Food Blog

Ten Late-breaking, Epicurean Ideas for Valentine's Day

So this is love: wild, forest floor flavor oozing from a fresh, housemade pasta pillow.

OK, this is actually the wild mushroom ravioli at Stone Creek Kitchen (393-1042). But I still love it (they're $12.99 a pound, or about $1 for each big ol' shell). I also love the new "fitness bark" with unsweetened chocolate, dried fruit and flax and really love the range of tools for that sweet cheffing valentine in your life. (The spices and sandwiches and wines don't suck either.)

Come to think of it, one of their upcoming classes, including "Good Food Fast," "Seasonal Salads and Dressings" or "Light and Delicious" ($50-$65) would be a good gifty way to go. Learn more at www.stonecreekkitchen.com...

Beyond that there are lots of other opportunities out there. Here are a few of my favorites:

At oceanside Taste of Monterey they’re pairing the endless wines with Dory Ford food—the reception and three-course taste trip move through artisan cheeses, foraged mushroom strudel, pan-roasted halibut and tart au citron ($80, 831-646-5446 x12).

When it comes to wild mushroom flavor, that strudel is worth an epic love poem itself. Ford originally invented it for a Big Sur Chanterelle Cook-off (667-4242), which it just around the corner itself, Feb. 24-25.

Then there’s Aubergine’s inspired aphrodesiacs menu with oysters done “simple to complex,” Dungeness and avocado, ocean trout confit and way more ($99-$125, 624 8578).

Both fresh-and-local flavor outposts Wild Plum Cafe (646-3109) and Wild Thyme Deli (884-2414) are doing a slick take-out idea where aspiring romantics can swoop up a “menu of love” that you can claim to chef yourself in the kitchen, or take to picnic on a Marina cliff.

C Restaurant + Bar, the restaurant at InterContinental The Clement Monterey, is offering their regular menu and a pre-fixe Lovers Menu for $48, which includes chocolate fondue for two. The spa has a pampering package at $139 per person, which includes a 75-minute aroma massage mimosas and chocolate truffles.

Happy Girl Kitchen (373-GIRL) killed it with its collaboration with ∫Strong’s Jacob Pilarsky earlier this month. Now they have other dinners with Mariquita Farms produce March 15 and 16 ($55). Another inventive and opportune foodie gift.

Bistro Moulin (333-1200) offers a special smoochers menu for $45—escargot followed by lobster-chicken crepes, anyone?—that should sell out no problem.

Pacific’s Edge (622-5445) and it's breathtaking setting already provide sure-fire elements of seduction before they start throwing the oyster trios and John Dory Dungeness crab and truffle gnocchi at you ($125/four courses).

Carmel Food Company (624-0300) is never open Tuesdays; this Feb. 14 the cozy-charming spot is for dinner starring special menu items like chocolate mousse cake ($7), pasta atomica ($26) and beef rouladen “Berlin” ($27), or a prix fixe for $29.

And Restaurant 1833 (643-1833) lays out two prix-fixe lineups of heart-tingling treats like caviar in a nest of angel hair pasta and beef strip loin with seared foie gras for $75 or $125 a person.

Here's to love, then. And Hallmark.