Here are some of Orange County’s highly recommended restaurants that will serve a special Valentine’s Day dinner for two.
Old Vine Kitchen & Bar
The romance starts when you get to the Camp in Costa Mesa and realize you need to look a little more closely to find this cozy restaurant. Once inside you see what looks a bit like a wine shop with bottles on shelves and simply decorated tables. This year’s Valentine’s special is a four-course dinner with wine pairings. There’s even a vegetarian menu with a baby spinach salad, wild mushroom medley, handmade tagliatelle, and cream cheese frosted carrot cake. $95 per person.
2937 Bristol St., Suite A-103, Costa Mesa; 714-545-1411, OldVineKitchenBar.com
Vaca
If prix fixe menus feel like a straightjacket, then you’ll want to make reservations at Vaca where everything is a la carte. Season 13 “Top Chef” finalist Amar Santana will offer his regular menu as well as Valentine’s Day dishes so you’re not locked into a tasting menu. This is still one of the hottest restaurants in the county so reservations are a must.
695 Town Center Drive, Suite 170 Costa Mesa, 714-463-6060, vacarestaurant.com
Eats Kitchen & Bar
Dinner at EATS Kitchen & Bar is the perfect way to say “I love you” with sophisticated dishes in a laid-back atmosphere. Bring your date to their special Valentine’s Day event, where you’ll enjoy a bottle of wine to share or two cocktails/beers, a shared appetizer, two main courses, and a shared dessert. Plus, a complimentary rose to give to your special someone.
Live Spanish guitar accompanies dinner. $55 per person.
17900 Jamboree Road, Irvine; 949-225-6780, hotelirvine.com/eats-kitchen-bar/
Provenance
What could be more romantic than dining with a view of a garden and feasting on its bounty? Dinner begins with charred asparagus and frisée salad with prosciutto, then a roasted tomato bisque with jumbo shrimp. For the main course, meat lovers can choose from filet mignon with porcini butter, potato mash, crispy shallots, asparagus, and wild mushrooms with bordelaise sauce poured at tableside. Mini pastries and chocolate dipped strawberries cap the meal. Chef Cathy Pavlos will accommodate gluten free and vegetarian diners. $80 per person, wine pairings are $35 or $50.
Eastbluff Village Center, 2531 Eastbluff Drive, Newport Beach; 949-718-0477, provenanceoc.com
Five Crowns
Sometimes only the classics will do. That’s when you want the posh surroundings of Five Crowns. Their five-course menu for two gives favorites a bit of a twist. The meal starts with amuse-bouche scallops, then your choice of starters: crab and avocado mash; arancini; or steak tartare with truffle chips. Cleanse your palate with an endive salad or mushroom soup. Then decide on an entrée of double-cut pork chop; potato horseradish-crusted salmon; beef wellington, or the restaurant’s signature prime rib with Yorkshire pudding. Save room for your choice of profiteroles, crème brulee, or a hot fudge sundae for dessert. $129 per person.
3801 Pacific Coast Highway, Corona del Mar; 949-760-0331, lawrysonline.com/five-crowns
