It’s time to make reservations for the most romantic day of the year. Here are some of my favorite Valentine’s Day ideas.
Love for Lucca
Lucca is a charming restaurant with very interesting food. For Valentine’s Day, Lucca is proposing two menus, one of five courses and another of seven courses. Appetizers include foie gras, Mediterranean shrimp cocktail, p & #226;t & #233; of salmon, California white sturgeon caviar tartlette and braised Belgian endive.
Entrees include beef Wellington for two, lobster medallions over lemon-saffron capellini, grilled quail stuffed with truffled risotto and filet mignon over mashed fingerling potatoes with gorgonzola cheese.
A chocolate tasting of several handmade truffles or a plate of imported cheeses will make a lovely ending.
The Valentine’s Day meals are $65 to $135. Lucca: 6507 Quail Hill Parkway, Irvine, (949) 725-1773.
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Lucca: California white sturgeon caviar tartlette and grilled quail stuffed with truffled risotto are on the Valentine’s Day menu |
Song and Dine
Bristol Palms is a gem of a restaurant with delicious and interesting food that’s tucked in the Costa Mesa Hilton hotel.
The restaurant has lined up Alice Tatum, a Phoenix-based singer who has performed with Michael McDonald and Paul Anka, for the evening. And, at $38, the dinner is the bargain of the day.
The evening’s first course includes Pacific crab cake, fresh mozzarella and tomato salad or Bristol Palms’ delicious take on delicate salad greens.
Entrees include a combination plate of tiger prawns and roasted filet mignon, seared hibachi salmon with Maui onion and cucumber salad or sun-dried tomato and goat cheese ravioli with chicken and wilted spinach.
Desserts: custard bread pudding with Tahitian vanilla gelato or a chocolate mousse surrounding a cr & #269;me br & #369;l & #233;e.
Bristol Palms: 3050 Bristol St., Costa Mesa, (714) 540-7000.
Romantic Settings
Restaurants belonging to the Culinary Adventures team headed by David Wilhelm are themselves visions of romanticism.
Who wouldn’t want to dine in the atmosphere of French 75 Bistro in Laguna Beach, French 75 Brasserie at the Market Place in Irvine, Chat Noir in Costa Mesa and Rouge in Newport Beach?
Each of these restaurants is offering a special four-course Valentine’s Day menu.
French 75 Bistro: Laguna Beach, (949) 494-8444. French 75 Brasserie: Irvine, (714) 573-7600. Chat Noir: Cost Mesa, (714) 557-6647. Rouge: Newport Beach, (949) 640-2700.
Bling Bling Giveaway
Reservations are going fast for the evenings of Feb. 8 through 14 at the landmark Anaheim White House.
No wonder. Each evening of the week one lucky person will win a diamond and pink sapphire ring. The gifts are in honor of Romeo and Juliet, the lovers from Verona, which is the hometown of restaurant owner Bruno Serato.
Anaheim White House: 887 South Anaheim Blvd., Anaheim, (714) 772-1381.
Latin Lovers
For Valentine’s Day with a Latin flavor, consider Agora Churrascaria, Irvine’s Brazilian-style steakhouse.
The evening begins with champagne, followed by selections from the restaurant’s popular salad bar, more than 14 kinds of skewer-roasted meats and a dessert for two.
Bossa Nova music will enhance the Latin mood. The special dinner is $120 for two or you can order from Agora’s regular menu. Agora: 1830 Main St., Irvine, (949) 222-9910.
French Flavor
Pinot Provence in Costa Mesa is offering a wonderful Valentine’s Day menu.
The meal begins with an amuse bouche from the chef: crab tucked between layers of puff pastry. First courses include Hawaiian tuna tartare, Russian Hokkaido scallops and cognac-scented duck mousse. Main courses include roasted sea bass with hints of Moroccan spices, Scottish salmon with red wine risotto and rotisseried prime rib eye. Dessert is a surprise.
The dinner is $75. Pinot Provence: 686 Anton Blvd. (at the Westin South Coast Plaza hotel), Costa Mesa, (714) 444-5900.
Downtown Disney Deal
Here’s another bargain. A mere $45 is the charge for a three-course meal at Catal, part of the Downtown Disney complex.
Appetizer options at the restaurant, which is part of the Patina family, include Malpeque oysters on the half shell, shaved prosciutto with Idiazabal cheese and Pernod-scented escargot. Entree enticements include butter-roasted lobster, Hokkaido scallops with porcini risotto and braised lamb shank tagine. Dessert is a surprise.
Catal is at 1580 Disneyland Drive, Anaheim, (714) 774-4442.
Splurging
On the high end of the scale, diamonds are also on the agenda at two of our cushy resorts.
Laguna Cliffs Marriott Resort & Spa has created a $20,000 Engagement Package Getaway, including an engagement ring from Robbins Brothers and a two-night stay in the resort’s Presidential Suite.
Guests will receive a welcome gift of champagne and strawberries, a romantic dinner under the stars and a champagne toast.
Laguna Cliffs Marriott: 25135 Park Lantern, Dana Point, (949) 661-5000.
In Monarch Beach, the St. Regis Monarch Beach Resort & Spa is offering a Be Mine Forever package that includes a romantic two-night getaway all dressed up with champagne, fresh rose petal baths, daily breakfast in bed, an in-room massage for two and an exquisite 10-carat diamond necklace.
The package costs $150,000.
St. Regis Resort: One Monarch Beach Resort, Dana Point, (949) 234-3200.
