Best Valentine's Day Dinners
From oysters to chocolate, food has always been part of the language of romance. What better way to set the mood with your sweetheart this February 14 then a romantic dinner? Here are some choices for restaurants offering special Valentine's Day inspired menus:
Named after the particular style of café that existed in the province of Lyon for centuries, top chef Thomas Keller's Bouchon features classic bistro favorites and seasonal offerings along with a signature raw bar featuring a wide array of oysters from both coasts. This stunning bistro is the third Bouchon (others in Vegas and Napa) and features antique lighting with a French country design. Valentine's Day specials include oysters and melted leeks, butter poached lobster and beef tortellini and herb roasted beef tenderloin.
The newly revamped Caulfield's is offering a "best first date" mixology class and a Valentine's Day prix fixe menu this February. The "best first date" includes a two hour cocktail class including signature cocktails and hors d'ouevres, a mixology demonstration and an opportunity to get behind the bar to create a custom cocktail for your sweetheart. For those interested in a more traditional Valentine's Day dining
experience, the restaurant is offering a seasonal three course prix fixe
menu with dishes including artichoke hearts tempura with caper and anchovy‐
black truffle aoli, Binchotan grilled oysters with champagne butter and American caviar, filet of John Dory with Prince Edward Island mussels, Manila clams, shrimp, and salsa verde and frozen chocolate mousse.
Overlooking the pool and grounds at the historic Fairmont Hotel in Santa Monica is the California bistro FIG. The mismatched mirrors, whitewashed wood accents, comfy orange and brown striped booths and al fresco patio dining creates a casual intimate and inviting dining space. FIG's Valentine's Day menu reflects their fresh seasonal cooking philosophy including items such as bucatini with morel mushrooms, duck egg and truffle, turbot, ribeye, fresh mix of turnips and baby mustard greens and chocolate and tangerine panna cotta. After dinner, a romantic stroll by the Pacific Ocean is just steps away.
Make an early evening reservation in time to watch the sun set into the Pacific at Geoffrey's. This famous Malibu eatery's three course Valentine's Day menu includes wild mushroom risotto with shaved truffles, filet mignon, Chilean sea bass, herb crusted salmon and blueberry maple cheesecake. The almost all open-air restaurant offers spectacular Cliffside views of the ocean. Geoffrey's is also offering a special three course Valentine's Day brunch.
Far from the bright lights of the city in the heart of Topanga Canyon is the otherworldly Inn of the Seventh Ray. Situated next to a flowering creek with shrubs and trees with twinkling lights, the large patio is a perfect setting for a romantic dinner. Their Valentine's Day menu includes caviar and potato bilini, a seafood quartet with shrimp, crab, tuna and calamari, john dory and filet mignon.
Jar's Valentine's Day menu incorporates their seasonal comfort food philosophy with courses such as lobster dumplings, pot roast, scallops and butterscotch pudding. Minimalist décor of browns and pastel greens and yellows create a romantic retro-modish ambiance. As an optional aphrodisiac to the meal, Jar will add a plate of a half dozen oysters for an extra charge.
Get a 360-degree view of Los Angeles at LA Prime, located on the 35th floor of the Westin Bonaventure Hotel. The modern steak and seafood restaurant houses floor to ceiling windows providing panoramic views of the city. Intimate leather booths, white linens and a rotating lounge make LA Prime a perfect setting for a romantic steak dinner. Their Valentine's Day menu includes items such as ahi and hamachi tartare, filet mignon, halibut and pink champagne sorbet.
Mar'sel at Terranea Resort is offering an aphrodisiac themed special menu. Appetizers, main dishes and desserts include ingredients such as oysters, honey and chocolate believed to entice romance. Outdoor diners can cuddle in the warmth of the stone fire pit while watching the sun set into the waves. Inside, enjoy dinner in the rustic main room next to the gigantic fireplace.
Melisse boasts two Michelin stars for its stellar fare. This upscale eatery on the Westside decorated in French Provencal style is offering a Valentine's Day menu of eight courses including big eye tuna, duck breast, Atlantic bass, egg caviar and hot chocolate cake among other items. To extend the holiday with further options, Melisse is serviing a modified version of the menu on February 15 and 16.
Since 1985, Parkway Grill remains one of the most romantic places in Pasadena to share a delicious dinner with your significant other. In grand Craftsman style, the restaurant is rustic and elegant with exposed wood beams, a roaring stone fireplace, live piano music and giant fresh floral arrangements. Their Valentine's Day menu reflects their fusion comfort California cuisine mentality, including fresh stone crab, sweet corn with black truffle puree, Chilean sea bass, Maine lobster, and crème brulee napolean.
The Garden at Petit Ermitage Hotel offers guests an intimate, quiet and serene setting to wine and dine, considering the bustling streets of West Hollywood are right below the hotel. The rooftop restaurant with its large fireplace, live music and private cabana's offers couples a romantic retreat from the nearby city. Their Aphrodisiac Menu includes chilled cauliflower soup with Kusshi oysters, beef tartare with crispy artichokes, Scotch egg with truffle, short rib, poached halibut and blood orange cake.
Nestled in the rugged mountain canyons east of Malibu lies the rustic Saddle Peak Lodge. Their four course Valentine's menu includes choices of rabbit roulade, oysters with champagne gelee, Wagyu rib-eye, elk tenderloin and chocolate molten cake among other courses. Diners can choose from the intimate upstairs library and view surrounding peaks, opt for the heated candlelit terrace, or enjoy a cozy dinner by the large fireplace in the downstairs dining room.
Scarpetta's seasonally inspired Valentine's Day menu includes fresh local ingredients and clean earthy flavors that elevate modern Italian cuisine. Courses include roasted sea scallops, creamy polenta, porcini and taleggio ravioli and amedei chocolate cake. Couples can dine in the elegant main room or head to the charming patio for an intimate al fresco dinner.
A local LA fixture for over four decades, Valentino is divided into four fancy dining rooms in earth tones of rust and brown with travertine floors and glass chandeliers. Serious oenophiles will savor the extensive 130 page wine list of over 140,000 bottles. Settle into an intimate table or booth and enjoy several courses of the best Northern Italian cuisine in Los Angeles. Diners can choose from a variety of courses for their Valentine's Day menu including main lobster salad, burrata with heirloom tomatoes, spinach gnocchi, Mediterranean branzino, Napa Valley quail, and veal ossobuco.