GO! COVER STORY: Your last-minute Valentine's Day dining guide

Guys, I feel your pain.

You’ve waited until four days before Valentine’s Day to consider making a reservation somewhere for the Big Night. You probably wouldn’t have even considered making reservations this early if you hadn’t stumbled across this article, right?

Why am I addressing just guys? I’ve been talking to the hostesses at some of the finest restaurants in this town, and they say that when they get the last-minute requests for reservations, it’s usually men. Women tend to plan these things.

OK, let’s start with the bad news. If you want to go to some of the most popular romantic restaurants on Tuesday, plan to get lucky or eat extremely late. Even then, you might not get into The Pepper Tree, The Famous, The Melting Pot, MacKenzie’s Chop House, Briarhurst Manor or The Broadmoor restaurants.

You might still have a shot at The Cliff House at Pikes Peak because they’re opening their ballroom for overflow on Tuesday. Cheyenne Mountain Resort also might be a good option; the dining room is about the size of Manhattan.

But if that doesn’t work out, I have two suggestions.

The first is the reschedule. Just because Hallmark tells us we must be romantic every year on Feb. 14, there’s no government edict. You and your partner could decide to move Valentine’s Day earlier or later. If it makes you feel better, mock those sheep all running out on the designated day. They’re amateurs.

But don’t reschedule for Saturday. You’ll run into the same problems of competing for tables with people who planned ahead. Tonight won’t be too bad at some places. Still, you’ll get your pick of the most romantic spots if you go on Sunday, Monday, Wednesday or any time after that.

Another sound last-minute Valentine’s Day strategy is to think of alt-romantic spots. Don’t follow the herds. Go your own way. Get away from the fancy and the pricey, and think ethnic.

Who knows more about love than the French? If you haven’t been to La Baguette French Bistro at 4440 N. Chestnut St. in a long time, you’ll see that it’s grown from a humble café into more of a romantic rendezvous spot.

Of course, they’re doing a special five-course menu.

Also close to that French feel is Coquette’s Bistro & Bakery, usually more Manitou casual than romantic. But on Tuesday, it’ll be done up with flowers and offering a roasted lamb crepe feast. 

Another great romantic ethnic spot is Jake & Telly’s Greek Taverna. Owner Jake Topakas says his place tends to be a popular spot for proposals, and if the staff gets wind of it, don’t be surprised to see the entire dining room of people raise ouzo glasses and shout “opa!”

And, oh, my, the roasted lamb shank!

Other fine ethnic restaurants to consider for a Valentine’s Day tryst: Lemmongrass Bistro, Paravicini’s Italian Bistro, Fratelli’s Ristorante Italiano, Shanghai Cafe, Chopsticks Asian Bistro, The Curry Leaf, Little Nepal, Edelweiss, Crystal Park Cantina, Sonterra Grill, Salsa Brava, Carlos Miguel’s, Arharn Thai, Bara Sushi and Sushi Rakkyo.

Going for the alternative romantic spots has several advantages over the traditional fine-dining places. Not only will you tend to spend less, but without all that money on the table, some of the pressure is off. You can spring for that bottle of wine without feeling like you’re cutting into next month’s rent money.

But let’s be frank: If you want to wow her, there’s nothing like The Pepper Tree. You get a window table overlooking the city lights. The flames shoot to the ceiling as your waiter prepares your steaks tableside.

It’s just about my romantic ideal moment.

 And if you want to do that on Valentine’s Day, you’ll want to make your reservation right now.

For next year.

AND HERE ARE MORE SUGGESTIONS FROM TERESA FARNEY'S TABLE TALK:

Here are a few more places and special ways to express you feelings on Valentine’s Day.

• La Baguette French Bistro, 4440 N. Chestnut St., will have a five-course menu with a glass of red or white wine and a glass of Champagne. Cost is $75 per couple plus tax and tip. Call 593-9119.

• Cheyenne Mountain Resort, 3225 Broadmoor Valley Road, will have a five-course meal with optional wine pairings on Saturday and Tuesday. Cost is $45 per person or $65 with wine pairing.

On Tuesday, the resort will have a Valentine Buffet dinner from 6 to 10 p.m. Cost is $38 for adults, $19 for ages 9 to 12 and free for children 8 and younger.

There will be a Valentine Brunch from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday. Cost is $30 for adults, $15 for ages 9 to 12 and free for children 8 and younger.

Call 538-4000.

• Coquette’s Bistro & Bakery, 915 Manitou Ave., Manitou Springs, will be open 5 to 9 p.m. Tuesday offering a special roasted lamb crepe with truffle potatoes or salad with a glass of wine and red velvet cupcake. Cost is $21 per person. Call 685-2420.

• Craftwood Inn, 404 El Paso Blvd. in Manitou Springs, will have a five-course dinner. Cost is $130 per couple. Call 685-9000.

• Flatiron’s American Bar & Grill, 2540 Tenderfoot Hill St., will have a four-course Romance Month menu nightly after 5 p.m. during February. Cost is $25 per person plus tax and tip. Call 576-2540.

• P.F. Chang’s China Bistro, 1725 Briargate Parkway in The Promenade Shops at Briargate, will have a four-course dinner. Cost is $39.95 per couple plus tax and tip. Call 593-8580.

• Pizzeria Rustica, 2527 W. Colorado Ave., will have a tasting menu with seatings at 5, 6:30 and 8 p.m. Cost is $39.95 per couple or $49.95 per couple with a glass of wine. A free bottle of wine for parties of four or six. 632-8121.

• Tapateria, 2607 W. Colorado Ave., will have two tapas and two wines for $20, four tapas with four wines for $39, or three cheeses with two wines for $20. A free bottle of wine with reservations for two couples dining together. Seatings at 5:30 and 7:30 p.m. today through Tuesday. Call 471-8272.