Valentine’s Day is merely two days away. There are plenty of options still available even for the uninspired. The young Allumette is running its full regular menu, as is the veteran MB Post which promises none of the prix fixe shenanigans. Daniel Schemtob’s new TLT (The Lime Truck) Food is running an anti-Valentine’s regular menu featuring a peanut butter bacon rice crispy for three friends. The intimate Gorge is concurrently running a Valentine’s Day menu along with its full a la carte menu. For those seeking absolutely zero diversion from the process of romance making, here are some interesting prix fixes, shared concepts and local chocolates.
Providence: One of the premiere dining locations in Los Angeles is completely sold out for Valentine’s Day, but there are still chocolates for sale. A dozen chocolates made from Valrhona featuring flavors such as Mexican Chocolate, Mast Brothers Madagascar, Gianduja Ginger, Bitter Salted Caramel, and Milk/Dark Chocolate Praline are available for pickup after phone ordering. This is the only Michelin-starred chocolate made in Los Angeles. 5955 Melrose Ave. Los Angeles; 323-460-4170
L’Artisan du Chocolat: Christian Alexandre and Whajung Park are offering giant French-made chocolate carrying cases at their East side chocolate heaven. For those looking for a less subtle truffles effect, a four-piece box with heart trinket is available for $29. Don’t forget to try their fresh macarons also made on the premises. 3364 W 1st St Los Angeles; 213-252-8721
Semi Sweet Bakery: The Downtown patisserie will run extended hours on Tuesday (until 7:00 P.M.) and Wednesday (until 6:00 P.M) to accommodate all the procrastinators lovers. The special will be “Conversation Heart Ding A Lings” in case anyone’s tired of chocolate dipped strawberries. 105 E 6th St, Los Angeles; 213-228-9975
C+M: The LACMA coffee shop is probably best for lucky lovebirds who take lunch together, but it actually serves dinner as well. The V-day menu will consist of sandwiches, shared double chocolate cake, wine, and some bon bons. At $25 for two, this meal is perfect for the couple on both a monetary and a caloric budget. 5905 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles; 323-857-6180
Hot N Juicy Crawfish: There are no Valentine’s specials at Hot N N Juicy crawfish boil restaurants, but if the name itself rings true, the dinner will undoubtedly bring about sexy times. The West Hollywood branch is the latest venture for the Las Vegas mini-empire, and if anyone can’t wait until Thursday to get down with some crustaceans, Hot N Juicy is running beer specials today for Mardi Gras. 7100 Santa Monica Blvd, West Hollywood; 323-969-8902
City Tavern: In the vein of bargain Valentine’s plans, the Culver City gastropub is offering a shared $38 menu for two. The four-course menu includes an amuse bouche, possibly Zoe’s charcuteries to start, perhaps a bouron-glazed pork chop for two, sides such as fried confit fingerling potatoes, cauliflower couscous and finishing off with one of three dessert options. 9739 Culver Blvd, Culver City; 310-838-9739
Kiriko: The Little Osaka sushi ya is offering a four-course omakase at $70 per person. Lest anyone forget, uni is really sexy, as are Kiriko’s Japanese-French desserts. 11301 W Olympic Blvd #102, Los Angeles; 310-478-7769
Vol. 94: The posh and chic Pasadena Korean-inspired New American restaurant is offering a huge tasting menu on Valentine’s Day. Eight courses for $100 per person is available, as is the alternative of five courses for $65. Both will end with a bag of Chef Phil’s “favorite things”. 239 N. Colorado Blvd. Pasadena; 626-356-9494.
The Peninsula Beverly Hills: Leave it to the Peninsula to offer the most extravagant dining experience in Los Angeles on February 14. For $350, a couple will receive access to the typically off-limit poolside cabana where the dinner will be served. For another $1300, a suite is available for enjoying the post dinner petit fours. Don’t forget to take home the monogrammed napkins which come with the dinner. 9882 S Santa Monica Blvd
Beverly Hills; 310-551-2888
