The ultimate Valentine’s Day dining guide
On Valentine’s Day, maybe you woo your sweetie with flowers, chocolates or even diamonds. But what are you going to do about dinner?
Whether you’ll be curling up to a showing of “When Harry Met Sally†at the Electric Dusk Drive-In, strolling the streets at downtown L.A.’s Art Walk or checking out “Art by People in Love,†an open mic night for romantics at the Echo Park Film Center, we’ve got ideas for dining pre- or post-outing with your loved one(s).
Here are some of the many restaurants offering aphrodisiacal prix fixe and a la carte menus this Valentine’s Day:
3 Square Cafe: Abbot Kinney’s 3 Square Cafe will be serving a four-course menu on Valentine’s Day, starting and ending with dessert. The special menu will kick off with a Greek yogurt mousse with raspberry gelée and sablé crumble and follow with dishes such as a seafood salad with Dungeness crab, scallop, citrus and fennel; lobster tagliatelle; and, to finish, “triple chocolate love.†The restaurant will also send lovers home with freshly baked goods for a morning-after-Valentine’s Day pick-me-up. Dinner at 3 Square Cafe is $38 per person. Call for reservations. 1121 Abbot Kinney, Venice, (310) 399-6504, www.3squarecafe.com.
Border Grill: Susan Feniger’s and Mary Sue Milliken’s downtown L.A. eatery Border Grill will be offering a four-course dinner Feb. 14 with festive cocktails, bocaditos, platos pequenos, platos fuertes and postres. Sweet and savory dishes on the Valentine’s Day menu include piquillo relleno, grilled gulf shrimp huarache, roasted butternut squash empanadas, seafood paella, chicken mole verde, Mexican chocolate lava cake and more. The meal costs $65 per person. Call for reservations. 445 S. Figueroa St., L.A., (213) 486-5171, www.bordergrill.com.
Church & State: Valentine’s Day dinner at Church & State is $85 per person with an optional wine pairing available for an additional $43 per person. Menu items will include chilled oysters, quinoa salad, beef tenderloin, salmon, molten chocolate cake with lavender-honey ice cream and more. Call for reservations. 1850 Industrial St., Ste. 110, L.A., (213) 405-1434, www.churchandstatebistro.com.
Cliff’s Edge: The uber-romantic restaurant in Silver Lake will be serving a five-course tasting menu. The first seating, starting at 5:30, is $55 per person, and the second seating, starting at 7 p.m., is $65 per person. Expect to see oysters, spiced duck breast, local halibut, butternut squash, olive oil cake, a tasting of chocolates and more on the Valentine’s Day menu at Cliff’s Edge. Call for reservations. 3626 W. Sunset Blvd., L.A., (323) 666-6116, www.cliffsedgecafe.com.
Comme Ca: Ricotta ravioli with English peas, dorade with eggplant caviar and a strawberry tartlet are on David Myers’ three-course prix fixe Valentine’s Day menu this year at Comme Ca. Dinner is $68 per person. Reservations can be made by calling the restaurant. 8479 Melrose Ave., L.A., (323) 782-1104, www.commecarestaurant.com.
Fig & Olive: Chef Pascal Lorange will be preparing a three-course, French Riviera-inspired menu at Fig & Olive in West Hollywood. A complimentary glass of Champagne will kick off the evening, followed by a meal featuring oysters on the half shell, seared salmon, filet mignon and chocolate brownies. Dinner is $65 per person. Call for reservations. 8490 Melrose Place, W. Hollywood, (310) 360-9100, www.figandolive.com.
Hatfield’s: Karen and Quinn Hatfield’s restaurant on Melrose Avenue will be offering a five-course, prix-fixe Valentine’s Day menu featuring signature dishes for $135 per person. Champagne cocktails and a $60-per-person optional wine pairing will also be available. Call for reservations and menu details. 6703 Melrose Ave., L.A., (323) 935-2977, www.hatfieldsrestaurant.com.
The Hungry Cat: Both of the Hungry Cat locations, in Santa Monica Canyon and Hollywood, will be offering Valentine’s Day prix fixe, seafood-themed dinners. The Hungry Cat Hollywood’s menu, priced at $75 per person, will include dishes like braised octopus, tandoori spiced albacore tuna, black sea bass and artisan cheeses, while the Santa Monica Canyon location’s $85 per person menu will feature seafood chowder, pan-seared scallops, Dungeness crab salad, lobster and more. Call for reservations. 1535 N. Vine St., Hollywood, (323) 462-2155; 100 W. Channel Road, Santa Monica, (310) 459-3337, www.thehungrycat.com.
Kali Dining: Chef Kevin Meehan’s supper club Kali Dining will be celebrating Valentine’s Day with a one-night-only dinner without the usual pink Champagne and passion fruit creme brulee. Instead, on Friday, Feb. 15 -- the day after Valentine’s Day -- Meehan will offer an extended tasting menu. The night will seat 20 guests at a communal table, starting at 7 p.m. Menu and location to be announced upon reservation. BYOB. $100 per person. Request reservations online at www.kalidining.com.
M.A.K.E. by Matthew Kinney: Matthew Kenney’s raw food restaurant M.A.K.E., at Santa Monica Place, will be offering raw food lovers a healthy Valentine’s Day menu Feb. 14 to 16. The menu will feature dishes such as beet tartare with truffle cream and pistachio crunch; market spicy greens with sweet fennel, pomegranate and a white chocolate balsamic; king oysters with celery root, blood orange and sea beans; and, for dessert, Hawaiian vanilla gelato with cherries, chocolate and star anise. Valentine’s Day dinner at M.A.K.E. is $45 per person. Call for reservations. 395 Santa Monica Place, Ste. 333, Santa Monica, (310) 394-7046, www.matthewkenneycuisine.com.
Mélisse: Michelin-starred chef Josiah Citrin will prepare an eight-course tasting menu on Valentine’s Day at Mélisse. Dishes on the menu include egg caviar with lemon-chive creme fraiche; big eye tuna with chrysanthemums, toasted almonds and avocado; scallops with roasted beets, endive and licorice; lobster Bolognese with Perigord truffles; duck breast with Brussels sprouts and more. Two seatings will be available on Valentine’s Day, both priced at $250 per person. A seven-course, modified version of the menu, which costs $150 per person, will be served Feb. 15 and 16. Reservations can be made online or by calling (310) 395-0881. 1104 Wilshire Blvd., Santa Monica, (310) 395-0881, www.melisse.com.
Mo-Chica: A $49 per person Valentine’s Day menu, with six courses and a glass of Cava, will be served at Mo-Chica in downtown L.A. The menu will include chef Ricardo Zarate’s signature dishes such as caigua rellena stuffed with Peruvian cucumber, queso fresco, raisins and honey. Wine pairings will be available for an additional $20 per person. Call for reservations. 514 W. 7th Street, L.A., (213) 622-3744, www.mo-chica.com.
Mr. C Beverly Hills: Valentine’s Day dinner at Mr. C Beverly Hills will feature a four-course dinner menu with champagne, filet mignon, homemade tagliolini with seared scallops, a lemon and raspberry tart and more. Dinner will be accompanied by a live jazz performance by the Jimmy Gimelli Jazztet. Tickets are $90 per person. Call for reservations. 1224 Beverwil Dr., L.A., (310) 277-2800, www.mrchotels.com.
n/naka: The Japanese restaurant serving kaiseki will be offering romantics a nine-course tasting menu on Valentine’s Day. Dinner is $225 per person and includes a glass of sparkling wine. An optional wine pairing will be available for an additional $85 per person. Call for reservations and menu details. 3455 South Overland Ave., (310) 836-6252, www.n-naka.com.
Picca: Chef Ricardo Zarate’s Peruvian restaurant on Pico Boulevard will be celebrating Valentine’s Day with a six-course dinner. The prix-fixe menu is $60 per person and includes a glass of Cava. An optional wine pairing will be available for an additional $23 per person. Picca’s Valentine’s Day menu will feature yellowtail tiradito, stuffed calamari, pan-roasted halibut, grilled lamb rack, dark chocolate souffle and more. Reservations can be made by emailing [email protected] or by calling the restaurant. 9575 W. Pico Blvd., L.A., (310) 277-0133, www.piccaperu.com.
The Pikey: The gastropub in Hollywood will be serving an a la carte menu on Valentine’s Day featuring items such as oysters, handmade spaghetti, grilled ox heart with glazed shallots and horseradish cream, stuffed quail with creamy polenta and rainbow chard, whole lobster for two and housemade ice cream sundaes. Dinner service Feb. 14 at the Pikey starts at 5 p.m. 7617 W. Sunset Blvd., L.A., (323) 850-5400, www.thepikeyla.com.
Post & Beam: Festive spirits and a special three-course menu will be served at Post & Beam this Valentine’s Day. Menu items will include Washington oysters, quail breast, salmon paillard, smoked beef brisket, red velvet creme brulee and more. Dinner is $30 per person. Call for reservations. 3767 Santa Rosalia Dr., L.A., (323) 299-5599, www.postandbeamla.com.
Public Kitchen and Bar: The four-course Valentine’s Day prix fixe at Public Kitchen and Bar will feature baby beets with lavender goat cheese, orange and pistachio; filet mignon with horseradish mashed potato, heirloom spinach and truffle sauce; and for dessert, white chocolate hearts with clementine and candied rose petals. Dinner is $65 per person. Call for reservations. 7000 Hollywood Blvd., L.A., (323) 769-8888, www.thompsonhotels.com.
Ray’s & Stark Bar: On Valentine’s Day, Ray’s & Stark Bar chef Chris Morningstar will prepare three-course and four-course prix fixe menus priced at $65 and $75 per person, respectively. Menu items will include Mediterranean-inspired cuisine with dishes such as octopus with burrata, broccoli and salsa calabrese; braised beef short rib; guinea hen; rosewater soup with rose wine and blood orange parfait; and sticky toffee pudding. Call for reservations. 5905 Wilshire Blvd., L.A., (323) 857-6180, www.patinagroup.com.
Rustic Canyon Wine Bar and Seasonal Kitchen: Rustic Canyon’s new executive chef Jeremy Fox will prepare a special sharing menu on Valentine’s Day featuring spiced lamb ragu, clams pozole, Monterey squid with sunchokes, chocolate-dipped Harry’s strawberries, a strawberry kouign amann tart and more. Dinner is $85 per person with optional wine pairings available for an additional $45 per person. Call for reservations. 1119 Wilshire Blvd., Santa Monica, (310) 393-7050, www.rusticcanyonwinebar.com.
Scott Conant’s Scarpetta Beverly Hills: This Italian restaurant located at The Montage is offering a decadent four-course Valentine’s Day tasting menu of roasted sea scallops with squash, porcini and taleggio ravioli, creamy polenta and crispy striped bass. For dessert, couples can share the vanilla caramel budino or the Amedi chocolate cake in the grand dining room or al fresco on the patio. Dinner is $95 per person and available exclusively on Valentine’s Day. Call for reservations. 225 N Canon Dr, L.A., (310) 860-7970, www.montagebeverlyhills.com.
Sotto: On Feb. 14, Sotto chefs Steve Samson and Zach Pollack will serve a three-course prix fixe dinner for $50 per person. Check the restaurant’s Twitter feed for updates on Valentine’s Day menu details. Call for reservations. 9575 W. Pico Blvd., L.A., (310) 277-0210, www.sottorestaurant.com.
Tavern: Valentine’s Day dinner at Brentwood’s Tavern will feature a four-course menu with dishes such as oysters and caviar with smoked salmon, buckwheat blinis and creme fraiche; poached duck egg with grilled asparagus, prosciutto and brown butter hollandaise; John Dory with artichokes barigoule, potato puree, green olives and Meyer lemon; and for dessert, a bittersweet chocolate tart with mascarpone and pistachio aillade. Valentine’s Day dinner at Tavern is $95 per person. The restaurant will also be offering a take-away dinner for two, which includes a starter, entree, dessert and bottle of wine, for $85. Call for reservations. 11648 San Vicente Blvd., L.A., (310) 806- 6464, www.tavernla.com.
Tres by Jose Andres: Chef Jose Andres’ restaurant Tres will be offering afternoon tea from 3 to 5 p.m. on Valentine’s Day, for $32 per person, in addition to a seven-course tasting menu that starts at 5:30 p.m. Andres’ dinner menu, priced at $75 per person, will feature scallop ceviche, beef tartare, lobster with rose and citrus, and dipped bon bons. Call for reservations. 465 S. La Cienega Blvd., L.A., (310) 246-5552, www.slshotels.com.
Water Grill: From Feb. 14 to 17, Water Grill in Downtown L.A. will be celebrating Valentine’s Day with a three-course dinner. Menu items include New England clam chowder, braised kale with Greek yogurt and hazelnuts, caramel bread pudding and more. Dinner at Water Grill is $65 per person. Call for reservations. 544 South Grand Ave., L.A., (213) 891-0900, www.watergrill.com.
ALSO:
24th annual Passport to Dry Creek Valley
Eat your way across L.A.
Get our weekly Tasting Notes newsletter for reviews, news and more.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
