Have you not made a Valentine’s Day dinner reservation yet? There are no guarantees in life and this is no different, but three of Pasadena’s favorite eateries are offering their own version of love Monday for Valentine’s Day.
Let’s start with Celestino Ristorante. Executive Chef Calogero Drago has prepared a beautiful romantic dinner for Celestino Ristorante’s main dining room or on one of their Outdoor Patios or even an order for takeout to celebrate in the comfort of your very own love shack.
Chef Drago will be offering sweethearts a very special Valentine’s Day Four-Course Prix-Fixe Menu . So, let the love begin with the antipasto, a choice of Sweet Corn Soup or the sublime Mushroom Soufflé with Fontina cheese and black truffle. No need to pick a pasta with a choice of the Risotto with Red Beets & Goat Cheese, or the festive Heart Shaped Ravioli filled with Shrimp in a Lobster Sauce.
The main course is a choice of either the Filet of Branzino served with Polenta, Peruvian Potatoes and Black Truffle Sauce or Chicken Roulade Stuffed with Mozzarella Cheese, Mortadella and Marsala Wine Sauce.
The Chef’s Valentine’s Day Special Dessert includes a Bottle of Prosecco to compliment his Valentine’s Day Four-Course Prix-Fixe Menu.
Celestino Ristorante will also be offering his full Classic Menu showcasing signature À la carte Menu items like the Ravioli filled with Duck, Mushrooms, and a Porcino Blueberry Sauce, Tortellini Stuffed with Pumpkin Cream, Butter & Sage, Risotto with Red Beets & Goat Cheese, Ossobuco, Bistecca, and his Homemade Authentic Family-Style Lasagna Menu that can be pre-ordered 24 hours in advance.
For something sweet, savor and share a Tiramisu, Panna Cotta (Vanilla Custard with Strawberries), or for something even more decadent, indulge in the Torta Al Ciocolato (Flourless Chocolate Cake) for a perfect Valentine’s Day finish. Viva L’amore!
Celestino Ristorante will be open for Valentine’s Day Weekend Dinner on Friday, February 11th, 2022, and Saturday, February 12th, 2022, from 4:30 pm to 10:00 pm, Sunday, February 13th, 2022, and Valentine’s Day, Monday, February 14th, 2022, from 4:30 pm to 9:30 pm. For more information, please call Celestino Ristorante directly at 626.795.4006; 141 South Lake Avenue, Pasadena, CA 91105; 626.795.4006; www.CelestinoRistorante.com
Mi Piace
Executive Chef Gil Saulnier has prepared a special Valentine’s Day Special Menu that he will be offering all weekend from Friday, February 11th through Valentine’s Day, Monday, February 14th, 2022, featuring Italian treats and seasonal specials to satisfy every single or sweetheart.
Begin this year’s love match with an Oyster Platter accompanied with shallots, ginger, tarragon, sake soy mignonette and creamy horseradish, French Onion Soup with caramelized Maui onions, balsamic reduction, vegetarian broth, gruyere, Truffle Pecorino and brioche croutons, Roasted Bone Marrow made with Cowboy bacon shallot jam, toasted butter brushed country bread, and Italian parsley salad, Crispy Potato Galette & Smoked Salmon presented with Cambridge House Royal Smoked Salmon, and Fresh Spot Prawns prepared with pan seared prawns, Peruvian red chili, garlic, cilantro and lime zest.
Entrees? Savor the night with Slow Braised Colorado Lamb Shank prepared with a red wine reduction, braised Japanese eggplant, rutabaga, turnips, and saffron risotto Friday, February 11th through Sunday, February 13th, along with the Baked Mediterranean Sea Bass served stewed Japanese eggplant, zucchini blossoms, Campari tomatoes, Sarawak black pepper, and fresh majoram, or Mi Piace’s Seafood Spaghetti made with a whole fresh Maine lobster, New Zealand green-lipped mussels, a San Marzano tomato Espelette sauce, lemon and orange zest.
Perhaps a Bone in Prime Delmonico New York prepared with Ancho chiles and a coffee dry rub, shiitake mushroom balsamic glaze and Chef’s special country potatoes or Lobster Risotto made of Maine Lobster Tail, saffron risotto, Riesling wine, lemongrass, shallot, and fresh tarragon beurre blanc?
On Valentine’s Day, Monday, February 14th Chef Saulnier will also be adding Dijon & Cognac Beef Bourguignon featuring a slow braised New York steak with a red wind reduction, Cognac, Dijon, Cremini mushrooms, organic carrots, and fettuccine.
Guests can also enjoy Mi Piace’s Signature Menu with items such as the Ravioli con Salsiccia with sautéed mild Italian sausage, wilted broccolini, sundried tomatoes, sliced garlic and white wine finished with Pecorino cheese; Grilled Double Lamb Chops prepared with a Port wine demi-glace and roasted Yukon potatoes, or the decadent Spaghetti Aragosta comprised of sautéed diced lobster tail tossed with spaghetti in a San Marzano smokey chipotle cream sauce.
Desserts include the Midnight Fantasy, a chocolate cake with Swiss bittersweet chocolate fudge and raspberry purée, Tiramisu, or New York Cheesecake with a creamy graham cracker crust and fresh strawberries and whipped cream. Pairing these dishes with any one of Mi Piace’s wines or try Bar Manager Nikos Baltas’s “Smoke on the Water” comprised of Wheatley vodka, Aperol, St-Germain, and special aromatic fog, or maybe the Purple Rain cocktail made of Empress 1908 Gin, Fever-tree Mediterranean tonic, grapefruit peel, Juniper berries, pink peppercorn, and Rosé, to make this a perfectly romantic day!
Mi Piace will be open for Valentine’s Day Weekend from Friday, February 11th, 2022, through Valentine’s Day, Monday, February 14th, 2022, from 11:00 am to 11:00 pm. For more information or reservations, please call Mi Piace directly at 626.795.3131; Mi Piace 25 East Colorado Boulevard, Pasadena, CA 91105; 626.795.3131; www.MiPiace.com
The Raymond 1886:
[Photo by Fried Chicken Sandwich Studios]
Sweethearts can celebrate Valentine’s Day by starting off with Bread and Truffle Butter and the amuse-bouche featuring Roasted Fanny Bay Oyster with white wine vinegar beurre blanc roasted shallots and thyme.
The First Course is comprised of Seasonal Mixed Greens with avocado, citrus, fried onion sprouts in a buttermilk dressing and the Second Course showcases a Tuna Tartare with uni cream, egg toast and miso oil.
The Third Course is a choice of the Pan Seared Duck Breast prepared with braised cabbage, beets, yam and local carrot purée, crispy wild rice pilaf, crème fraiche and dill, Broiled Halibut served with black trumpet mushrooms, collards, orange preserves and bone marrow, or the Filet Mignon prepared with pressed potatoes, turnips, watercress purée, and beef jus (Black Truffle Shavings + $35). Significant others and singles alike will be smitten with a sweet for the Fourth Course featuring a choice between the White Chocolate Mousse served with hazelnut, sage, blueberries, and house-made yogurt, or Sorbet & Ice Cream.
Enhance the evening with one of 1886 Jesus Gomez’s Valentine’s Day Cocktails, including the Clover Club made of egg white, gin, lemon, sugar, and raspberries, Professional prepared with nigh-proof bourbon, Jamaican rum, and Campari, or the Antilles, made with cognac, dry vermouth, sweet vermouth, and orange flower.
The Raymond 1886 will be open for Dinner on Valentine’s Day, Monday, February 14th, 2022, from 4:00 pm to 9:00 pm. For more information or to make reservations, please call The Raymond 1886 directly at 626.441.3136; 1250 South Fair Oaks Avenue, Pasadena, CA 91105; 626.441.3136; www.TheRaymond.com
