True, Valentine's Day is traditionally for couples, but who says you can't celebrate with your everyday soul mates, your girlfriends! There are a whole host of Orange County restaurants offering Valentine's Day specials that will be just as delectable with your friends as with a significant other. Here’s a list of OC restaurants offering special menus in honor of the mushiest of Hallmark Holidays. (Reservations are strongly recommended at all venues.) So, no moping on the couch with a box of Godiva and a John Hughes marathon, get out and celebrate! You may, however, bring the Godiva with you.
4:30 – 10 p.m. Sun, Feb 13 – Mon, Feb 14
Angus Filet and Grilled Shrimp on Corn & Rajas Torta, with roasted chile cream
Mexican Baquetta Sea Bass roasted with Agave Honey and Ancho Chile, on calabasa, apple and leek sauteed with light butter sauce
On special J Vineyards & Winery’s J Cuvée 20 Brut ($10 glass/$45 bottle), in addition to SOL Signature Cocktails and margaritas such as SOL’s classic House Margarita or the more exotic Raspberry-Serrano and Cucumber-Jalapeno margaritas.
Call 949.675.9800 for reservations.
The Winery Restaurant & Wine Bar, Tustin
Friday, February 11 through Monday, February 14
$89 per guest (excludes tax/gratuity/addl beverages~no substitutions or splitting.)
AMUSE BOUCHE: Seared Rare Ahi Tuna Avocado, Mango, Cucumber Tower, Cilantro-Orange Vinaigrette
BEGINNINGS: Kobe Style Beef Carpaccio Fingerling Potato and French Bean Salad, Parmesan Chip, Black Truffle Vinaigrette Sautéed Wild White Shrimp Roasted Red Pepper and Fava Bean Risotto, Pinot Noir Reduction Maine Scallops, Ahi Tuna and Mango Tartare Wasabi Caviar Vinaigrette The Winery House Salad Organic Baby Greens, Candied Walnuts, Roquefort Cheese, Grape Tomatoes, Apples, Dijon Vinaigrette
MAIN COURSE: Prime Filet of Beef and Roasted Maine Lobster Napoleon Prosciutto Wrapped Grilled Asparagus, Béarnaise Sauce and Cabernet Reduction Vintage All Natural Bone-In Filet Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Grilled Asparagus, Sauce Bordelaise Grilled Imported Dover Sole Sundried Tomato Polenta, Basil-Pinenuts Beurre Blanc New Zealand Ostrich Filet House Made Grain Mustard Spaetzle, Haricots Verts and Huckleberry Sauce
DESSERT: Strawberry and Rhubarb Pie Crème Fraiche Ice Cream Warm Mixed Berry and Chambord Crepe Tahitian Vanilla Bean Ice Cream and Almond Brittle Warm Valhrona Chocolate Tart Raspberry Coulis Classic Tahitian Vanilla Bean Crème Brulee Chocolate Fleur de Sel Cookie
Call 714.258.7600 for reservations.
Friday, February 11-Tuesday, February 15
$80 per couple
ANTIPASTO MISTO: Bruschetta, Parma prosciutto, chilled grilled shrimp, eggplant with goat cheese, mozzarella caprese.
TRIS DI PASTA: Alfredo - Pesto - Pomodoro
ENTRÉE: (served for two) CHATEAUBRIAND - 20oz. New York center cut served with potatoes and sautéed vegetables -or- SOGLIOLA - Basa Sole grilled with artichoke, kalamata olives with white wine sauce
DOLCI : Chef’s sweetheart dessert for two
Plus a list of Valentine’s Day a la carte specials!
Call 949.553.1333 for reservations.
www.pregoristoranti.com/menu.html.
Friday, February 11 - Monday, February 14
$65 per guest for an American 4-course, $71.50 for a European 5-course, or $78 for a European 6-course. For wine paired with your meal, add five wines, chosen especially for the menu, for $20 per guest or Elliott’s reserve pairings of five finer wines for $35 per guest.
AND WE BEGIN!: crostini, gougeres and olive crisps
AMUSE(D): Wild mushroom crème brulee with a splash of truffle oil and caramelized onion jam paired with a shot of velvet chicken consommé with Canella Prosecco di Conegliano
SWEET AND SPICY: Radicchio, baby spinach, bacon and pancetta confit, roasted market beets, torched blood oranges, honey and cayenne pecans and vanilla bean-black cherry vinaigrette with Tiefenbrunner Pinot Grigio 2009
BRAZEN BEEF: and Kinda Wild Seafood Lucca’s individual petite Black Canyon beef Wellingtons, port wine reduction, olive oil poached Alaskan halibut, butter poached diver scallop and jumbo shrimp, Meyer lemon confit, fennel pollen, Yukon gold-parsnip-Parmesan mash, local asparagus with Willakenzie Estates Pinot Noir 2009 and Consilience Santa Barbara Syrah 2006
THE FINALE: Handmade dark chocolate sorbet with a selection of Lucca’s favorite mini Euro pastries and chocolate strawberries with Nivole Moscato d’Asti
Call 949.725.1773 for reservations
Friday, February 11-Monday, February 14
$55 per guest with optional wine pairings for each course for $40 per guest (prices exclude tax and gratuity).
HOT OR COLD:
Hot Poached Coastal Oyster in White Wine, Ginger Beurre Blanc, Micro Chives
Cold Cambridge House Smoked Salmon, American Caviar Cream, Crispy Potato Galette
J Vineyards Brut Rosé NV, Russian River Valley, CA. 6.5oz
SWEET OR SPICY:
Sweet Dungeness Crab Salad, Cucumber, Sweet Citrus Vinaigrette
Spicy Ahi Tuna Parfait, Mango, Siracha, Crispy Ginger
Illumination (Quintessa) Sauvignon Blanc, Napa Valley, CA. 3oz
LIGHT OR CREAMY:
Light Crispy Skin Branzino, Israeli Cous Cous, Saffron Fume
Creamy Herb Dusted Salmon, Green Beans, Truffle butter Sauce
Hirsch Vineyards, Pinot Noir, Bohan Dillon, Sonoma Coast, CA. 3oz
DRY OR WET:
Dry 6oz Petite Filet, Foie Gras Mashed Potato, Cabernet Wine Reduction
Wet Beer Braised Kobe Short Ribs, Brown Sugar Yams, Natural Jus
Heitz Cellar, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, CA. 3oz
BLACK OR WHITE:
Black Valrhona Dark Chocolate
White Valrhona White Chocolate
Dow’s Colheita Port, Portugal. 2oz
Call 949.706.8282 for reservations.
Commonwealth Lounge & Grille, Fullerton
Friday, February 11-Monday, February 14
3-Course Dinner w / Glass of Champagne
$49 Per Person | Tax & Gratuity Not Included
FIRST COURSE:Fresh mozzarella and Heirloom Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette OR
Your choice of Tomato Soup, Clam Chowdah or Creamy Potato Leek Soup
ENTREE COURSE:Surf & Turf
6oz grilled fillet topped with a sherry demi-glaze and two grilled jumbo shrimp with lemon butter sauce served with garlic Romano mashed potatoes and cauliflower au gratin
DESSERT: Warm cherry bread pudding with a spiced cherry sauce served with vanilla ice cream
FEATURED CUPID COCKTAILS FEB 11-14
CRAFT BEER: Avery Joe's Premium American Pilsner
WINES:Red - Fuso, Barbera, Italy; White - Basa, Blanco, Spain
COCKTAILS: From CW with Love. Fresh strawberries paired with elderflower liqueur and topped with champagne
CUPID’S CHOKEHOLD: Godiva chocolate martini married with fresh raspberries
Call 714-525-8888 for reservations.
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