We were excited to see just how sensual and


quixotic this dining experience could be, and Chef Lockhart’s cuisine and the location did not disap- point. The view from the restaurant’s balcony is one of the most magnificent in Southern California. If you want to “pull out all the stops” for your significant other, be sure to book a room at the stunning resort for your other romantic interlude, after dinner. Speaking of dinner, the food at AVEO is nothing


short of flawless. For Valentine’s Day romance or any other day for that matter, I highly recommend sharing the Mixed Seafood Tower: Six tiger shrimp, King Crab legs (a half pound) and six oysters with cocktail sauce, lemon, cucumber mignonette, fresh horseradish and Aveo hot sauce. The divineSurf and Turf perfectly fit the restaurant’s ambiance as you overlook the Pacific Ocean: 6 oz. Filet Mignon, herb butter Maine lobster tail, layered vegetable medley and whipped Yukon Gold potatoes with anise burgundy jus. Savory and fresh from the sea:Parcel- Wrapped Snapper and Mussels En Papillote in White Wine & Aromatics accompanied with Provençal vegetables and zucchini salad. C’est Magnifique!


A ROMANTIC HONORABLE MENTION:


Five Crowns 3801 E. Coast Highway Corona del Mar 949.760.0331 lawrysonline.com/five-crowns Always a phenomenal dining option,


Five Crowns isa charming replica of one of England’s oldest country inns. A Corona del Mar landmark, it offers warm hospitality and cozy fireplaces, set among authentic antiques and period paintings. Enjoy the sunlit greenhouse and colorful English garden as you sample award-winning food and wine, exceptional service and the distinctive styl- ings that have made it a force to be reckoned with since 1965.


O.C. Restaurant Week runs Sunday, March 4 through Saturday, March 10.


For more information and access to other participat- ing restaurants by name, location, special menus and price points, go to ocrestaurantweek.com.


The Beachcomber Café At Crystal Cove 15 Crystal Cove Newport Coast 949.376.6900


thebeachcombercafe.com Located in the 12.3 acre Crystal Cove Historic


District, this new O.C. favorite, aptly named The Beachcomber, is nestled right on the sand amidst one of Southern California’s well-preserved historic beaches. The quaint district retains the scale and ambiance of a 1930s beach resort, with surrounding cozy cottages available to rent, for those must-do romantic weekend getaways. Opened in 2006, The Beachcomber at Crystal


Cove serves up top-notch cuisine, served by a stellar friendly crew. Food is envisioned by Executive Chef Carlos Olivera, who grew up in Oaxaca, Mexico, but considers La Noria de Real to be his home. His inspiration to become a chef came from eating at local street food vendors from his childhood and witnessing their operations. As a Mexican-American chef, he studied French, Italian and other cuisines to expand the essence of his cuisine. The Beachcomber offers an incredible menu,


featuring tempting steaks, with pork, lamb and chicken offerings, but, because we were literally on the sand by the sea, we felt it was important to indulge in their seafood selections. For starters we tested theCrispy Calamari: Fried Calamari and Zucchini, drizzled with garlic lemon aioli, an arrabiata dipping sauce that was purely delectable. Next was theirCrab Stack: Fresh blue crab and ahi tuna, mango and papaya salsa, avocado, cucumber a pickled ginger vinaigrette with macadamia nuts and taro chips for dipping into the decadent creation. Both were ecstasy on the palate.


Manager Brandon Schill surprised us with one


of their romantic floral drinks to share, theTonga Lei, with a motto of “It Takes Two to Tonga with this cocktail for two.” A visually stunning concoction with a mix of hibiscus and elderflower, Pyrat Rum, Mango Citrónge, Malibu Rum, mango purée, agave, pineapple and lime juices. Next came the entrées: Main Diver Scallops over


forbidden rice and prosciutto-wrapped asparagus, with Micro celery and topped with a passion beurre blanc...a dish we totally fell in love with. The presentation and flavor profile of theLobster Linguini Pasta was just as divine: Butterflied Australian lobster tail in a tomato basil sauce of sweet cherry tomatoes and fresh basil chiffonade. A dish that will long be remembered. The delightful finish to the meal?Beignets, a perfect dessert to flirt over, while romancing your date. With crashing waves and coastal cliffs as its backdrop, The Beachcomber is a perfect dining destination for romancing during OCRW and offers a thoughtfully crafted Valentine’s Day menu to make the occasion unforgettable. The four-course prix-fixe menu will offer starter options such as Dungeness Crab Cakes with celery puree, red ruby radish, tarragon aioli and shredded crispy phyllo, and entrees such as their signature Surf & Turf, featuring a Filet Mignon and colossal shrimp, with potato puree, English peas and hen-of-the-woods mushrooms in a port wine reduction. Diners will delight in the perfect sweet ending with dessert choices like Homemade Chocolate Cake with layered ganache and fresh strawberries, or a Fresh Fruit Tart with seasonal fruit and chantilly cream.


FEBRUARY 2018 | RAGE monthly 51


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