BY KAREN YOUNG
If you’ve decided to make Valentine’s Day a dining experience this year, here’s some restaurants in the 818 featuring special menus for Cupid’s holiday.
D’Cache
Give your Valentine’s Day Latin flair with a charming dining experience inside a 1928 renovated mission cottage house semi-hidden on Riverside Drive. Their specialty is Latin-Fusion and Tapas. Don’t miss the house signature sangria infused with apples. The special Four Course Dinner includes such choices as: Miami Style Crab Cake, Sweet Corn Soup with gambas al ajillo, Charbroiled Filet Sangria Poached Pear, Warm & soft chocolate cake. $75 per person with live entertainment included. Two seatings at 5 pm and 8 pm. 10717 Riverside Drive, Toluca Lake, Ca (818) 506-9600. www.dcacherestaurant.com
D'Cache.
Firenze Osteria.
Firenze Osteria
Celebrate Valentine’s Day the whole weekend with Top Chef’s Fabio Viviani at this new Lankershim establishment (and the former Barsac Brasserie). There is a special Valentine’s menu available, in addition to the regular menu. $75.00 per person, including: Shrimp stuffed with Gorgonzola Wrapped with Pancetta, Steak Tatare, Ricotta and Egg York Ravioli Grilled Lamb with Pistachio Causolet, Olive Oil Cake with Blueberries and Mascarpone Whipped Cream,Chocolate Covered Stawberries. Complimentary Chocolate Covered Strawberries for all guests. Order the entire fixed menu, individual items or from the regular menu. Live romantic guitar music will serenade this weekend they coined “Love. Food. Misbehavior.” 4212 Lanshershim Blvd., Toluca Lake, CA 91602 818. 760.7081. www.firenzeosteria.com
Il Tiramisu.
Il Tiramisu
This father and son owned trattoria has a real feel of Italy. Ivo and Peter Kastelan are offering a three course Valentine menu that they are designing from their regular menu. There is a choice of five appetizer choices, five main course choices and three desserts for $50 per person. Classic standouts are Osso Bucco and Pappardelle con Capesante (wide ribbon pasta, scallops, tomatoes, onions, spicy white wine sauce). Il Tiramisu: 13705 Ventura Blvd., Sherman Oaks; (818) 986-2640. www.il-tiramisu.com
Inn of the Seventh Ray.
Inn of the Seventh Ray
Set among the trees and next to a creek in Topanga Canyon, this is one of the most romantic spots in Los Angeles. If you haven’t been here in a decade, the menu has changed dramatically. The five course menu, plus an amuse bouche, is $100; vegetarian route $90.There is a wine flight with 3 oz pours paired for each course at $45 per person. There are vegan, vegetarian, meat, fish and poultry choices (which are organic or sustainable), including Vodka Cured Salmon Caviar, Quail Egg, Lemon Oil, Espelette and Steamed Fingerling Potato, Oven Roasted Filet Mignon, Roasted Fingerling Potatoes, Watercress Salad with Salmarigillo Vinaigrette, Goat Cheese and Truffled Cippolinni’s, Be My Seafood Plate Medley (a lover’s plate to be shared), Shrimp and Lemon Ceviche, Lump Crab with Corn, Piquello Peppers and Herb Mayo, Ash Seared Tuna with Moroccan Spice Emulsion and Nicoise Calamari with Cold Pressed Olive Oil. Inn of the Seventh Ray: 128 Old Topanga Rd.,Topanga; (310) 455-1311. www.innoftheseventhray.com/home.htm
Marche.
Marché LA
Marché (which changed from Max last Fall when chef Gary Menes took over) is offering a special Valentines Degustation Menu — meaning small plates. It’s a five course menu with a choice three choices under each course. $75 per person. Interested in wine pairings for each course? That is $55 per person extra. Enjoy such entrees as lobster, hokkaido scallops and filet mignon. There are a few items such a black winter truffle risotto, foie gras cusine, and oysters that are extra. Chef Gary Menes helms this kitchen which prides itself on seasonal cuisine and small plates. Marché LA: 13355 Ventura Blvd., Sherman Oaks; (818) 784-2915. www.marche-la.com
Olivia.
Oliva Restaurant
This neighborhood restaurant, which expanded to two rooms, is offering a three course meal for $45 per person. Try such specialties as Brasato — Italian Brisket Rib-Eye Meat Slowly Cooked Over 4 Hrs in Red Wine & Spices, Mashed Potatoes and Spinach, Lobster Spaghetti Lobster Tail and Shrimp with Spaghetti in a Spicy Tomato Sauce Porcini, Portobello, Shitake and Oyster Mushroom Sauce. They are known for their fun martini list and a plentiful bruschetta starter. 4449 Van Nuys Blvd. Sherman Oaks CA 91403 olivarestaurant.com/Oliva-Valentines-Menu-2009.pdf
Pinot Bistro.
Pinot Bistro
This Studio City mainstay is offering their Valentine’s Day celebration all weekend long with a choice of of three courses for $65 or four for $75, which includes includes a complimentary glass of rose. Choices include: Oyster ménage à trios, raw with zesty mignonette, pickled in Champagne, fried with spicy pepper aїoli; Yukon Gold potato gnocchi, confit tomatoes, basil pesto, crispy Parmigiano-Reggiano ; Duo of beef-roasted filet mignon, red wine braised short ribs potato fondant, whole roasted shallots, bordelaise sauce. Check out the menu here: www.patinagroup.com/restaurants/41/menus/CafePinot_ValentinesDay2010.pdf Pinot Bistro: 12969 Ventura Blvd., Studio City; (818) 990-0500.
Raphael.
Raphael
As one of the newest fine dining restaurants on Ventura Blvd, owner Alon Raphael and Chef Stephen Burkalis will offer a unique champagne of choice with a three course prix fixe menu for $80 per person. The regular menu which features seasonal cuisine and identifies its dishes to a specific global regions, is also available. 1st Course: Chilled lobster Salad Heirloom tomatoes, marcona almonds, mizuna, balsamic tomato gelée 2nd Course: Duo of Beef Filet and sweet breads, Okinawa sweet potato purée, cauliflower, Madera wine sauce 3rd Course: Petite Fours Ancho chili chocolate flourless cake, passion fruit pavlova, caramel butter cream macaroon. Raphael’s has one of the most extensive wine lists in the San Fernando Valley with 50 choices of wine by the glass. www.raphaelonventura.com 11616 Ventura Blvd Studio City, CA 91604 (818) 505-3337.
Saddle Peak Lodge.
Saddle Peak Lodge
Rustic, yet sophisticated and elegant, this long standing restaurant hideaway off Las Virgenes Canyon goes unmatched for its history and its building, as well as its unique cuisine. It is Michelin rated and a real special occasion destination. The Valentines Menu is four courses with such choices as kumamoto oysters, black truffle soup, New Zealand Elk Tenderloin and Butter Poached Main Lobster. $125 per person and it’s an additional $60 for wine pairings. The regular menu is also available. Saddle Peak Lodge: 419 Cold Canyon Rd., Calabasas; (818) 222-3888. www.saddlepeaklodge.com
Karen Young is the Editor/Publisher of My Daily Find
About Karen Young
