Valentine’s Day Restaurants: OC Dining & Takeout Deals 2023

This year, Feb. 14 falls on a Tuesday — with many chefs and restaurants rolling out the romance from Friday, Feb. 10 through the weekend.

And hearts will surely go thumpity-thump over such specials as prix-fixe, dinners for two, lavish tasting menus, wine pairings, amor-inspired cocktails, heart-shaped pizzas, heart-shaped doughnuts and even heart-shaped lasagna.

Check out our annual, V-Day dining guide — and scroll through the images above — for top dine-in and takeout specials offered at restaurants throughout Orange County.

The list has something for all tastes and budgets.

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

Know of other restaurants in your neighborhood with swoon-worthy, V-Day dining? Share with readers in the comment section.

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A+O RESTAURANT & BAR AT BALBOA BAY RESORT: From Feb. 13-15, the waterfront restaurant is serving Valentine’s menu specials starring oysters, scallops, Wagyu beef, white chocolate mousse & Cupid’s Kiss Cocktail (muddled strawberries, vanilla, peach schnapps, lime & cranberry juice). Reservations. At 1221 West Coast Hwy., Newport Beach.

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ACAPULCO: A Sweetheart Menu for Two ($55), served Feb. 10-14, offers three courses, including tortilla soup or Caesar salad (one per guest), entrée choice of chicken or steak fajitas, fajitas duo, tacos vampiros or muy grande platter (one per guest). Shareable dessert options: Mrs. Field’s Sizzling Cookie; Oreo cookie ice cream torta, flan; or caramelo cheesecake. Info/reservations. Find restaurant in Costa Mesa.

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APPLEBEE’S GRILL & BAR: Pucker up for $6 Smoocho Mucho Sips for Valentine’s celebrations. Try “Tipsy Cupid” with Tito’s Handmade Vodka & gummy red lips, or frozen “Date Night Daiquiri” with Bacardi Superior. At participating locales. Info here. Locations here for OC.

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BILLY’S AT THE BEACH: Celebrate love aloha-style with live music, Valentine’s prix-fixe dinner & Cupid-inspired cocktails. Menu includes oysters, Wagyu beef tartare, Billy’s Chocolate Cheese Board, filet mignon, Sea Bass en Papillote, lobster & Billy’s Chocolate Lovers Cake. Served 6 p.m. – 9 p.m., Feb. 10, 11, 13 & 14. Reservations. At 2751 W. Coast Highway, Newport Beach.

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BJ’S RESTAURANT & BREWHOUSE: Celebrate V-day with dine-in or takeout Feb. 10-14 & receive coupon for free Pizookie, redeemable Feb. 15 to March 31. Minimum purchase of $14.95 required. Or purchase $50 eGift card from Feb. 1-14 & score $10 bonus gift card, good Feb. 15 through March 31. See sites in Anaheim Hills, Brea, Huntington Beach, Irvine, Laguna Hills, Orange & Rancho Santa Margarita.

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BLACK ANGUS STEAKHOUSE: Valentine’s weekend menu, Feb. 11-14, offers Feast For Two ($99), with two filet mignons, two lobster tails, appetizer, sidekicks, dessert, molasses bread & two prosecco splits. Add-on: dozen roses $39. Reservations. See sites in Buena Park, Fountain Valley & Santa Ana.

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BUCA DI BEPPO: V-Day turns lasagna lovefest with heart-shaped lasagna for two. ($59.99). Offered for dine-in or to-go, with lasagna, garlic bread, salad & mini cannoli for dessert. Available Feb. 14 only. See ordering info. Click here for locations in Brea, Garden Grove & Huntington Beach.

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CALIFORNIA PIZZA KITCHEN: Heart-shaped pizzas are back Feb. 9-14, along with Valentine’s “Sweet Deal For Two.” Choose from Classic or Adventure package with appetizer, two entrees & dessert. Heart-shaped, crispy thin crust pizzas make V-Day extra special! Details. Find locations in Anaheim, Brea, Huntington Beach, Irvine, Laguna Niguel, Mission Viejo, Santa Ana, Seal Beach & Tustin.

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CHART HOUSE: “Sweetheart Menu for Two” offered Feb. 10-14 ($160/couple). Includes starter, dessert & entrees of Chilean sea bass, lobster linguine or surf & turf (filet & lobster tail). Menu/reservations. Find locale in Dana Point.

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DUNKIN’: Heart-shaped doughnuts return for V-Day, along with these sweet specials. Dunkin’ Chocolates: heart-shaped box with wrapped chocolates in three flavors: Boston Kreme, Brownie Batter & Chocolate Creme. And Dunkin’ Iced Coffee Flavored Jelly Hearts: fun twist to iced coffee in flavors of Hazelnut, French Vanilla, Caramel Latte, Toasted Coconut & Butter Pecan. Find shops in OC.

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EDDIE V’S: Champagne, world-class wines, seafood & steaks are on the menu for Valentine’s dining. Plus signature drink “Hope Diamond,” that transforms as poured from clear to purple, and Bananas Foster Butter Cake, flambéed tableside, also add to V-Day ambiance. Reservations. Find locale in Newport Beach.

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EL TORITO MEXICAN RESTAURANT: From Feb. 10-14, three-course Sweetheart Menu for Two ($55) includes tortilla soup or Caesar salad (for each diner), entrées of fajitas, tacos vampiros or macho combo with fire-roasted pasilla chile relleno, chicken & sour cream enchilada, beef barbacoa crispy taco & tamale. Finish with shared dessert of sopapillas, mudd pie, deep fried ice cream or cheesecake. Info/reservations. Locales in Anaheim, Cypress, Dana Point, Irvine, Laguna Hills, Orange, Tustin, Westminster & Yorba Linda.

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EUREKA!: This will warm your heart: 50% off dining on Valentine’s Day! Feb. 14 falls on a Tuesday this year. And Tuesdays are half-off days at the craft beer & scratch-kitchen restaurant. Deal also extends to newly launched menu items: French Dip sandwich; barbeque pork ribs & truffle corn; chilled salmon campanelle bowl; watermelon chicken salad; & Baja fish tacos. (Half-off wine by glass/bottle, too, but for dine-in only.) Locations in Huntington Beach & Irvine.

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FLEMING’S PRIME STEAKHOUSE: Three-course Valentine’s exclusives offered Feb. 10-14. Choose: Surf & Turf for Two (shareable, 35-ounce tomahawk, lobster tail scampi & crab-stuffed shrimp. $230 for two guests.); or Filet Mignon Menu with lobster tail scampi or crab-stuffed shrimp. $85/person. Salad & dessert included. Regular menu also available. Reservations. See locations in Anaheim & Newport Beach.

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FOGO DE CHAO: Dine at the Brazilian steakhouse Valentine’s Day, Feb. 14, & receive a free churrasco experience — with fire-roasted meats carved tableside by gaucho chefs —for a future visit. Reservations. Site in Irvine.

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GELSON’S: Make Valentine’s Day memorable & keep it easy with the to-go dinners for two. Pre-cooked options include prime rib & lobster, truffled beef Wellington & lobster and bacon-wrapped filet mignon & lobster Included: apple pomegranate salad; roasted Brussels sprouts; potatoes; & chocolate-covered strawberries. Hand-dipped strawberries also sold separately, along with flowers. Place V-Day orders online by Feb. 12 for Feb. 13-14 pick-up. Find stores throughout Orange County.

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HOOTERS: Mend a broken heart Valentine’s Day with photo shredders & chicken wings at #ShredYourEx event. Back by popular demand … burn, bury, rip or shred picture of an ex to earn 10 free boneless wings with in-store purchase of 10 wings. Details. Find eatery in Costa Mesa.

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KING’S FISH HOUSE: On Tuesday, Feb. 14, three-course, prix-fixe Valentine’s dinner stars filet mignon & lobster tail. Reservations. $79.50/person. Find eateries in Huntington Beach, Laguna Hills & Orange.

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KRISPY KREME: Sweeten V-Day with new, 2023 line-up of heart-shaped doughnuts made with HERSHEY’S milk chocolate, KISSES, strawberry & caramel syrup. Valentine’s Day Dozen is available for pickup or delivery via app and website. For limited time at participating shops in Orange County.

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KURA SUSHI: Valentine’s Day Chirashi bowls offered for dine-in & takeout Feb. 10-14 at home of the revolving sushi bar. Dish features sushi rice with shrimp, crab, crab claw, salmon, tuna, eel, red snapper, scallop, tamago, ikura & cucumber. Priced at $25, tied with red bow & includes complimentary, heart-shaped ramekin for soy sauce dipping. Locales are in Brea, Cypress, Garden Grove & Irvine.

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LAS BRISAS: Along with coastline views, a chef-curated, prix-fixe Valentine’s dinner offered Feb. 11-14, with complimentary champagne toast or gazpacho shooter. $135/person. Among five-course meal’s highlights: spicy tuna tostada; scallops; butternut squash tamales; Mediterranean branzino; lamb; filet of beef; and desserts of cheesecake, flan or tres leches cake. Oyster add-ons available. Info/reservations. At 361 Cliff Drive, Laguna Beach.

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LUCILLE’S SMOKEHOUSE BAR-B-QUE: Rib-lovin’ sweethearts will swoon over February special: Half-Rack of Ribs & Fried Chicken Combo Meal — baby back or St. Louis ribs with two sides ($33.99). For $1.99, upgrade sides to Bacon-Ranch Mac or County Fair Corn Pudding. And for limited time, Pork Belly Burnt Ends appetizer is back. Dine-in or to-go. Plus, from Feb 1-14, post photo taken in front of Lucille’s sign or ‘Love & BBQ’ banner inside restaurant & tag @Lucilles_BBQ on Instagram for chance to win free ribs for year ($2,000 gift card.) Locations in Brea, Lake Forest, Orange & Tustin.

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MORTON’S THE STEAKHOUSE: Dine with your Valentine from Feb. 10-14, with chateaubriand for two ($179 per couple), including soup or salad, sides & dessert. Add-ons available for lobster tails & jumbo lump crab cakes. Info/reservations. Locations in Anaheim & Santa Ana.

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MOUNTAIN MIKE’S PIZZA: For entire month of February, heart-shaped pizzas are available for dine-in, takeout & delivery — cut or uncut, with one topping of choice, like the chain’s signature crispy, curly pepperoni. Pricing is same as large, one-topping pizza. Details. Find stores in Costa Mesa, Fountain Valley & Rancho Santa Margarita.

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OEB BREAKFAST CO.: For Valentine’s Day weekend brunch, a limited-time Pink Mimosa Flight will be on the menu at the eatery known for such culinary creations as breakfast poutine, egg bennies & scramblettes. Non-alcoholic pink smoothies & juices also offered. Info/reservations. In Westcliff Plaza at 1104 Irvine Ave., Newport Beach.

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OLD BREA CHOP HOUSE: On the menu for Valentine’s Day 2023: Mishima Ultra Wagyu New York strip with prawn scampi, a buttery, classic dish. Or for a shareable, date-night experience, the downtown steakhouse offers two Chef’s Cut specials — a 20-ounce prime ribeye cap and 34-ounce tomahawk chop — and both include two sides & OBCH’s famous Butter Cake. Menu/reservations. At 180 S. Brea Blvd., Brea.

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OUTBACK STEAKHOUSE: Valentine’s Day four-course special (starting at $60) featured Feb. 9-14. Included Shrimp on Barbie shared appetizer, two salads, two entrees (sirloin, salmon or chicken) with side, or two filets with side for $10 more, plus cheesecake. Dine-in only. Website. Find locales in Brea, Buena Park, Foothill Ranch, Garden Grove, Laguna Hills, Westminster.

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OUTER REEF AT LAGUNA CLIFFS MARRIOTT RESORT & SPA: Led by James Beard-nominated Chef John Tesar, the eatery is prepping for Valentine’s weekend dinner experience Friday, Feb. 10 – Tuesday, Feb. 14. Complimentary rosé toast begins meal, followed by a la carte & chef specials. Dishes include oysters, Passmore caviar, diver scallop, lobster, salads, swordfish & dry-aged steaks. Full menu/bookings. At 25135 Park Lantern, Dana Point.

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RED LOBSTER: Treat seafood-loving sweethearts to Lobsterfest, back for limited time with such lobster-centric dishes as Lobster & Shrimp Tacos, Lobster & Shrimp-Topped Sirloin & returning favorite, Lobster Lover’s Dream (tails paired with lobster-and-shrimp linguini ). From the bar: three versions of specialty “Lobsterita” cocktail. Details. Find sites in Brea & Garden Grove.

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RUTH’S CHRIS STEAK HOUSE: Dine in style Feb. 10-19 with Valentine’s special — Chateaubriand for Two ($160, but price may vary by location). Included: two starters, soup or salad; garlic mashed potatoes; creamed spinach; plus Chocolate Sin Cake for dessert. Reservations/details. Locales in Anaheim & Irvine.

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SEASONS 52: Celebrate V-Day with in-restaurant dining (option for sparkling wine flight paired with filet mignon, plus desserts of Belgian Chocolate S’mores or Raspberry Chocolate Chip Cannoli Mini Indulgence), or Seasons 52 Green Box takeout dinner-for-two, $110 (filet mignon, mashed potatoes, broccolini, salad & two Mini Indulgence desserts). Info/reservations. Place to-go orders 24 hours in advance for Feb. 11-14 pick-up. Location in Costa Mesa.

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TAQUERIA HOY!: If your significant other “hearts” tacos, check out O.C. eatery’s one-of-a-kind “Taco Heart.” Heart-shaped takeout container includes 10 tacos, customizable with meats, toppings & secret family-recipe sauces. Available by advance order Feb. 1-14. $34.99. Last year was a sell-out. Locations: Anaheim; Orange; Santa Ana.

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TGI FRIDAYS: Just in time for Valentine’s Day is all-new Fridays Feast menu — $28, $38 or $48 — perfect for sharing with appetizer, two entrees & shareable dessert. Among entree choices: ($28) fettuccini Alfredo with chicken, cheeseburger or chicken Caesar salad; $38 for whiskey-glazed burger, shrimp, chicken Cobb or shrimp & chicken pasta; or for $48, flat iron steak, ribs or twin lobster tails. Locales in Buena Park & Orange.

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THE CAPITAL GRILLE: Celebrate Valentine’s Sunday, Feb. 12 through Tuesday, Feb. 14 with chef-prepared meal from the full dinner menu. Among choices: tenderloin with butter-poached lobster tails. More than 350 wine & champagne selections, plus desserts available, too. Reservations here. Location in Costa Mesa.

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TOUS LES JOURS: The French-Asian bakery café chain rolled out its 2023 V-Day cake collection, “Bee My Valentine,” a variety of five cakes crafted with Cupid in mind. Available through Feb. 14. Ordering details. Find shops in Fullerton, Garden Grove & Irvine.

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URBAN PLATES: Three-course, Valentine’s meal-for-two offered with two starter soups or salads, two entrees ( steak, chimichurri steak or salmon) & two desserts. $55. Dine-in or takeout. Find locales in Aliso Viejo, Brea & Irvine.

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