The Ultimate Valentine’s Dining in OC
Still making plans for a romantic night in or out for Valentine’s Day? Some of Orange County’s top eateries are going all out to make it a memorable and delicious occasion.
Knife Pleat — at South Coast Plaza
Michelin-starred Chef Tony Esnault is offering a special Valentine's Menu Friday, February 12th through Sunday, February 14th for dine-in service on the restaurant’s outdoor patio, as well as a to-go option that guests may enjoy at home. The meal begins with an Amuse Bouche of Cured Kampachi, Cape Grim Beef and Vichissoise Spherification, followed by a Maine Lobster Salad with Farmers Market Citrus and a Forest Mushroom Risotto. For the entrée, guests have a choice of Ora King Salmon with beet risotto, balsamic vinaigrette, yellow pickled beets, and parsley, or Grass Fed Beef Short Ribs with heirloom carrots. To finish, diners will be treated to a Chocolate Dessert with Jivara Milk Chocolate Mousse, Ginger Cremeux and Maca Biscuit. Reservations for on-site dining on the restaurant patio are limited and price per guest is $175 (does not include beverages, tax and service charges). Wine Pairings and Cocktails are available for purchase during the dinner. A special Valentine’s menu is available to go for $195 for 2 guests, with optional Wine Pairing for $95 and Premium Wine Pairing for $135. Guests may view menus, order online for takeaway, and make reservations at knifepleat.com.
Driftwood Kitchen in Laguna Beach
Driftwood Kitchen Executive Chef Rainer Schwarz plays Cupid with a special Valentine’s Day Dinner on February 14th. The meal begins with a Champagne Toast and Driftwood’s noted fresh-baked Parker House Rolls. For the first course, guests have a choice of Red & White Endive Salad or Hamachi Tartare, followed by White Asparagus Soup for the second course. Entrée selections include a choice of Double R Ranch Petite Filet & Braised Prime Beef Shortribs with truffled mashed potatoes, sauteed chanterelles and port demi-glace; or Chilean Seabass Filet with hearts of palm and Maine lobster risotto in parsley émulsion. The Valentine’s Day meal, which ends with a Sweetheart Chocolate Dessert for Two, is $95 per guest (not including beverages, tax and gratuity). Driftwood Kitchen offers a full bar with signature cocktails and a selection of wines by the glass and bottle. Reservations recommended for this special dinner, served on Sunday, February 14th from 4:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Reservations can be made online at driftwood-kitchen-laguna-beach-2.
The Winery Restaurant & Wine Bar in Tustin and Newport Beach
Celebrate Valentine’s Day, The Winery Way! Executive Chef Yvon Goetz and his talented team at The Winery Restaurant & Wine Bar will be offering their full menu, along with specials, for outdoor dining at the restaurant all weekend, Friday, February 12th through Sunday February 14th. Reservations are recommended for al fresco dining and can be made by calling Tustin at (714) 258-7600 and Newport Beach at (949) 999-6622.
Take The Winery home! The Winery is also offering a special Surf & Turf Valentine’s Dinner To Go. The take-home meal begins with a bright Strawberry & Laura Chenel Goat Cheese Salad, followed by two 8-ounce Filet Mignon steaks with Sauteed Jumbo Shrimp. All dinners are accompanied by Thyme-Roasted DYP Potatoes and an Organic Vegetable Medley. The meal ends with a Tahitian Vanilla Bean Butter Cake with fresh Berry Compote and Vanilla Chantilly. Additional sides and upgrades are available to customize your meal. Guests may also add on Champagne by the bottle or half bottle, wines by the bottle, and craft cocktails. The Surf & Turf Menu is $165 for 2 guests, and all orders to go must be placed 24 hours in advance for pick-up between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. on Friday, February 12, Saturday, February 13, and Sunday February 14. To learn more or to place your order, please call Tustin at (714) 258-7600 or Newport Beach at (949) 999-6622. thewineryrestaurants.com
Hendrix Restaurant & Bar in Laguna Niguel
Hendrix is offering a LOVEly Valentine’s Dinner Menu on Sunday, February 14th. Chef Rainer Schwarz’s meal begins with fresh-baked Cheesy Parker House Rolls and Jumbo Shrimp Cocktail, followed by a Belgian Endive & Grilled Castroville Baby Artichoke Salad. For their entrée, guests have a choice of Greater Omaha Black Angus Beef Filet Mignon with wild mushroom and rocket arugula risotto, heirloom carrots and a port wine reduction, or Chilean Seabass with baby fennel, heirloom carrots and potato cauliflower puree. For a sweet ending, guest will indulge in a Valrhona Chocolate Mousse Cake with Raspberries. The special 4-course dinner is $79 per guest (not including beverages, tax and gratuity). Hendrix offers a full bar with signature cocktails and a selection of wines by the glass and bottle. Reservations recommended for this special dinner, served on Sunday, February 14th from 4:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Reservations can be made by calling 949-248-1912. Find the full menu online at hendrixoc.com.
Haven Craft Kitchen+Bar in Orange
It’s love at first bite as Haven Craft Kitchen+Bar Executive Chef Craig Brady presents the most romantic meal of the year all Valentine's Weekend! Guests will be able enjoy a special 3-course prix-fixe menu for outdoor dining at Haven or to take to go on Friday, February 12th through Sunday, February 14th. For the first course, guests have a choice of Hamachi Crudo or Egg Yolk Raviolo, followed by an entrée choice of Seared Sea Scallops or 8-ounce Allen Brothers Fillet. For dessert, guests have a choice of Chamomile Creme Brulée with Rosé-infused Strawberries or Flourless Chocolate Hazelnut Cake. This menu is priced at $65 per guest and guests may enjoy full bar offerings for dine-in or add beers, a variety of wines and cocktail kits to orders placed for carryout. To make reservations or place orders, guests may call (714) 221-0680 or visit havencraftkitchen.com.
Sushi Roku in Newport Beach
Chic, innovative and sexy! Spend your Valentine's Day at Sushi Roku for a dynamic culinary experience featuring global ingredients throughout the menu to create a contemporary sushi experience unlike any other in the region. Sushi Roku Newport Beach is offering its regular menu, along with a la carte specials for outdoor dining and reservations are recommended by calling (949) 706-3622 or visit sushiroku.com/menus/newport-beach.
For a romantic meal at home, Sushi Roku is offering a special Lover’s Box with choice of two boxes (Sushi Fix or Bento Box, with options to upgrade), choice of 16-ounce signature cocktail (makes 3-4 drinks), and Valentine’s Day must-have Choco Bomb, all for $85. Guests can still order the restaurant’s normally available Sushi Fix Boxes and Family Packs (Allstar Specialty Roll Pack, Sushi Family Pack, Hot Family Pack or Signature Pack). These items are available for pick-up only, and guests may add wine and sake by the bottle for 50% off its regular price, as well as Sushi Roku signature cocktails packaged to go. Guests may order online for curbside pick-up at bbot.menu/srnbpickup/.
ADYA in Anaheim and Irvine
It’s a known fact that Indian food is laden with mood-boosting ingredients that are thought to have aphrodisiac qualities, so what better way to spice up your Valentine's Weekend than with ADYA’s Valentine’s Dinner for 2? Fresh Indian flavors come through in a special menu that begins with a Citrus Salad with Mint & Fennel, followed by entrée choice of Grilled Lobster Tail with Garlic Chili Butter or Stuffed Squash with Truffled Farro, Greens & Nuts. Chefs Shachi Mehra and Sandeep Basrur include Grilled Asparagus, Saffron Pulao, and Naan Basket to this special meal, which ends with a decadent Chocolate Tart and packet of ADYA House-Ground Chai Masala (after all, chai is referred to as Lover's Tea for its exotic blend of cardamom, nutmeg, cinnamon & ginger – all aphrodisiacs). This meal is $85+ (serves 2) and must be ordered in advance to enjoy at home by emailing info@adyaoc.com by Tuesday, February 9th. Dinners may be arranged for pick-up on Friday, February 12th at ADYA Irvine, ADYA Anaheim or at the Artisan Pop-Up at OC Baking Company; Saturday, February 13th at ADYA Irvine, ADYA Anaheim or at Orange Home Grown Farmer’s Market; or Sunday, February 14th at ADYA Irvine or ADYA Anaheim. adyaoc.com
Fable & Spirit in Newport Beach
Fable & Spirit, along with sister restaurants Dublin 4 Gastropub, and Wineworks For Everyone, will make your Valentine’s Dinner one that you’re guaranteed to love! In addition to offering his award-winning menu, Executive Chef David Shofner is presenting a Valentine’s Day special of Maine Lobster Tail Gratin and 8-ounce Prime Filet Mignon. Sommelier extraordinaire, Ali Coyle, will have recommended wine pairings for the special, which is only being offered during Fable & Spirit’s Valentine’s Day al fresco dinner service and must be pre-ordered by 5 p.m. Friday, February 12th ($79 entrée; reservation required). Those who wish to enjoy their meal in the comfort of their own home will be able to order items on the restaurant’s regular menu to go (Valentine’s special not available to go). For more information, to make reservations or place orders for pick-up, guests may call 949-409-9913 or visit fableandspirit.com.
Georgia’s Restaurant in Anaheim and Long Beach
Love is in the air this Valentine’s Day at Georgia’s Restaurant, where charismatic mother-daughter duo, Gretchen “Nana” Shoemaker and Nika Shoemaker-Machado, have something Southern and savory for lovers and friends, alike. From special dishes to share like their famous Fried Chicken cooked in a Brazilian buttermilk brine and seasoned crispy cornmeal crust; to their St. Louis BBQ Ribs, a half-rack of slow-roasted pork ribs in Georgia’s Restaurant signature house-made BBQ sauce, there’s something to satisfy every taste. Of course, your “soul-delicious” Valentine’s Day celebration would not be complete without Georgia’s Hurricane and Peach Sangria ($15 – 2 servings each), glass of wine, or ice-cold beer. And, for the perfect sweet Southern ending, guests must absolutely enjoy one of Nana Gretchen’s delectable desserts such as her Peach Cobbler, Sweet Potato Pie, Lemon Cake, or Pound Cake with a side of house-made à la Mode upon request. Georgia’s will be open all Valentine’s Weekend for outdoor dining, curbside pick-up and delivery at the Anaheim Packing House and Long Beach Exchange. For more information or to order directly, please call Georgia’s Restaurant at the Anaheim Packing House at (714) 906-1900 or at the Long Beach Exchange at (562) 420-5637. Menus and online ordering available at georgias-restaurant.com.
Fork & Knife in Costa Mesa
To ensure that your Valentine’s Dinner is memorable and stress-free, allow Chef Jonathan Blackford to handle the heavy lifting! Fork & Knife’s Chef’s Pick-Up Dinner allows you to recreate the restaurant experience in your home any night of the week leading up to Valentine’s Day. From start to finish, his seasonal dishes and house-made desserts are made with love. Guests interested in Knife & Fork’s Chef’s Pick-Up Dinner are asked to place orders with 24 hours notice (same-day service may be accommodated if guests call before 2 p.m.). Valentine’s Day dinners must be pre-ordered by 3 p.m. on Friday, February 12th for pick-up on Sunday, February 14th. Menus and online ordering can be found at forkandknifecm.com.
