Love is in the air, people! Where will you take your honey to celebrate this year? Well, not to worry, because there’s plenty to experience all over this fine city. Here’s just a bit of the food and fun you’ll find this Valentine’s Day.
Cafe Japengo Sushi Class
Bond with your special someone by learning the art of sushi. On Saturday, February 16th from 12pm-2pm, Cafe Japengo in La Jolla will offer a Valentine-themed sushi class for $60 per person. This event will include a red rose for every lady, chocolate lava cake with a special Valentine twist, a tasting of three different Japanese beers, and a demonstration and tasting of Café Japengo’s seafood salad.
The course itself will consist of a 2-hour hands-on sushi-making tutorial, a discussion from Chef Jerry Warner on the characteristics of various types of fish, the history of sushi, the best local spots to purchase sushi ingredients, and a maki board for you to take. To keep this event intimate, the attendance will be limited to 20 people. For reservations, call (858) 450-3355.
Bertrand at Mister A’s
If you’re looking for a view, this is where to go. If you’re looking to impress, this is where to go. For $85 per person, Bertrand at Mister A’s will offer a special three-course prix fixe menu from 4pm-10:30pm on Valentine’s Day. Decadent menu items will include; Lobster Bisque, Oysters on the Half Shell, Pan-Seared Maine Diver Sea Scallops, Crispy Sauteed Sea Bass, and desserts of Chocolate Crème Brule, and Dark Chocolate “Black Forest” Torte. For reservations, visit www.bertrandatmisteras.com.
Andaz San Diego
Calling all single ladies! This one is for you! On February 14th Andaz San Diego will partner with ENERGY 103.7 to host Andaz Goes Red: Bachelor Auction to Benefit the American Heart Association. More than a dozen eligible San Diego bachelors will be up for bid, including Cosmopolitan Magazine’s Bachelor of the Year, Christopher Lynch. Winners will be offered a complimentary date to take place on Thursday, February 21st which will include wine tasting at Andaz Wine Bar, dinner at Barleymash and a VIP experience at Ivy Nightclub. To see a list of participating bachelors, visit ENERGY’s website here.
Complimentary appetizers, drink specials and a chance to mix and mingle with the bachelors will begin at 6:30pm in the Andaz Wine Bar. At 8pm, the party will move downstairs, to the Ivy Nightclub, for the auction. For complimentary entry to this event, RSVP to andazsandiego@prchemistry.com.
The Grand Del Mar
For the ultimate in decadence and romance, visit the Grand Del Mar. Along with a bevy of getaway packages, the hotel will also offer several luxurious culinary happenings. Throughout the month of February, The Lover’s Tasting Menu at Amaya will feature a four-course menu including a Lobster Bisque, Crispy Sea Trout, Chocolate Passion Delice, and other delights, for $110 per couple. Call (858) 314-2727 for reservations.
For a more casual evening, lovers can visit Club M to try a specialty Valentine cocktail, like the Strawberry-Lavender Bellini created with white peach, lemon juice, lavender syrup, Moët Rosé Champagne and fresh strawberries, or the Raspberry Kiss composed of White Godiva Chocolate Liqueur, Chambord, Herradura Reposado and fresh raspberries. Each cocktail is $15.
The Seductive Six-Course Valentine’s Day Dinner at Award-Winning Addison, is the richest, most luxurious VDay dinner in town. For $185 per person or $285 with wine pairings, (yes, you read that right) a decadent dinner created by Chef William Bradley will feature delicacies like the Sea Scallop “en coquille” with sea lettuce, cucumbers and caviar, a Langoustine feuille de brick with Caesar salad and sweet garlic purée, Lamb “croute de persillade” with apricots, onions, fennel and olives, and an indulgent Torte au Chocolat with passion fruit gastrique and vanilla gelato. For reservations call (858) 314-1900.
His & Her Cocktails at Gang Kitchen
Wanna keep it simple, and just grab a cocktail? Head to the new, Gang Kitchen in downtown to sample their specially-made-for-Valentine’s-Day His & Her Cocktails. For Him there’s the Dark Arts ($12) made with Amazaki 12 year Whiskey, Cynar and Salt, and the Broken Oath ($10), made with Chamomile-infused Bourbon, Lemon and Apricot Liquer. For Her, there’s the Lady’s Snowblood ($10), made with Tito's Vodka, Lemon, Ginger, Basil Syrup and Strawberry Puree, and the Siamese Fireback ($10), made with Thai-chili-infused Patron Silver, Lime, Agave, Hibiscus Liqueur and Cointreau. Visit the bar from 4pm-6pm where cocktails are just $5 each.
Monello
Head to Little Italy’s newest addition, Monello, for some casual Italian fare. Starting on February 14th, and continuing into the weekend, Monello will offer a special holiday a la carte menu. Highlights will include; Pizza al Peperone Rosso e Finocchiona (gourmet pizza with red bell peppers, arrabbiata sauce and fennel salami) Gelate al Cioccolate e Peperoncino (homemade artisanal chocolate and spicy pepper gelato) and a special, organic and gluten-free cocktail called, “Cuore de Monello” (Monello’s Heart), made with Red Grape Hibiscus, Strawberry Puree and 1 oz. of Monello’s Housemade Sweet Vermouth.
Make your reservations today, as this quaint spot has already charmed locals and packs it in on a daily basis! Visit www.lovemonello.com for more info.
Casa de Bandini
The most affordable VDay dinner you’ll find is at Casa de Bandini in Carlsbad. For a mere $25 per person, their special menu will include a Mexican Shrimp Ceviche appetizer, and a choice of three unique entrees, including; Enchiladas Coronitos, made with crab, jalapeno cheese sauce and topped with scallops, the Carne Asada Tampiquena, made with grilled onions and California chiles, and the Pollo Valentino, made with broiled chicken, seasoned vegetables, chipotle mashed potatoes and black beans.
For dessert, guests can expect a Corazon de Flan – a creamy caramel flan served atop a heart shaped triple chocolate cake and garnished with chocolate sauce and whipped cream. Oh, and don’t forget to order the Margarita Valentina; made with pink-hued tequila, Cointreau, sweet and sour, and a splash of cranberry juice.
For more info on local restaurants and drinks, follow me on Twitter @MichellePoveda
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