Greer's OC

There’s no need to travel too far this Valentine’s Day for the perfect date night when Orange County has so many wonderfully romantic choices. For those heading towards the coast, Montage Laguna Beach has two options: a Champagne accompanied meal at The Loft or a four-course dinner at Studio. Also in Laguna Beach is a delicious gourmet prix fixe meal at Selanne Steak Tavern, or a fantastic four-course dinner at Three Seventy Common . Traveling a little north up Pacific Coast Highway will land Valentine’s at Oak Grill at Fashion Island Hotel where they will be served a four-course prix fixe menu. And for those who want to stay a bit more inland is a special Valentine’s Day prix fixe at EATS Kitchen & Bar located at Hotel Irvine.

Romancing at Selanne Steak Tavern for Valentine’s

The minute diners step through the doors of this iconic Laguna Beach bungalow, romance is in the air. From dining in the sleek, chic white upstairs dining room to the cozy, relaxed downstairs tavern, Selanne Steak Tavern is the perfect pick for Valentine’s Day. Chef Josh Severson and his team are featuring a three-course prix fixe dinner with choices. The celebration can start with luscious champagne to accompany the Amuse Bouche of Butternut Bisque with choux and warm truffle ricotta. First Course selections are Hokkaido Scallops with hearts of palm, chanterelle and clementine or Seckel Tawny Port Poached Pear Salad with gorgonzola dulce flan and walnut vinaigrette. The entree selections are Dover Sole with Maine lobster ravioli and saffron beurre fondue or Imperial Farms Wagyu Tenderloin accompanied by Yukon gold potato galette, veal sweetbreads and Madeira jus. Classic dessert choices are Tahitian Vanilla Crème Brûlée with Griottine cherry and Sicilian pistachio or Chocolate Mousse with bourbon caramel and hazelnut.

$85 per person for three courses; $110 with wine pairing, exclusive of tax and gratuity. For reservations 949.715.9881.

Selanne Steak Tavern is at 1464 South Coast Highway in Laguna Beach.

Three Seventy Common: Wino Wednesday Menu for Food Lovers on Valentine's Day

Since Wino Wednesday lovingly shares the same date as Valentine’s Day this year, Three Seventy Common Food+Drink is celebrating by expanding its Wino Wednesday Menu offerings. A special Four-Course Valentine’s Menu will be available with choices and wine pairing. This Four-Course Dinner-of-the-day sounds irresistible with an Amuse to start. First Course is either Oysters on the Half Shell or Garden Salad. Second is Lobster Ravioli or Sunchoke-Cauliflower Ravioli. Third features Heart of the Ribeye with bordelaise or Wild Mushroom Souffle and the fourth is Chocolate Ganache Cake or Trio of Cheesecake Bars. The customary menu will be available. Great food for lovers and their companions.

For reservations: 949.494.8686. $55 per person includes four-course dinner and wine pairings; excludes tax and gratuity.

370 Glenneyre Street in Laguna Beach.

Studio’s Four-Course Valentine’s Dinner is Dedicated to Food Lovers

At Studio, Chef Craig Strong’s gourmet menus are simply elegant, seasonal and memorable. And the setting is always beyond romantic. His four-course Valentine’s dinner starts with Seared Ahi Tuna served with shaved root vegetables, shiro-dashi grapes, black garlic aioli and yuzu vinaigrette. Next comes Roasted Lobster Tail with turnips, orange-carrot purée, crispy cabbage and vanilla butter sauce. The main choice is between Pacific Swordfish paired with charred eggplant and braised lentils or Beef Tenderloin accompanied by broccoli chimichurri, fingerling potatoes, agrodolce mushroom and puffed wild rice. For the sweetest decision, there is Saint Honoré Chocolate Chantilly or Saint Honoré Rosé Chantilly; both served with vanilla ice cream and caramel. $150 per person; $250 with wine pairings. For reservations: 949.715.6420.

A Veuve Valentine’s at The Loft

While taking in panoramic views of the Pacific, Chef Michael Campbell will be stirring up Valentine’s dinner to wow couples at The Loft at Montage Laguna Beach. It begins with a Canape Duo of Burrata Spheres and Kumamoto Oysters. Next, a choice of Shaved Asparagus Salad or Lobster Bisque. The three options for the second course are Thyme-Seared Branzino with pickled saffron rutabaga, curried puffed wild rice and porcini sabayon; Certified Angus Beef Tenderloin with Swiss chard and fingerling potatoes, or Hand Rolled Cavatelli Pasta with kale pesto cream and roasted heirloom cherry tomatoes. Then there’s a Maytag Blue cheese interlude, and the beautiful desserts de resistance: Black Forest Sundae with black cherries, iced chocolate and kirsch foam or Pink Forest Sundae with white chocolate, iced strawberries and kirsch foam. $175 per person includes a bottle of Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label per couple. For reservations: 949.715.6420.

Montage Laguna Beach is at 30801 Coast Highway in Laguna Beach. 866.271.6953.

Valentine's Date Night Four-Course Dinner at Oak Grill
A delicious dinner and bubbling champagne – what’s not to love? For a holiday dinner with that special date or dining with a group of adored friends, Oak Grill’s four-course prix fixe menu starts with shared Crudo Duo of Hamachi and Ahi, and then a choice of Valentine’s Day Salad with shaved fennel, strawberries and candied pecans or Creamy Lobster Bisque with lump crab and brandy crème fraîche. The third course is 12oz Bone-in Filet with sauce bordelaise, Shrimp and Mussels with a champagne cream sauce or Red Snapper Milanese – all entrees accompanied by deliciously awesome sides. The sweet for sweethearts is shared Strawberry Au Chocolate Shortbread with Grand Marnier Cream. A glass of champagne or rosé, plus a budding rose for a special someone is included. $125 per person, excluding tax and gratuity. For reservations, book online or call 949.760.4920.

 Oak Grill is at 690 Newport Center Drive in Newport Beach.

Valentine’s Day at EATS Kitchen & Bar

Dinner at EATS Kitchen & Bar at Hotel Irvine is the perfect meal for loving couples. At this special Valentine’s Day event, the delectable four-course prix fixe dinner will offer a Starter selection of either Pacific Oysters with cucumber-mint granite or Dungeness Crab Salad with blood orange vinaigrette. Entrée choices are NY Steak & Short Rib Ravioli with heirloom carrots, foraged mushrooms and truffle demi-glace or Pan Seared Sea Bass with coconut curry and jasmine rice. Dessert is Chocolate Crémeux with kumquat marmalade and lavender meringue. The holiday dinner comes with a complimentary glass of sparkling Rosé for each, while a live Spanish guitarist sets the romantic mood.

$49 per person; $59 with wine pairings. Pricing excludes tax and gratuity. For reservations, book online or call 949.225.6780.

EATS Kitchen & Bar is at 17900 Jamboree Road in Irvine.