{"id":27712,"date":"2018-02-01T07:00:59","date_gmt":"2018-02-01T15:00:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/shescookin.com\/?p=27712"},"modified":"2018-01-30T16:42:42","modified_gmt":"2018-01-31T00:42:42","slug":"top-fine-dining-spots-in-socal-for-valentines-day","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/shescookin.com\/top-fine-dining-spots-in-socal-for-valentines-day\/","title":{"rendered":"Top Fine Dining Spots in SoCal for Valentine’s Day"},"content":{"rendered":"

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\u2019s Day date night? There are\u00a0many 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.<\/p>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

For stellar ocean view dining, Montage Laguna Beach<\/strong> has two options: a champagne accompanied meal at The Loft<\/strong> or a four-course dinner at Studio<\/strong>. Also in Laguna Beach, a delicious gourmet prix fixe meal awaits at Selanne Steak Tavern<\/strong>. A few miles north on Pacific Coast Highway in Newport Beach, discover Valentine\u2019s at Oak Grill at Fashion Island Hotel<\/strong> where you can enjoy a four-course prix fix menu beneath ancient oaks draped with golden lanterns.<\/p>\n

\"Seared<\/p>\n

Studio\u2019s Four-Course Valentine\u2019s Dinner is Dedicated to Food Lovers<\/strong>
\nWednesday, February 14<\/p>\n

\"Roasted
\nBeyond romantic, at\u00a0Studio<\/strong>, Chef Craig Strong\u2019s gourmet menus are simply elegant, seasonal and memorable. His four-course Valentine\u2019s dinner starts with Seared Ahi Tuna<\/strong> served with shaved root vegetables, shiro-dashi grapes, black garlic aioli and yuzu vinaigrette. Next comes Roasted Lobster Tail<\/strong> with turnips, orange-carrot pur\u00e9e, crispy cabbage and vanilla butter sauce. For your main course choose between Pacific Swordfish<\/strong> paired with charred eggplant and braised lentils or Beef Tenderloin<\/strong> accompanied by broccoli chimichurri, fingerling potatoes, agrodolce mushroom and puffed wild rice. For the sweetest decision, there is Saint Honor\u00e9 Chocolate Chantilly or Saint Honor\u00e9 Ros\u00e9 Chantilly, both served with vanilla ice cream and caramel.
\n$150 per person; $250 with wine pairings. For reservations: 949-715-6420.<\/p>\n

A Veuve Valentine\u2019s at The Loft<\/strong>
\nWednesday, February 14<\/p>\n

\"Cavatelli<\/p>\n

While taking in panoramic views of the Pacific, Chef Michael Campbell will be stirring up a Valentine\u2019s dinner to wow couples at The Loft<\/strong> at Montage Laguna Beach. Your epicurean evening begins with a Canape Duo of Burrata Spheres and Kumamoto Oysters.<\/strong> Next, a choice of Shaved Asparagus Salad<\/strong> or Lobster Bisque<\/strong>. The three options for the second course are Thyme-Seared Branzino<\/strong> with pickled saffron rutabaga, curried puffed wild rice and porcini sabayon; Certified Angus Beef Tenderloin<\/strong> with Swiss chard and fingerling potatoes; or Hand Rolled Cavatelli Pasta<\/strong> 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.
\n$175 per person includes a bottle of Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label per couple. For reservations: 949-715-6420.<\/p>\n

\"Ocean<\/p>\n

Montage Laguna Beach<\/span><\/strong>
\n30801 Coast Highway
\nLaguna Beach, CA 92651
\n866-271-6953
\nwww.montagehotels.com\/lagunabeach<\/a><\/p>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

Romancing at Selanne Steak Tavern for Valentine\u2019s<\/strong>
\nWednesday, February 14<\/p>\n

\"Selanne
\nYou 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<\/strong> is the perfect pick for Valentine\u2019s 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<\/strong> with hearts of palm, chanterelle and clementine or Seckel Tawny Port Poached Pear Salad<\/strong> with gorgonzola dulce flan and walnut vinaigrette. The entree selections are Dover Sole with Maine lobster ravioli<\/strong> and saffron beurre fondue or Im<\/strong>perial Farms Wagyu Tenderloin<\/strong> accompanied by Yukon gold potato galette, veal sweetbreads and Madeira jus. Classic dessert choices are Tahitian Vanilla Cr\u00e8me Br\u00fbl\u00e9e with Griottine cherry and Sicilian pistachio or Chocolate Mousse with bourbon caramel and hazelnut.
\n$85 per person for three courses; $110 with wine pairing, exclusive of tax and gratuity. For reservations 949-715-9881.<\/p>\n

\"Wine<\/p>\n

Selanne Steak Tavern<\/strong><\/span>
\n1464 South Coast Hwy
\nLaguna Beach, CA 92651
\n949-715-9881
\nwww.selannesteaktavern.com<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Beautifully<\/p>\n

Valentine’s Date Night Four-Course Dinner at Oak Grill<\/strong>
\nWednesday, February 14<\/p>\n

A delicious dinner and bubbling champagne \u2013 what\u2019s not to love? Whether a Valentine’sdinner with that special date or dining with beloved family and friends, Oak Grill\u2019s four-course prix fixe menu starts with shared Crudo Duo of Hamachi and Ahi<\/strong>, and then a choice of Valentine\u2019s Day Salad<\/strong> with shaved fennel, strawberries and candied pecans or Creamy Lobster Bisque<\/strong> with lump crab and brandy cr\u00e8me fra\u00eeche. The third course is 12oz Bone-in Filet<\/strong> with sauce bordelaise, Shrimp and Mussels<\/strong> with a champagne cream sauce or Red Snapper Milanese<\/strong> \u2013 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 ros\u00e9, plus a budding rose for a special someone is included.
\n$125 per person, excluding tax and gratuity. For reservations, book online or call 949-760-4920.<\/p>\n

Oak Grill<\/strong><\/span>
\n690 Newport Center Drive
\nNewport Beach, CA 92660
\n949-760-4920
\nwww.oakgrillnb.com<\/a><\/p>\n

A word to the wise \u2014 make your reservations for Valentine’s Day now!<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Photos courtesy of Marguarite Clark Public Relations<\/a><\/em>.<\/p>\n