Greer's OC

Valentine’s Day is quickly approaching. South Coast Plaza’s collection of fine restaurants offer both outdoor dining and takeout for the holiday weekend.

Here are some of the tempting menus created in the name of love!

OUTDOOR DINING ONLY TERRACE BY MIX MIX & HAMAMORI VALENTINE’S DINNER -- Once again chef-pals Ross Pangilinan and James Hamamori collaborate on a six-course fusion dinner for two served on the lush, covered terrace off the Bridge of Gardens. Hamamori will create a signature appetizer, followed by pristine sashimi.  Guests will also experience James’ distinctive nigiri sushi. TERRACE by Mix Mix will contribute a pasta course of heart-shaped ravioli with ricotta, butternut squash, sage and pomegranate; ribeye steak with potato fondant, ratatouille and ginger beet purée, truffle jus and finally dessert of chocolate ganache, tiramisu and fruit. February 14, 6 p.m.

Collaboration dinner for 2, $250, excluding tax and gratuity
For reservations:  click here or please call Hamamori, 714.850.0880

WATER GRILL For the ultimate in Valentine’s dining, Water Grill’s four-course menu is on point. Choose from starters such as jumbo lump crab cake, oyster sampler, wild jumbo shrimp cocktail or A5 Japanese satsuma wagyu.  Second course options are WG’s signature clam chowder, roasted beet salad or classic Caesar. Guests select from seven entrées—among them Dover Sole, wild Chilean sea bass, Double R Ranch filet or NY Strip and the seasonal offering of Wild California Spiny hard-shell lobster. Dessert options include chocolate espresso cake or Key Lime pie.

February 13-14, 11 a.m.- 11p,m. Four-course dinner, $120 per person, optional four course wine pairing, $40, excluding tax and gratuity For reservations:  click here or please call 949.208.7060

VACA - Chef Amar Santana offers his popular à la carte menu, known for Spanish cheese and charcuterie, creative tapas, paellas and Aspen Ridge Farm wood-grilled steaks. For Valentine’s dinner, specials include pâté de foie gras on toast with cherries, kumquats and duck chicharron; Shigoku oysters with caviar and Santa Barbara uni, seared turbot filet with melted leeks, umami broth, and roasted Liberty Farms duck breast with vadouvan carrots.  

February 14, 5:30-9:30 p.m. À la carte pricing on menu; specials range from $19-$64 For reservations:  click here or please call 714.463.6060

THE HALL GLOBAL EATERY  -- The Hall will serve its weekend lounge menu on its expansive patio with social distancing on Valentine’s evening. Specials include chilled poached lobster with truffle-miso vinaigrette, avocado-pickled beet hearts and shave summer truffles, as well as oysters on the half shell. A seafood briwat (Moroccan egg rolls) and an entrée of roasted Chilean Sea bass with rock shrimp risotto and asparagus will be available. February 14, 6-9:30 p.m. À la carte pricing on lounge menu; specials range from $14-44. For reservations: please call 714.515.5544.

ANTONELLO RISTORANTE --- Antonello will serve dinner on its covered heated courtyard Valentine’s weekend. Guests may order from the restaurant’s popular à la carte menu served with restaurateur Antonio Cagnolo’s legendary hospitality. Enjoy signature dishes such as Mama Pina’s miniature raviolis, penne vodka with shrimp, limone sole and short ribs with risotto and broccoli in light mascarpone sauce. February 11-14, 4-9pm (à la carte menu). For reservations: please call 714.751.7153

OUTDOOR DINING & TAKEOUT -- AN QI BISTRO -- Indulge in an exclusive five-course Valentine’s feast for two or more, available for outdoor dining and takeout.  Begin with artichoke-black truffle congee with lemon basil scallops. Next enjoy butternut squash raviolis with lemongrass brown butter sauce followed by entrée selections of Zabuton steak with shiitake mushroom galette or almond-crusted filet of snapper, white asparagus gratinée and kaffir lime chutney. Finish with dark chocolate-banana mousse with dulce de leche and milk chocolate ganache. February 13-14 (Valentine’s menu only all day, 12-9pm on the 14th). Five-course dinner $75 per person, minimum order for two, excluding tax and gratuity
For reservations: please call 714.557.5679. To preorder takeout online:  click here, call 714.557.5679 or text 714.504.2822

KNIFE PLEAT -- The restaurant will offer a deluxe Valentine’s menu for two to-go February 13-14 as well as courtyard patio dining February 12-14, Valentine’s weekend.  For takeout, Michelin-starred chef Tony Esnault has created a four-course luxe menu for two. The amuse bouche trio features cured kampachi with tapioca chips, Cape Grim beef with black garlic and vichyssoise spherifications with potato, leeks, truffle and olive oil.  Next is Maine lobster salad with Harvest Farm chicory, blood orange, mandarin and oro blanco. Guests choose from entrées of Ora King Salmon with beets roasted, pickled, coulis, balsamic vinaigrette, or grass-fed beef short ribs with heirloom carrots roasted, raw, coulis, confetti. Dessert is a heart duo of champagne mousse, raspberries confit, almond cake paired with Jivara chocolate, lemon-ginger crémeux, chocolate biscuit. 

Two Valentine’s cocktails have been created: The bourbon-based Italian Affair and the Love Elixir, made with Empress gin.  Serve two. $24. Wine pairings, of three half bottles, are available. Outdoor dining: February 12-14, dinner only, starting at 5 p.m. Five-course menu, $175 per person; optional wine paring $75 per person, excluding tax and 23% service gratuity. For reservations: please call 714.266.3388 Takeout menu:  February 13-14. Four-course menu for 2, $195, wine pairings for two, $95, excluding taxTo preorder online: click here or call 714.266.3388 Knife Pleat is a participant in SCP2GO

SEASONS 52 -- Seasons 52 offers limited seating with reservations for patio dining Valentine’s weekend. The à la carte menu will be served. It offers two options for takeout Valentine’s dining. A dinner for two to enjoy at home with a bottle of wine starts with field green salad, followed by wood-grilled Kona crusted filet mignon with Brussels sprouts and lemon-parsley marble potatoes. Dessert is two Mini Indulgences of raspberry chocolate chip cannoli or Belgian chocolate s’mores. One bottle of wine is included with dinner. Please select from:  Harvest Sun Chardonnay, Farm & Fare Cabernet Sauvignon or Open Ranch Pinot Grigio.  Wine upgrades for $10 a bottle are available.  A second takeout option is Seasons 52 Green Box dinner. Each box serves four to six and is freshly and naturally prepared. Food is chilled and ready to be reheated when convenient. Advance 24-hour preorder required.

Green Boxes feature a choice of two entrées: whole side of cedar plank-roasted salmon with dill mustard sauce or Kona crusted wood-grilled beef tenderloin with aged balsamic demi-glace. Menu includes salad—select from field greens or romaine Caesar. The main course comes with lemon-parsley marble potatoes and vegetable. Finish with six Mini-Indulgences:  raspberry chocolate chip cannoli or Belgian chocolate s'mores. Valentine’s reservations: please call 714.437.5252 (à la carte menu). Takeout menus: Valentine’s Dinner for two, including a bottle of wine, $99 excluding tax  

To order online: click here Salmon Green Box for 4-6, $125, excluding tax. Tenderloin Green Box for 4-6, $165, excluding tax. 24-hour preorder required. To order online: click here  or call 714.437.5252. Seasons 52 is a participant in SCP2GO

THE CAPITAL GRILLE -- On February 14, The Capital Grille will offer limited reservations for outdoor dining. The à la cate menu will be served and long-stemmed rose will be given (while supplies last). For takeout, The Capital Grille offers a premium three-course dinner for two. First is a green salad with raspberry vinaigrette with seeded rolls. The entrée is a surf and turf of hand-cut 20 oz. filet and four 4-oz. butter poached lobster tails to share, served with grilled asparagus with lemon mosto and Sam’s mashed potatoes. End on a sweet note with desserts of TCG cheesecake, flourless chocolate espresso cake and chocolate covered strawberries. For reservations: please call 714. 432.1140 (à la carte menu). Three-course takeout dinner for 2, $175, excluding tax. 24-hour preorder required. Available for pickup February 13-14. To order online: click here.  714.432.1140. The Capital Grille is a participant in SCP2GO

MORTON’S THE STEAKHOUSE - Morton’s offers a Valentine’s dinner for two all weekend long that includes a bottle of wine to share and is available for both outdoor dining and takeout. The three-course dinner starts with a choice of Caesar or Wedge salad, baked five-onion soup or Maine lobster bisque. Guests will enjoy a luxe entrée of 6 oz. center-cut filet mignon with a 6 oz. cold water lobster tail, served with a signature side dish. End on a sweet note with dessert selections of Key Lime pie, NY cheesecake, crème brûlée or double chocolate mousse.   Select from a bottle of JCB No.21 Brut, Crémant de Bourgogne or Raymond Vineyards Primal Cut Cabernet Sauvignon, North Coast. Outdoor dining: February 11-13, 5-10pm, February 14, 4-9 p.m.

Valentine’s Dinner for two, including a bottle of wine, $169, excluding tax and gratuity. For reservations: please call 714.444.4834 or visit OpenTable For takeout: preorder by February 13, 5 p.m. for February 14 pickup:  click here 

TAKEOUT ONLY

TIFFANY & CO. BLUE BOX CAFE  - Breakfast at Tiffany for Two or Tiffany Tea for Two is perfect for Valentine’s weekend. Add your own bubbly! The Blue Box Cafe at South Coast Plaza offers curated menu packages to enjoy at home. BREAKFAST AT TIFFANY FOR TWO -- The bento box packaged menu includes chia seed yogurt pudding with farmer’s market fruit, croissants with organic strawberries and lavender mascarpone, Tiffany avocado toast, smoked salmon and buckwheat mille feuille, and Bellocq No. 727 The Tiffany Blend:  A floral infusion of Chinese and Ceylon black tea with notes of lychee, rose buds, lavender and vanilla.

TIFFANY TEA FOR TWO - The impressive offering is dressed up with festive touches for Valentine’s. Start with a variety of scones with Devonshire cream, cherry ginger marmalade, and wildflower honey.  An assortment of creative tea sandwiches is complemented with a generous selection of petit fours and confections. Included is a tin of Bellocq No. 727 Tiffany Blend Tea.

Breakfast for 2, $120, excluding tax. Tea for 2, $150, excluding tax. For more details and to preorder 48 hours in advance online, click here For more information:  please call 714.540.5330, press 7. Tiffany’s Blue Box Cafe is a participant in SCP2GO