South Coast Plaza’s collection of restaurants are ready for Valentine's Day! From cocktails to sweets to prix fixe menus, there’s plenty to savor in the name of love.
To commemorate love, the contemporary Aussie-inspired favorite has created Cupid’s Arrow — a delicious elixir of Remy XO Brandy, Cointreau, lemonade, and a touch of cold-pressed beetroot juice for a jewel-like color. Weekend brunch starts at 9 am with relaxed patio dining.
Proprietor Antonio Cagnolo’s highly recommended especially for Valentine’s weekend is the feather-light house-made burrata ravioli in lobster-cream sauce with crispy lobster garnish. This classic restaurant, known for its romantic vibe, will serve dinner Monday, February 14.
Leave it to chef Amar Santana to create sexy specials for Valentine’s weekend. An appetizer of half a dozen fresh oysters royale will be topped with fresh uni. An irresistible pavlova with yuzu curd, fresh seasonal berries, and Marcona almond Chantilly is also among the offerings from February 11-14.
Restaurateur Domenico Grillo promises the popular dining destination will bring back its annual heart-shaped cuisine. Pizza, ravioli and house-made desserts will be fashioned into the iconic shape for Valentine’s Day.
Besides chef Tony Esnault’s extraordinary six-course tasting menu offered February 11-12, the Michelin-starred Knife Pleat will serve afternoon tea on February 11. Stop by to purchase a limited-edition gift box of six Valentine’s macarons in flavors of vanilla, coconut, rose, raspberry, strawberry, and hibiscus, beautifully displayed in an ombré pattern, beginning February 8.
South Coast Plaza’s new confectioner brings fine heart-shaped chocolates and Valentine’s gift packaging to shoppers. The third generation, of the Läderach family and their Swiss chocolatiers have created a new cherry-raspberry dark chocolate FrischSchoggi (chocolate bark). Other selections include a gift box of five different heart-shaped pralines: salted caramel blond, hazelnut brittle, bourbon vanilla, strawberry champagne and coconut yuzu.
Celebrate love with a decadent Valentine’s Day dessert at MOULIN, now open in Garden Terrace. Coeur des fruits is an individual heart-shaped pastry made of lime sponge cake and vanilla mousse with red fruit compote. Enjoy al fresco with a café au lait or champagne.
Also available to take home in a larger six-inch rounded version which serves six to eight. Available February 11-14.
Chef Ross Pangilinan offers a five-course menu for Valentine’s Day dinner with luxe offerings, such as lobster, potato espuma and caviar starter; soft egg heart ravioli with house-made beet pasta, herbed ricotta, parmesan, brown butter, and beef tenderloin with foie gras entrée. $100 per person. Weekend brunch is served Saturday and Sunday starting at 11 a.m.
Celebrate all weekend long with Water Grill’s four-course Valentine’s menu with a multitude of choices. Starters include wild jumbo shrimp cocktail and jumbo lump crab cakes, followed by soup or salad choice. Order from indulgent entrées such as filet and lobster, Chilean seabass, Double R Ranch filet mignon or New Zealand King salmon. Conclude with a choice from three desserts. $135 per person; a notable wine pairing is an additional $50.
The always bustling Seasons 52 offers three ways to celebrate Valentine’s Day. Dine-in or order a takeout dinner for two available February 13-14 (salads, wood-grilled filet mignon entrées, chocolate-dipped strawberry minis, and a bottle of Vanderpump wine for $110). For a group, the Valentine’s Green Box to go feeds four to six guests, with a 24-hour preorder required. Indulging a sweet tooth? There’s a six-pack flight of mini-indulgences for takeaway — $24
February 11–14, Morton’s features a three-course dinner for two for $159. Start with a Caesar, Iceberg wedge or lobster bisque. Then on to an impressive Chateaubriand for two with Béarnaise sauce and two sides, followed by a shared dessert that includes Morton’s legendary hot chocolate cake among the selections. Full menu also available. Toast with the Valentine’s cocktail, Cupid’s Kiss, an expert blend of Grey Goose Le Citron Vodka, Grand Marnier, Reàl strawberry purée, fresh lemon juice & JCB No. 21 Brut.
Prix Fixe dinner prices exclude tax and gratuity.
Image Courtesy of South Coast Plaza
