Another Valentine's Day is almost upon us, presenting, as it does, a fine opportunity for you to slog off to some nice restaurant -- with your one and true cellmate in this prison we call life -- to grunt listlessly at a set menu, ponder how you ended up in this dry, aching, emotionless death spiral, and contemplate the crushing oblivion of true love in late stage capitalism.

Here's some nice restaurants to do that! For our full list of Valentine's Deals click here.

And associated parties and activities and things!

Happy Valentine's Day y'all!

HIgh End

La Scala

La Scala is one of the few restaurants inside a hotel that we'd actually take a date to. It's stylish, contemporary, Italian, and the kitchen is headed by Napoli-born chef Antonio Corsaro, who puts his own stamp on creative Italian cuisine. It's honestly good. We recently wrote about him here. It's not a cheap place but that's why it's in the "High End" section.

At every stage of a relationship it always helps to throw a bunch of money at it.

Valentine's Day Offer: 2,888 for a set menu for two, details here.

Bella Vita

Bella Vita is an upscale Italian restaurant hidden at a two-level lane house in Hengshan Fang near Xujiahui. The environment is pleasant. Large glass windows and an open kitchen. Very date night. On the second floor is a patio with plenty of seats and a street view. Most food there is handmade, ranging from pastas to sauces. Thumbs up.

Valentine's Day Offer: 1,899 for a set menu for two, details here.

Scena

A ritzy Italian joint on the 52nd floor, Ritz-Carlton's tower restaurant probably has the best view of the Pearl Tower and the Bund. Actually, the Flair bar upstairs probably has the best view, but we're writing about restaurants here. You can hit up Flair for drinks afterwards. They just renovated and reopened. Call ahead to reserve at both places. They'll sell out. The cuisine's Italian (most of these places are), and most tables have an excellent view out the floor-to-ceiling windows.

Valentine's Day Offer: 2,888 for a 5-course set menu for two, details here.

Genesis Restaurant

For something a little different, here's some high-end Korean. We wrote about Genesis a while ago. They've got two settings on the menu: authentic imperial Korean cuisine from the 14th century (really) and modern Korean from the minds behind one of the hottest tables in town, Jeju Izakaya. It's a nice, lux, and fancy encounter with Korean cuisine good for time travelers and people who enjoy lovely restaurants and bars. And you can even buy a car afterwards from the showroom downstairs. Sweet! Top notch cocktails as well.

Valentine's Day Offer: 2,888 for a 5 course set menu for two, details here.

Mid Range

The Fellas

A solid option for "doing dinner on the Bund" without spending a fortune. The Fellas -- from the same people that run Goodfellas downstairs -- is an Italian restaurant with a chic and classy interior space inspired by the celebrities of the '70s as well as an intimate outdoor terrace with that view. Their chef is Italian, and with tourists still not having returned to Shanghai, it's a good spot for a date.

Valentine's Day Offer: 1,314rmb for a 5-course couples dinner set menu. Details here.

Roma

Roma was a real nice addition to Jing'an when they opened last year, and it remains a favorite of ours. It's a casual dining Italian joint founded by Giampaolo, which most people might know from Porcelain. His executive chef, Andrea has his own credentials for creating gorgeous food at the Italian restaurant in the J Hotel (101 Centuono). They've got a heavy focus on creating everything from scratch in-house, from pasta (fresh, never dry), to sauces, and everything else. Soft yellow lighting and warm wooden interiors make this a refined and cozy space.

Valentine's Day Offer: 1,313 for a 4-course set menu. Details here.

Chez JOJO

Chez JOJO Wine & Garden is secluded, peaceful, good for dates -- which is what you'll be doing. The other one -- Chez JOJO Wine & Terrace -- is on Fuming Lu in that building where Funkadli is. It's larger, better for groups, but follows the same formula of good French food and wine at fair prices, and good service.

Valentine's Day Offer: 588 per person for a 5-course set menu. Details here.

Crush

A classy but casual New York-ish wine bar on Shaanxi Bei Lu. Crush is not reinventing the wheel here in this genre but it's the bedrock principles done right. Careful quality on the mod-ish wine list and careful quality on the fusion-ish menu. It's serving up a hefty and varied wine-by-the-glass and bottles list, and a la carte accompanying plates. Interior features a warm tone with golden lights and white marble. Good for brunch too (try it with this deal).

Valentine's Day Offer: 688 per couple for a set menu including five of their signature dishes. Details here.

The 1515 West Chophouse

The Jing'an Shangri-La's spare-no-expense steakhouse concept follows a "farm to table" ethos with artisan-produced steaks and chops and other creative cuisine. The menu riffs off of film production terms with section names like "Cold Open" and "Act One, Scene One." To drink, there are all the requisite bold red steakhouse wines, of course, but what sets the place apart is the extensive whiskey selection and masterful cocktails.

Valentine's Day Offer: 788rmb per person for a 5 course set menu. Details here.

Date-Like Activities (With Deals)

X-Show Hangzhou

If you haven't been out to Hangzhou to see the X-Show, Cirque du Soleil's 45th production, then right around now is a good time to go because they have a special Valentine's Day offer on -- almost 50% off all their ticket prices. The show is really worth visiting -- more on that in this article-- and we sell a nice hotel and show package right here.

Jinmao Tower Skywalk

The Jinmao Tower Skywalk — the world's highest skywalk where you walk around the outside of the Jinmao Tower 340m above the streets below — is open every day for your adrenalin fueled romantic desires. We dunno maybe one for daredevil couples looking for the next thrill / Instagram post. during the holidays. The minimum age is 10 years old to take the walk. Tickets here.

Museum of Icecream

Get ready to be transported into a world where all your wildest ice cream dreams come true and where you can rediscover the kid in you. At the Museum of Ice Cream you can learn trivia facts about ice cream flavors around the world, slide down a 2-story slide and take a dip in a pool filled with millions of sprinkles. It's pink. There's ice cream involved. Maybe a good one for a Valentine's Day afternoon. Tickets here.

The Pearl Adele Special Valentine's Day

Nothing says Valentine's Day like Adele power balladry. Shanghai fav' cabaret destination The Pearl is creating a unique evening with a one-hour Adele Tribute show and full-course dinner set for a romantic and memorable evening with your special someone. Not a dry eye in the house... Tickets right here.

Partayyss

Networking group, Friends of Shanghai host a "Love on the Bund" Valentine's party on the 33 floor of the Shangri-la hotel. Dance, mingle with the singles, or bring your loved ones for a night on the town. Party from 9pm until late with sexy, sexy DJs, stunning decor, beautiful views, prizes and more.

For a clubbier affair, Space Panda and The Shanghai EDITION present a Valentine's Party on two stages: Electric Circus and Club Room. Line Up: Blanes, Costin, Flauschig, Han Sen, Odd, Simon Adams, Rain 7 DJs play multiple music genres on two floors, pink Valentine's decoration, lucky draws, and a costumed cupid on the dance floor giving away gifts and lollipops. Hot damn. For table booking and other requests, add WeChat ID: emilboo.