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 There’s just something about breaking bread with someone you love that fosters romance. Together, you’re indulging the senses – taste, smell, sight. And with just the right setting, you’ve got the makings of a very special night. If you’ve been longing for a romantic night out with your sweetheart but can’t decide where to go, check out our picks of some of the most romantic dining destinations in Orange County. And just to make it easy, we’ve divided our list into categories. Seaside Enchantment21 Oceanfront has been around for 25 years, and believes strongly in tradition – servers wear black ties and white shirts. The black-leather-upholstered booths offer intimate seating, with windows that showcase sunset and seaside views. For dinner, the menu offers steaks and seafood, and an award-winning wine list. And on the second floor: Doryman’s Oceanfront Inn, an 11-room B&B with fireplaces in every room to make you feel even cozier.2100 W. Oceanfront, Newport Beach; 949.673.2100; 21oceanfront.com The Beachcomber is situated on the beach and is just steps away from Crystal Cove’s historic 1930s-era cottages. Dining here is like a mini vacation. After you’ve enjoyed your meal – creative California cuisine – visit the nearby tide pools and take in a stunning sunset. 15 Crystal Cove, Newport Coast; 949.644.8759; thebeachcombercafe.com Fisherman’s Restaurant is situated on the pier in San Clemente, and the deck overlooking the ocean is a perfect spot to watch the sunset. In addition to seafood, the restaurant offers a wide variety of other dishes to choose from, including pasta and steaks. There’s also an oyster bar – perfect for nurturing romance. 611 Avenida Victoria, San Clemente; 949.498.6390; fishermansrestaurant.com Las Brisas, as the name suggests, serves up a refreshing menu of gourmet Mexican food in a setting that is nothing less than charming and tranquil. The seafood is spectacular, and so are the grounds. After dinner, you’ll want to stroll the walkway overlooking Laguna Beach’s shoreline and watch the sunset from the restaurant’s gazebo, perched atop a bluff. 361 Cliff Drive, Laguna Beach; 949.497.5434; lasbrisaslagunabeach.com Spark Woodfire Grill is the perfect atmosphere for romance, with its outdoor terrace offering a spectacular view of the sparkling Pacific and a fire pit for you and your loved one to curl up to. It is an American bistro that has been around for more than six years and is known for its steak and seafood. 300 Pacific Coast Hwy., Suite 202, Huntington Beach; 714.960.0996; sparkwoodfiregrill.com Classic, Old SchoolAmbrosia Restaurant is the “treasure of Orange County” – a great dining destination that is old school at it’s best. When you enter, it’s as though you’ve stepped into another world – candelabras are on every table, servers prepare table-side flambé, and musicians ask if you have a song request. The menu is described as seasonal marketplace, which means it changes with the season.801 N. Main St., Santa Ana; 714.550.0811; ocpavilion.com Landmark Steakhouse offers intimate booth seating in a swanky environment – high-backs, zebrawood tables and lighting that is warm and dimly lit by chandeliers. The lounge features a piano bar where guests are serenaded, banquette sectional seating and a fireplace. You can also enjoy alfresco dining in the patio, furnished with European-style cushioned sectionals. 3520 E. Coast Hwy., Corona Del Mar; 949.675.5556; landmarknewport.com Rusty Pelican is a small, intimate place, with two fireplaces and terrific views. The restaurant has been providing outstanding food and service for 30 years, with a focus on fresh seafood. The upstairs lounge, with its views of Newport Bay, is especially great for an evening with your beloved. 2735 W. Coast Hwy., Newport Beach; 949.642.3431; rustypelican.com Hip But CozyThe Cellar is literally underneath Fullerton’s Villa del Sol, and when you enter, it’s like walking into a treasure. It’s one of the most unique restaurants in Orange County – the craftsmen behind the design are the same artists who created Disneyland’s Pirates of the Caribbean. It has an Old World flair, and has been offering a menu of classic French cuisine for 38 years. And the servers wear tuxedos and bring your food on silver-domed platters.305 North Harbor Blvd., Fullerton; 714.525.5682; cellardining.com The Hobbit is described as a meal in three acts. The evening begins in the wine cellar, where you are handed the evening’s menu and a flute of Champagne to sip while you select your wine for dinner. After that, you’re escorted upstairs to your table, where you enjoy a light dish before an “intermission.” You can take a walk, relax on the patio or speak with the chefs in the kitchen. When you return to your table, you’re served your entrée and dessert. The evening is a unique experience – definitely one you’ll want to share with someone special. 2932 E. Chapman Ave., Orange; 714.997.1972; hobbitrestaurant.com Mesa is a bit mysterious – no signs to indicate where it is, and no Web site. It takes a bit of effort to find, but once you do, it’s definitely worth the bother. The restaurant is fluid, from the dining area to the lounge. Although it has a modern style, it offers a cozy, inviting atmosphere, with fireplaces in the corners and a retractable roof that opens to reveal the night sky. The menu consists of sophisticated American cuisine and changes seasonally. 725 Baker St., Costa Mesa; 714.557.6700 Quiet, Intimate HideawaysAlthough French 75, has been in business for only 10 years, you’ll think you’re in a historic district of Paris. The service is great, and so is the food, which is described as “French cuisine for Americans.” Being near the ocean provides opportunity for a late night stroll along the beach.1464 S. Coast Hwy., Laguna Beach; 949.494.8444; culinaryadventures.com Piccolino is a relatively new restaurant located in the corner of the canyons of Mission Viejo. It may be tucked away, but once you discover it, you’ll want to return. Dining is enjoyed by candlelight. It’s quiet, so you can chat with your beloved while enjoying the restaurant’s fresh, contemporary Italian cuisine. 28731 Los Alisos Blvd. #3, Mission Viejo; 949.380.7261; Piccolinomv.com Tradition by Pascal has been serving authentic French cuisine for 20 years, and does so in a warm and inviting ambience. The restaurant is owned and operated by award-winning Chef Pascal Olhats, who is Orange County’s unofficial French ambassador of gastronomy. Olhats serves both classic and contemporary French dishes, with a bit lighter approach than the traditional fare. 1000 N. Bristol, Newport Beach; 949.263.9400; pascalnpb.com Perfect for a ProposalEstablished in 1961, Chart House Restaurant features seafood and steaks. But it’s the view that makes this an ideal spot to pop the question. It faces Newport Bay and the setting sun, with its back to the bustle of West Coast Highway, so you can focus on the special moment at hand.2801 W. Coast Hwy., Newport Beach; 949.548.5889; chart-house.com Napa Rose’s elegant décor and wine country cuisine is as intoxicating as a new love. The food is fresh from the farm to the table, and most of the staff has passed the court of master sommeliers exam. Every guest is treated like a VIP. And being near Disneyland and all that pixie dust makes every moment even more magical. 1600 S. Disneyland Drive, Anaheim; 714.956.6755 Orange Hill Restaurant is aptly named – it’s perched on a hill above Orange and offers a spectacular view of the city below. The upscale restaurant offers seafood, steaks and pasta, among other selections. Its patio seats up to 300. Fire pits keep guests warm and cozy, and romantic lighting reinforces the mood that’s set at the entrance, where a peaceful koi pond and cascading waterfall serve as the welcome call. Orange Hill 6410 E. Chapman Ave., Orange; 714.997.2910; theorangehillrestaurant.com The ambience at The Winery Restaurant is sophisticated, vibrant and very welcoming. It’s a new addition to the scene, but has already proven itself as a place that will provide an unparalleled dining experience. The servers, sommeliers and other staff pride themselves on their passion for service and sincere warmth toward their guests. So if this happens to be your special night, they will do whatever they can to make it the most memorable experience of your life. 2647 Park Ave., Tustin; 714.258.7600; thewineryrestaurant.net |
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RSS SubscribeReaders Feedback:
You must include the new "Back Bay Bistro" to this list.
The new upscale look with the incredible views of the bay is a reason.
Retractable patio roof under the stars during the warmer months, is another reason why this should be in the "Romantic Dining" list.
| Comment at 1/7/2009 |
After canceling our plans to go to wine country because of the weather forecast being all rain for Valentine's weekend, my boyfriend and I decided to take advantage of all the Valentine's specialties in OC that we could. I'm usually an overly ebullient optimistic girl so view this feedback as realistic rather than pessimistic. Obviously, it was difficult for us to get in at most restaurants at such late notice however we were extremely lucky to get in to the most romantic French 75 in LB. The menu was delightful, a bit expensive, but portions of my favorite foods (such as lobster, oysters) were moderately portioned and not small as one would expect in a prix fix menu. Now, the night before Valentine's we chose to enjoy the Winery's prix fix menu that was suppose to be on for the entire weekend. I was really excited to enjoy the "His" and "Her" menu as they advertised. Disappointingly, when we arrived we weren't presented with this opportunity and when we did ask, I was given a general prix fix menu - not my special "Her" menu. Thursday night of Valentine's week, we went to Wildfish to take part of their Valentine's cocktails boasted in OC Menus. When I arrived to the bar and ordered the special Valentine "flirtini" the bartender looked at me as if I had three noses. I explained to him that they are advertsied in OC Menus and he laughed saying that the bartenders never follow the recipes they're given that they put in the magazines. I had sheer disappointment so I ordered him to make my the Flirtini as I remembered described in OC Menus only with a lower-calorie twist. So, I made lemonade out of lemons. I am just surprised at the lack of care in detail for the fun that food can bring during different holidays.
| Comment at 2/18/2009 |