3 Best Valentine’s Day Dinners in the San Fernando Valley

Valentine’s Day calls for romance, luxury and indulgence, but restaurants still need to warrant the time and expense. Check out three notable Valentine’s Day dinners in the Valley.

Firefly

Firefly is a longtime Studio City favorite for seasonal California food in a spectacular setting. An ivy-coated façade gives way to a stunning patio with retractable roof. Viet Pham, most recently with Ray’s & Stark Bar at LACMA, is preparing a luxurious, three-course, $150 prix-fixe menu that includes a complimentary pour of Champagne and mini lobster roll. Select Valentine’s specials are available February 11–13, and February 14 stars the full prix fixe menu. Fruits de Mer (for two) is an impressive starter featuring an array of chilled seafoods: half-lobster, cracked crab, poached prawns, Kusshi oysters and steamed mussels. For your entrée, keep in sync with Chateaubriand steak for two. Thick, center-cut filet comes embellished with truffle potatoes, maitake mushrooms, charred broccoli, baby carrots, asparagus, Bordelaise and Béarnaise sauces. For dessert, heart-shaped red velvet cheesecake makes a fun finish. Book through OpenTable.

11720 Ventura Blvd., Studio City, 818-762-1833

Le Sanglier

Le Sanglier is a classic French restaurant tucked just off Ventura Boulevard in Tarzana that dates to 1970. It is offering a special three-course, $75 Valentine’s Day menu with choices for each course. I’d suggest starting with scampi (prawn’s cousin) sautéed with garlic, shallots, parsley and tarragon. Roasted rack of lamb lavished with rosemary butter makes for the most tempting entrée. Chocolate marquise is a rich, buttery slab of mousse cake that’s a fitting indulgence for Valentine’s Day. Book through OpenTable or by calling Le Sanglier.

5522 Crebs Ave., Tarzana, 818-345-0470

Ruth’s Chris Steak House

Several area steakhouses are going all out for Valentine’s Day, but Ruth’s Chris in Woodland Hills is especially appealing. It is celebrating Valentine’s Day with a special Surf & Turf menu February 8–17. One sweet coldwater lobster tail joins a choice of steak ranging from 6-ounce filet mignon ($49.95) to 16-ounce ribeye ($67.95). Each steak is prepared in signature Ruth’s Chris fashion: seared, finished with plenty of butter and chopped parsley, and served on a sizzling 500º plate. Book through OpenTable or by calling the restaurant.

6100 Topanga Canyon Blvd., Woodland Hills, 818-227-9505