Valentine’s Day Restaurant Recommendations in Southerm California

Valentines Day is just around the corner and you have ABSOLUTELY no idea as to where to take that special someone for that “special” dinner date? Well, I’m not gonna lie to you, I haven’t planned anything yet either. I’m not quite the procrastinating type (not anymore anyway ), but making plans more than 1 week in advance seems to be overkill for me. Then again, if you are planning something 90% of the dating population will likely do, I would probably recommend to you start right about now.

Since I’m based in the Southern California, my recommendations will be limited to the Los Angeles and Orange Counties or other places I’ve been. Just to let you know, I don’t have pictures nor do I plan on “borrowing” them from other sites. I will however, try to get you as much information as possible so you can make your reservations, at least. I will also make recommendations on restaurant I’ve never been to. Why? because they were either recommended to me or I read about it and would like to try it.

Oh! Before I forget…most restaurants run a “special” Valentines Day Menu. Special meaning, expensive. Expect to spend a lot. (At least $75 USD or more per person EXCLUDING Tax and Tip is not out of the question.)

BonaVista at the Westin Bonaventure Hotel
404 S Figueroa St (@ West Fourth Street)
Los Angeles, CA 90071
Phone: (213) 624-1000

This restaurant is located at the top floor of the historical Westin Bonaventure Hotel. It is a “revolving” restaurant, offering a 360-degree panoramic view of “beautiful” Los Angeles. How is the food? I couldn’t possibly tell you since I haven’t been there. BUT, I bet one of these two things; its probably not going to knock your socks off and it will be very expensive. There are similar restaurants in many major cities around the world. I have personally been to Giratorio in Santiago, Chile (a few times) when I was a child and I really liked the food (keep in mind I was a kid, so I probably liked anything sweet and colorful). I also had a few drinks at the Marriott Marquis’ The View in Times Square, NY. If you have never been to a revolving restaurant, you should go just for the experience. After all, Valentines Day celebration should be about the ambiance and breath taking views as well. Another revolving restaurant my wife has been to recently is the Top of the World Restaurant at the Stratosphere Hotel & Casino in Lost Wages, I mean, Las Vegas.

Here is a partial list of revolving restaurants around the world. –> WikiMeARevolvingRestaurant

The Sky Room in Long Beach, CA
210 E Ocean Blvd, Long Beach, CA 90802
Tel: 562-983-2703

You can read my review of this restaurant here. It was pretty good. Great live music, good food, good view. They do have the “special” Valentines Package for love birds. The great thing about dining in Downtown Long Beach is that you are not too far from a potential Part Two of your “Lovey-Dovey” night with your special someone. I would highly suggest you book a Gondola Ride around Naples Island/Long Beach. Gondola Getaway operates gondola rides for special occasions such as Valentines Day, when weather permits. Alternatively, if you already live in Las Vegas, you can go to the Venitian and ride there.

Cafe Sevilla, Long Beach, San Diego, Riverside
Various locations, please visit their website for more info.

I went recently (see blog entry) and I enjoyed it a lot. The cuisine, as the name implies, is Spanish. They also offer dinner shows and a buffet Sunday Brunch which comes with either a single glass of champagne (around $15 usd) or bottomless (another $5 more or so). If you chose the Long Beach location, you can also catch the Gondola Getaway’s gondola rides. So you get a little Spain and Italy for your Valentines Day, not too shabby.

Yamashiro Restaurant
1999 N. Sycamore Avenue
Hollywood, CA 90068
Tel: (323) 466-5125
Fax: (323) 462-4523
Email: info@yamashirorestaurant.com

Its been about 6 years since I’ve been to Yamashiro. I remember getting lost on my way there because its located at the top of a residential area in Hollywood. Tight & steep streets make for some “interesting” driving I tell you. Once I found my way up to the restaurant, the view did not disappoint. The restaurant has a beautiful Japanese garden out front. You can get a panoramic view of Los Angeles, but it really depends on where they sit you (I would recommend reserving a window seat in advance). This place is somewhat known as a “tourist” destination, so don’t be too disappointed if the food isn’t great and the bill is high. The cuisine served here is Asian Fusion…in other words, Americanized Japanese.

The Melting Pot, Irvine, Pasadena, Nationwide
Yeah, I know, is a chain…but its pretty good if you want fondue. Locations

I have been to the Melting Pot once, and there are 3 things I remember about that experience…I had to wait like 30 minutes even though I had a reservation; The entree fondue was not very memorable (I don’t remember it, literally); the white chocolate dessert fondue was AWESOME! So my advice, go for the dessert. Overall, it is tasty, filling and expensive (getting redundant here, I know, but its Valentines Day, what did you expect?). Oh! Don’t forget to make reservations…it’s not only recommended, it is REQUIRED.

So those were my picks. Here is a brief list of Honorary Mentions:

• Xiomara on Melrose – Cuban Cuisine (Excellent Mojitos & Chocolate Souffles)
• Stinking Rose in San Francisco and Beverly Hills – Cal-Italian Cuisine (If you love Garlic, this is the place to be)
• La Traviatta in Long Beach – Italian Cuisine (Live Opera entretainment)

Now get going and start planning your Valentines Day!