Are you wondering where to dine for Valentine’s? You should make your reservations now as this is one of the busiest days of the year, and last-minute reservations usually are not available. Here are a few places where I feel you will get an exemplary dose of fine food and romantic ambiance.
Golden Truffle
Golden Truffle in Costa Mesa is known for having some of the most creative and delicious cuisine in Orange County, so it’s a natural for a romantic occasion like Valentine’s Day. A multicourse dinner will be served with selections from four categories available to make up your perfect meal.
Certain dishes are jumping off the menu at me. First courses of shrimp in a spicy cilantro- and lime-induced broth and a petite lamb osso buco with Peruvian white beans sound delicious. Some of the entrees include artisanal cheese ravioli under a coverlet of leeks and tomato-herb ragout, braised boneless prime short ribs, crispy duck with raspberry-pink peppercorn sauce and house smoked wild king salmon.
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Alan Greeley of Golden Truffle: does everything from scratch |
Chef/owner Alan Greeley does everything from scratch. That means even making homemade bread and butter pickles to accompany this salmon.
Desserts are big on such occasions. Meyer lemon tiramisu with lavender gelato sounds like fitting fare. Of course, I’m also having daydreams about something called Juan’s crushed raspberry and blackberry cheesecake and a little aphrodisiac described as dark chocolate pot-au-cr & #269;me (rich chocolate custard) in a bath of bitter chocolate espresso.
The dinner is $68 per person (excluding beverages, tax and tip). You must make a reservation by calling (949) 645-9970. Golden Truffle is at 1767 Newport Blvd. (between 17th and 18th streets) in Costa Mesa.
Five Crowns
Five Crowns in Corona del Mar is offering guests four chances to be romantic. From Feb. 12 through Feb. 15, they will be serving a special dinner for two, complete with champagne and chocolates.
The dinner includes half bottle of Perrier Jou & #235;t Grand Brut Champagne for each couple. Select from French onion soup, Caesar salad or the lobster ravioli for a first course. A choice of three entrees follows: Five Crowns’ cut of prime rib with creamed spinach, Yorkshire pudding and mashed potatoes, free-range chicken with white asparagus and shrimp or potato-crusted salmon.
Dessert is a Sweetheart Meringue filled with chocolate mousse surrounded by a raspberry coulis and accompanied with coffee or tea. The lady will be gifted with a long-stemmed chocolate rose.
The dinner is $125 per twosome, plus tax and tip. Seating is limited and reservations are required. Five Crowns: 3801 E. Coast Highway, Corona del Mar. Phone (949) 760-0331.
The Melting Pot
The Melting Pot restaurants in Irvine and San Clemente create delicious fondues that are perfect for couples and large groups of people who want to dip into something different. Try the five-course dinner menu for Valentine’s Day while sitting comfortably in a cozy and dimly lit booth.
Think of colossal shrimp cocktail to begin, then spinach and artichoke cheese fondue, a strawberry and praline pecan spinach salad as a third course, a wide variety of seafood and meat choices cooked tableside for the main entree and decadent chocolate fondue for dessert. The menu price is $70 per person, along with a gift per couple and long-stemmed roses for the ladies upon departure. Children’s portions will be available for $18.
You must make reservations. The Melting Pot is at 2646 Dupont Drive (at Jamboree) in Irvine. Phone (949) 955-3242. The new San Clemente restaurant is at 647 Camino de los Mares. Phone (949) 661-1966.
Chakra
Chakra in Irvine is a contemporary Indian restaurant whose menu is based on a blending of California culinary touches with beloved Indian dishes.
For Valentine’s dinner, there’s a four-course menu that allows selections within each category.
Appetizers are crab cakes with a house special pineapple coulis or a dish called Valentine truffles. This comprises portabello mushrooms and truffles mixed with homemade cheese and placed within a pastry shell.
Second course is a choice of a velvety tomato soup with diced vegetables or a mixture of romaine lettuce, shredded sweet potato, beets and fresh raspberries topped with barbecued shrimp.
Then, the main course covers three realms: Quail stuffed with pistachios and dates, fresh filet of halibut rolled in spinach and cooked in a puff pastry blanket or a vegetarian dish of okra with cashews cooked velout & #233; style.
The dessert is referred to as the chef’s special Cupid’s Trio and, at the moment, it’s a secret, at least from me.
Dinner is at $65 per person, plus tax, tip and beverages. Remember to make a reservation. Chakra: 4143 Campus Drive (across from the University of California, Irvine), Irvine. Phone (949) 854-0009.
La Vie en Rose
Brea’s La Vie en Rose recently was voted one of the most romantic settings in OC. They’ve not finalized the Valentine’s menu. (Oh, the drama of me having to write a couple of weeks ahead of time!) But, as always, it will be something special.
I do know that they will be putting an ultra romantic touch for the nights of Feb. 12 through Feb. 17 on the already charming d & #233;cor.
Think red hearts, lots of flowers and diaphanous swaths of red fabric while you also recall that comforting wood-burning fireplace that everyone loves. Note: bring a camera for this photo op.
A special multi-course meal can be made from several choices to be offered and it’s nice that you can enjoy it all on any of the six evenings.
For reservations or more information, call (714) 529-8333. La Vie en Rose: 240 S. State College Blvd. (at Imperial Highway) in Brea.
Zov’s Bistro
Zov’s Bistro in Tustin is used to doing memorable Valentine affairs. While a full a la carte menu is available on Feb. 14, perhaps you’d rather wait until Feb. 19 and take part in that Sweethearts Champagne Dinner that will have the right amount of romance and plenty of champagne.
The time is 6:30 p.m., the price is $100 per person, plus tax and tip.
The menu of champagnes includes Ruinart Blanc de Blancs, Veuve Cliquot Yellow Label and Demi-Sec and Mo & #235;t & Chandon Rose Imperial.
The dinner begins with grilled quail with fennel and leeks and continues with wild greens with hazelnuts and grilled apricots. The entree is baked turbot with couscous crust over roasted root vegetables. Chocolate/orange/almond bombe is the sweet finale.
Zov’s is at 17440 E. 17th St., Tustin. For reservations for Valentine’s Day or the Sweetheart Champagne Dinner, call (714) 838-8855.
Anaheim White House
Here we are talking about Anaheim White House again. I’ll preface this by saying part of it is because they do the best job of always keeping writers informed of what’s happening, thus we always know what’s planned. Here is some very exciting info concerning the Valentine holiday.
Last year, they gave away diamond rings in the most extravagant drawing in the county for a holiday affair. This year, they are giving away a one-of-a-kind diamond and sapphire encrusted necklace valued at $10,000, plus six diamond and sapphire necklaces boasting retail values of more than $1,000 each.
One guest on each of the evenings from Thursday through Feb. 13 will be selected completely at random by computer from the reservation list to receive a necklace. Capping off the weeklong celebration will be the special presentation of the extravagant $10,000 necklace to one lucky patron on Valentine’s. The necklaces are custom designed of gold, diamonds and sapphires by jeweler John Machiaverna of J. Mac Jewelers of Anaheim.
Naturally, they also are offering a special prix-fixe menu from Thursday to Feb. 14. The menu is not quite finalized as of this writing, but a phone call will suffice for both your reservation and to secure details. Please call (714) 772-1381. Anaheim White House: 887 S. Anaheim Blvd., Anaheim.
