Cupid’s arrow hits Universal CityWalk
Celebrate Valentine’s Day at the entertainment capital of L.A. by cuddling up with your sweetheart in plush recliner love seats at the Director’s Lounge Cocktail Bar. Grab a drink before or after seeing a movie at the Universal Cinema. Relive every passion-filled moment of “Fifty Shades of Grey” and “Fifty Shades Darker” with a movie marathon on Thursday, Feb. 8, beginning at 1 p.m. Catch an advance screening of “Fifty Shades Freed,” the final chapter of the provocative film franchise. Head over to the new Voodoo Doughnut and select from the four Valentine’s Day-themed doughnuts. The devilishly delicious heart-shaped doughnuts are available from Friday, Feb. 9, through Wednesday, Feb. 14. 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City.
Champagne tasting
On Friday, Feb. 9, from 5 to 7 p.m., Viviane Restaurant at Avalon Hotel Beverly Hills introduces its monthly tasting series featuring Henriot Champagne. This free Champagne tasting event is a fun prelude for couples to celebrate their love during Valentine’s Day weekend. Champagne enthusiasts will learn from a Henriot Champagne expert offering flights of brut, blanc de blanc and rosé cuvée. Viviane will offer hosted hors d’oeuvres. Come back on Valentine’s Day for a three-course, prix-fixe menu dinner by the pool for $55 per person. Reservations are available from 5:30 to 10 p.m. 9400 W. Olympic Blvd., (310)407-7791.
Anti-Valentine’s Day at Ray’s & Stark Bar
First, celebrate National Pizza Day on Feb. 9 with executive chef Fernando Darin. Then come back on Feb. 14 for the ultimate anti-Valentine’s Day event with a limited menu that includes hot wings, garlic pizza and boilermaker drink specials. 5905 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, (323)857-6180.
Kids’ valentine treats
On Saturday, Feb. 10, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., kids ages 6 to 8 years old will enjoy making chocolate-dipped strawberries and fruit kabobs, while the older kids will learn how to make linzer cookies, chocolate truffles and red velvet cupcakes in time for Valentine’s Day. The BLVD Kitchen class costs $65 for children under 8, and $75 for those 9 and older. All classes require reservations. 13545 Ventura Blvd., Sherman Oaks, (844)454-2583.
Make and take valentines class
On Monday, Feb. 12, at 6 p.m., participate in a 4-hour class, where students stir, pour, roll and package their own Valentine’s Day gifts. Learn how to make salted caramel truffles, marshmallow hearts and strawberry basil lollipops at The Gourmandise School of Sweets & Savories. The school is open seven days a week offering hands-on cooking and baking classes for beginners to professionals. 395 Third Street Promenade #329, Santa Monica, (310)656-8800.
Pie-Grams and heart-shaped pies
Working up the courage to let your crush know he or she makes your heart flutter? Send them a Winston Pies Pie-Gram for $7 on Feb. 13 for Galentine’s Day or Feb. 14 for Valentine’s Day. Place your order online, and your loved one will receive a gift certificate redeemable at Winston Pies during the week of Feb. 12 to Feb. 18. Go into the shop to purchase a special heart-shaped hand pies for $5. 11678 San Vicente Blvd., Los Angeles, (310)207-5743.
Valentine’s Day dinner at Toscana
Toscana is offering a three-course menu with Maine lobster salad with pistachio crust and citrus dressing; risotto with pear, Gorgonzola cheese and red wine reduction; and lamb chops and seasoned vegetables. Next door at Bar Toscana, toast to love with a Valentine’s Day cocktail by mixologists Brighid Maguire and Miguel Hernandez. Their Ti Amo is made with prosecco, lavender, rose water, cherry liquor and lemon splash. Enjoy it with a variety of elegant stuzzichini (small plates). Toscana will serve lunch on Valentine’s Day from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Both restaurants begin dinner service at 5:30 p.m., and reservations are highly recommended. 11633 San Vicente Blvd., Los Angeles. Toscana, (310)820-2448. Bar Toscana, (310)826-0028.
Champagne and caviar at Petrossian
In West Hollywood, enjoy romantic delicacies that include smoked salmon flatbread with caviar, crème fraîche and chives; mousse of foie gras with truffles on toast points; and the popular caviar frites topped with caviar, trout roe, crème fraîche, red onion and chives. Dinner service runs Monday through Saturday from 4 to 10 p.m. 321 N. Robertson Blvd., (310)271-6300.
The Stalking Horse
Enjoy a special three-course tasting menu for $39, in addition to a three-course wine pairing for $15 or an option of The Stalking Horse beer flight for $11. This special is on Feb. 14 from 4 to 10 p.m. 10543 W. Pico Blvd., Los Angeles, (424)832-7511.
Romantic dinner at Tintorera
On Feb. 14 from 5 to 11 p.m., sit out on Tintorera’s lush patio illuminated by string lights and lanterns. The restaurant is offering a special prix-fixe menu that includes three courses, dessert and a welcome cocktail for $60 per person. Dishes include tuna tartare, rib-eye taco, roasted filet mignon and a corn cake. 2815 Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, (323)741-0055.
Curated menus at CUT by Wolfgang Puck and THE Blvd
Inside the iconic Beverly Wilshire, couples and lovebirds can enjoy two romantic Valentine’s Day menus. Dining at the Michelin-starred CUT by Wolfgang Puck, choose from a carefully curated “The Things We Do for Two” menu that includes Snake River Farm’s American wagyu beef, 36-ounce porterhouse and a 3-pound red snapper, with citrus, fennel and preserved Meyer lemon to share. At THE Blvd, Samir Roonwal is making a four-course dinner for $135 per person from 5 to 11 p.m. 9500 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills. CUT, (310)276-8500. THE Blvd, (310)385-3901.
Baldoria’s night of love
Whether you’re spending Valentine’s Day with friends or a significant other, Baldoria in Little Tokyo offers two seatings at 6:30 and 8:30 p.m. The Notte d’Amore includes a four-course, regional Italian dinner for $49 per person. Beer and wine pairings are available with each course for an additional $20 per person. Menu highlights include insalate caprese, pan-fried potato gnocchi, wild Alaskan halibut and an Italian olive oil cake with blood orange glaze and fresh cream. 243 S. San Pedro St., (213)947-3329.
XO on Beverly
This new all-day eatery from chef Michael Hung is offering a four-course, pre-fixe Valentine’s Day menu for $78 per couple. The meal progresses through the stages of a relationship, such as the “First Date” with beet and goat cheese puffs, white miso, and shiso; and the “Home Run” with braised beef short ribs. End with “Pillow Talk,” a vanilla pavlova served with blood orange conserva, candied citrus and lemon chantilly. If you want to dine at home, XO on Beverly offers guests a selection of their signature dinner items for purchase in the marketplace. Create lemongrass-roasted chicken and adobo-rubbed pork belly porchetta at home for a romantic meal. 7475 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles, (323)903-0016.
Specials on Sunset for Valentine’s Day
New executive chef Peter Macias offers special prix-fixe menus at Kettle Black and Sawyer. The three-course Kettle Black dinner is $48 per person with an optional $32 wine pairing available. At Sawyer, start with a chilled seafood platter served with capital oysters and rosé mignonette, chilled shrimp and cocktail sauce, and Peruvian scallop tartare. Entrées include crab claws with drawn butter and truffle aioli; 31-day dry aged, 16-ounce prime rib-eye with truffled potatoes; local halibut with sweet potato spaetzle, charred leeks, and maitake mushrooms. Dessert is a chocolate torte with hazelnut mousse, white chocolate pearls and raspberry. 3705 W. Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, (323)641-3705. 3709 W. Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, (323)641-3709.
Same Same dinner for two
On Feb. 14, enjoy a four-course Thai dinner with two glasses of Love You Bunches, a carbonic sangiovese wine, for $75 for two people. Silver Lake’s Thai food and wine bar is also making pa pia tod, tom kha soup, pad see ew and coconut flan. 2835 W. Sunset Blvd., (213)273-8424.
Nick & Stef’s Steakhouse
Chef Megan Logan is making a romantic dinner with acclaimed dry-aged steaks, fresh seafood and signature sides on Valentine’s Day. Specials include one dozen capital oysters served with a bottle of Patina’s cuvée bubbles for $55. Dessert specials include a chocolate passion cream with cocoa nib streusel, passion cream and coconut sesame crisp. The full à la carte menu will also be available. 330 S. Hope St. (213)680-0330.
Patina’s elegant Valentine’s meal
Treat someone special to an elegant prix-fixe, three-course menu for $105. Patina Restaurant is also offering a six-course dinner for $160. Both menus are served with a complimentary chef’s amuse-bouche. Menu highlights include Maine lobster and Snake River Farms wagyu beef. Rosé-inspired wine pairings are available for an additional cost. 141 South Grand Ave., Los Angeles, (213)972-3331.
Cafe Pinot
There are two prix-fixe menu options, with one for $65 and the other for $75, at the most romantic, garden oasis restaurant in downtown Los Angeles. Executive chef Viet Pham’s highlights include beet chitarra with black truffles, and duck confit. 700 W. Fifth St., (213)239-6500.
Romantic views of Los Angeles
Enjoy an elegant French meal on the 71st floor of the InterContinental Los Angeles Downtown at La Boucherie. The romantic menu by executive chef Alessandro Serni includes amuse-bouche of oyster with Ossetra caviar, Champagne mignonette, citrus-cured George Banks diver scallops served with reef sweet prawns and pata negra romanesco. Entrées include 42-day dry-aged spinalis, lobster steak accompanied by wild cress coulis, blood orange and Gilroy garlic pomme au gratin. Finish with crémeux au chocolat with hibiscus-rose gelée. The prix-fixe, three-course menu is $165. Better yet, reserve one of the VIP starlight booths offering floor-to-ceiling private screens, while you and your loved one enjoy some of the best city views stretching from the Pacific Ocean to the Hollywood sign. 900 Wilshire Blvd., (800)424-6835.
Splurge at Mastro’s
Treat your loved one to live entertainment, elevated service and juicy USDA prime steaks. The menu also offers fresh seafood and intoxicating aphrodisiac oysters. Finish with warm butter cake for two. 246 N. Canon Drive, Beverly Hills, (310)888-8782. 18412 Pacific Coast Hwy, Malibu, (310)454-4357.
Valentine’s Day specials at Casa Vega
No date for Valentine’s Day? No worries. Bring four or more of your gal pals or bromance buddies to celebrate Cupid’s holiday with a margarita promotion. Just purchase four entrées on Feb. 14, and you’ll receive a pitcher of margaritas for $1. The Casa Vega bar program now features an expanded tequila menu, cocktail selection and offers a selection of Mexican wines to sip and toast amongst friends. New winter dishes include filet mignon tacos, lobster enchiladas, pozole, esquites and interactive tableside guacamole. 13301 Ventura Blvd., Sherman Oaks, (818)788-4868.
TART Restaurant’s prix-fixe dinner
In the Farmer’s Daughter Hotel’s tranquil courtyard, sit by an outdoor fireplace with strung lights for a three-course Valentine’s Day menu from executive chef Aloise Kieffer. Choices include grilled pork belly with corn succotash, bone-in short rib with blue cheese crémeux, and Atlantic trout with lentils and fennel butter. Dessert is a red velvet genoise with chocolate banana pudding. 115 S. Fairfax Ave., Los Angeles, (323)556-2608.
An old Hollywood Valentine’s Day
Public Kitchen & Bar at The Hollywood Roosevelt has a four-course menu for $65 per person. Entrées include a savory butter-poached coulotte steak. Finish with a rosewater panna cotta with candied rose petals, or a Valrhona dark chocolate and caramel tart. 7000 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles, (323)769-8888.
Romantic dinner in Culver City
Chef and owner Akasha Richmond with chef de cuisine Chris Keyser offers an array of seductive Italian specials to share at AR Cucina on Feb. 14. There is lobster and prawn risotto, New York steak for two, and a ricotta and chocolate cannoli. Start with one of their specialty cocktails such as the Casanova or the Isabella Rossellini. 9531 Culver Blvd., (310)558-8800.
Mari Los Angeles pre-fixe dinner
At the InterContinental Los Angeles Century City, lovebirds will celebrate the year’s most romantic holiday with an exclusive Valentine’s Day prix-fixe dinner. The chef-selected, three-course menu features lobster bisque, braised eggplant and the sous vide brisket. Finish with a house-made passion fruit cheesecake or chocolate caramel bar. This one-night-only meal is $50 per person or $70 per person with thoughtfully selected wine pairings. 2151 Avenue of the Stars, (310)284-6536.
Valentine’s Day at The Grill on the Alley
The iconic Beverly Hills restaurant is offering a three-course dinner for $75 per person. Start with ahi tuna tartare or endive salad. For entrées, Chef Izzy Camacho is serving a filet Oscar, a petite filet mignon and jumbo lump cake topped with béarnaise sauce and served with asparagus. The Parmesan-crusted Chilean sea bass is topped with scallions and a special mustard sauce. Pair the meal with two celebratory glasses of Louis Roederer Estate Brut for $25. 9560 Dayton Way, (310)276-0615.
‘That’s amore’ at Love & Salt
Stroll along the beach before enjoying chef Michael Fiorello’s Italian inspired dishes. Starter choices include baked bread filled with roasted garlic, Parmesan and oven-dried tomatoes; long-stem pugliese artichokes with marinated zucchini, pine nuts, pecorino toscano and arugula. Entrées include wood-oven baked lasagna with a slow-cooked bolognese, and a dry-aged grilled Flannery Beef rib-eye with wood-roasted baby carrots, barley risotto, black truffle butter and carrot-top gremolata. For dessert, treat your loved one to a chocolate pudding cream pie or share a plate of Love & Salt’s signature warm Italian donuts. 317 Manhattan Beach Blvd., Manhattan Beach, (310)545-5252.
0 Comment