Blog

Love Italian Style
02.10.16
You can treat your special someone to an evening to remember this Valentine’s Day at BRIO Tuscan Grille at the Irvine Spectrum or Carolina’s Italian Restaurant in Garden Grove. Each restaurant will be featuring a delicious menu, designed to be enjoyed as a romantic dinner for two.
BRIO Tuscan Grille’s two-course prix fixe menu is available Friday, February 12 to Sunday, February 14. Prices start at $23.50* per person
The menus includes a choice of soup or salad, with a choice of the following entrée menu items (no substitutions: Cold Water Lobster Tail with Shrimp Risotto; Sea Scallops & Ratatouille Risotto; or Brio Surf & Turf – 5oz. Filet & Broiled Lobster Tail.
BRIO Tuscan Grille at the Irvine Spectrum is at 774 Spectrum Center Drive in Irvine. 949.341.0380.
Carolina’s Italian Restaurant’s four course prix fixe menu is available Sunday, February 14. Prices start at $19.99 per person*.
Carolina’s Valentine’s Day dinner menu starts with a first course of Polly-O Caprese, or Bruschetta. Second course is a Garden Salad and Garlic Cheese Bread; and for the third course you can choose one the following entrees: Spaghetti with Meatballs; Beef Lasagna; Baked Ziti; Chicken Pesto; Shrimp Alfredo; Chicken Parmigiana; Beef Ravioli & Spaghetti with Meat Sauce; or Steak & Spaghetti with Meatballs. The fourth course is your choice of Cannoli or Spumoni.
* Menu prices exclude beverages, tax and gratuity. Reservations are encouraged.
Carolina’s Italian Restaurant is at 12045 Chapman Ave. in Garden Grove. 714.337.2744.
Blog

Valentine’s Dining, Gifts and Romantic Cooking Classes
02.10.16
Need more great ideas for Valentine’s Day to celebrate with your loved one? Here are some great options for dining, gifts and even romantic cooking classes to take with your Valentine.
The Blind Pig Kitchen + Bar Rancho Santa Margarita will be serving an indulgent five course prix-fixe menu for $70. You can enjoy dishes like a turnip and heirloom carrot salad, spaghetti squash, duck breast or chicken breast, scallops or filet mignon, and toffee pudding (with foie gras ice cream!) 949.888.0072
The Ritz Prime Seafood in Newport Beach will be celebrating Valentine’s Day with a prix-fixe menu featuring delicious items from the land and sea, overlooking views of the Newport Harbor. To set the mood for the evening, they will also be serving a special-themed cocktail (available from February 1-February 14) - with Lillet Blanc, Absolut vodka, Prosecco, and raspberries, the cocktail is festive and delicious! 949.720.1800
B.Toffee Spoil your sweetheart with some handcrafted toffee! Available in two specially-wrapped versions for the holiday of love, a 9 oz. canister of toffee is $21.95 and the 1lb. canister is $36.95. Both come gift wrapped, and perfect for your loved ones with a sweet tooth! Available for purchase online at www.btoffee.com or be calling 949.722.9001.
At SOCIAL Costa Mesa you can celebrate Valentine’s Day and enjoy two special items, meant to be shared by two special people: a Bone In Short Rib and an Oak Grilled Lobster, each served with two Farmers’ Market sides and $75 each.
Bistro Papillote at The OC Mix. Celebrate Valentine’s Day in true French fashion at Bistro Papillote at The OC Mix. They will be offering two seatings at 6 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. Executive Chef Laurent Brazier will be serving a themed four-course prix fixe menu for $58 per person. Select from dishes like Lobster Bisque with Orange Zest and Micro Greens, Pan Seared Jumbo Scallops with Garlic Jus and Mini Ratatouille and Classic “Opera” Chocolate Mousse Cake with fresh Raspberry & Espresso Sauce. 714.697.1707.
ST Patisserie at SOCO On Friday, February 12, chocolate lovers can attend a Valentine's truffle class at the Pastry School with talented MOF Pastry Chef Stephane Treand. From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., students can learn the art of creating the sweet treat for $100. Space is limited, advance booking required. www.stephanetreand.com.
Surfas at SOCO Offering two classes:
Valentine's Dinner on Saturday, February 13 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. priced at $85.
Indulge in champagne, chocolate, and filet mignon in this hands-on cooking class celebrating Valentine’s Day favorite flavors! The chef Instructor will show you how to grill vegetables, create a vinaigrette from scratch, and sear steak perfectly. You will also learn how to make a rich béarnaise sauce and a creamy pots de crème. Create and taste: Frisee and Apple Salad with Champagne Vinaigrette - Cocoa and Porcini Crusted Filet Mignon with Béarnaise Sauce - Grilled Asparagus with Smoked Chocolate Salt -Caramélia Pots de Crème with Pecan Praline. Perfect for date night or as inspiration for cooking for your Valentine, discover how fun and romantic cooking can be.
Champagne and Canapés on Sunday, February 14 from 12 to 3 p.m. priced at $75.
Cook side-by-side with your valentine while pickling beets, piping profiteroles, and sipping Champagne punch. Your Chef Instructor will also teach you how to make lemon curd, raspberry and chocolate sauce, and fig jam. Create and taste: Foie Gras Mousse and Balsamic Fig Tart - Buckwheat Blinis with Smoked Salmon, Pickled Beets and Dried Olives - Spanish Chorizo Meatballs in Smoky Pimenton Sauce - Lemon Tartlets with Blueberries, Mint and Candied Violets - Salted Caramel Profiteroles with Chocolate Sauce and Raspberry Coulis - Lavender Champagne Punch. Share your passion for cooking with your loved one and Surfas! *must be 21 or older to attend as alcohol will be served.
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