Greer's OC

Your best bet for a romantic evening on Valentine’s Day in Orange County?  You have to ask yourself who is serving aphrodisiac margaritas? The answer, SOL Cocina Newport Beach is unveiling aphrodisiac cocktails, as well as Valentine’s dinner specials served a la carte from 4:30 to 11 p.m. created by Chef Octavio Flores served alongside Executive Chef Deborah Schneider's award-winning menu featuring modern interpretations of traditional Coastal Mexican cuisine with a focus on seasonal, sustainable ingredients.

Chef Flores is serving up mariscos, shrimp with diablo sauce and nopales, tomatoes and onions; smoked salmon with corn poblano potato cake served with chipotle sauce and crema; platillos, day boat scallops with corn, poblano, mushroom and asparagus, with coconut tequila sauce;  and 7 oz. filet mignon with agave shrimp, asparagus and mole rojo. And to finish, try a sweet ending like coconut rice pudding; or orange flan with agave Mezcal sauce.

The special Valentine's Cocktails menu will be served from 11:30 a.m. to midnight including the Farmer's Market Aphrodisiac margarita (offered through Feb. 20); a Lavender & Hibiscus Margarita with Don Julio Blanco, fresh lime juice, lavender-infused simple syrup, and Chef Deb's Famous Hibiscus Flower Infusion Copa de Amor (margarita for two), it’s a frozen margarita served in a bulldog schooner with choice of Chambord or La Pinta Floater, and served with two straws; or a Amor y Tequila Guava Margarita with Corralejo Blanco Shaken into a Martini Glass with Clase Azul La Pinta Pomegranate-Infused Watermelon Ice Cubes.

251 E. Coast Highway in Newport Beach. 949.675.9800.

Some Like It Hot

Fancy yourself a hot chili pepper eating expert? You can enter a chili pepper eating contest tonight at 6 p.m. at the Surf City Nights Street Fair and Certified Farmer’s Market in Huntington Beach. The proud winner will leave with great prizes. Surf City Nights runs every Tuesday from 5 to 9 p.m. with 90 participating vendors, street performers, live music and activities for the kids.

And through February, the theme will be Western Nights with country music, free line dancing lessons from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. and also stick horse rodeo races at 6 p.m.

Main Street between Orange and Pacific Coast Highway.