Several establishments, especially those known for their romantic atmosphere, are booked or nearly booked for Valentine’s Day, still more than a week away.
The American Restaurant, for example, sold out for Valentine’s Day on Jan. 29 — more than two weeks before the big date.
The Crown Center restaurant, which boasts a heart-within-a-heart ceiling design and has been a lovers’ rendezvous since it opened on Valentine’s Day in 1974, isn’t seeing the same enthusiasm for the dreaded Friday the 13th.
But Thursday the 12th is nearly sold out.
Maybe diners are eager to splurge a bit after months of cutting back. Or maybe the primary driver is that Valentine’s Day falls on a Saturday, traditionally the most popular day of the week to dine out.
No matter — Jim Beemer of Blue Springs saw this coming. He made his Feb. 14 reservations at McCormick & Schmick’s Seafood Restaurant on the Country Club Plaza right after New Year’s, but even then could only make a 5:45 p.m. reservation or something much later.
“I didn’t want to be aced out. I knew from prior experience,” said Beemer, who celebrated at McCormick & Schmick’s on his wedding and his fifth anniversary.
Eating out has long been a popular Valentine’s Day choice — in fact, it is the second most popular day of the year for dining out.
“It seems like we are filling up much faster than last year,” said Andrew Sloan, co-owner of Room 39 in Leawood. “Maybe they have been saving up for a special occasion.”
Reservations for Room 39 started in earnest last weekend, he said, with 130 seats booked for the 75-seat restaurant by Tuesday and only a few openings for late night on Feb. 14.
The new Fogo de Châo as of Wednesday only had openings from 2 to 4:30 p.m. or after 9:30 p.m.
“I think they are taking advantage of the holiday to come check us out,” said Sidiclei Demartini, a manager of the Brazilian steakhouse on the Plaza.
Still, consumers aren’t so smitten that they aren’t looking for deals, according to the National Restaurant Association.
“People still want to celebrate the special day, but they might do so on a budget,” said Maureen Ryan, spokeswoman for the Washington, D.C.-based association.
The Drop at 409 E. 31st St. has been expanding its dinner menu and also is becoming more “event-driven.” So this Valentine’s Day it will serve a special four-course menu with appetizer, salad, red snapper or petite filet, dessert and champagne toast for $80.
Farther south, McCormick & Schmick’s is offering a three-course steak and lobster, salad and dessert Valentine’s special for $29.95 from Thursday through Sunday.
“It was booked way faster than last year,” said Carey Grider, general manager of the Plaza restaurant. “People are saying, ‘What do you mean there’s no reservations after 3:30?’ But I think people wanted to get the best slots.”
•Valentine’s Day is the second most popular day of the year to dine out, after Mother’s Day, with more than one-third of Americans visiting a restaurant.
•Of those who dine out, 80 percent spend less than $100 on their meals, with an average spending of $62, based on 2006 data.
To reach Joyce Smith, call 816-234-4692 or send e-mail to jsmith@kcstar.com. Source: National Restaurant Association
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