Spoiling Your Loved One with a Movie & Dinner Date This Valentine's Day

Ah, dinner and a movie – the most classic of date options. So much so, that we wonder if the organisers of the Oscar's had Valentine's Day in mind when they chose to have the award ceremony in late February? After all, Oscar's season is a great time to pick some popular movies to dissect – which is one of the best parts of going to a movie with a loved one.

So what movies will you be dissecting this Valentine's Day?

Lion

After being separated from his family in India, five-year-old Saroo is adopted by an Australian couple who raise him with great love. As an adult, however, Saroo is troubled by resurfacing memories of his birth family and employs new worldwide technology to locate them. Lion's blockbuster success rivals Paul Hogan's Crocodile Dundee (Australia's most popular film ever) and is based on the inspirational true story of a Tasmanian man who used Google Earth to track down his family. It has been nominated for six Academy Awards.

Manchester by the Sea

When his beloved brother dies, handyman Lee Chandler returns to his hometown, a close-knit fishing community in Massachusetts. There, Lee must summon the strength to comfort and care for his teenage nephew, all while managing his grief. One of the buzziest films of this year's awards, it sees the long-awaited return for director Kenneth Lonergan. With a star-wattage cast, it's been nominated for six Academy Awards.

La La Land

If you haven't heard of La La Land, you've likely been living under a rock this last month. A musical romance whose song and dance routines soar and swing and burst with energy and emotion, La La Land is a movie for now that belongs to the ages. Following the story of aspiring actress Mia and jazz pianist Sebastian as they struggle to realise their dreams in Los Angeles, it's a movie that's sure to make you smile. You may even be humming through dinner. Without a doubt the most talked about movie of the award season, La La Land has been nominated for an impressive 14 Academy Awards.

Fifty Shades Darker

What says Valentine's Day better than a little physical romance?

Daunted by the singular tastes and dark secrets of the handsome, tormented and twisted young entrepreneur Christian Grey, Anastasia Steele tries to distract herself with a new career with a Seattle Independent Publishing House. Her efforts prove fruitless, however, when the lure of a new arrangement draws her back into Christian's arms and playroom.

Be it for your first Valentine's Day date together or your 100th, Fifty Shades Darker will definitely get you talking.

The Dinner that Follows

Now you've seen your movie, you'll want somewhere in which you can dissect the plotline, special effects and cast. This is the fun bit. Would it win your vote as Best Picture?

Watching a movie in Sydney?

For the wow factor: Icebergs Dining Room & Bar

Gracing the cliffs of South Bondi to capture what is one of the world's most iconic beach views, Iceberg's is the perfect place to take a date. With an ever-evolving menu focused on regional Italian cuisine and celebrating seasonal flavours, the intimate and elegant dining room sets the stage for a wonderful evening.

Valentine's Day Special: Italian set menu $175pp

For more affordable fun: Harbour Bar & Kitchen

For a more casual option, Harbour Bar and Kitchen boasts one of the most desirable locations in Darling Harbour. A celebration of all things smokey, charred and succulent, the menu offers the finest rotisserie meats, seafoods and vegetables as well as innovative smaller share plates.

Valentine's Day Special: 4 course menu including special gift $70pp

Watching a movie in Melbourne?

For the wow factor: The Atlantic

The Atlantic is inspired by the famous New York meatpacking district and the hustle and bustle of the fish markets of years gone by. Designed for all the senses, The Atlantic offers a unique Melbourne experience, from the oyster bar and a la carte menu to Donovan Cooke's signature degustation menu. It's uncompromising focus on elegance and excellence, ingredients, including their seafood, are sourced from Australia's finest producers.

Valentine's Day Special: Donovan Cooke's 6 course tasting menu $140pp

For more affordable fun: Juno and May

Juno and May is a funky restaurant with a friendly and warm atmosphere located in Camberwell. Focusing on exciting dinner share plates, they're the perfect location for a relaxed Valentine's date where you can both try their modern dishes sourced from the freshest ingredients.

Valentine's Day Special: 3 course menu $60pp

Watching a movie in Brisbane?

For the wow factor: The Catbird Seat Bistro

The catbird Seat is a petite East Brisbane bistro that specialises in Modern Australian/European cuisine. On a regular day you can enjoy dishes such as market oysters, kangaroo tartare, duck breast with charred nectarine and Cape Grim beef sirloin, so their Valentine's degustation menu is sure to wow.

Valentine's Day Special: 4 course degustation menu $170 pp

For more affordable fun: Cocotte Dining

Cocotte Dining is a unique Japanese and European fusion restaurant with a strong focus on local produce. Relying on nature for its essential flavours and fragrances, colours and textures, Chef/Owner Shunichi Tanabe enjoys stewing, braising, slow cooking, making soups and hearty casseroles – just about anything that brings a touch of belly comfort. The combination of French and Japanese bistro styles, it makes for an interesting and fun-filled meal. Why not try their special Valentine's set course menu – $65 per person for three courses.

Valentine's Day Special: 3 course menu $65 pp

Can't decide?

Prefer your date to choose where you go for dinner? Then we suggest a Dinner & Movie gift pack for the perfect night out! Each of the above restaurants are partners with Good Food Gift Card, plus there's a ton more to choose from in our Participating Restaurants Guide.

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Mireille Kilgour

Mireille Kilgour has been an entrepreneur for 35 years in the hospitality sector. French born, she has been an accomplished business owner and operator for a number of Sydney venues. Leading the industry with high profile institutions such as Lamrock Café Bondi, she has endless passion for the industry, and now has the pleasure of supporting restaurants to fill their tables with the new Good Food Gift Card program.

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