Orange County is home to California’s Gold Coast and, as such, why in the world would you travel anywhere else for your perfect Valentine’s Day date night? There are many wonderfully romantic choices in your backyard! For a memorable dinner or an idyllic weekend stay, here are four fine dining destinations that will make that special someone swoon.
For stellar ocean view dining, Montage Laguna Beach has two options: a champagne accompanied meal at The Loft or a four-course dinner at Studio. Also in Laguna Beach, a delicious gourmet prix fixe meal awaits at Selanne Steak Tavern. A few miles north on Pacific Coast Highway in Newport Beach, discover Valentine’s at Oak Grill at Fashion Island Hotel where you can enjoy a four-course prix fix menu beneath ancient oaks draped with golden lanterns.
Studio’s Four-Course Valentine’s Dinner is Dedicated to Food Lovers
Wednesday, February 14
Beyond romantic, at Studio, Chef Craig Strong’s gourmet menus are simply elegant, seasonal and memorable. His four-course Valentine’s dinner starts with Seared Ahi Tuna served with shaved root vegetables, shiro-dashi grapes, black garlic aioli and yuzu vinaigrette. Next comes Roasted Lobster Tail with turnips, orange-carrot purée, crispy cabbage and vanilla butter sauce. For your main course choose between Pacific Swordfish paired with charred eggplant and braised lentils or Beef Tenderloin accompanied by broccoli chimichurri, fingerling potatoes, agrodolce mushroom and puffed wild rice. For the sweetest decision, there is Saint Honoré Chocolate Chantilly or Saint Honoré Rosé Chantilly, both served with vanilla ice cream and caramel.
$150 per person; $250 with wine pairings. For reservations: 949-715-6420.
A Veuve Valentine’s at The Loft
Wednesday, February 14
While taking in panoramic views of the Pacific, Chef Michael Campbell will be stirring up a Valentine’s dinner to wow couples at The Loft at Montage Laguna Beach. Your epicurean evening begins with a Canape Duo of Burrata Spheres and Kumamoto Oysters. Next, a choice of Shaved Asparagus Salad or Lobster Bisque. The three options for the second course are Thyme-Seared Branzino with pickled saffron rutabaga, curried puffed wild rice and porcini sabayon; Certified Angus Beef Tenderloin with Swiss chard and fingerling potatoes; or Hand Rolled Cavatelli Pasta with kale pesto cream and roasted heirloom cherry tomatoes. Followed with a Maytag Blue cheese interlude, and the beautiful desserts de resistance: Black Forest Sundae with black cherries, iced chocolate and kirsch foam or Pink Forest Sundae with white chocolate, iced strawberries and kirsch foam.
$175 per person includes a bottle of Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label per couple. For reservations: 949-715-6420.
Montage Laguna Beach
30801 Coast Highway
Laguna Beach, CA 92651
866-271-6953
www.montagehotels.com/lagunabeach
Romancing at Selanne Steak Tavern for Valentine’s
Wednesday, February 14
You can feel romance in the air, the minute you step through the doors of this iconic Laguna Beach bungalow. Whether dining in the sleek, chic white upstairs dining room, the cozy, relaxed downstairs tavern, or the secluded Wine Room, Selanne Steak Tavern is the perfect pick for Valentine’s Day. Chef Josh Severson and his team are featuring a three-course prix fixe dinner with choices. The celebration can start with luscious champagne to accompany the Amuse Bouche of Butternut Bisque with choux and warm truffle ricotta. First Course selections are Hokkaido Scallops with hearts of palm, chanterelle and clementine or Seckel Tawny Port Poached Pear Salad with gorgonzola dulce flan and walnut vinaigrette. The entree selections are Dover Sole with Maine lobster ravioli and saffron beurre fondue or Imperial Farms Wagyu Tenderloin accompanied by Yukon gold potato galette, veal sweetbreads and Madeira jus. Classic dessert choices are Tahitian Vanilla Crème Brûlée with Griottine cherry and Sicilian pistachio or Chocolate Mousse with bourbon caramel and hazelnut.
$85 per person for three courses; $110 with wine pairing, exclusive of tax and gratuity. For reservations 949-715-9881.
Selanne Steak Tavern
1464 South Coast Hwy
Laguna Beach, CA 92651
949-715-9881
www.selannesteaktavern.com
Valentine’s Date Night Four-Course Dinner at Oak Grill
Wednesday, February 14
A delicious dinner and bubbling champagne – what’s not to love? Whether a Valentine’sdinner with that special date or dining with beloved family and friends, Oak Grill’s four-course prix fixe menu starts with shared Crudo Duo of Hamachi and Ahi, and then a choice of Valentine’s Day Salad with shaved fennel, strawberries and candied pecans or Creamy Lobster Bisque with lump crab and brandy crème fraîche. The third course is 12oz Bone-in Filet with sauce bordelaise, Shrimp and Mussels with a champagne cream sauce or Red Snapper Milanese – all entrees accompanied by deliciously awesome sides. The sweet for sweethearts is shared Strawberry Au Chocolate Shortbread with Grand Marnier Cream. A glass of champagne or rosé, plus a budding rose for a special someone is included.
$125 per person, excluding tax and gratuity. For reservations, book online or call 949-760-4920.
Oak Grill
690 Newport Center Drive
Newport Beach, CA 92660
949-760-4920
www.oakgrillnb.com
A word to the wise — make your reservations for Valentine’s Day now!
Photos courtesy of Marguarite Clark Public Relations.
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