BY KAREN YOUNG
If you’ve decided to make Valentine’s Day a dining experience this year, here’s a diverse list of restaurants in the 818 featuring special menus for Cupid’s holiday with varying cuisine and price points. Where will you be dining? Tell us in the comments section below!
EAST VALLEY
Dine in this classic European wonderland and enjoy a three course meal with choices that include salmon, duck or beef wellington. And of course, not to be missed, a choice of one of Bistro Garden’s famous dessert souffles. Added for a romantic touch is a special gift for the woman at the table. $85 per person. 12950 Ventura Boulevard, Studio City (818) 501-0202
This Spanish themed indoor/outdoor restaurant in Noho is serving a 5-course pre-fixe menu that comes with a rose and chocolate. For added ambiance, enjoy jazz performed by Ryan Roberts. Seatings at 5 p.m. 7 p.m.and 9 p.m. Start of a choice of appetizer, followed by salad, an entree with such choices asLangoustine in Vodka Cream Sauce and Pork Chops with Caramelized Onions & Garlic. Sides include kale, quinoa or brussels sprouts. Sweeten things up with Rose Petal Cake, assortment of Chocolates or Red Wine & Cinnamon Poached Peaches . 11122 Magnolia Blvd., North Hollywood,(818)985-8787
Give your Valentine’s Day Latin flair with with a charming dining experience inside a 1928 renovated mission cottage house semi-hidden on Riverside Drive. The four course menu offers a choice between Ceviche or Roasted Cauliflower for the first course, followed by a Strawberry or Vegetable salad. Entree choices are Oven Roasted Scallops with Baby Beets and Sweet Corn or Colorado Rack of Lamb with Basil Potato Cream and Baby Heirloom Carrots. For the sweet last course, choose White Chocolate Creme or a Dark Chocolate Bar. $55 per person with a complimentary Oven Roasted Oyster and Champagne Toast or $75 per person with four course wine pairing. There’s live music with dancing too. 10717 Riverside Drive, Toluca Lake, Ca (818) 506-9600.
This softly lit Italian restaurant is offering a three course Valentine’s menu for $50 per person. Choose from such offerings such as Barramundi, Osso Bucco and Filet Mignon and top it off with a choice of romantic desserts. $50 per person. Bring your own wine with a $15 corkage. 13705 Ventura Blvd., Sherman Oaks; (818) 986-2640.
This little French bistro is featuring a special menu (not prix fixe) with entrees $24-$30 and appetizers $8.50 – $12.50. Choices include Escargot de Bourgogne, Moules Poulettes, Crispy Duck A La Orange, Roasted Filet Mignon, Coq a Vin. 13360 Ventura Blvd Sherman Oaks (818) 501-7999
With its dark wood. dimmed lights, crisp white cloth tables and chandeliers, Mistral is sophisticated and romantic. Dine on classics like Classic Wild Burgundy Escargots, Red Wine Braised Prime Beef Short Ribs, and Duck Confit. Indulge in a French martini or choose a wine selection from one of the best lists in the San Fernando Valley. 14016 Ventura Blvd., Sherman Oaks. (818) 981-6650.
Chef Michael Young is offering his regular menu in addition to special Valentine’s Day dishes at this modern Italian restaurant. 3737 Cahuenga Boulevard Studio City (818) 985-7337
Although the Sportsmen’s Lodge is debuting the Johnny Holiday Program with dining and dancing as a special ‘Valentine’ show on Friday, February 15. On the official Valentine’s Day, River Rock Lounge is serving a romantic four course prix fixe menu prepared by Chef Marcos Arana. There are three seatings — 5 p.m., 7:30p.m., and 10p.m. for late night romantics. Start with an amuse bouche, followed by a choice of salad or soup, an appetizer of ahi tuna tartar, beet carpaccio or prawns. Entree selections are rack of lamb, lobster tail, filet mignon or black cod. Choose a specialty dessert — salted caramel milkshake for two, a trio of sorbets, or a red wine poached pear. $65 per person. 12833 Ventura Blvd., Studio City (818) 432-7500
This Southern inspired gastropub is offering an inventive all aphrodisiac four-course menu created by Executive Chef Victor Calderon. Share ½ Dozen Raw Oysters on the Half Shell, Tuna Tartare and Duck Confit Wraps with an Almond Chili Sauce. Then choose Asparagus Soup or Field greens with Strawberries, Almonds, Red Onion and Bleu Cheese. The main entree selections are Scallops, Duck Breast, Venison (with Chocolate!),Herb Risotto. For the finale, share Strawberry & Basil Sorbet, Sweet Potato Cheesecake with Fig & Honey Compote Flourless Chocolate Cake with Banana Ice Cream & Maple Whipped Cream. 3413 Cahuenga Boulevard West, Studio City. (323) 512-4800
Celebrate Valentines Day from February 14-17 at this classic mainstay with a three-course dinner for two for $89.95 that includes a Cupid Salad, two 6 oz Maine Lobster Tails and 12 oz Filet Mignon with Twice Baked Potato and Vegetable Medley. Served on a silver platter. Indulge in Flourless Chocolate Cake with Vanilla Bean Ice Cream for dessert. A special a la carte menu. is also available. Entrees run $13.95 to $39.95. Lunch is available on Valentines Day as well. 4557 Sherman Oaks Avenue Sherman Oaks. (818) 784-1163
WEST VALLEY
This Tarzana restaurant with a slightly urban feel and distinctive candelabras has created a special a la carte menu for Valentines Day that includes Surf and Turf, Prime Rib, Roasted Chicken and Scottish Salmon. 5442 Yolanda Avenue, Tarzana, CA 91356 (818) 996-3008
This cozy dining room is offering a special a la carte menu for romantic dining with small plates, salads and large plates. Dishes include: crab and shrimp louie tower, artisan cheese plate, ground lamb lollipops, roasted jidori chicken, 5 spice roast duck, grilled rib-eye and some alluring desserts. 18588 Ventura Blvd. Tarzana, (818) 343-9100
Celebrate Brazilian style with over 12 types of meat brought tableside. Accompany this with a selection from the immense salad bar featuring 30 seasonal hot and cold options including a variety of freshly composed salads, shrimp, smoked salmon and sushi . For Valentine’s Day, each person receives a half split bottle of Domaine Chandon Rose or Brut. Couples share a box of six Godiva chocolates. There’s also live music and a Brazilian dance show. Tickets are $79 per person pre-paid. 18663 Ventura Blvd Tarzana, (818) 881-7111
Set among the trees and next to a creek in Topanga Canyon, this is one of the most romantic spots in Los Angeles. The five course menu, plus an amuse bouche, is $110; vegetarian route $100. There is a wine flight with 3 oz pours paired for each course at $45 per person. Vegan, vegetarian, meat, fish and poultry choices (which are organic or sustainable), include Oh You Poached Loch Duart Salmon; In The Mood Oven Roasted Wild Monkfish; Be My Seafood Quartet (a lover’s plate to be shared); Cosmic Unions Grilled Vegan Duck; Cosmic Unions Grilled Vegan Duck. 128 Old Topanga Rd.,Topanga (310) 455-1311.
Romance is in the air at at this pub/brasserie with tablecloths, roses and live music by Brad Kirsch. From the kitchen, Chef Adrian has planned some Valentine specials, including Ale-braised Rabbit with house-made potato gnocchi and Burrata Cheese salad with shaved pears and green beans. Valentine’s Day truffles will end the evening. Regular menu also available. 29281 Agoura Road Agoura Hills, (818) 477-4566
This elegant and classic 41 year old French restaurant is offering a three-course meal that includes escargot, lobster, rack of lamb, veal, dover sole and more. Choose between six appetizers, six entrees and six desserts. One step into this intimate restaurant and you’ll find yourselves miles away. One special rose is included. $95 per person . 5522 Crebs Avenue Tarzana (818) 345-0470
Padri Restaurant and Martini Bar
What says romance more than a sophisticated martini at the only martini bar in the 818? Come for a drink or dinner in this restaurant built like a rustic farmhouse. They’re offering their regular menu of Italian cuisine, plus some special dishes just for Valentine’s Day. 29008 Agoura Rd Agoura Hills, (818) 865-3700
Rustic, yet sophisticated and elegant, this long standing restaurant hideaway off Las Virgenes Canyon is a real special occasion destination offering a special four -course prix fixe menu, featuring exotic game specialties. Each course includes three to four options. $125 per person for food only. Wine pairing is available for $65 per person. Wines have been hand-selected by the in-house sommelier. The regular menu is also available. 419 Cold Canyon Rd., Calabasas, (818) 222-3888.
This restaurant is the newest entry into the west valley food scene. At the helm is owner/chef David Iino, formerly the executive chef of Napa Valley Grill in Westwood and Cafe Del Rey in Marina Del Rey. They aren’t offering a special prix fixe menu for Valentines Day, but they will have special dishes for love and romance. 26500 Agoura Road, Calabasas, (818) 880-9260
This French Country style restaurant has one of the most beautiful patios in the 818. This Valentine’s Day, they are offering the regular menu along with a special menu that includes soup or salad and a chocolate heart. The price is based upon the entree $24.95-$47.95. Choices include Rack of Lamb, Filet Mignon, New York Steak and Lobster and Wild Mushroom Ravioli.. 22160 Ventura Boulevard, Woodland Hills, (818) 704-1185.
Where are you dining? Tell us in the comments section below!
Karen Young is the Founder/Editor of My Daily Find. Email: Karen@mydailyfind.com
About Karen Young
