15 Santa Monica Restaurants to Share the Love this Valentine's Day

It's that time of year again when cupid lands upon the love-stricken and no acts of affection are too grand. Valentine's Day can be dreamy or dreaded, so take yourself out to an extraordinary dinner or plan a special evening for your loved one at one of these fine Santa Monica establishments – and leave the cooking to the pros! A fabulous dining experience is surely one way to win anyone's heart.

Surfing Fox

Dine outdoors on the sophisticated patio at one of our favorite newcomers to Santa Monica, the retro casual cool Surfing Fox at The Pierside Hotel. Snag a cozy couch after taking a sunset beach walk. New romance-inspired Foxtails will be available, including the Love Potion with gin, Chambord and raspberry and the Cupid's Curse with whiskey, pomegranate, and rosemary. The Surfing Fox will offer special additions for the Day of Love. On February 14th only, savor The Surfing Fox's Valentine's menu, which features bites perfect for sharing, including Seared Scallops with lobster & shrimp dumplings with a truffle-kimchi beurre blanc and Chocolate Cheesecake with salted caramel, hazelnut crumble and fresh strawberries. Don't miss other menu favorites like fresh Hamachi floating in a mandarin coconut broth, Grilled Hangar Steak with chimichurri and smashed Japanese sweet potatoes, and Halibut with Yuzu Tomato Butter atop crispy glazed Brussels.

thesurfingfoxsm.com

Mon Ami

Valentine's Day lovers can savor Mon Ami's 5-course Mediterranean meal for $89/person, featuring Black Truffle Risotto, Filet Steak au Poivre, and a rose-flavored rum cocktail. Turn up the heat in Mon Ami's secret little hidden courtyard restaurant, dripping with plants and tucked behind the bustle of Ocean Avenue. The regular menu and special Valentine's Day options can be shared indoors or outdoors on February 14. Reservations are not necessary for Happy Hour, but guests can book a dinner table on Resy.

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At Mon Ami, it's romance, romance, romance! Plus, Friday and Saturday nights transform into a vibrant blend of dining and nightlife. With a DJ setting the stage, revelers can enjoy an immersive Mediterranean experience, where the lines between dinner and after dinner blur, creating a unique European vibe. (Read more here - bit.ly/monamisantamonica )

Elephante

Enjoy a day by the sea with stunning ocean views from Elephante's ocean-view terrace for lunch or sunset dinner, with festive cocktails and their standard menu of light coastal Italian cuisine. Share the Whipped Eggplant, Brussels sprouts, and Burrata with roasted grape, beet, and pistachio honey. Order off their lengthy pasta and pizza menus or consider sharing dishes like Diver Scallops, Branzino, or Veal Milanese. This sexy space will be serving Valentine's drinks such as the Pink Venom with tequila, lime, strawberry, Aperol, charcoal, and the Poison Kiss with bourbon, lemon, green apple, and aperitivo. Maybe share one as a Punch Bowl. Open 10 AM to 12 AM and ready for all the lovers at the buzzing bar restaurant.

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Cassia

With Valentine's Day falling on a Wednesday, the team is extending the celebration through Saturday. From February 14-17, enjoy à la carte specials like Oyster Mushroom Satay with peanut sauce and pickled Chinese cabbage, Singaporean Chili Crab Dip with clay oven bread, Hainanese Chicken Confit with duck fat fried rice, a whole Wok-Tossed Lobster with chilis, scallions, mushrooms & chow fun noodles and more. Not only do these dishes pay homage to Chef/Owner Bryant Ng's Chinese-Singaporean heritage and to The Spice Table (the first restaurant he opened with Kim Luu-Ng, the love of his life), but they're a sneak preview of a BIG culinary shift happening at the restaurant in late February.

cassiala.com

1212 Santa Monica

Twelve Twelve's new Executive Roman (but Swiss-born) Chef Oliver Malmsten is offering a special Valentine's Prix-Fixe Menu for $145 per couple, including a choice of appetizer (Hamachi or Beef Tartare), Entrée (Lobster Risotto, Veal Loin, or Cacio e Pepe) and Warm Pecan Cake for dessert. We love 1212's menu because the pasta dishes are straight out of Rome (Read more here - bit.ly/twelvetwelvesantamonica )

Book reservations: Call 323.977.1680 or visit 1212SantaMonica.com.

Courtesy of Twelve Twelve

Sugar Palm at the Viceroy

Inside the newly renovated iconic beachside Hotel Viceroy Santa Monica, lovers and friends can partake in a Valentine's dining journey from 4 to 10 PM that includes a three-course, prix-fixe meal for $99 per person, complemented by live music and a complimentary rose. Romantic dishes include Beet Salad, Lobster Bisque, Grilled Swordfish, Spinach Bucatini, a Rose Macaron, and Rose Petal Panna Cotta. Romantic dining cabana packages are also available starting at $300, including a fully decorated cabana, a three-course meal, champagne, and roses. For foodie couples looking to toast to love in a more intimate setting, the restaurant's eight-seat Chef's Tasting Table experience will take place at Sugar Palm on Friday, February 16 at 6 p.m. The guided tasting menu will feature six courses, each with a chocolate component, like Tiger Prawn with white chocolate scampi, Cured Salmon with white chocolate hollandaise foam, and Chocolate Pasta. The menu costs $99 per person, or $149 per person with wine pairings. Reservations for both dining experiences can be made on OpenTable or by calling (310) 260-7511. 

Capo

Make a reservation at this romantic upscale Italian restaurant for the Valentine's $195/person prix-fixe menu, a big value compared to ordering off their regular menu. This is the only menu offered on February 14. Start with a nice bottle of wine from their vast selection. Expect stellar service in an intimate setting.

The 5-course meal includes choices of:

First Course *Capo Polpette *Sugo do Pomdoro *Maryland Crab Torta *Limone

Second Course *Heirloom Vegetable Burrata *Romaine alla Griglia*

Third Course *Sweet Corn Ravioli, Tartufi Nera *Rigatoni Tartufo Ragu

Main Course *Prime New York Steak alla Griglia® *Dover Sole

Dessert *Torta Volcano *BlackBerry Crisp *Apple Tart

caporestaurant.com

Courtesy of Capo

Restaurant at the Georgian Room

Take your Valentine to dine in the heart of Ocean Avenue at The Georgian Hotel, the crown jewel of Santa Monica since 1933. Recently redesigned, this revamped sexy vintage hotel also has a beautiful outdoor garden-flanked terrace, a vintage circular lobby bar, and a secret Georgian Room bar down below with surprise musical guests – perfect for post-dinner romance. Treat your significant other to Executive Chef David Almany's 3-course Be Mine Menu at $110/person. The Be Mine Menu begins with Oysters served with Black Pepper Mignonette and burrata topped with Grilled Asparagus, Brown Butter, Guanciale, Toasted Almonds, and Dungeness Crab – all served family style. For the main course, couples will have the choice of one of the following:

* Filet paired with Sauce Au Poivre, Potato Puree, Grilled Maitake Mushrooms

* Branzino Filet with Broccolini, Salsa Verde, Oregano Lemon Jam,

* Black Truffle Spaghetti

* Surf and Turf for Two with Grilled Dry Aged Ribeye, Potato Puree, Grilled Maitake Mushroom and Grilled Branzino, Broccolini, Salsa Verde, Oregano Lemon Jam

Indulge in one of Chef's Signature Desserts for the romantic finale. Reservations can be made via Resy.

thegeorgian.com

Can't make it there for Valentine's Day? Visit The Georgian on Thursdays through Saturdays for dinner, and on Sundays, indulge in the delightful tradition of Spaghetti Sundays---a weekly family-style feast that promises a memorable culinary experience. (Read more here - bit.ly/spaghettisundays )

UOVO

Planning last minute? No reservations are needed here because they don't accept any. Celebrate with fresh handmade pasta from one of UOVO's three sensational tasting menus: The Classic, Cheese & Truffle, and The Regional. For around $37 PP, this 5-course menu begins with Yellowtail Crudo or Steak Tartare, followed by 3 courses of pasta such as Ragu, Tortellini, and Amatriciana, ending with a rich Tiramisu. Their Italian-made pasta is less dense and lighter than American noodles, making it easy to enjoy multiple pasta creations here. Fall in love with the Vongole, the Pomodoro, Cacio e Pepe, or Tagliatelle in Truffle Sauce.

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The Brothers Sushi

Step into this sleek Santa Monica sushi gem on Montana Ave to wow your Valentine with a $200/person perfectly Zen meal, complete with a welcome glass of champagne, three appetizers, ten pieces of sushi, a handroll, and dessert. Expect menu delights like tuna tartar with caviar, lightly seared Japanese scallops with Japanese mushrooms, and shaved truffle.

thebrotherssushism.com

Cobi's

Dine with candles flickering in the romantic backyard garden or inside this kitschy, charming little vintage spot on the corner of Main St. Clink glasses over a special poetic menu called Whispers of Love on Valentine's Day evening. This 5-course Southeast Asian-inspired meal is chef-selected and served family-style. The $95/person prix-fixe menu includes an optional wine pairing for $55 each. A vegetarian family-style menu is offered as well. The full menu offerings include Kanpachi, Kusshi Oysters, Roasted Heirloom Beets, Curry Puffs, Grilled Prawns, and Choice of Curry for the table (Butter Chicken, Beef Randang, Panang Curry) and Choice of Grill (Dry Aged Branzino, Beef Short Ribs) for the table plus Spiced Chocolate Torte. Add a bouquet of flowers, a bottle of Mermaid Tears Pet Nat, or a Herbe Candle to your reservation.

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Courtesy of Cobi's

Rustic Canyon 

Chef/Owner Jeremy Fox and team are preparing a "Choose Your Own Adventure" menu, complete with 6 or 8-courses (including a fully vegetarian option) designed to share with loved ones. Highlights include a fresh take on Jeremy's legendary Peas and White Chocolate dish, Oysters on the Half Shell with pink guava mignonette, Baja Bay Scallops & Sunchokes in XO sauce, and Duck Leg Confit with red wine-braised cabbage & rhubarb. Add-ons include black truffles for certain dishes and Sommelier Jenna Isaac's thoughtful wine pairings. Find the full menu or make Reservations on the website.

rusticcanyonrestaurant.com

Citrin

You can start your Valentine's Day celebration early at Citrin on Tuesday, February 13th! For $175/person, they are offering a pre-Valentine 4-course meal.

On February 14, splurge with their $350-per-person menu showcasing eight courses with delicacies like Egg Caviar, Citrus Cured Seafood, Sweet Pea Soup, and Stonington Maine Scallop. Guests can choose from Crispy Halibut or Truffle Risotto and then a Duo of Brandt Beef or Slow Roasted California Lamb Loin with a grand finale of Mille Crepe Chocolat or Vanilla-Strawberry Affogato. Make reservations on OpenTable. Study the delicious menu options here - citrinandmelisse.com/valentines-day

citrinandmelisse.com

Mélisse

For an over-the-top Valentine's Day meal to remember forever, enjoy a specially curated Chef's tasting menu featuring delicious hors d'oeuvres, seafood dishes, renowned meats, and paired beverages for $795/person. Tax is extra, but gratuity is included in the price. The 2.5-hour Chef's Tasting Menu will wow diners with refined culinary techniques, classic wines, and welcoming hospitality. The menu features seasonal ingredients spanning intricate hors d'oeuvres, seafood-forward dishes, and world-renowned meats. Book on OpenTable.

citrinandmelisse.com

Giorgio Baldi

If you want a table at this high-end Italian celeb hotspot, you better book now. Over the years, we have spotted many notables in this discreet dining room. This intimate family-run establishment has served seafood, pasta, and a wine list for 30 years. Located near the ocean on Channel Road in Santa Monica Canyon, the dimly lit restaurant offers its regular exquisite menu this Valentine's Day. Share the minestrone, Dover sole, classic gnocchi, risotto, and pasta such as Agnolotti (housemade ravioli with sweet white corn served in a white truffle sauce) or the off-menu Pesto Pasta....while veal, lamb, or classic New York steak should be second on your ordering list.

giorgio-baldi.com

Melisa Curtin is a freelance travel and food writer published in Lonely Planet, Fodor's, USA Today, MSN, many Southern California print magazines, and more. Follow her adventures at @lalascoop and LaLaScoop.com ( https://lalascoop.com ) https://www.instagram.com/LaLaScoop