Restaurants Put Their Hearts into Valentine’s Day

“Valentine” rhymes with wine and dine--which is poetry, for sure, for local restaurants. In fact, you’d better believe they love lovers, who make next Thursday one of their biggest nights. Here’s what a few are planning.

The Mezzanine in the Brinderson Towers in Newport Beach, popular for breakfast and lunch, will open for dinner on Valentine’s Day only. The four-course dinner will be $35.50 per person, with such highlights as Black Angus steak tartar, sauteed breast of guinea hen with artichokes stuffed with lentils and fresh vegetables and the “Grand Romantic” dessert. Reservations are necessary: (714) 724-1066.

Five Crowns stretches the holiday into a week of “romantic living” beginning on Friday with a chocolate-making demonstration in the restaurant’s foyer. Recipes will be given and you may sample chocolate delicacies. During the week, guests will receive assorted complimentary gifts, such as English shortbread, squares of fudge, balloon bouquets, sparkling blush wines and chocolate heart cups filled with amaretto. Strolling musicians will perform Sunday, Wednesday and Valentine’s night. In addition, chef Roth has designed two new entrees: live Maine lobster (1 1/2 pounds for $26.95) and Valentine Veal (veal Oscar stuffed with Dungeness crab for $19.95) The sweet finale: vanilla ice cream surrounded by two chewy heart-shaped cookies, all dipped in hazelnut chocolate. This romantic old English inn is in Corona del Mar. (714) 760-0331.

The Four Seasons Hotel in Newport Center promises “pampering” in the Pavilion, where a six-course repast includes entree choices of roast tenderloin of veal and truffle potatoes with apple cider sauce, sauteed Norwegian salmon on jalapeno spaetzle with cilantro lime brown butter, or breast of Muscovy duck with maple pecan wild rice and dried cranberry sauce. To complete the evening: a rose and chocolate hearts with truffles, a pianist playing romantic melodies. It’s $75 per person, exclusive of tax and gratuity. Reservations: (714) 759-0808, Ext. 4339.

In the Four Seasons’ Cabana Cafe, five courses highlight an entree choice of grilled medallions of beef with tomatillo chipotle sauce or braised salmon with star anise on a bed of black pepper linguine. And yes, there’s a rose for that special Valentine. It’s $38 per person, plus tax and gratuity. The regular Cabana menu is also available. Reservations: (714) 759-0808. Ext. 4349.

In the hotel’s Conservatory Lounge, a “lovers delight” selection of champagnes, specialty desserts and appetizers will be available and couples can dance to live music from 7:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. Information: (714) 759-0808, Ext. 4342.

Pascal in Newport Beach will romance couples with a menu for two, priced at $80 per couple, including a glass of Perrier-Jouet champagne, appetizer, choice of three classic dishes for two (rack of lamb, lobster and chateaubriand) and dessert platter. The entrees will also be available a la carte, as will the regular menu. A guitarist will strum and there will be two seatings: 6 and 8 p.m. Look, too, for wines by the glass from nine different regions of France--just in case you and your partner’s wine preferences differ. Information: (714) 752-0107.

At Le Meridien Newport Beach, both dining rooms will offer a four-course dinner, as well as a photograph. Restaurant Antoine includes an aperitif and an orchid, with music by a harpist creating a romantic backdrop. Cafe Fleuri adds a long-stemmed rose and choice of a bottle of wine or champagne per couple, plus entertainment and dancing. Dinners are $65 per person in Restaurant Antoine and $45 per person in Cafe Fleuri. Reservations, beginning at 6 p.m., are essential. (714) 476-2001 or (800) 543-4300.

At the Dana Point Resort, a champagne toast and long-stemmed red rose enhance chef Peter Striffolino’s $45 five-course dinner (with an entree of breast of Sonoma duck, Santa Barbara shrimp and lamb chop). For dinner reservations call (714) 661-5000, Ext. 57. The hotel also offers “Sweetheart’s Rendezvous” packages, beginning at $79 per person per night. They include a welcome bottle of Perrier-Jouet champagne, breakfast for two and choice of a harbor cruise or flowers and candy delivered to the room. Hotel reservations: (800) 533-9748. (Complimentary transportation is available for overnight guests to and from the San Juan Capistrano train depot)

Dinner at the Robert Mondavi Wine & Food Center tunes into the classics: a five-course dinner accompanied by a chamber performance of Vivaldi’s “The Four Seasons” by Keith Clark and Friends. Tables for two or more are available for the black-tie dinner, which begins at 7 p.m. Chef Roseanne Ruiz’s menu accents seared Hawaiian ahi salad and roasted tenderloin of beef with fresh herbs and Cabernet sauce. Five Mondavi wines, including two reserves, will be served. The cost, $125 per person, includes tax and gratuity. Information: (714) 979-4510.

Three Orange County Marriott Hotels will cater especially to lovers. JW’s in the Anaheim Marriott, which is designed with many private and romantic nooks and corners, will feature special Valentine’s Day entrees by chef Jeff McLaughlin, together with the regular dinner menu. Entree prices range from $18 to $30. Special amenities include a live harpist, complimentary rose and pastry memento and complimentary valet parking. Reservations: (714) 750-0900.

Windows, overlooking Upper Newport Bay in the Marriott Suites, will present a four-course dinner with a champagne toast and entree choice of steak au poivre , chicken tantara or poached salmon with beurre blanc sauce. The cost: $25 per person. Reservations: (714) 957-1100, Ext. 6049.

And JW’s Sea Grill at the Irvine Marriott will serve from their new dinner menu, adding several Valentine’s Day specials. Prices range from $14.95 to $23.95. Each table will receive a pastry chef’s special gift. Reservations: (714) 553-0100.

You have two sweetheart menu choices at Gandhi Indian Cuisine in Santa Ana’s South Coast Plaza Village: the special vegetarian dinner or the Valentine’s Day feast. The vegetarian dinner includes fresh eggplant medallions in masala curry, potatoes with spinach and freshly ground spices and vegetable samosa, with the classic rice pudding, kheer , for dessert. It’s $19.95. Dishes for the feast, at $25.95, range from chicken tikka to king prawn masala and lamb karahi. Reservations: (714) 556- 7273.

An orchid from Hawaii will await each couple at the Royal Thai restaurants in Newport Beach and Laguna Beach. You may order from the regular menu from such popular dishes as tom kae kai (a soup of coconut milk, chicken, cabbage and laos roots), Thai chicken flame or honey duck. Information: (714) 645-THAI for the Newport Beach restaurant, 4001 W. Coast Highway, and (714) 494-THAI for the Laguna Beach restaurant, 1750 S. Coast Highway.

The special Valentine’s Day menu at Mezzaluna in Corona del Mar centers on “raviolo of love” stuffed with crab meat with a butter, caviar and chive sauce; salmon medallion with cream sauce and “the tart of hope.” Tabbed at $35, it will be served with a complimentary glass of champagne. Information: (714) 675-2004.

For a romantic dinner on the bay, Newport Landing in Newport Beach will present a four-course dinner with choice of entree and a bottle of champagne for $50 per person. To sup overlooking the Balboa Ferry landing, with a view of the harbor, Balboa Island and Newport Center, call (714) 675-2373.

At Players in Irvine you can partake of a four-course dinner for two for $29.95. (Yes, that’s per couple). It will include a choice of entrees: steak fajitas, breast of chicken with whole-grain mustard sauce, sauteed red snapper in red bell pepper sauce. In addition, there will be dancing and a champagne special: Maison Blanc for $9.95. (714) 553-8181.

Remick’s in Irvine is ready with carnations for the ladies, a souvenir photo and dancing to live music upstairs. Four-course dinners, with entrees such as rack of lamb, swordfish and certified Angus filet, range from $25 to $36 per person. (714) 553-1305.

Flash bulbs will pop as you’re pictured in a heart-shaped arch of red and white balloons at Chanteclair in Irvine. There will be long- stemmed roses for your valentine, a pianist entertaining and specials for diner a deux to complement chef Byron Gemmell’s traditional menu. (714) 752-8001.

The two El Torito Grills will offer complimentary photo souvenirs and special menus for two, in addition to the regular menu. Information: (714) 640-5434 (Newport Beach), and (714) 662-2672 (Costa Mesa).

Morell’s in the Hyatt Regency, Irvine, will schedule two seatings for a four-course gourmet dinner--5:30 to 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. “onwards.” The price of $140 per couple covers the dinner (beginning with grilled sea scallops with saffron new potatoes and fennel sauce) and includes a choice of three entrees, a glass of champagne, roses and piano entertainment. Reservations: (714) 975-1234, Ext. 2100.

In the Hyatt’s Le Cafe a Valentine’s buffet, at $50 a couple, features such entrees as grilled salmon with leeks and wild mushrooms or carved tenderloin of beef, and there will be a lavish dessert table. It also includes a glass of champagne per person and “a rose for the lady.” (or how about the gentleman, if he’s the guest?) Special three-course dinners with entree of beef tournedos with garlic shrimp and angel-hair pasta, are also available Monday through Feb. 16. With glass of champagne and a rose, they’re $60 per couple. Senior citizen discounts are available. Reservations: (714) 975-1234, Ext. 2103. The hotel also offers several overnight Valentine’s Day packages.

The redecorated La Vie en Rose in Brea will open early--at 4:30 p.m.--to accommodate romantics. And the menu will feature rack of lamb, veal naturelle (grown with no hormones) and lobster. Information: (714) 529-8333.

A strolling violinist will set the mood for romance with French songs at Mon Chateau in El Toro, and each lady will receive a bouquet of flowers. Entree prices will be $15 to $20. Information: (714) 830- 3810.

You can dine by the sea or nine stories above it; take your choice at The Surf & Sand Hotel in Laguna Beach. The new beachfront Splashes will serve from its regular menu, adding a special “lover’s dessert” for two. And the mirrored towers, with its many splendored views, will be ready with red roses for guests. Reservations: (714) 497-4477.

The ambience sets the scene for romance at Antonello in Santa Ana, where the decor re-creates the tiny street in Bistagno, Italy, where owner Antonio Cagnolo was born. You may order such entrees as scampi with butter, shallots, garlic, white wine and anisette; veal cutlet with prosciutto and fontina, boneless breast of chicken with Italian mushrooms and Marsala. Lunch, 11:30 to 2 p.m., Monday through Friday; dinner from 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday. The restaurant is in South Coast Plaza Village. Information: (714) 751-7153.

A three-course dinner, tabbed at $30 per person, awaits lovers at David Wilhelm’s Bistro 201 in Irvine. A choice of seven appetizers and eight entrees from the regular menu includes Muscovy duck with Michigan sun-dried sour-cherry sauce and seared ahi with black peppercorns and citrus-butter sauce. But desserts take the form of edible valentines, with such temptations as valentine coupe with white chocolate raspberry ice cream and a heart-shaped cookie. Information: (714) 553-9201.