Need a Little Romance for Valentine's Day?

It’s that time again. If you believe the Hallmark cards and commercials, we are coming up on the most romantic time of the year—Valentine’s Day.

We all have someone special, romantic or otherwise, in our life that we’d like to celebrate and show appreciation for having by our side. Valentine's Day is a great day to do so.

Here are some restaurants that may satiate your desire for a little romance or festive companionship on that day:

●  The Adam’s Mill

Manchester’s Adams Mill Restaurant has been operating in an 1880 paper mill, which was restored to its original charm in 1982. The ambiance is intimate and elegant, yet still warm and inviting.

Valentine’s Day is on a Monday this year, so you may be tempted to celebrate the weekend before. If you can, try to make the Sunday Brunch Buffet. And they aren’t skimping on the buffet part. There are omelet stations made to order, hot buffet with French toast, Eggs Benedict and wait—pork loin, fresh salmon, chicken, pasta and potatoes Au gratin. Come hungry, and leave completely satiated.

The restaurant also has a full luncheon and dinner menu, serving a wide variety—from the crab cake BLT to the Smoky Mountain burger, from honey rum roasted salmon to Teriyaki chicken and filet mignon.

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With a rustic country charm, Altanaveigh operates out of a restored 1730s home in Storrs and displays elegant taste—particularly when it comes to the menu. For lunch, you might start with a steak bruschetta then move onto the mouthwatering entrée of a New Zealand lamb & Cornish game hen combo plate, but there’s so much from which to choose.

For dinner, you might start with the Maryland crab cakes, followed by an arugula and pear salad. You could follow that up with Blackened Yellowfin Tuna "Kim Chi" or the filet mignon & Foie Gras Wellington style.

Be forewarned: They are closed Sunday and Monday

●  J. Gilbert’s, 185 Glastonbury Blvd. Glastonbury

Described as “upscale casual," this cozy steakhouse serves prime-aged beef cooked over a mesquite wood-fired grill. You can start with pretzel-crusted onion rings before dining on various cuts of steak and seafood.

Entrées include blackened chicken penne and a mixed grill of a petite filet blackened chicken breast, grilled BBQ shrimp, two sides and pineapple mango salsa. Enjoy the sides of chipotle white cheddar mashed potatoes (yum!), lobster mac and cheese (double yum!) or poblano au gratins. An extensive wine and martini list will help you find a perfect beverage to complement the meal.

With the lights down low and fireside dining available, one might want to take someone extra special here. Reservations are highly recommended.

●  Zest

Zest is a perfect place for dinner for two. The inside is New England quaint, yet with a classy feel. Perhaps the atmosphere stems from familiar-sounding entrées, sandwiches and salads with elaborate twists. All food is made fresh on the premises, and each dish has a personal stamp that makes it so uniquely delicious.

A Tolland County omelet comes with honey ham, caramelized apples, asparagus, onions and brie. There are of course Eggs Benedict and Egg Mignon, but how can you resist the white chocolate, raspberry and cream cheese stuffed french toast?

For lunch, the duck wrap stands out: Roast Breast of duckling, spinach, chevré, caramelized onions and orange chocolate chili sauce wrapped in a warm flour tortilla. Middle Eastern potato, spinach and scallion-filled dumplings sound absolutely divine.

You can start your dinner with the lobster pierogies, then move onto the Asian salad—mixed greens with citrus segments, red pepper, edamame, cucumbers, bean sprouts, sesame seeds, crunchy noodles and a sesame dressing.

For dinner, you have a myriad of choices, from steak to Cornish hen, Duck Wellington to pulled pork. And of course, there is a full selection for fans of seafood.

●  Sakura Garden Japanese Steakhouse

If you want to lively up your meal for two (or more), head over to The Promenade Shops at Evergreen Walk. Sakura Garden's décor is described as dark and metro, and its menu offerings will cover a variety of palates. Enjoy an entrée served over the hibachi, where chefs cook with a delightful performance. At dinner, you can select from a nice range of sushi, sashimi and maki. In addition, you might enjoy entreées like Pad Thai, Yaki Udon, ginger or teriyaki chicken, tuna steak or curry shrimp.