MICHIANA — Along with giving gifts of candy and flowers and exchanging cards, enjoying a romantic dinner is a common tradition for couples at Valentine’s Day.

While many restaurants in Michiana will be serving dinner as usual that evening, other venues have made special plans for the occasion. Here is a sampling of a few of them. Please keep in mind that Valentine’s Day is one of the busiest evenings for restaurants during the year, and reservations are required for many of these special events.

Fernwood Botanical Garden, located at 13988 Range Line Rd. in Niles, will be serving a special Valentine’s Day dinner, prepared by Chef Tim Carrigan from 6 to 8 p.m. on Feb. 14. The menu will include shrimp cocktail, fresh baby greens with dried cranberries, toasted almonds, and herb dressing, filet of beef with a mushroom demi glace, stuffed chicken breast served with a roasted garlic jus, and a mini dessert platter. Dinner also includes champagne and a rose for each couple. The cost is $90 per couple. Guests must pre-register by calling (269) 695-6491.

In Benton Harbor, Mich., bread+bar, 645 Riverview Dr., will host a pre-Valentine Wine Dinner with Phelps Creek Vineyards from 7 to 9 p.m. on February 12, 2014. Presented in conjunction with Ruth Ryberg, bread+bar will be serving five specially paired courses with five award-winning Oregon wines. Robert Morus of Phelps Creek Vineyards will also be present. The cost is $65 per person, plus tax and gratuity. Reservations can be made by email to ruth@dontwhinedowine.com or by phoning bread+bar at (269) 757-7219. The special menu will continue to be available throughout the weekend.

Also in Benton Harbor, The Oak Room at the Citadel, located at 91 Hinkley St., will host “Hearts On Fire.” This special Valentine’s evening, which supports Water Street Glassworks’ Fired Up! after-school teen glass program, will take place from 6:30 to 10 p.m. on Feb. 14. Heavy hors d’oeuvres, desserts and gelato will be served and a cash bar will be available. The Ed Bagatini New Swing Orchestra will be performing. Both a live and a silent auction will be held. Fired Up! students have created pieces available for purchase, and guests will also receive a special glass gift. The cost is $75 per person. Reservations are limited to 100 guests and can be made by calling (269) 925-5555.

Three restaurants at the Four Winds Casino in New Buffalo will be hosting Valentine’s Day-themed dinners on Feb. 14. First, the Copper Rock Steakhouse will be providing a Chateaubriand dinner for $150 per couple. The full menu includes shrimp cocktail, caesar salad, a center cut 20-ounce filet, and an special chocolate dessert to share. Wine flights will also be available for $20 per person as well as champagne and specialty wines by the glass and bottle.

At the Hard Rock Café, a prix fixe menu for two will be offered. The menu includes two glasses of champagne, soup or salad, and a choice of entrées that include prime rib, filet mignon, and crab-stuffed shrimp with asparagus, carrots and fingerling potatoes. Created especially for Valentine’s Day, the “Chocolate Nocturn” will be served for dessert. The prix fixe menu is $80 per couple, which does not include tax and gratuity.

Finally, The Buffet at Four Winds will host a Valentine’s Chocolate Weekend from Feb. 14 through 16. Guests can enjoy three flavors of chocolate, which will be flowing from fountains, a wide selection of chocolate desserts, and made-to-order chocolate beignets. More information on these three dinner events can be obtained by calling 1 (866) 494-6371 or visiting www.fourwindscasino.com.

In Dowagiac, Mich., Wood Fire, located at 134 S. Front St., will be offering a special, romantic weekend of music, wine and food. Dinner specials will be available, and entertainment will be provided throughout the Valentine’s Day weekend. Friday, Feb. 14, will feature the fine piano music of Dennis Glander. On Saturday, Feb. 15, Jim Pickley will be accompanied by Venitia Sekema, and on Sunday, Feb. 16, Ron Barany will provide the entertainment. Reservations can be made by calling (269) 782-0007.

Café Navarre Bar and Restaurant, located at 101 N. Michigan St. in South Bend, Ind., will be offering its regular dinner menu as well as some featured dishes. Guests can also arrange to surprise their date with chocolate truffles from Veni’s Sweet Shop waiting at their table. Reservations and orders for truffles must be made by Tuesday, Feb. 11 by calling (574) 968-8101.