Fast, French, and Fantastic

In just 45 minutes, Chef Pascal Olhats of Pascal’s in Newport Beach says he can show you how to make an evening special in a way only the French know how to do. 

“It’s all about romance!” says Pascal, one of Orange County’s best restaurateurs. 

He’s inviting you into his kitchen at Epicerie Pascal in Newport Beach for a romantic dinner workshop at 5:30 p.m. on Friday. (The workshop enhances his special Valentine’s four-course take-home dinner available for pick up Sunday.) It includes wine tasting and pairing suggestions, presentation tips and tricks as well as dinner preparation timelines. Guests will also receive chocolates and a single rose with take-home dinners.

The take-home menu includes a starter for two of homemade gravlax, salmon remoulade, caviar dill cream, homemade pates, duck sausage, onion marmalade and condiments; choice of entrée; cheese platter and a sweetheart opera cake. For only $55, entrée choices for two include a sautéed beef tenderloin “Chateaubriand,” roasted rack of lamb, vegetable and Pascal’s famous potato gratin. For $65 per person, each has a choice of either baked lobster thermidor or beef tenderloin and half lobster, both served with rice pilaf and vegetable brunoise. Valentine take-home dinners must be ordered by 1 p.m. Friday and can be picked up on Valentine’s Day from 3 to 5 p.m. 

Space for Pascal’s Romantic Dinner Workshop is limited. Tickets cost $25. 949.263.9400, ext. 2.

Pascal also has created another three-course take-home dinner package from Brasserie Pascal at Fashion Island for two. The Valentine’s Day menu includes an appetizer platter for two with homemade pate, charcuterie, salmon remoulade, and smoked salmon. Entrée choices include filet mignon, grilled salmon steak or seafood provencale; dessert is a fresh strawberry “fraisier” cake with Chambord sauce for two. The meal requires ordering by 1 p.m. Saturday for pick-up on Sunday between 2 and 4 p.m. For a more detailed description of take-home menu options or to place your order, call 949.640.2700.

Taste of Love

Is it true that oysters and Champagne conjure up feelings of love? Find out at Bluewater Grill Seafood Restaurants February tastings promotion. Through February, Bluewater Grill in Newport Beach and Tustin will feature an oysters and Champagne tasting event featuring pairings of raw oysters on the half shell from British Columbia and Washington State with special Schramsberg Champagne.

The pairing event costs $29.95 per person. Reservation required after 6:30 p.m. Also, customers can order an oyster and Champagne sampling plate (a half-dozen oysters and a glass of Champagne) for $19.75 daily. Bluewater Grill at 630 Lido Park Drive in Newport Beach, in Cannery Village, and 2409 Park Avenue in Tustin, at District at Tustin Legacy. 949.675.FISH (3474) and 714.258.FISH. (3474) respectively.