Arrange something extra special for your love: enchant the love of your life with an evening to remember. Be spontaneous, surprises are fun, hide a gift under a napkin at dinner. Enjoy long talks over a lavish dinner. Steal a kiss behind a menu. Play footsies under the table. Sip champagne. Hold each other in a slow dance. Be it warm and cozy or passionate and wild, invite love in -- enjoy!
LA VIE EN ROSE 240 S. State College Blvd., Brea, CA 92821 (714) 529-8333 Hours: (Mon-Fri) 11:30 am – 2 pm; (Mon-Sat) from 5:30 pm La Vie en Rose—French for “life is rosy”—blends quaintness and prestige in an eye-pleasing reproduction of a Normandy farmhouse. Amid tapestry-lined booths and postcard shots of elegant dining rooms, you and your sweetheart can delight in dishes native to France’s Gascony and Province seaside villages and farms. Exquisite and deeply rooted in tradition, La Vie en Rose offers the French country experience and a premium fare that includes seared scallops with Dijon mustard cream sauce and roasted rack of lamb with garlic and rosemary. For dessert, how about crepes with Grand Marnier custard and strawberries? And of course, the service is supreme. La Vie en Rose is anything but modest when it comes to celebrating Cupid’s special day. Boasting a lavish heart and floral presentation in its lobby, the restaurant honors Valentine’s Day with this weeklong display. No wonder La Vie en Rose is considered a romantic favorite among OC-ites.
Estimated cost per person: $60 - $80
Holiday Schedule: New Year’s Day-Closed, Valentine’s Day-Open, Easter-Closed, Thanksgiving-Closed, Christmas Eve-Varies by year, Christmas Day-Closed, New Year’s Eve-Open
EVA’S CARRIBBEAN KITCHEN 31732 S. Coast Highway, Laguna Beach, CA 92651 (949) 499-6311 Hours: (Tues – Sun) from 5 pm Eva’s Caribbean Kitchen chef and owner Eva Madray becomes ebullient when she tells the story of her customer who became pregnant after she and her husband ate the conch fritters. Conch (“konk”) is the large stunning seashell, which—legend has it—allows you to hear the ocean when you hold it against your ear. But it’s the snail that grows inside of the shell that makes conch the secret to love. An aphrodisiac, the shellfish has been nicknamed “the Caribbean Viagra” by many islanders. If you start your dinner with the fritters and an Eva-original tropical rum drink, the rest of the evening could steam into a sensuous Caribbean-like honeymoon. With festive hues, tribal masks and colorful votive candles immersing you and your honey in West Indies allure, you can savor traditional dishes like Cajun prawns, jerk steak and pan-seared Chilean sea bass. Another happily-ever-after folktale came about when “Bob and Marsha” decided to tie the knot after feasting on Eva’s Creole fish stew. One can only guess the enchanting breeze from the Pacific made it all the easier.
Estimated cost per person per dinner: $25 - $40
Holiday Schedule: New Year’s Day-Open, Valentine’s Day-Open, Easter-Varies per year, Thanksgiving-Closed, Christmas Eve-Varies per year, Christmas Day-Closed, New Year’s Eve-Open
THE CELLAR 305 N. Harbor Boulevard, Fullerton, CA 92832 (714) 525-5682 Hours: (Tues-Sun) from 5:30 pm The Cellar is noted for an assortment of almost 1,500 varieties of wine, passionate couples descending down a flight of stairs escaping into a dim cave background and of course, the French cuisine and outstanding service which keeps them coming back for more.
Estimated cost per person for dinner = $60 - $70
Holiday Schedule: New Year’s Day-Closed, Valentine’s Day-Open, Easter-Closed, Thanksgiving-Closed, Christmas Eve-Open, Christmas Day-Closed, New Year’s Eve-Open
RUTH’S CHRIS STEAK HOUSE 2961 Michelson Drive, Suite A, Building 10, Irvine, CA 92612 (949) 252-8848 COMING SOON: 2041 S. Harbor, Anaheim, CA 92802 (714) 750-5644 Hours: (Mon-Thur) 5 pm-10 pm; (Fri) 5 pm-10:30 pm; (Sat) 4 pm-10:30 pm; (Sun) 4 pm-9:30 pm At Ruth’s Chris Steak House, dinner for two is a five-sensory experience. Adding to the soft lighting, elegant décor and plush seating are the mouth-watering scents, sounds and aromas of premium steaks sizzling on plates of piping hot butter. The a la carte menu offers choice cuts of custom-aged USDA prime beef, seared to perfection at 1,800 degrees, laid on sweltering plates with butter, and seasoned with salt, pepper and dashes of parsley. Lover feeding lover is welcome at Ruth’s Chris, especially over the 40 oz. “Porterhouse for Two” and signature side dishes like potatoes au gratin, sautéed mushrooms or creamed spinach. For the seafood palate, Ruth’s Chris offers a market fresh fish as well as lobster and the ahi-tuna stack, topped with Colossal lump crabmeat and crackling in a red pepper pesto sauce. And what’s a meal fit for gods and goddesses without the nectar? At Ruth’s Chris, you can select from a handsome selection of top quality wines, some of which you’ll swear have an after taste as buttery as the steak.
Estimated cost per person per dinner: $50 - $75
Holiday Schedule: New Year’s Day-Open, Valentine’s Day-Open at 3 pm, Easter-Open, Thanksgiving-Closed, Christmas Eve-Open at 3 pm, Christmas Day-Closed, New Year’s Eve-Open at 3 pm
SUMMIT HOUSE RESTAURANT 2000 E. Bastanchury Road, Fullerton, CA 92835 (714) 671-4111 Hours: (Tues-Fri) 11:30 am-2:30 pm; (Sun-Thur) 5 pm-9 pm; (Fri-Sat) 5 pm-10 pm Overlooking Orange County and the San Bernardino mountains is Summit House Restaurant—the epitome of English manor romance tucked away in the Fullerton hills. A popular spot for weddings, Summit House exposes an intricate brick exterior that’s reminiscent of an old country castle. Inside, you and your lover will sigh with serenity when you take in the view. You might even wind up in each other’s arms while enjoying the amorous warmth of the fireplace. Go ahead. Snuggle under high ceilings and chandeliers in between savoring the prime rib, the Colorado rack of lamb or the John Dory. The exquisite décor and city light views will undoubtedly pull you both in, so after your meal, lounge over a sweet delicacy handcrafted by Chef Timothy Plumb.
Estimated cost per person for dinner: $50 - $75
Holiday Schedule: New Year’s Day-Closed, Valentine’s Day-Open, Easter-Open, Thanksgiving-Open, Christmas Eve-Open, Christmas Day-Closed, New Year’s Eve-Open
LAS BRISAS 361 Cliff Drive, Laguna Beach, CA 92651 (949) 497-5434 Hours: (Mon-Sat) 8 am-10:30 am/11 am-3:30 pm; (Mon-Thur) 5 pm-10 pm; (Fri) 5 pm-11 pm; (Sat) 4:30 pm-11 pm; (Sun) 9 am-3 pm/4:30 pm-10 pm Picture perfect! Take pleasure in romantic views of the dramatic Laguna Beach coastline and immediate floral grounds, as you ease into the romance and cuisine of the Mexican Riviera. With window seating or outdoor patio dining, this will be a notable palate extravaganza. Choose from seafood, pasta or steak (there's much, much more). Entrées arrive to the table so pleasantly presented; some guests may hesitate to undo the truly artistic creation on their platter.
BRIO TUSCANY GRILLE 24050 Camino Del Avion, Dana Point, CA 92692 (949) 443-1476 Hours: (Mon-Fri) 11:30 am-2:30 pm; (Sun-Thur) 4 pm-10 pm; (Fri-Sat) 4 pm-11 pm Tucked in the base of a foothill in picturesque coast township Dana Point dwells a most welcoming experience of old Tuscany. A visit to BRIO TUSCANY GRILLE will caress your every sense- from their old world candlelit garden with heat lamps to warm the night sea air to the attention-grabbing aromas! From romance inspiring music filling the air to the mouth-watering events of appetizer, then entrée. Before dancing the night away among outgoing regulars, a signature finale of Brio's cheesecake for two is a MUST! Brio's passionate approach in selecting each ingredient—be it their collection of imported wines, ambiance, or their dedication to superior service, is why they achieve their winning recipe each and every time—creating a romantic dining memory that lingers, that lasts, that becomes a "special event."
Estimated cost per person for dinner = $25 - $35
Holiday Schedule: New Year’s Day-Closed, Valentine’s Day-Open, Easter-Open, Thanksgiving-Closed, Christmas Eve-Open, Christmas Day-Closed, New Year’s Eve-Open
ANAHEIM WHITE HOUSE 887 S. Anaheim Boulevard, Anaheim, CA 92805 (714) 772-1381 Hours: (Mon-Fri) 11:30 am-2 pm; (Mon-Sun) 5 pm-10 pm Smaller, private dining rooms fill this 100-year-old beauty, serving those who long for Northern Italian fare. Romance exudes as guests linger over superb specials delivered in exquisite service.
ORANGE HILL RESTAURANT 6410 East Chapman Avenue, Orange, CA 92859 (949) 997-2910 Hours: (Mon-Thur) 5 pm-10 pm; (Fri) 5 pm-11 pm; (Sat) 4:30 pm-11 pm; (Sun) Brunch 9 am-3 pm, Dinner 5 pm-10 pm Orange Hill--shall we talk about the great food, fabulous service, grand ambiance or the terrific views? Romantic glows warm you from four fireplaces while the outdoors is brought indoors by windows that go from the floor to the ceiling, revealing bridges, streams and trees outside making for a perfect intimate setting. Then there is always alfresco dining with the help of outdoor heaters. Orange Hill sits high upon a hill so you may even catch a glimpse of Catalina or LA. How romantic is that?
Estimated cost per person for dinner = $35 - $45
Holiday Schedule: New Year’s Day-Open, Valentine’s Day-Open, Easter-Open, Thanksgiving-Open, Christmas Eve-Open, Christmas Day-Open, New Year’s Eve-Open
FRENCH 75 327 Newport Center Drive, Newport Beach, CA 92660 (949) 640-2700 Laguna Beach: (949) 494-8444; Irvine: (714) 573-7600 Hours: (Mon-Sat) 11:30 am-4:30 pm; (Sun) 11 am-2:30 pm; (Sun-Wed) 4:30 pm-9 pm; (Thur-Sat) 4:30 pm-10 pm For chic romance and elegant dining, enjoy a lovebird’s meal at French 75. With three locations in Orange County, including Irvine and Laguna Beach, the interior is cleverly adorned with red leather booths and Parisian-style artwork bathing in ambient washes stemming from charming period lights. A David Wilhelm creation, French 75 replaces Rouge Bistro in Newport Beach but the menu’s sophistication remains the same. Savor a fine fare that might include escargot, duck confit or prime American steaks prepared Parisian style and served with delicate sauces and bistro side dishes. Each location presents live jazz on different evenings, and the dim lighting will tempt couples to subtly kiss and caress.
Estimated cost per person per dinner: $20 - $35
Holiday Schedule: New Year’s Day-Open, Valentine’s Day-Open, Easter-Open, Thanksgiving-Open, Christmas Eve-Open, Christmas Day-Closed, New Year’s Eve-Open
It is our hope that we have successfully provided a wide range of romantic options for you and that special someone!
Estimated cost per person for dinner is based upon one entrée, one appetizer if it’s an a la carte menu, one beverage, tax and 20 percent gratuity.
The Top List of Romantic Restaurants - Orange County, CA