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
- 02.24.25 – Wine, Words & OC Stories—Born in OC Booksigning at Hi-Time Wine Cellars
- 02.23.25 – An Evening with Pulitzer Prize-Winning Poet Tracy K. Smith at Segerstrom Center
- 02.19.25 – Christine Brennan to Speak at 27th Witte Lectures
- 02.18.25 – Napa in Newport: An Evening of Fine Wine, Dining, and Giving
- 02.14.25 – The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill Now Open in Irvine
- 02.13.25 – Alicia Pet Care Center’s 10th Annual Free Spay & Neuter Day
- 02.12.25 – Relax, Recharge, and Rejuvenate at 128 Luxury Health Spa
- 02.12.25 – Celebrate Romance in Temecula This February and Beyond
- 02.11.25 – Valentine’s Weekend at Triangle Square: Dining, Dancing & Celebration
- 02.07.25 – Big Changes Underway at Eclectic LAB Anti-Mall
- 02.07.25 – Oscar Night Cinema Series at The Lido Theater
- 02.07.25 – FASHIONISTAS 2025: Orange County Center for Contemporary Art (OCCCA)
- 02.05.25 – Women’s Wellness Retreat
- 02.02.25 – The Musicians of Bremen Live! Premieres at Segerstrom Center for the Arts
- 02.02.25 – Love & Art: An Afternoon of Chocolate, Wine, and Creativity
- 01.31.25 – 43rd Annual California Cool Art Auction at Laguna Art Museum
- 01.31.25 – Twyla Tharp 60th Anniversary at Segerstrom Center for the Arts
- 01.30.25 – Tomatomania Returns: The Ultimate Tomato Plant Sale at Roger’s Gardens
- 01.29.25 – Stonefire Grill Supports Wildfire Relief with Meal Donations and Fundraising Match
- 01.29.25 – GANNI Warehouse Sale: 70% Off in Tustin This Week
More Daily Doses
- 02.24.25 – Celebrate OC Restaurant Week March 2 - 8, 2025
- 02.23.25 – Exciting Additions at Anaheim Hills Festival: Egg Tuck, Story Bar + Kitchen, and More!
- 02.16.25 – Dizzy Bird Expand to Irvine Spectrum with Bold Rotisserie Flavors
- 02.12.25 – Dine Out Long Beach, Restaurant & Cocktail Week: 10 Delicious Reasons to Join the Fun
- 02.11.25 – Love at First Bite: Valentine’s Dining in Orange County
- 02.06.25 – Bring Your Podcast and Video Content to Life at Sunset 17 Studio
- 02.02.25 – Pepper Lunch Expands to Irvine Spectrum with a Sizzling Grand Opening!
- 01.30.25 – Explore, Dine, and Relax: Catalina Island’s Winter Getaway Packages
- 01.29.25 – Celebrate Lunar New Year with Incredible Dining Experiences at South Coast Plaza
- 01.27.25 – Ospi Costa Mesa Brings Southern Italian Flavors to Orange County
- 01.23.25 – Wild Strawberry Café Opens in Laguna Beach
- 01.22.25 – Ring in the Year of the Snake with Festive Fun at The District Tustin!
- 01.20.25 – The Winter Cocktail Tour at The District at Tustin Legacy
- 01.19.25 – Graze Craze Expands to Costa Mesa with Charcuterie Boards & Boxes
- 01.18.25 – Segerstrom Center for the Arts Presents: An Intimate Evening with David Foster and Katharine McPhee
- 01.15.25 – NEP Café Redefines Modern Vietnamese Dining with a Bold New Chapter
- 01.13.25 – Over 110 O.C. Restaurants Unite for Wildfire Relief Fundraiser – Tuesday, Jan. 14
- 01.02.25 – Segerstrom Center for the Arts Presents GRAHAM100
- 12.30.24 – Book Signing & Conversation with Greer Wylder: Born in OC
- 12.29.24 – Ring in the New Year at Triangle Square: Dining, Dancing, and More
