Pasadena for Lovers: Where Take Your Valentine for Dinner

Valentine’s Weekend at The Langham Huntington: Pink Chocolate Fountain Afternoon Tea and Prix Fixe Dinners

Indulge in a pink-themed afternoon tea for Valentine’s weekend at the Langham Huntington, offering fairytale views of the elegant Horseshoe Garden. This special tea is offered February 10, 11 and 12 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. with a delectable display of fancy sandwiches, fluffy scones, tasty pastries, and a pink chocolate fountain with accompaniments.

The Royce Wood-fired Steakhouse helmed by chef de cuisine Jorge Delgado is putting on a culinary show for Valentine’s Day 2023 (February 14) from 5:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. The five-course prix fixe menu tantalizes the taste buds with a warm truffle tarte, Santa Barbara uni toast with a5 wagyu carpaccio, and pan seared sea scallop with yuzu pearls. Select from three mains, including an aspen ridge filet prime, a marinated red snapper or duck breast, and savor the delectable dessert options such as the coconut mouse dome or the chocolate strawberry gateau.

At the Terrace, Valentine’s Day is celebrated with four-course prix fixe menu on February 14 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Highlights include a California little gem salad, a choice of Hamachi crudo and wagyu beef tartare, a choice of wild Dungeness crab linguini, a bulgogi short rib, seared and marinated tofu steak, and seared New Zealand dorade, and a choice of chocolate raspberry mouse or the heart of the rose dessert.

Six-Course French Californian Tasting Menu at Perle

Romance is in the air at Perle, where and aphrodisiac-filled six course tasting menu awaits this Valentine’s Day with an extra parting gift to enjoy at home. Michelin-trained and winner of Food Network’s Chopped, chef Dean Yasharian offers sustainable-focused classic French dishes with a modern Californian seasonal twist. The special menu flatters with oysters, caviar, truffle, duck liver parfait, quenelles with lobster bisque, a beef wellington, and Rose macaron with raspberries and lychee sorbet. Optional wine pairing available. There’s also a vegetarian version of the menu with savory pancake, black truffle rice, cauliflower mouse with lobster mushrooms, and a beetroot mushroom “wellington”.

43 Union St, Pasadena, CA 91103 | (626) 460-8819

Four-course prix fixe at The Raymond 1886 Restaurant

Enjoy the timeless charm of a lovely Pasadena Craftsman-style restaurant, once a hotel that entertained celebs like Charlie Chaplin in the Roaring 20s. This Valentine’s Day, The Raymond 1886 is inviting couples to enjoy a romantic four-course menu with a choice of octopus tostada or scallops Rockefeller, a choice of lobster bisque or early spring lettuces with pork belly, a choice of roast duck, black cod, rib eye, or artichoke ravioli, and a choice of blackout chocolate cake or crème brulè for dessert.

1250 S Fair Oaks Ave, Pasadena, CA 91105 | (626) 441-3136

Three Courses at The Arbour for Valentine’s Day

Savor the multitude of farm-fresh flavors at The Arbour, dishing out Californian fare in a chic atmosphere. The Valentine’s Day menu offers three courses, with refreshing appetizers to choose from. The entrees include a filet mignon, lobster, pink snapper, and butternut squash risotto. Pair with a special Valentine’s cocktail called Tito’s and Roses, with strawberry infused tea and rose petals. Indulge in a dessert selection of almond brittle semi freddo, Meyer lemon cheesecake, a cheese board or a rose and chocolate terrine. They will also be serving from the a la carte menu – so you can totally try the showstopping Duo of Duck.

French Bistro Valentine at Entre Nous in Old Pasadena

Enjoy the unapologetically French flair at Entre Nous, where love is a language translated onto the plate. This Valentine’s Day, owners Jean-Christophe Febbrari and Mathias Wakrat is preparing two menus – the “terre” menu offers ingredients of the earth and the “mer” menu offers ingredients of the sea. Indulge in the French onion soup, escargot, filet mignon, rack of lamb, and tiramisu on the terre menu and make your date get the mer menu to stry the Hiramasa sashimi or salmon tartare, sea scallops or halibut, and panna cotta with miso caramel.

Sweet Treats at Delight Bakery

Take your Valentine’s day for a stroll after dinner, and make sure to leave room for dessert, because Delight Bakery in Old Pasadena is serving up special single portion deserts and four-inch cakes for two this Valentine’s Day.

39 N. Raymond Ave, Pasadena CA 91103 | (626) 486-2124

Elevated Modern Mexican Cuisine at Maestro in Old Pasadena

Rustic, yet refined, Maestro is a local hotspot when it comes to going out. Turn up the heat this Valentine’s Day with some agave-based cocktails to pair with Oaxacan staples like braised lamb or a boatload of fresh seafood. The restaurant serves crispy, crunchy calamari and the savory lamb barbacoa is served with handmade tortillas.

Romance at Union Pasadena

Chef Chris Keyser has crafted a rustic, yet elegant menu that celebrates the Californian farmer and heartfelt Italian cooking. Take your Valentine to Union, known as one of the most popular upscale restaurants in Pasadena, for an impressive dining experience with shared plates and a delightful wine menu. The wild mushrooms served over creamy polenta and truffle butter are a must, and the pastas are all exception, including the squid ink lumachel with truffle and lobster. They’re always rotating their dishes based on available local ingredients, like the new Kampachi crudo with finger lime, grape, and ginger – just in time for the month of romance.

Spanish Tapas and Paella at Dos Besos

Celebrate love the Spanish way at Dos Besos in Old Pasadena, a local hotspot for sharable dishes Valencia-style cooking, which features quite a bit of seafood. Kick off the night with a sexy plate of cured meats, featuring a Jamon Iberico de Bellota served with toast dressed with garlic, tomato pulp, and olive oil. Enjoy a perfectly cooked plate of octopus to share and prepare for a showstopping Paella del Mar made with calms, calamari, shrimp, and large prawns or the Squid Ink Paella.

Valentine’s Day, the Italian way at Mi Piace

For a romantic dinner, locals know that Mi Piace always dishes out delicious authentic Italian cuisine – have been for over 32 years. Located in lively Old Pasadena on Colorado Boulevard, try primi piattis like burrata with organic heirloom tomatoes, grilled freshwater prawns, or escargot. Savor the delicious slow braised veal with mushroom risotto and grilled double lamb chops, or try the truffle fettuccine alfredo and the bow tie pasta in a vodka pink sauce topped with smoked salmon.