Valentine’s Day is quickly approaching! Plan a special dinner experience for that day so you don’t end up in the dog house. Here are some ways to celebrate Valentine’s Day in LA. Please make sure to secure reservations. The last thing you want to do is to show up at the restaurant and learn that they are sold out!
Downtown and Hollywood
British style at The Cat and Fiddle
On Feb 14, The Cat and Fiddle will celebrate its 42nd year at this location! They will serve a three-course meal featuring their most popular items, such as Beef Wellington, and lighter options, such as Blackened Salmon with pan-fried potatoes and parmesan broccoli, or their vegetarian option, Nut Roast Wellington. Enjoy a Sticky Toffee Pudding with Fresh Whipped Cream for dessert. Feel warm and fuzzy with their signature Mulled Wine. Pre-order online by Feb 13 if you opt for take-out.
The Cat and Fiddle, 742 Highland Ave, Hollywood; 323.468.3800; thecatandfiddle.com
Three Ways to Celebrate at Redbird
Redbird offers a holiday menu and a tasting menu this year. Enjoy a three-course prix fixe in the Main Dining Rooms ($185 per person, optional wine pairing $85) and a chef’s tasting menu upstairs in the East Room on Feb 14 (tasting menu is sold out). On Feb 13 and Feb 15 – 18, Redbird adds their holiday tasting menu with their regular a la carte menu – $120 pp, optional wine pairing $75.
Red Bird, 114 E 2nd St, LA, 213.788.1191; redbird.la
Westside
6-Course Tasting Menu at Republique
Celebrate Valentine’s Day at Republique with chefs Walter and Margarita Manzke’s renowned multi-course tasting menu! The 6-course dinner highlights seasonal, premium ingredients. Guests can add on curated wine pairings at $125/person, Krug Champagne 169th Edition at $85/glass, and Billecart-Salmon Champagne Rosé at $60/glass.
Republique, 624 S La Brea Ave, LA; 310.362.6115; republiquela.com
French Influenced 3-course dinners for two at A.O.C.
James Beard Award Winner Suzanne Goin developed a classic 3-course dinner. Entrees include the French classic Lobster Thermidor for two with orecchiette mac n’ cheese and grilled broccoli, Grilled Steakhouse Ribeye for two with potatoes parisienne, creamed spinach or a Vegetable Tagine for two with jeweled rice, and kumquat zhoug. Enjoy a chocolate mascarpone tart with honeycomb, crushed hazelnuts, and espresso for dessert. Prix fixe cost per person is only $150.
A.O.C. aocwinebar.com (two locations)
8700 West 3rd Street, West Hollywood
11648 San Vicente Blvd, LA (Brentwood)
French Bistro Experience at Bicyclette
The Parisian bistro concept, Bicyclette, will feature a 6-course menu highlighting seasonal, premium ingredients for $225 per person. Guests can add on curated wine pairings at $125/person, Krug Champagne 169th Edition at $85/glass, and Billecart-Salmon Champagne Rose at $60/glass.
Bicyclette, 9575 W Pico Blvd, Los Angeles; 424.500.9575; bicyclettela.com
Complimentary Cocktail and Photo Booth at the Rose Venice
The Rose Venus will feature a decadent 4-course menu, including a complimentary cocktail & photo booth to commemorate your special night out! Reservations are required through OpenTable.
220 Rose Ave, Venice; 310.399.0711; therosevenice.la
Elevated New American Menu at AKASHA
In addition to their regular menu, they’ve added enticing beverages such as a Blood Orange Margarita and a Chocolate Vodka Martini. Special shareables include Burrata and Calabrian Semi-Dried Tomatoes and Big Eye Tuna Crudo. Added to the entrees list include Braised Short Rib, Cabbage Wrapped Halibut, and Wild Mushroom Lasagna. Desserts that evening are a decadent Pots de Creme with shortbread cookies and a Hazelnut Chocolate Torte with sour cherry ice cream.
Akasha, 9543 Culver Blvd, Culver City, 310.845.1700; akasharestaurant.com
Surf and Turf Classics at Dear John’s
Dear John’s is serving a four-course menu that starts with the signature JLC Bougie Tots (tater tots, caviar, salmon roe, crème fraîche, chives), Oyster on the Half Shell, and Truffled Deviled Egg. Next, choose Traditional Caesar Salad, Shrimp Scampi, or Dino’s Wild Mushroom Ravioli (add shaved black truffles for $45). Entrées include Filet of Beef, Sand Dabs, Chicken Parmesan, or 16 oz Prime Ribeye ($15 supplement). Indulge in a Duo of Dear John’s Sweets, Mélisse Chocolate Crunch, and Röckenwagner Cheesecake for dessert. $185 per person.
Dear John’s, 11208 Culver Blvd, Culver City; 310.881.9288; dearjohnsbar.com
South Bay
Week-long Surf and Turf Dinner at Paul Martin’s American Grill
Paul Martin’s American Grill extends the romance for the entire week. In addition to a selection of favorites from their regular menu, they feature a Seafood Stack with ahi tuna, steelhead salmon, Maryland lump blue crab, avocado, fresh mango, and sesame ginger sauce, Seared Sea Scallops surrounded by roasted cauliflower purée, Marcona almond gremolata, Certified Angus New York Strip with lobster, choron sauce, broccolini, and for dessert, a Housemade Tiramisu. Holiday specials are available from Feb 10 to 18.
Paul Martin’s American Grill, 2361 Rosecrans Ave, El Segundo; paulmartinsamericangrill.com
Breathtaking Ocean View at The Strand House
Set a romantic tone for the evening with a scrumptious four-course meal overlooking the Pacific. Featured mains include Pan Seared Branzino, Pasta Bolognese, Wagyu Flat Iron Steak, Scallops Mediterraneo, and a Delicata Squash Curry. Unbelievable value at $95 per person plus tax and 20% gratuity with an additional wine pairing at $45.
The Strand House, 117 Manhattan Beach Blvd, Manhattan Beach; thestrandhousemb.com
Dine by the Beach at Zinc @ Shade
Enjoy Valentine’s specials with a side of table-side magic on Feb 14. Zinc @ Shade will continue to offer dinner specials from Feb 14 to 18. Featured are the White Arugula Citrus Salad & Ricotta Salata with cara cara & blood oranges, red onion, chopped mint, roasted pistachio, ricotta salata, and white balsamic vinaigrette, Baked Lobster Tail with creamy risotto, asparagus purée, and tobiko, Kurobuta Pork Chop served with yellow polenta, sautéed pea tendrils, apple chutney, and of course Three Chocolate-Covered Long Stem Strawberries! Magic Castle Magician Joel Ward will entertain guests with his captivating magic tricks.
Zinc at Shade Hotel, 1221 N Valley Dr, Manhattan Beach; mb.shadehotel.com/dine
Coastal Global Cusine at RYLA
The husband and wife team of Ray Hayashi and Cynthia Hetlinger have developed a menu with bold flavors. Starters include Big Eye Tuna Crispy Rice with black truffle, Vietnamese Caramel Pork Belly Salad with red chicories, bacon fat nam plan vinaigrette, cilantro, mint, and lime. Choose a Filet Mignon with meyer lemon and parsnip puree or, for an additional $45, a Japanese A5 Wagyu Strip Loin. Seafood lovers will enjoy plump Diver Scallops with butternut squash, english peas, turnips, champagne sauce, and wood sorrel. Optional wine pairing $40 pp.
RYLA – 1220 Hermosa Ave, Hermosa Beach; 424.247.9881; eatryla.com
Wine and Dessert Pairings at Bettolino Kitchen
Bettolino Kitchen selected their favorite wine pairings from their dessert menu to make your special person’s heart flutter and keep your sweet tooth happy. The Cannoli Cheesecake is an incredible combination of flavors and textures paired with a fruit-forward Ron Rubin Pinot Noir elevates the richness of the cheesecake. Chocolate lovers will be drawn to the Torta di Cioccolato paired with a Silver Spur Cabernet.
Bettolino Kitchen, 211 Palos Verdes Blvd, Redondo Beach; 310.375.0500; bettolinokitchen.com
Locally Sourced European Dinner at Dominique’s Kitchen
Chef Dominique Theval continues to wow diners with quality ingredients and fine execution. He’s featuring a three-course dinner with highlights such as locally sourced burrata cheese with roasted beets, arugula, pecans, dried cranberries, granny smith apples, baby tomatoes, black truffles, and raspberry vinaigrette. Select the Lobster Risotto with arborio rice or a Grass-fed Filet Mignon with port wine and morel mushrooms for the main course. $99.99 per person.
Dominique’s Kitchen, 522 S Pacific Coast Hwy, Redondo Beach; dominiqueskitchen.com