{"id":2594,"date":"2017-02-12T20:54:12","date_gmt":"2017-02-13T00:54:12","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/santacruzfoodie.com\/?p=2594"},"modified":"2017-02-12T20:54:12","modified_gmt":"2017-02-13T00:54:12","slug":"valentines-day-dining-in-santa-cruz-monterey-counties-part-2-of-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/santacruzfoodie.com\/?p=2594","title":{"rendered":"Valentine\u2019s Day dining in Santa Cruz &#038; Monterey Counties, Part 2 of 2"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"attachment_2595\" style=\"width: 310px\" class=\"wp-caption alignleft\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-2595\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-2595\" src=\"https:\/\/santacruzfoodie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/michaels-on-main-dessert-trio-300x284.jpg\" alt=\"Valentine's dessert trio at Michael's on Main: passion fruit mousse shooter, strawberry-filled chocolate bon bon &amp; French vanilla bean macaroon. Photo credit: Michael's on Main\" width=\"300\" height=\"284\" srcset=\"https:\/\/santacruzfoodie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/michaels-on-main-dessert-trio-300x284.jpg 300w, https:\/\/santacruzfoodie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/michaels-on-main-dessert-trio.jpg 503w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-2595\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Valentine&#8217;s dessert trio at Michael&#8217;s on Main: passion fruit mousse shooter, strawberry-filled chocolate bon bon &amp; French vanilla bean macaroon. <em>Photo credit: Michael&#8217;s on Main<\/em><\/p><\/div>\n<p>Valentine\u2019s Day is two days away; have you made your plans? Here are details on a few options in Santa Cruz and Monterey Counties. If you missed yesterday\u2019s post, here is a <a href=\"https:\/\/santacruzfoodie.com\/?p=2588\">link. <\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Santa Cruz County<br \/>\n<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Food Lounge<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/scfoodlounge\/\">Santa Cruz Food Lounge<\/a> (1001 Center St., Santa Cruz) has a couple options on Valentine\u2019s Day. People can sit at the bar and have a chocolate tasting accompanied by a drink or two, or they can pick a spot in the dining room or lounge and order food from Tanglewood. Chef Rachel of Tanglewood will be creating selections including carrot ginger soup topped with crema and cilantro oil; and dinners with choice of pork tenderloin or grilled portabella mushroom plus lemon white wine sauce and garlic mashed potatoes. Roasted veggies accompany the tenderloin, and arugula in balsamic vinaigrette accompanies the portabella. No reservations are required (or allowed); and everyone is welcome including families, singles, etc. Hours are 4 to 8 p.m.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>Johnny\u2019s Harborside<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.johnnysharborside.com\">Johnny\u2019s Harborside<\/a> (493 Lake Ave., Santa Cruz) is offering a four-course Valentine\u2019s prix menu. Cost is $60 per person. Starter choices include raw abalone nigiri with honey miso glaze and seaweed salad; second courses include Dungeness crab bisque and salad with strawberries, candied walnuts, Gorgonzola and balsamic. Four entr\u00e9e selections include prosciutto-wrapped halibut or Surf and Turf with 4 oz. filet mignon and half lobster tail. Desserts include strawberry shortcake or lemon tart. Call (831) 479-3430 for reservations.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>Michael\u2019s on Main <\/strong><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.michaelsonmain.net\">Michael\u2019s on Main<\/a> (2591 Main St., Soquel) began offering its Valentine\u2019s prix menu Friday, Feb. 10 and it lasts until Tuesday. Cost is $35 for three courses. Appetizers include ahi tuna poke cups with wasabi cream; four entr\u00e9e selections include cold water lobster tail with forbidden black rice, veggies and pink peppercorn beurre blanc or petit NY steak (8 oz.) with garlic mashed potatoes, B\u00e9arnaise and veggies. Everyone receives a dessert trio (see photo above) with passion fruit mousse shooter, strawberry-filled chocolate bon bon and French vanilla bean macaroon. Call (831) 479-9777 for reservations.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>Assembly<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.assembleforfood.com\">Assembly<\/a> (1108 Pacific, Santa Cruz) is offering a three-course Valentine\u2019s prix menu for $55 per person; a few optional supplements are extra such as Kusshi oysters ($3\/$15\/$24 single\/1\/2 dozen\/dozen). Starter choices include roasted quail with wild mushrooms, pinot soaked figs and herbed couscous. Four entr\u00e9e selections include grass-fed Manhattan filet with creamed nettles and truffled Yukons and arugula almond pesto or sand dab Meuniere with caper brown butter sauce and roasted cauliflower rice. Desserts include sorbet trio from Penny Ice Creamery or dark chocolate pave with candied kumquats and salted butter ice cream. Call (831) 824-6100 for reservations.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>Hindquarter Bar &amp; Grille<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.thehindquarter.com\">Hindquarter Bar &amp; Grille<\/a> (303 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz) will have Valentine\u2019s specials like Rack of Lamb, Prime Rib and seasonal seafood from 5-9:30 p.m. The restaurant will also serve its regular menu. Call (831) 426-7770 for reservations.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.idealbarandgrill.com\"><strong>Ideal Bar &amp; Grill <\/strong><\/a>(106 Beach St. at the Santa Cruz Wharf), <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thepointchophouse.com\"><strong>The Point Chophouse &amp; Lounge<\/strong><\/a> (3326 Portola Dr., Santa Cruz),<a href=\"http:\/\/cafecruz.com\"><strong> Caf\u00e9 Cruz<\/strong><\/a> (2621 41<sup>st<\/sup> Ave., Soquel) and<strong> <a href=\"http:\/\/severinosbarandgrill.com\">Severino\u2019s Bar &amp; Grill<\/a><\/strong> (7500 Old Dominion Ct., Aptos) are all serving Valentine\u2019s Day specials.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>MONTEREY COUNTY<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>California Market at Pacific\u2019s Edge<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/hyattcarmelhighlands.com\">California Market at Pacific\u2019s Edge<\/a> at the Hyatt Carmel Highlands (120 Highlands Drive, Carmel) is serving a Valentine\u2019s prix fixe dinner. The four-course Valentine\u2019s dinner is $125 per person and reservations are required at 831-622-5445. First course choices include ahi tuna tiradito with fennel-cucumber salsa. Entrees include Colorado rack of lamb with piquillo\u00a0peppers and chimichurri or wild mushroom risotto with winter truffle and Parmesan cheese crisps.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>Steinbeck House<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The historic <a href=\"http:\/\/steinbeckhouse.com\">Steinbeck House<\/a> (132 Central Ave., Salinas) is serving a Valentine\u2019s Day dinner. The meal includes one glass of wine, cheese tortellini soup, Caesar salad, entr\u00e9e (choice of Porterhouse steak or filo-baked salmon) and dessert. Call 831-424-2735 for reservations; seatings are available from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Cost is $60 per person inclusive.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>Jacks Restaurant at Portola Hotel and Spa<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.portolahotel.com\/jacks-restaurant-lounge\">Jacks Restaurant<\/a> (Two Portola Plaza, Monterey) is serving a prix fixe menu 5 to 10 p.m. on Valentines Day, Tuesday, Feb. 14. The four-course meal is $64.95 plus tax and gratuity; call 831-649-7874 for reservations. The meal starts with an amuse bouche of Hog Island oysters and caviar. First course options include lobster bisque with brioche croutons, Pernod and orange oil. Entr\u00e9e choices include filet mignon and sweet breads with potato puree, local porcinis and P\u00e9rigord truffles or wild King salmon with Dungeness crab gratin, haricot verts and Meyer lemon sauce<em>.<\/em> Dessert is passion fruit souffl\u00e9 for two with macadamia nut and cr\u00e8me anglaise, plus a box of chocolate strawberries to go. Also, the hotel is offering a romance package until March 31. This includes accommodations, a bottle of Veuve Clicquot delivered to your room, breakfast for two at Jacks and more.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>TusCA Ristorante at <\/strong><strong>Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel and Spa<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/monterey.regency.hyatt.com\/en\/hotel\/dining\/TusCARistorante.html\">TusCA<\/a> (1 Old Golf Course Road, Monterey) is serving a special menu designed for two, from 5:30-9 p.m. Cost is $80 for two people. For reservations call 831-657-6675. Customers can choose an appetizer and dessert to share, and each person receives an entr\u00e9e and a glass of sparkling wine.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>Tarpy\u2019s Roadhouse <\/strong><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/tarpys.com\">Tarpy\u2019s<\/a> (2999 Monterey-Salinas Highway, Monterey) is doing a couple promotions for Valentine\u2019s Day. Customers will receive fifty percent off all \u201cbubbles by the glass\u201d plus full and half bottles. Also, the restaurant will feature a special appetizer of seared diver scallops with lobster-parsnip puree and artichoke-corn succotash. Call 831-647-1444 for reservations.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>Gordon\u2019s Caf\u00e9 and Catering <\/strong><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/gordonscafeandcatering.com\">Gordon\u2019s<\/a> (343 Main St., Salinas) is doing a take-out promotion. If you order dinner to go for two people, the restaurant will include a special complimentary appetizer created just for Valentine\u2019s Day. Call 831-422-4133 for more information.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>Sardine Factory<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.sardinefactory.com\">Sardine Factory<\/a> (701 Wave St., Monterey) is serving a prix fixe menu from 5 to 10 p.m. The four-course meal is $75 per person. A limited a la carte menu and Valentine\u2019s drink specials will also be available. The meal begins with Dungeness crab bisque with sherry, cognac and cr\u00e8me fraiche, followed by a salad with greens, roasted strawberries, toasted pecans, feta cheese and cocoa balsamic dressing. Entr\u00e9e choices include filet mignon and foie gras or King salmon with truffled gnocchi and artichokes<em>.<\/em> Dessert choices include chocolate pot au cr\u00e8me with spun sugar, Chantilly cr\u00e8me and chocolate-covered espresso beans. Reservations are required at 831-373-3775.<\/p>\n<p>Follow me on:<\/p>\n<p>Twitter <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/santacruzfoodie\">@santacruzfoodie<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Instagram <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/tarafatemiwalker\/\">@tarafatemiwalker<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Facebook <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/SantaCruzFoodieExaminer\/\">@santacruzfoodieexaminer<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"text-decoration: line-through;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Valentine\u2019s Day is two days away; have you made your plans? Here are details on a few options in Santa Cruz and Monterey Counties. If you missed yesterday\u2019s post, here is a link. Santa Cruz County Food Lounge The Santa &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/santacruzfoodie.com\/?p=2594\">Continue reading <span class=\"meta-nav\">&rarr;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[315,3],"tags":[677,1415,493,956,1417,752,796,904,13,356,467,1196,1021,281,933,568,1416,452,780,440],"class_list":["post-2594","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-restaurant-news-2","category-restaurants","tag-assembly","tag-california-market-at-pacifics-edge","tag-carmel-restaurants","tag-food-lounge","tag-gordons-cafe-and-catering","tag-hindquarter-bar-grille","tag-hyatt-regency-monterey-hotel-and-spa","tag-jacks-restaurant","tag-johnnys-harborside","tag-michaels-on-main","tag-monterey-restaurants","tag-portola-hotel-spa","tag-santa-cruz-food-lounge","tag-santa-cruz-restaurants","tag-sardine-factory","tag-soquel-restaurants","tag-steinbeck-house","tag-tarpys-roadhouse","tag-tusca-ristorante","tag-valentines-day"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/santacruzfoodie.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2594","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/santacruzfoodie.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/santacruzfoodie.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/santacruzfoodie.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/santacruzfoodie.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2594"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/santacruzfoodie.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2594\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2596,"href":"https:\/\/santacruzfoodie.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2594\/revisions\/2596"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/santacruzfoodie.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2594"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/santacruzfoodie.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2594"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/santacruzfoodie.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2594"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}