The Fireplace New England Grill

BROOKLINE — Like most restaurants that don’t feature dollar menus, The Fireplace is serving a special menu for Valentine’s Day. With the crisp crackling of a roaring fire in the background, their “aphrodisiac inspired” dishes include includes Lobster Bisque with Vanilla-Squash Dumplings and Oesetra Caviar ($21) and Pan Seared Venison with Red Currant Bourbon Sauce over Crispy Cornmeal Johnnycake, Honey Braised Cabbage & Golden Onion Rings ($37).

What no one should forget is that The Fireplace is romantic all year long. A recent visit — my first time here — was no exception. I hope.

The restaurant gives off melded feelings of youth and maturity. Boston Magazine recently awarded the restaurant for its brunch, but Fireplace’s reputation is as a dinner destination.

Despite the bounds of progress I’ve made in the last 10 years in adding food items to my personal repertoire, I’ve never tried mussels. That changed.

If you’ve never tried a mussel, it looks disgusting. But now’s not the time to look squeamish in front of a date. Prying this sliminess out of the familiar black shell, I plopped it in, chewed, and swallowed.

Yum. Yum? Yum.

Fireplace’s Cape Cod Mussels Steamed in a Lemon, Garlic & Toasted Almond Broth ($12) are delicious. Sadly, I can’t give you an official comparison to anything else yet. One of them did taste fishy, but the rest were buttery and neutral.

The Grilled Sirloin ($33) which could have been a little leaner but was cooked perfectly medium and very savory. The second dish is a bit of a mouthful to say in one breath: “Mustard Crusted Swordfish over Grilled Red Potatoes, Sautƒ©ed Leeks and Cherry Tomatoes w/Red Pepper-Bacon Vinaigrette & Crispy Onion Rings” ($28). It was a very mild fish, cooked just right.

Two things to check out are their cheese menu and their wine list. Dessert is $8, and though we were full, I’d be curious on a future visit to try the Apricot & Mulled Cider Crisp with Gingerbread Topping & Cinnamon Ice Cream. That just sounds amazing.

Atmosphere mixes with a rich menu and excellent service. We had a cozy corner table and everything.