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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.

Santa Barbara Film Feast

January 27 - February 6

The Santa Barbara International Film Festival has partnered with over 30 restaurants to create a watching/dining synergy.  Check out a film (they run from about 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. each day) and then head to lunch or dinner at, say, Pierre Lafond Wine Bistro where a 3-course dinner is available for $40.  Shorter 2-course and longer 4-course menus are also available at Film Feast participating restaurants such as Ca’Dario, Downey’s, El Paseo, Olio e Limone, Seagrass, and Wine Cask. For the full list of restaurants and their websites, click here.

Bernard’s Wine Gallery Dinner

Friday, January 21st, 7:30 p.m.

Bernard’s Wine Gallery in Calabasas is throwing a wine dinner (or grazing, really) around California cult classics like the 2004 Screaming Eagle Napa Valley Cabernet.  All of the wines being poured for the night are listed here.  Dishes include oysters Rockefeller, Maryland crab cake, wild mushroom risotto, prosciutto-wrapped breadstick, cheese plate, and assorted pastries.  The price is $329 per person.

Stolpman Vineyard Dinner

Thursday, January 20th, 7 p.m.

Saddle Peak Lodge in Calabasas is hosting Stolpman Vineyards for a 5-course wine dinner with dishes like maple-glazed boar tenderloin and bitter chocolate with cherries.  The whole menu can be viewed here.  The prices is $95.

More New Year’s Eve Dining Options

Friday, December 31st

The Grill on the Alley in Westlake Village will be cooking up some menu specials like a 24-ounce Prime Rib with creamed spinach for $43.

Ladyface Alehouse in Agoura Hills will be having lots of music, silly hats, and sparkling wine at midnight.  The party starts at 9 p.m.

Safire American Bistro in Camarillo will have live music from guitarist and vocalist Mark Castrillon from 7 p.m. on.

The Sunset Restaurant in Malibu is serving a 4-course meal for $75 from 7:30-9:30 p.m.  After dishes like a warm goat cheese salad, Champagne risotto, a roasted veal chop and Meyer lemon meringue tart there will be a DJ, dancing and party favors.

The Cupcakery in Thousand Oaks will be open until 4 p.m. with party-themed cupcakes.

Where’s the NYE Party At? Check These Restaurants

On Friday  night it’s time to party  like it’s the end of a decade.  Because it is.  Go out in style with some good food on your plate and Champagne in your glass.  Here are a few options in our area:

The Canary  Hotel in Santa Barbara has a multi-tiered airline themed party to offer.  Okay, maybe it’s not the best theme of the year, but you can party downstairs, or in the restaurant, or on the rooftop.  Nibble on hors d’oeuvres, have a 3-course meal, enjoy a dessert buffet, and/or toast the coming of midnight with Champagne.   Listen to a D.J., dance to a live band, and/or watch a movie and have your photo taken.  Tickets range from $40 to $115.

Julienne in Santa Barbara will be serving two seatings on New Year’s Eve: one from 6-8 p.m. ($60) and one from 8:30 p.m.-midnight ($120).  Eat delectable fare on the prix-fixe menus with dishes like halibut tartar, roasted beet salad, and pepper-crusted filet mignon.  Both menus are paired with wine.

Jonathan’s at Pierano’s in Ventura is serving a 4-course meal on Friday night for $75.  It comes with a glass of Champagne.  Dishes include choices like lobster bisque, inside-out eggplant Parmigiana, Pacific lobster, and dark chocolate pot de creme.

71 Palm in Ventura is offering a free glass of Champagne with every entree.  On the special menu for the night are dishes like filet of sole almondine, New Zealand rack of lamb, and wild mushroom ravioli.  Entrees run $16-$34.

Bogie’s Bar at the Westlake Village Inn is throwing a Venetian masquerade ball that begins at 8 p.m.  (Certainly a better theme than airline fun.)  A DJ will spin tunes at the mostly outdoor bar while a live band performs next door in the Provence Room.  Roulette and Black Jack tables will be set up and there’s a Champagne toast at midnight.  The cover is $60.  An additional $25 gets you Venetian food tastings.

Tuscany Il Ristorante in Westlake Village welcomes 2011 with a gala dinner and dance that begins at 8:30 p.m.  A 5-course meal plus hors d’oeuvres includes dishes like Maine lobster risotto, petit filet mignon, and Belgian chocolate truffle cake.  The price of $130 includes live music, party favors, and a Champagne toast.

Cafe Provencal in Thousand Oaks is having a Black-and-White party on New Year’s Eve (also a notch above an airline theme).  The party begins at 9 p.m. and includes a 6-course French dinner with dishes like a cheese souffle, black-and-white bean soup, and a bison filet with herbs.  The price of $85 includes a magic show from Shawn McMaster, party favors, and a Champagne toast at midnight.

Christmas Dining

We’ve got the skinny on restaurants dishing up everything from menu specials to full fixed-price meals on on Christmas Eve, plus Christmas Day buffets.

At 71 Palm in Ventura, chef Didier Poirier offers up a la carte menu specials like abalone with Champagne sauce ($18), a grilled venison chop with black truffle ($32), and duck a l’orange ($29).  71 Palm will be open Christmas Eve from  5 p.m.

Menu specials can also be found at Jonathan’s at Pierano’s in Ventura on Christmas Eve from 5 p.m. to closing.  There’s duck risotto ($29), breaded halibut with an orange-cinnamon sauce ($32), and lobster ravioli ($22).

At Cafe Provencal in Thousand Oaks, the Christmas Eve prix-fixe meal is only $40.  Served from 5-10 p.m., dinner begins with garlic-butter shrimp purses, vanilla-infused clam chowder, and nut-crusted barramundi.  The main course is filet mignon Wellington with scalloped potatoes.  For dessert, it’s Serge’s famous Buche de Noel or chocolate Christmas log.

At Gladstone’s in Malibu, the Christmas Eve Dungeness Crab Feast comes with Caesar salad, boiled potatoes, steamed corn, asparagus, and egg-nog bread pudding.  The price is $70 for adults, $30 for children 12 and under.  The meal is available from 2-6 p.m.

At Artisan in Paso Robles, chef Kobayashi presents a 3-course Christmas Eve menu for $58.  Served from 5-8 p.m., dishes include choices like a warm chicory salad with pancetta and egg, Marin oysters with braised leeks, Christmas duck with pecan dirty rice, Petrale Sole and lobster, Yule log with chocolate-brownie ice cream, and holiday creme brulee.

At Four Seasons Resort The Biltmore in Santa Barbara, Bella Vista is serving a 4-course Christmas Eve dinner from 5:30-9:30 p.m.  The price is $110 for adults, $50 for children 4-12.  On Christmas Day, an elaborate buffet will be set up in the La Marina room from noon to 7 p.m.  The price is $95 for adults, $35 for children 4-12.

Cookies with Santa

Saturday, Dec. 18th, 5:00 - 6:30 p.m.

If you haven’t been to the new Santa Monica Place mall yet, do yourself a favor and check it out.  It’s a beautifully designed open-air shopping center with two levels of stores and an entire third floor of fine dining.  The third floor also has gathering spaces with great views and fire pits.  On Saturday, Santa and Mrs. Claus will be up there snacking on cookies and hot cocoa  that they’re willing to share with kiddies of all ages.  Santa will also be reading from his favorite book of stories.  Just prior to Santa’s visit, the Buckingham Toy Soldier Band will be playing (from 3-5 p.m.)  After dark, the Santa Monica Place Christmas tree gives its own performances of light and music every  half hour.

Cookie Decorating Fun

Saturday, Dec. 11th, 9 a.m. - noon

Panera Bread in Thousand Oaks is hosting what they call a “cookie decorating experience” from 9 a.m. - noon on Saturday.  There is no charge for the event, but donations are being collected for the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Southern California.

Make Cookies with Mrs. Claus

Saturday, December 11th, 2-4 p.m.

Mrs. Claus will be in the kitchen of the Four Seasons Resort The Biltmore in Santa Barbara to entertain children with a holiday cookie baking and decorating workshop on Saturday.  The price is $15 per child.  Call 805-565-8291 to reserve a spot in the kitchen.

Wine Dinner at Saddle Peak Lodge

Thursday, December 9th, 7 p.m.

Vintner Richard Sanford from Alma Rosa Winery will be on hand for a four-course meal paired with his wines at Saddle Peak Lodge in Calabasas.  Dishes include grilled mackerel, rabbit roulade, beef Bourgignon, and Idiazabal cheese.   For the full menu, click here.

Judging a Chef Battle

Saturday, December 4th, 1 p.m. - 3 p.m.

I’ll be at Pacific Sales in Woodland Hills (6100 Variel Ave., 818-737-2900) judging their 4th Iron Chef BBQ Battle.  Celebrity chef Jamie Gwen will take on chef  Steven Terrebonne of Avia in Long Beach.  The battle is sponsored by Pacific Sales, Bristol Farms, and Melissa’s Produce.  The event is free to attend, just bring cans of food to be donated to the hungry over the holidays.  See you there!

Thanksgiving Dining

In addition to the restaurants we mentioned in our Thanksgiving Sides From Local Chefs magazine story, these restaurants are serving Thanksgiving dinner on Thursday, November 25th.

Saddle Peak Lodge in Calabasas will be open from noon-8 p.m. serving a four-course meal with choices like pumpkin-Parmigiano soup, grilled quail with acorn squash, duo of Diestel Farms turkey, and apple-cinnamon bread pudding.  The price is $90.  Wines can be paired with the meal for an additional $40.  There is also a special 2-course menu for kids for $45.  Call 818-222-3888.

Charlie’s in Malibu is serving a turkey dinner from 1-7 p.m. on Thanksgiving.  It begins with pumpkin soup and includes turkey with gravy, wild mushroom stuffing, mashed potatoes, Jack Daniel’s sweet potatoes, veggie medley, pickled beets, and cranberry sauce. Dessert is your choice of pumpkin cheesecake or molten lava cake.  The price is $50 for adults, $25 for children under 12.  There is also a vegetarian option.  Call 310-456-3231.

Jonathan’s at Pierano’s in Ventura will be open from 1-9 p.m. serving their full menu along with a special Thanksgiving menu.  The 3-course meal has choices like roasted turkey or spiral-cut, honey-roasted ham with focaccia stuffing, Yukon-gold mashed potatoes, green beans with almonds, and pumpkin pie.  The price is $30.  Call 805-648-4853.

Pierre Lafond Wine Bistro in Santa Barbara is serving a 3-course Thanksgiving menu from noon-6 p.m.  It starts with a bistro salad.  The main course is either turkey, ham, salmon or barley risotto.  The sides are buttermilk mashed potatoes, roasted yams, brussel sprouts, green beans, sourdough stuffing, and cranberry chutney.  Dessert is pumpkin, pecan, or apple pie.  The price is $40 for adults, $20 for children under 11.  This menu can also be taken out.  Just order by noon on Wednesday.  Call 805-962-1455.

Artisan in Paso Robles has wide range of Thanksgiving choices being served from 3-8 p.m.  The meal centers around deep-fried turkey or center-cut ribeye, or sea bass, or scallops, or a rack of lamb.  Desserts run from pumpkin cheesecake to praline profiteroles to chocolate pate.  The price is $70 for adults.  A special children’s menu is $25.  Call 805-237-8084.

Thanksgiving Catering

It’s time to defrost that turkey or order it from one of these wonderful 805 caterers!

Catering Celebrations in Westlake Village has a deep-fried or roasted turkey with gravy and cranberry salsa for $75.  The bird serves 15-18 people.  Side dishes includes layered potatoes, cornbread stuffing, and haricot verts.  All sides serve 12-18 people and cost $40 each.  Order by noon on Monday, Nov 22nd.  Call 805-495-3469, ext. 2.

71 Palm in Ventura is making an entire Thanksgiving feast for pick-up.  It includes a roasted turkey with cracker stuffing, French green beans, macadamia-crusted garnet yams (or mashed potatoes), cranberry sauce with Grand Marnier, and an apple tart.  The price is $30 per person.  Order now.  Pick up on Wednesday, Nov. 24th.  Call 805-653-7222.

Agoura Munch Madness

Saturday, November 13th, 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.

A riot of food trucks will be appearing at the campus of Agoura High School (28545 Driver Ave., Agoura Hills) on Saturday in order to raise funds for the Agoura High School International Baccalaureate program.  If the food trucks (like Ahn Joo, Shrimp Pimp, Papas Tapas, Don Chow Tacos, India Jones, Maui Wowi, Slice Truck, Smokin’ Willies BBQ, TAM truck, Bakerytruck, Crepe n’ Around, and Longboards Ice Cream truck) don’t draw you in, maybe the live musical and dancing entertainment will.  There will also be a holiday boutique with jewelry, skin-care products, stationary, and more.  Tickets, $5 in advance or $7 at the door (food is priced separately) can be purchased at agouramunchmadness.com.

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