Valentine's Day Dining 2020: San Gabriel Valley

SAN GABRIEL VALLEY, CA —Valentine's Day is fast approaching, falling this year on Friday, Feb. 14.

For those still in need of dinner plans, Patch has rounded up a few area restaurants offering special chef-curated menus, along with markets ready to meet your V-day needs for chocolate-covered strawberries or rich desserts.

Enjoy, and Happy Valentine's Day, from Patch!

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CASTAWAY, 1250 East Harvard Road, Burbank, CA 91501

This romantic restaurant with stunner views is serving a Valentine's Day custom, three-course menu featuring Dungeness Crab Salad, Cape Grim Filet and King Crab Surf & Turf and Alaskan Halibut. A special vegetarian menu including Market Vegetable “Tartare” and Vegan “Scallops” also available. Prices vary by seat selection: patio; window; or inside. Details here.

--Image via Castaway

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CHADO TEA ROOM, 79 N Raymond Ave., Pasadena, CA

A delightful Chocolate-Inspired Afternoon Tea Service will be served with wine-inspired tea and delicious tea-infused chocolates, followed by the signature Celebration Afternoon Tea Service with soup or salad, tea sandwiches, scones and pastries. The holiday service runs 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Feb. 14 through Feb. 16. $35 per person. Tickets through Eventbrite. Choose your location: Chado Tea Room South Bay; Chado Tea Room Downtown LA; Chado Tea Room Hollywood or Chado Tea Room Pasadena.

--Photo credit: Shutterstock

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DOUBLETREE CLAREMONT, 555 W. Foothill Blvd., Claremont, CA

Valentine's Day Detective Dinner & Murder-Mystery Show: Book seats for a fantastic dinner, where "the criminal is lurking somewhere in the room, and you may find yourself as a Prime Suspect before you know it!" Reservations are going fast. Details & ticket info here.

--Shutterstock image

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EUREKA!, 580 West 1st St., Claremont, CA 91711

Through Sunday, Feb. 16, the all-American restaurant will serve a special "Love Potion" cocktail, made with gin, grapefruit juice, lemon juice, simple syrup, Eureka!'s Signature Lavender Iced Tea, Grand Poppy Liqueur, rose water bitters, lemon bitters, rimmed with rose sugar and garnished with a cosmo flower. Adding to the "love is in the air" season, Eureka! is hosting "Love Potion Cocktail Classes," an interactive dining experience — perfect for couples or a girl's night out. Participants create the specialty cocktail, enjoy appetizers and leave with Valentine's Day treats and swag. Tickets are $25 through Eventbrite links below.

• Tuesday, Feb. 11 -6:30 p.m: Love Potion Cocktail Class at Eureka! Woodland Hills (ticket link here); Hawthorne (ticket link here); Claremont (ticket link here); and Cerritos (ticket link here).

--Photo credit: Eureka!

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GELSON'S: Location finder here.

Whether you're cooking to impress or adding some romance with hand-dipped chocolate strawberries and long-stemmed red roses, Gelson's has you covered. Keep it simple and shop for Certified Angus Beef® Choice Boneless New York Strip Steak & Lobster Tail "Surf n Turf" or Certified Angus Beef® Prime Porterhouse or T-Bone "Steak for Two." Or place an order for hand-dipped chocolate strawberries. Last day to order is Feb. 12. Also available to complete the evening: Pick up roses and tulips or choose from a selection of Rosés and Champagnes.

--Photo credit: Gelson's

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LADY M, Westfield Santa Anita: 400 S. Baldwin Ave., Arcadia, CA 91007

The luxury cake boutique is offering its six-inch ($50) and individual ($9.50) chocolate heart cakes from Feb. 12 through Feb. 16. Available in such varieties as: Framboise au Chocolat: chocolate mousse, raspberry compote, chocolate sponge, chocolate ganache, raspberry gelee; Gateau au Chocolat: dark chocolate sponge, crushed walnuts, chocolate mousse, dark chocolate ganache, gold dust; Couronne du Chocolat: alternating layers of chocolate sponge cake and dark chocolate mousse, finished with a chocolate ganache, chocolate crumbs and white chocolate shavings. See details here.

--Photo credit: Lady M

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LUMINARIAS, 3500 Ramona Blvd., Monterey Park, CA 91754

Celebrate Valentine's Day Feb. 14 from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. at the Spanish-style hacienda on the hill with a four-course, prix-fixe menu featuring: Aguachile de Callitos with scallops, spicy tomatillo lime broth, avocado, red onion, cucumber, radish, cilantro; Sopa Cremosa de Salmon y Eneldo (Salmon Dill Bisque); Pan-Seared Chilean Sea Bass with caviar, sautéed broccolini, golden saffron mashed potatoes; Braised Pork Shanks with mushroom rice and medley seasonal vegetables; or Sautéed Skirt Steak with rosemary garlic sauce, Oaxaca leeks potato gratin, grilled asparagus. See details and reservation info here.

--Shutterstock image

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OLIVE GARDEN: Find your nearest location here.

If your love loves Olive Garden, the "Olive Garden Breadstick Bouquet" may be the way to go! The one-of-a-kind gift is available in-restaurant for the first time starting Feb. 13. The bouquet pairs perfectly with never-before-seen Chocolate Mint Boxes for your after-dinner mints. The bouquet wrappers and chocolate boxes will be included in Olive Garden's special Valentine's Day ToGo Dinner for Two: three courses starting at $35. The wrappers are available in-restaurant while supplies last as part of the Valentine's Day ToGo Dinner for Two, so hurry in! If you want to snag the wrappers in advance, the Breadstick Bouquet wrappers are also available for download on Olive Garden's website.

--Photo credit: Olive Garden

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QDOBA, Duarte, 1430 Mountain Ave., Duarte,CA,91010

Stop by the locales on Feb. 14 with the one you love, share a kiss and you'll receive a free entree with one entree purchase. Plus, it's free guac and queso all the time at QDOBA. Details here.

Photo credit: QDOBA

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THE RAYMOND 1886, 1250 S. Fair Oaks Ave., Pasadena, CA

The atmosphere is pure charm, and the four-course, prix-fixe menu planned for Valentine's Day is $120 per person, beginning with a choice of lobster bisque or fennel, frisee salad. Main sections are filet mignon, chicken gnocchi or salmon. Finish the evening with a "Velours Noir" or "Hearts Desire" for dessert. View the menu here. Make reservations here.

--Shutterstock image

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SALT & STRAW, Pasadena: 39 W. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena, CA 91105

For the sweetheart with a sweet tooth: Salt & Straw head ice cream maker Tyler Malek worked with local chocolatiers to create a February flavor showcase. For the limited-time menu, Malek collaborated with Twenty-Four Blackbirds, Milla, Ococoa, Compartés and Nibble for flavors such as Milla Chocolate Hazelnut Praline and Compartés Caramelized Popcorn Milk Chocolate. The five flavors are at LA shops by the scoop and pint through Friday, Feb. 28, as well as through Postmates. Details here.

--Chocolatier Series. Credit Salt & Straw

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THE SALTNER WINE and CICCHETTI, 108 E. Colorado Blvd., Monrovia, CA

On Feb. 14, enjoy dinner and wine with two seatings , 6 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. and a special Valentine's Day set menu event. Each course paired with wine. $60 per person. And on Feb. 16, bring your pals to a Galentine Event, where you'll l learn how to make your own pillow spray, hair mist, oil roller or bath salts ... And enjoy a glass of wine. Reservations for both: 626-775-4025. Details here.

--Shutterstock image

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SHIRO, 1505 Mission St., South Pasadena, CA

Combining fine dining and live jazz, love is in the air Feb. 14 at Shiro. Two seatings: 6 p.m. and 8 p.m., with $125-per-person, prix-fixe menu and an optional $45 per-person wine pairing. Menu options include oysters on the half shell, truffle ravioli, Chilean sea bass, lobster medallions, scallops and shrimp. Tiramisu for dessert. Menu and booking details here.

--Shutterstock image

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SUSHI ROKU PASADENA, 33 Miller Alley, Pasdena, CA 91103

Celebrate on Feb. 14 with an Izakaya Feast for two. $75 per person. The menu includes: Salmon Carpaccio; Shrimp Fuji Apple Salad; King Crab Cakes; A-5 Japanese Wagyu Lobster Skewer; an assortment of Sushi; Strawberry Short Cake for dessert; and a red roses Valentine’s Day special cocktail for $14. Follow this link for reservations.

--Photo credit: Sushi Roku

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TURF TERRACE RESTAURANT, Santa Anita Park, 285 W. Huntington Drive, Arcadia, CA

Choose from two afternoons, Feb. 14 or Feb. 15, to celebrate at Turf Terrace, with racing accompanied by a special, Valentine’s Day menu. Begin with a complimentary glass of Rosé and a mini flower arrangement for each couple, followed by a three-course, plated lunch, plus a table in Turf Terrace restaurant for the entire race day, Club admission and a race program. $70 per adult; $35 for children 12 and younger. Details and menu here.

--Shutterstock image

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ALSO SEE: Love Potion: A Cupid-Approved, Valentine's Day Cocktail

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FOR THE FULL REGION: Valentine's Day: Greater L.A. Dining Guide For 2020