Escape to a Valentine's Day To Remember

Each week, we’ll tell you about one great idea to give you a much deserved break, and make your life a little easier, maybe a whole lot easier.

And in less than a week, it's a day of hearts and flowers as we celebrate Valentine's Day—so to help you out a little, we wanted to provide a little help in finding the perfect place to take that special someone for a night of romance.

And there are some other special places to go to celebrate Valentine's Day with all your heart in the Somerset Hills, whether you're young or old, and even if your date wears horseshoes.

• The Olde Mill Inn at 225 Route 202 in Basking Ridge and The Bernards Inn, at 27 Mine Brook Road in Bernardsville, are offering nice romantic evenings for Valentine's Day. For reservations, call the Olde Mill Inn at 908-221-1100, and The Bernards Inn at 908-766-0002. The Grain House Restaurant at the Olde Mill Inn also is offering a special Valentine's Day Prix Fixe menu on Saturday night, at $125 per couple.
• What's Valentine's Day without a little mystery? , on Commons Way in Bridgewater, is hosting a special Murder Mystery Dinner from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Valentine's Day Eve, featuring the case of the missing groom on his wedding day. The menu includes salad, chicken francese, steak, pasta, cheesecake and much more. The event is $150 per couple. Call 908-547-6050 for reservations.
• Looking for some romantic Italian in the Bridgewater area? Try , on Route 22 in Bridgewater, which will have a smaller menu than usual that includes stuffed chicken, veal scallopini, filet of sole, salmon, filet mignon and a few other dishes. For reservations, call 908-725-9300.
• Uproot Restaurant, at 9 Mt. Bethel Road in Warren, is offering special dinner values on Valentine's Day, including complementary roses and some special menu items you won't find anywhere else. A special dessert menu will include New York style cheesecake served with red velvet sponge cake, and you can order "aphrodesiac cocktails" from the bar. Make your reservations at 908-834-8194.

Other Valentine's Day ideas

If none of that applies to you, The Somerset County in Basking Ridge will host its firste this Sunday, Feb. 12, for a guided tour and western-style ride along the stable's scenic trails that is suitable for those with little or no riding experience.

The time-honored romance between riders and their steeds is the reason for this celebratory ride, just a few days before Valentine's Day. But hurry up and register if you want to go — registration continues through this Thursday, or as space permits. The fee for the ride is $35 for Somerset County residents and $45 for non-residents. Information and registration is at the stable office at 256 S. Maple Ave. in Basking Ridge, 908-766-5955.

Check-in time for this ride is 1 p.m. on Sunday, and the ride itself is scheduled for 1:30 to 3 p.m.

For those who remain young at heart, the in Basking Ridge, which serves the Somerset Hills area and beyond in Somerset County, is again hosting live music for its annual Valentine's Day Party.

The party is scheduled to begin at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, and The center is at 202 Mount Airy Road. Phone number is 908-204-3435.

Know of any places we're missing? Let us know in the comments about any great restaurants you know of for Valentine's Day!