Valentine’s Day can get hectic—even in Long Beach. Here are some clutch places ready to take you on for the night of lovers, friends, and even those who hate Hallmark holidays.
Liv’s
5327 E. 2nd St.
Liv’s is offering a special “Liv’s Is for Lovers” four-course menu priced at $95 per person. Course one features crispy oyster, nori zeppole, and oyster aioli. Course two includes romanesco, cauliflower, fromage blanc, and zhoug. Three offers a choice between seashell ravioli with shrimp, lobster, salmon roe, and pink sauce or half Jidori boneless chicken with watercress salad and Meyer lemon beurre blanc. And the finale finishes with a choice of molten lava cake with creme anglaise or mandarin & orange semifreddo.
For Brian Addison’s latest feature on Liv’s, click here.
Sura Korean BBQ & Tofu House
621 Atlantic Ave.
From Feb. 13 through Feb. 15, guests at Sura can enjoy a four-course menu for $75 that comes with banchan and rice, with diners choosing one item in each category.
For the starter, options include Gochujang Shrimp Cocktail (vegan available), Crispy Pork or Vegetable Dumplings, Japchae Glass Noodles (vegan), or Tofu Buellok (vegan). For the first main, selections include Rose Meets Buldak Corn Cheese Pasta, Beef Tofu Soup, Seafood Tofu Soup, or Long Beach Mushrooms Tofu Soup (vegan). For the Korean BBQ main, choices include Galbi-jjim (Prime Braised Short Ribs with an upcharge of $10), Ribeye Bulgogi, Vegan Bulgogi, Spicy Pork, Chicken Bulgogi, or Angus Galbi Short Ribs (with an upcharge of $10). And for dessert, guests can choose from options including Cookies & Cream Cheesecake, Yuzu Creme Brulee (vegan), or an Ice Cream Macaron Sandwich, with guests also able to ask their server for two cocktails for $13 each.
For Brian Addison’s latest feature on Sura, click here.
Wood & Salt
4262 Atlantic Ave.
Wood & Salt will have a handful of specials, including:
Speciality Cocktail:
- Love Potion 43 ($17): gin | licor 43 | raspberry | vanilla | lemon | aquafaba
Food Specials:
- Kumiai Bahia Oysters ($3.5/piece): smoked mignonette | citrus ash (3 | 6 | 9 | 12 count)
- Spaghetti Alla Chitarra ($29): nduja sausage | white wine | manila clams | herbed bone marrow butter
- Black Garlic-Rubbed Tomahawk Steak ($95)
Zuzu’s Petals
801 E. 3rd St.
“We are super excited,” said chef and co-owner Jessie Franco about Zuzu’s Petals’s upcoming Valentine’s Day offering—and you should be too. THey are taking reservations. They are doing table side service. And it will be a prix fixe menu. $59 per person for a starter, main, and drink (or bottomless mimosas $10 upgrade).
Starting Course:
- Roasted Butternut Squash: espresso gastrique | whipped ricotta | pistachio | pomegranate
- Chicory Rosa & Citrus Salad: champagne honey vinaigrette | blood orange | parmesan
Main Course:
- The Bailey’s: eggs your way | applewood smoked bacon or turkey maple sausage | house potatoes | local sourdough toast | house jam
- Lover’s Pancakes: naturally blushed ricotta pancake | whipped ricotta | strawberry compote | maple brown butter
- Coffee-Crusted Flat Iron Steak: eggs your way | house potatoes | salsa verde
- Spring Herb Omelette: fines herbs | goat cheese | baby green salad | brûléed lemon
- Chicken Milanese: lemon caper beurre blanc | cherry tomato arugula salad | parmesan
Drinks:
- Strawberry Pistachio Matcha: house strawberry vanilla jam | ceremonial grade matcha | choice of milk
- Blackberry Mule (N/A): blackberry | lime | agave | spiced ginger mule | thyme
- Coconut Foam Mint Mocha: dark chocolate sauce | mint | coconut foam
- La Mela Frizzante: prosecco spritz | crisp apple cider | touch of caramel | cinnamon-sugar rim
- Rosemary Brown Sugar Flat White: house brown sugar syrup | rosemary | expressed orange peel
- Mimosa: sparkling prosecco | orange juice or apple cider (bottomless 10)
Additional Offerings:
- Any coffee or soft drinks
- Beer on tap:
- German style pilsner: bright, crisp, brilliant
- Con Amor: smooth balanced, delectable
For Brian Addison’s full feature on Zuzu’s Petals, click here.
Marlena
5854 E. Naples Plaza
Valentine’s Day will be a four-course menu at Marlena, costing $95 per person (plus $75 for its wine pairing). Patrons can choose one first course, one second course, one third course, and a dessert. A service fee of 22% will be added to all parties
First Course:
- Beggar’s Purse: Dungeness crab | sofrito | piquillo peppers
- Lamb Carpaccio: Pecorino-Romano | eggplant caponata | crispy shallots
- Squash Blossoms (Vegetarian): ricotta | mint | basil | Parmigiano-Reggiano
Second Course:
- Oxtail Caramelle: brown butter breadcrumbs | oxtail jus | 24 month Parmigiano-Reggiano
- Orecchiette: Spanish octopus | nduja | broccoli di ciccio | tomato | caciocavallo
- Honeynut Squash Risotto (Vegetarian): brown butter | sage | amaretti cookie | pecorino stagionato
Third Course:
- Stuffed California Spiny Lobster: taleggio mornay | fine herbs | breadcrumbs
- 10 oz Brandt Prime Filet: potato pave | demi glace
- Vegetarian Wellington (Vegetarian): oyster mushrooms | potato | nantes carrots | parsnips | fontina | pesto
Dessert:
- Burnt Basque Cheesecake (Vegetarian): with sea salt
- Chocolate Hazelnut Budino (Vegetarian): shortbread | candied hazelnuts
- Mille-Feuille (Vegetarian): strawberries & cream
For Brian Addison’s latest profile on Marlena’s brunch, click here.
Selva
4137 E. Anaheim St.
Selva will be offering a prix fixe dinner that is $95 per person, with an option $33 beverage pairing.
Starters (shared with whole table):
- Crab croquettes
- Steak tartar
- Papas bravas skewers
Main (choice of one to share per couple):
- Made to share
- Smoked duck confit
- Sublime spicy pollo
- Lamb shank
- Apanado de pescado
- Churrasco de res
Dessert (choice of one to share per couple):
- Made to share
- Oblea
- Natilla
- Chocolate passion fruit cake
Buvons
1145 Loma Ave.
Buvons is offering a Valentine’s Day four-course tasting menu priced at $65 per person (excluding tax and gratuity), featuring Beet Arancini with smoked goat cheese, Rosa del Veneto with citrus, tarragon, and lemon-poppy yogurt dressing, Roasted Scallops with aji amarillo, cauliflower, grapes, and nasturtium, and finishing with Diablo Cake with strawberry and cream.
For Brian Addison’s latest feature on Buvons, click here.
El Barrio Cantina
1731 E. 4th St.
El Barrio Cantina will have a stellar four-course offering for $45 per person beginning at 5PM on Valentine’s Day:
Course One: Taquitos de papa
Course Two: Guapo Tostada
Course Three (Choice Of):
- Guava Jamaica pork ribs with corn riblets
- Rotisserie half chicken with poblano potato mash
- Chile Relleno de Marlin
- Carne en su jugo
Course Four: Abuelita de Corazon chocolate cake
For Brian Addison’s latest feature on El Barrio, click here.
The Social List
2105 E. 4th St.
The Social List is celebrating Valentine’s Day with a special menu featuring dishes from Chef Luis Navarro’s win at the inaugural Long Beach Grand Prix Fixe chefs Competition, including:
- Cantonese Curry Shrimp Toast: Cantonese curry, toasted Japanese milk bread, and shrimp
- Truffle Cream Pappardelle Pasta: black truffle cream, handmade pappardelle pasta, tagliatelle, and shaved parmesan
- Fresas con Crema Panna Cotta
- Double-chocolate cookie skillet: heart-shaped served with vanilla ice cream.
Ají Peruvian Cuisine
5327 E. 4th St.
Ají is offering a special Valentine’s Day menu featuring three specials:
- Conchas a la chalaca with ají amarillo leche de tigre and basil oil
- Corn and squash croquettes topped with halibut acevichado on limeña tartar sauce and avocado mousse
- Sudado de Halibut, a pan-braised fillet on fumet
- Chicha de Jora with Manila clams served on a bed of onions, tomatoes, and garlic, perfumed with cilantro and ají amarillo.
For Brian Addison’s latest feature on Ají, click here.
Chez Bacchus
743 E. 4th St.
Chez Bacchus will be offering a three-course meal for $99 per person, starting with a gift from the kitchen—Parker house roll with roasted garlic cream cheese—and the following:
Appetizer (choice of one):
- Strawberry & Avocado Salad: gem lettuce | popped sorghum | poppyseed vinaigrette
- Garlic Soup: pork belly | sourdough croutons | chili oil
- Ahi Tuna Crudo: white soy ponzu | shrimp crisp | sesame | cucumber
Entree (choice of one):
- Braised Short Rib: broccolini | cauliflower | cipollini onions | new potato
- Chilean Seabass: orzo | cherry tomatoes | spigarello | green and black garlic
- Rigatoni Pasta: Long Beach mushrooms | swiss chard | English peas | parmesan alfredo
Dessert (Pick One to Share):
- Dark Chocolate Souffle: hazelnut creme
- Yuzu Posset: blood orange | mandaquat | hami melon
- Vanilla Bean Cheesecake: farmers market berries | strawberry coulis | hibiscus
The Italian Homemade Company
6460 Pacific Coast Hwy. #130
The underrated pasta gem that is The Italian Homemade Company will offer three specials:
- Pappardelle short rib ragu
- Spaghetti alla Norma
- Chocolate mousse
Buen Provecho
301 The Promenade N.
Buen Provecho will be offering a five-course dinner at $45 per person (with a two-person minimum per table). It includes:
- Course 1: Smoked Short Rib Pozole
- Course 2: Chicken Tinga Flautas
- Course 3: Yellowfin Tuna Tostadas
- Course 4 (choose one per person):
- Carne Asada
- Lamb Rack
- Costillas Norteñas
- Short Rib
- Course 5: Heart Shaped Cookie + Gelato
Vino e Cucina
4501 E. Carson St. #105
Vino e Cucina—East Long Beach’s underrated Italian gem—will be having a “meal for two lovers” that is $110 per couple. (Again: $110 per couple, not per person.) It includes a bottle of red or white wine (from one of our best Italian sommeliers) and the following:
Appetizer (choice of one):
- ZucchineiBlossoms
- Polenta gorgonzola
Main (choice of one):
- Lobster Ravioli
- Arrabbiata Ghiotta
- Petite filet mignon and mushrooms
- Salmone al Limone
Dessert (choice of one):
- Cannoli
- Tiramisu
Cali Chilli
4111 Viking Way
Cali Chilli will be offering, as suspected, an Indian-centric menu for $129 per person. It includes a starting glass of Whispering Angel Rosé and
- Amuse-Bouche: Red and white bites: roasted beets | feta cheese | pine nuts | basil olive oil)
- Soup Course: French Onion & Roasted Pepper Soup: classic French onion soup | caramelized onions | clay-oven roasted red peppers
- Appetizer (Choice Of One):
- Stuffed Italian Squash Blossom: zucchini flower | Pleasant Ridge Reserve cheese
- Lamb Kola Urundai with Mint Aioli: South Indian minced lamb delicacy | aromatic spices | raw papaya
- Main Course (Choice Of One):
- Chicken Meatballs: tender chicken meatballs in Indian spiced curry | served with ghee rice
- Mushroom & Spinach Galette: mushroom-spinach patty with shiitake | porcini | truffle | risotto
- Lobster Panang: Thai Panang curry | fragrant basmati rice
- Chilean Sea Bass – Tawa Grill: Malabar moilee sauce | truffle mashed potatoes
- Tandoori Pork Chop: yellow polenta | tarragon | rosemary | roasted butternut squash
- Dessert:
- Strawberry mousse
Ellie’s
204 Orange Ave.
Valentine’s Day at Elllie’s will be $95 per person (and $50 for wine pairing) and include:
Bites for the Table (everthing included):
- Antipasto: pickled veggies | blistered peppers | fresh mozzarella | salumi | grilled sesame bread
- Pearled Couscous: grilled shrimp | pickled golden raisins | shishitos | herbed yogurt
- Grilled Romaine: parmesan vinaigrette | everything spice | salmon roe
Choice of one per couple:
- Mafaldine: jumbo lump crab | spicy vodka sauce
- Tagliatelle: pork cheek bolognese | burrata | saba
Choice Of one per couple:
- Braised Short Rib: cheesy polenta | roasted onions | chanterelles
- Grilled Giant Prawns Alla Diavola: whipped yogurt | buttered orzo | pickled pepper salad
For Brian Addison’s latest feature on Ellie’s, click here.
Lola’s Mexican Cuisine
2130 E. 4th St. | 4140 Atlantic Ave.
Lola’s is celebrating Valentine’s Day with a special menu featuring dishes from Chef Luis Navarro’s win at the inaugural Long Beach Grand Prix Fixe chefs Competition, including:
- Camarones al Ajillo: whole Mexican Gulf prawns sautéed in garlic butter in a rich guajillo broth, served with grilled bread for dipping
- Filet and Lobster: 6 oz. petite filet mignon drizzled with salsa matcha, garlic-buttered lobster, and whipped brown butter sage Japanese sweet potatoes
- Lobster and Shrimp Enchiladas: jumbo lobster and shrimp, queso Chihuahua, roasted red pepper cream, buttery white rice, and black whole beans,
Dessert options include Mexican hot chocolate tart or heart-shaped flan.
The Ordinarie
210 The Promenade N.
The Ordinarie is offering a Valentine’s Day prix fixe meal for $65 per person, available Feb. 13 through Feb. 15 that includes a glass of sparkling wine and features:
- Strawberry Salad with strawberry, sherry vinaigrette, mixed greens, blue cheese, and candied walnuts
- Duck Confit served with braised cabbage, cauliflower puree, brava sauce, and crispy peewee potatoes
- Lava Cake with chocolate, hazelnut, vanilla ice cream, and raspberry sauce.
Ruta 15
1436 E. 7th St.
Ruta 15 will be having an extensive Valentine’s Day menu that includes and array of appetizers, mains, and desserts for options.
Appetizer:
- Tostada Culiacancito ($20): sashimi grade ahi tuna marinated with spicy, sweet, and citrus sauce | layers of creamy avocado | julienne-cut cucumber | red onion | crispy onion | smoked mild dried chili aioli
- Ceviche Caribeño de Pescado ($20): lime marinated fish | mango cubes | diced red bell peppers | green onion | red onion | cilantro | special coconut milk | served with plantain chips
- Charred Ceviche Verde ($20): marinated shrimp | green aguachile vinaigrette | roasted corn | red onion | jalapeño | tomatillo | mounted on tostada with cilantro aioli | finished with fire roasted habanero sauce | red onion | avocado garnish
- El Viaje de La Ruta 15 ($25): sampler of three signature tostadas—Culiacancito tuna | Caribbean-style fish ceviche | charred green aguachile shrimp
- Guacamole con Chicharron ($18): guacamole | pico de gallo | panela cheese | pork belly chicharron
- Cazuelita Mar y Tierra Exótica ($22): lightly spicy shrimp | rib eye pieces | grilled onions | Mexican chimichurri | melted mozzarella cheese | served with flour tortillas
- Corn Cream Soup ($12): (with poblano chile) cream of corn soup | roasted poblano pepper | roasted poblano pepper strips | roasted corn | panela cheese | hint of cilantro air
Ruta 15 Specialties:
- Rib Eye R15 ($54): butter-roasted onion puree | sautéed roasted corn | cilantro roasted potatoes | finished with Mexican chimichurri
- Add: Octopus (+$14)
- Add: Garlic Shrimp / Al Mojo de Ajo (+$14)
- Pulpo Zarandeado ($45): grilled octopus | butter-roasted onion puree | sautéed roasted corn | cilantro roasted potatoes
- Camarones al Gusto ($29): butter-roasted onion puree | cilantro rice | julienne vegetables | side of tortillas
- Your choice of:
- Culichi Style Shrimp: garlic sautéed shrimp | special creamy green sauce | gratinéed mozzarella cheese
- Camarones a la Diabla: shrimp in a spicy diabla sauce
- Al Mojo de Ajo: shrimp in garlic and butter mojo
- Your choice of:
- Filete de Pescado al Gusto ($29): butter-roasted onion puree | cilantro rice | julienne vegetables | side of tortillas
- Mahi filet (your choice of):
- Culichi Style: garlic sautéed mahi filet | special creamy green sauce | gratinéed mozzarella cheese
- A la Diabla: mahi filet in a spicy diabla sauce
- Al Mojo de Ajo: mahi filet in garlic and butter mojo
- Mahi filet (your choice of):
- Enchiladas Suizas ($25): pulled chicken stuffed tortillas | creamy green sauce | gratinéed cheese | sides of refried beans | cilantro rice
Dessert:
Corazón de Xocolatl Rojo ($19): spiced Mexican dark chocolate mousse | caramel cream center | bold red chile-fruit sauce | crispy blue corn
The Second Owl
5272 E. 2nd St.
The Second Owl, an off-shoot of the Signal Hill staple that is Owl Owl, is a special addition to our Thai scene, challenging the very norms of what we expect from it. For Valentine’s Day, they are continuing that by offering a prix fixe, three-course dinner at $50 per person (with an option $35 bottle of Brut Cava Masfi from Spain). Patrons can select one from each category:
Starters:
- Baan Yaang (Chicken Satay, Moo Ping, Filet Mignon): tender cuts of marinated meats on a stick grilled over open flame
- Calamari: crisp, golden rings and tentacles of tender calamari | lightly battered and flash fried
- Pork Belly: seasoned with aromatic spices | slow cooked and finished in deep fryer for crispiness
- Kao Tung Na Tung: ground pork | shrimp | aromatic spices | simmered in coconut milk | paired with crisp shrimp rice wafers
Entrees:
- The Belmont: choice of Zesty Thai-style Somtum or Bold fermented Lao-style papaya salad | served with crispy golden chicken wings | warm sticky rice
- Kao Soi Duck: Thai noodle curry | roasted duck | creamy coconut milk and red curry broth | crispy fried noodles | pickled mustard greens | shallots | lime | chili oil (contains bones)
- Kai Palo Heng: slow braised caramelized pork belly | soft boil egg
- Crying Tiger: 8 oz filet mignon | cooked to your preferred doneness
- Short Rib Massaman: slow-braised beef short ribs | Massaman curry (warm spices, coconut milk, roasted peanuts) | creamy mashed potatoes
- Crab with Thai Chili and Basil: crab stir-fried with Thai chili | long beans | basil
Desserts:
- Mango Rice: sweet golden mango | creamy coconut sticky rice | crunchy mung beans
- Tom Kha Crème Brulee: infused with coconut milk | lemongrass | kaffir lime | galangal
Alder & Sage
366 Cherry Ave.
With Chef Matthew Roberts taking over the helm last year, Alder & Sage has proved that tasting dinners are well-handled under his tutelage. This Valentine’s Day will be no exception as he partners with Chris Lewis of Nosotros Tequila and Chef Michael Romo of Brown Butter Boys for a $250 ticketed seven-course menu:
- Amuse:Oyster Duo with Apple–Yuzu–Serrano Granité & Sabayon
- First: Spiny Lobster with blood orange panna cotta, preserved meyer lemon
- Second: Beets with pomegranate, pecan, roe
- Third: Agnolotti with farmer’s cheese, wild mushroom, juniper, piñon
- Fourth: Local Halibut with parsnip, pineaple, salsa macha
- Main: Duck Breast with fennel soubise, wild leek, huckleberry
- Palate Cleanser: Compressed Pear, makrut lime, key lime curd
- Dessert: Dark Chocolate Torte
Lima Cebichería Peruana
3851 Atlantic Ave.
Lima Cebichería Peruana—the underrated Peruvian gem in Bixby Knolls—will have a coursed dinner for two that will have two glasses of beer ($76) or wine ($80) and include:
- Pulpo à la parrilla: Antichuchera-marinated octopus | Chimichurri | Potato | Peruvian sauces
- Anticuchos: Two beef skewers and two heart skewers
- Salad
Due Fiori
2708 E. 4th St.
Due Fiori—the fairly new Italian-Californian joint on 4th—is, much like its menu, going simple for Valentine’s Day. Two specials: a lobster pasta and cannolis for dessert.
The Attic on Broadway
3221 E. Broadway
The Attic will be offering a three-course dinner for $60 per person (with a $30 supplemental charge for wine pairing). They have yet to release the menu.
