Welcome to the "805 Eats" dining blog where we'll keep you up-to-date on restaurant and food happenings in the 805. To send tips and comments, email edit@805Living.com.

Windows Beer Dinner

Saturday, February 26th, 6 p.m.

Windows on the Water in Morro Bay has designed a dinner to pair with Belgian-style ales.  Beer Specialist Charles Hiigel will be on hand during the reception and four-course meal to discuss the suds.  Dishes include an oak-fired venison lollipop, braised short ribs, and a dark-chocolate terrine.  The full menu can be viewed here.  The price is $75.

Cupcakes and Wine

Message to guys–in case you forgot to get something nice for Valentine’s Day, allow me to give you this advice:  pick up some cupcakes and a bottle of red wine.  I have yet to meet a woman who doesn’t swoon at the thought of cupcakes and wine.  She’ll be amazed at your powers of perception, your creativity, your thoughtfulness.  And you’ll get off relatively cheaply.  You’re welcome.

The Cupcakery in Thousand Oaks is baking up pink velvet, chocolate-strawberry, and very vanilla cupcakes today.  All of them will be dressed up for Valentine’s Day.

For Heaven’s Cakes in Thousand Oaks makes custom cakes as well as cupcakes and what they call cake bites:  bite-sized pieces of cake dipped in chocolate.  Cake bites come in flavors like red velvet, chocolate bomb, lemon, orange and vanilla.

Valentine’s Day - Restaurant Options (Part 2)

Monday, February 14th

71 Palm in Ventura has Monday night seatings at 5, 6:45, and 8:30 p.m.  A special 3-course menu will be on offer with choices like Louisiana crabcakes, aged New York steak with a Cabernet reduction and potatoes au gratin, and a flourless chocolate cake.  The price is $55.  71 Palm will also be open for lunch on Monday.

Brooks in Ventura will serve a special Valentine menu Monday night.  Each dinner includes a choice of appetizer, entrée (like filet mignon, grilled lobster tail, Vermont quail in a Sherry maple glaze, Provencal risotto, or boneless lamb loin) and dessert.  The price is $75.  On Friday, Saturday and Sunday those dishes and more will appear on a special a la carte menu (entrées $20-$38).

Olio Pizzeria in Santa Barbara is offering a 3-course meal for $45 on Monday night.

Brothers Restaurant at Mattei’s Tavern in Los Olivos will be cooking up menu specials from Friday through Monday 5-9 p.m.  Expect dishes like slow-roasted prime rib with garlic mashed potatoes, horseradish-dill-crusted salmon, and a hot fudge brownie sundae with butterscotch gelato.

Artisan in Paso Robles will stick to its Monday Night Suppers format for Valentine’s Day.  That means a 3-course family-style meal for $38 with optional wine flight for $25 more.  The menu is abalone tortellini followed by grilled hanger steak and then a chai-spiced chocolate fondue with olive-oil cake.

Valentine’s Day - Restaurant Options (Part One)

Monday, February 14th

Cafe 14 in Agoura Hills will offer 3 seatings on Monday night at 5, 7, and 9 p.m. with specials like Chateaubriand for two.  The specials will also be available on Sunday the 13th.

Ladyface Alehouse & Brasserie in Agoura Hills is serving a 4-course menu on Monday night (5-9 p.m.) laced with hints of chocolate.  An optional ale pairing will be available.  On the sweet side, a Brewer’s Dessert Flight (created by Tifa Chocolate & Gelato) offers a Chesebro White Chocolate gelato, a Russian Lullaby Imperial Stout ice cream and Ladyface Cuvee sorbet.

Cafe Provencal in Thousand Oaks is serving their regular menu, along with a special Valentine’s Day menu, on Saturday and Sunday.  On Monday, it’s the Valentine menu only which is 3 courses plus an intermezzo for $45.  The main course is the choice of a lamb duo or lobster stuffed with shrimp and crab.

Saddle Peak Lodge in Calabasas is serving an intricate 4-course menu on Saturday, Sunday and Monday from 5-10 p.m.  Dishes include choices like poached kumamoto oysters, black truffle soup, pan-roasted Icelandic char, and a dessert called Chocolate Textures.  The whole menu is posted here.  The price is $150 with an additional $70 to pair wines with each course.

Malibu Cafe at Calamigos Ranch is celebrating the lovey-dovey holiday from Friday through Monday.  Couples will be allowed to dine on daybeds, in the cabanas, on the patios, or even on the island in the middle of the lake (reached by paddle boat).  They’ll also receive complimentary Champagne and Bourbon Caramel Bread Pudding for dessert.  Alternately, couples can pick up a gourmet picnic basket, blanket and bottle of wine for $100 to be enjoyed anywhere on the property.

Gladstone’s Malibu in Pacific Palisades offers Valentine dining for romantic couples, but it’s also throwing a party on the patio for single folks.  On Sunday from 2-6 p.m., this anti-Valentine party will feature a $25 bottomless bloody Mary or mimosa, and live music from the cover band Black Crystal Wolf Kids.