special Valentine’s touches during its Sunday brunch. For the dinner, trays of appetizers and desserts will be placed out for grazing; salad and entrée are ordered off the menu. Jennie and David Wall (of CAST fame) will provide musical entertainment. Dinner is $100 per couple, and begins at 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday; reservations recommended. Sunday brunch begins at 10 a.m., and is $24.95 per person. 1024 Noble St., Anniston, 256-237-5388.

T’s Unique Café, casual Italian café in Golden Springs, will feature a five-course Valentine’s menu on Saturday, starting at 6 p.m. Choice of appetizers (shrimp cocktail, raw oysters or bruschetta), soup (gumbo or minestrone), salad (tossed, mushroom or antipasto), entrée (baked salmon or chicken parmesan) and dessert. There will be an acoustic guitar player, and ladies will receive roses, guys will get boxes of chocolates. T’s has just gotten its wine license, so wine will be available. $69 per couple (not including wine). Reservations or walk-ins. 3320 Henry Road, 256-741-9988.

The Jacksonville State University jazz bands are hosting a Valentine’s dance and dinner at the Oxford Civic Center from 6:30-10:30 p.m. Friday. Italian dinner buffet includes salad, pasta, veggies and dessert. The bigger draw is the big-band dance music. $45 per couple, $25 for individuals (or $25 per couple of JSU students). Tickets will be available at the door, or make reservations at 256-782-5883.

Cheaha Mountain Restaurant, featuring incredible views from atop Cheaha State Park, will serve a Sweetheart dinner buffet from 4:30-8:30 p.m. Saturday. The outdoor deck is a favorite place to pop the question; propose on Saturday night, and get 20 percent off chapel rental. $12.95 per person ($7.95 for seniors 62 and older). Call 1-800-846-2654.