Valentine's Day Possibilities: Fondue, Necklace Giveaway

Orange County Business Journal, Feb 5-Feb 11, 2007 by Chao, Fifi

Restaurants Offer Special Menus, Roses, Treats; Anaheim White House Adding Jewelry to Mix

EXECUTIVE DINNING

Are you wondering where to dine for Valentine's? You should make your reservations now as this is one of the busiest days of the year, and last-minute reservations usually are not available. Here are a few places where I feel you will get an exemplary dose of fine food and romantic ambiance.

Golden Truffle

Golden Truffle in Costa Mesa is known for having some of the most creative and delicious cuisine in Orange County, so it's a natural for a romantic occasion like Valentine's Day. A multicourse dinner will be served with selections from four categories available to make up your perfect meal.

Certain dishes are jumping off the menu at me. First courses of shrimp in a spicy cilantroand lime-induced broth and a petite lamb osso buco with Peruvian white beans sound delicious. Some of the entrees include artisanal cheese ravioli under a covertel of leeks and tomato-herb ragout, braised boneless prime short ribs, crispy duck with raspberry-pink peppercorn sauce and house smoked wild king salmon.

Chef/owner Alan Greeley does everything from scratch. That means even making home-made bread and butter pickles to accompany this salmon.

Desserts are big on such occasions. Meyer lemon tiramisu with lavender gelato sounds like fitting fare. Of course, I'm also having daydreams about something called Juan's crushed raspberry and blackberry cheesecake and a little aphrodisiac described as dark chocolate pot-au-creme (rich chocolate custard) in a bath of bitter chocolate espresso.

The dinner is $68 per person (excluding beverages, tax and tip). You must make a reservation by calling (949) 645-9970. Golden Truffle is at 1767 Newport Blvd. (between 17th and 18th streets) in Costa Mesa.

Five Crowns

Five Crowns in Corona del Mar is offering guests four chances to be romantic. From Feb. 12 through Feb. 15, they will be serving a special dinner for two, complete with champagne and chocolates.

The dinner includes half bottle of Perrier Jouët Grand Brut Champagne for each couple. Select from French onion soup, Caesar salad or the lobster ravioli for a first course. A choice of three entrees follows: Five Crowns' cut of prime rib with creamed spinach, Yorkshire pudding and mashed potatoes, free-range chicken with white asparagus and shrimp or potato-crusted salmon.

Dessert is a Sweetheart Meringue filled with chocolate mousse surrounded by a raspberry coulis and accompanied with coffee or tea. The lady will be gifted with a long-stemmed chocolate rose.

The dinner is $125 per twosome, plus tax and tip. Seating is limited and reservations are required. Five Crowns: 3801 E. Coast Highway, Corona del Mar. Phone (949) 760-0331.

The Melting Pot

The Melting Pot restaurants in Irvine and San Clemente create delicious fondues that are perfect for couples and large groups of people who want to dip into something different. Try the five-course dinner menu for Valentine's Day while sitting comfortably in a cozy and dimly lit booth.

Think of colossal shrimp cocktail to begin, then spinach and artichoke cheese fondue, a strawberry and praline pecan spinach salad as a third course, a wide variety of seafood and meat choices cooked tableside for the main entree and decadent chocolate fondue for dessert. The menu price is $70 per person, along with a gift per couple and long-stemmed roses for the ladies upon departure, Children's portions will be available for $18.

You must make reservations. The Melting Pot is at 2646 Dupont Drive (at Jamboree) in Irvine. Phone (949) 955-3242. The new San Clemente restaurant is at 647 Camino de los Mares. Phone (949) 661-1966.

Chakra

Chakra in Irvine is a contemporary Indian restaurant whose menu is based on a blending of California culinary touches with beloved Indian dishes.

For Valentine's dinner, there's a four-course menu that allows selections within each category.

Appetizers are crab cakes with a house special pineapple coulis or a dish called Valentine truffles. This comprises portabello mushrooms and truffles mixed with home-made cheese and placed within a pastry shell.

Second course is a choice of a velvety tomato soup with diced vegetables or a mixture of romaine lettuce, shredded sweet potato, beets and fresh raspberries topped with barbecued shrimp.

Then, the main course covers three realms: Quail stuffed with pistachios and dates, fresh filet of halibut rolled in spinach and cooked in a puff pastry blanket or a vegetarian dish of okra with cashews cooked velouté style.

The dessert is referred to as the chef's special Cupid's Trio and, at the moment, it's a secret, at least from me.

Dinner is at $65 per person, plus tax, tip and beverages. Remember to make a reservation. Chakra: 4143 Campus Drive (across from the University of California, Irvine), Irvine. Phone (949) 854-0009.

La Vie en Rose

Brea's La Vie en Rose recently was voted one of the most romantic settings in OC. They've not finalized the Valentine's menu. (Oh. the drama of me having to write a couple of weeks ahead of time!) But, as always, it will be something special.