Hamamori at South Coast Plaza is our favorite Japanese restaurants and “the best sushi money can buy in OC,” according to Jeff Overley of Food Frenzy. The restaurant is offering a special Valentine’s weekend menu, available Friday through Monday, at lunch or dinner. It can be ordered as a three-course prix fixe ($47) or a la carte.
Hamamori is offering exquisite foods dishes, including wagyu beef tartare with pickled daikon and negi, ponzu sauce; and housemade ravioli with lobster and tokyo onion filling; and filet mignon with soy-sesame sauce, asparagus and cream croquette. Level 3, at South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa. 714.850.0880.
The Cupid Special
The Cupid Special is a nifty offer at El Torito Grill starting Friday through Valentine’s Day. A three-course dinner for two for just $45 is a great deal. Over the last year at El Torito Grill, much effort has been put forth to bring in organic and natural meats, produce and much more. The food is really good and tequila selections and cocktails are excellent. The three-course dinner for two begins with starter options including chicken tortilla soup, fire-roasted tomato soup or the Grill’s garden salad; followed by entrée selections chicken milanesa, fajitas supremas, carne asada or fire-grilled salmon; and choice of housemade churros or berry tostada to share for dessert.
The El Torito Grill has five Orange County locations.
Rancho Santa Margarita at 22322 El Paseo 949.589.4164;
Anaheim at 1801 E. Katella Ave. 949.975.1220;
Brea at 555 Pointe Drive 714.990.2411; in Irvine
at 1910 Main St. 949.975.1220;
and Newport Beach at Fashion Island, 951 Newport Center Drive 949.640.2875.

Oyster Special!
In honor of the lover’s holiday, the Harbor Grill in Dana Point will be throwing oyster night specials through Feb. 14! Preparations will be available at $9.95 for a half-dozen. Guests can enjoy the classic lovers combination of Champagne and oysters with discounted glasses of Mumm Napa Brut Prestige for $5 a glass and $20 a bottle. 34499 Golden Lantern Dana Point.
True Love at True Food!
On Valentine’s Day, celebrate True Love with True Food at Fashion Island! It’s serving up a lovely $25 per person three-course meal. Share a first course from a list of the six most popular appetizers on the menu, then for a second course choose an entrée from the selection of six house favorites. At the end of third course, choose a dessert assortment for two. At Fashion Island in Newport Beach. 949.644.2400.

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from the blog
- 10.01.26 – Where to Eat Around the Newport Beach Film Festival
- 09.28.26 – Surfing Heritage & Culture Center Opens New Laguna Beach Home
- 09.28.26 – Levain Bakery Brings Peanut Butter Cookie to Fashion Island
- 09.28.26 – Puesto Pours a Wellness-Minded Margarita With Cymbiotika
- 09.26.26 – Pete’s Spookeasy Returns to Huntington Beach This Fall
- 09.23.26 – SAVOR 2026 Set to Honor Orange County Legends Before Anticipated Sold-Out Crowd
- 09.22.26 – Ruin Bar Celebrates 10 Years at The LAB
- 09.21.26 – QUA Debuts Afternoon Tea With a Chinese Twist
- 09.21.26 – ENC Wine Walk Returns to Support Environmental Education
- 09.17.26 – Inside My Ritual Diaries
- 09.16.26 – Willem Dafoe to Headline “The Process Unlocked” Premiere at Newport Beach Film Festival
- 09.15.26 – Broken Yolk Café Dishes Up Hope for OC Kids This Holiday Season
- 09.09.26 – Levain’s Black & White Weekend Comes to Orange County for the First Time
- 09.09.26 – LAWineFest Marks 21 Years With a New Home at the LA Equestrian Center
- 09.02.26 – Newport Dunes Celebrates Labor Day Weekend With Live Music, Beach Movies and Waterfront Fun
- 09.02.26 – Pacific Symphony Opens New Era with Joshua Bell, Celebrates Shelley’s First Season
- 08.30.26 – VOX Kitchen Brings Modern Chifa Flavor to Aliso Viejo
- 08.29.26 – Outpost Kitchen Refreshes Menu for National Better Breakfast Month
- 08.29.26 – Blind Boys of Alabama Bring Seven Decades of Gospel to Musco Center
- 08.26.26 – Chef Turned Author Launches New Thriller Series
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- 09.28.26 – NBFF International Spotlight Films Announced
- 09.28.26 – Pacific Airshow Celebrates 10 Years in Huntington Beach
- 09.18.26 – Roger’s Gardens Unveils Moonlight Masquerade for Halloween
- 09.18.26 – Get RELISH Ready: OC’s Premier Food and Wine Weekend Returns to Newport Beach
- 09.16.26 – Newport Beach Film Festival Turns 27, and the Lineup Is Stacked
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- 08.30.26 – Zov’s Mediterranean Restaurant Set to Open on 17th Street in Costa Mesa
- 08.29.26 – Sweet Arrival: Levain Bakery Opens First Orange County Location at Fashion Island
- 08.26.26 – OCAPICA’s Tastemakers of Orange County Celebrates 10 Years of Community-Driven Cuisine
- 08.24.26 – Telefèric Barcelona Brings Spanish Flavor to Fashion Island
- 08.20.26 – Pacific Wine & Food Classic Returns to Newport Beach in September
- 08.18.26 – Dream Glow Festival Returns to Celebrate the Beauty of Chinese Culture
- 08.13.26 – Z SUPPLY Pops Up at Lido Marina Village With New Denim Collection
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