WIFES BIRTHDAY...ROMANCE
Looking to take my wife out for her birthday. Need great food, and also looking at romantic picture...altho food would be #1 priority. Really want this night to be special. Should I be thinking about tasting menus ? Plese help, I'm counting on you guys !
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re: rickym13
wienermobile
Mar 10, 2011 05:16 PM
I love the Spago patio, twinkly lights and all.
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Spago
176 North Canon Drive, Beverly Hills, CA 90210
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avivale
Mar 9, 2011 03:33 PM
I'll throw in Maison Akira in Pasadena. For my husband and I, this has always been a special and romantic destination. I think because it's so quiet, unhurried, and formal in an old-fashioned way.
In case you're not familiar with the food, Chef Akira is Japanese but trained in French cooking. So the very fine menu has elements of both. I always get the miso marinated sea bass, which the menu proudly notes was served to the Emperor and Empress of Japan when they came through town in 1994. The restaurant also offers small plate versions of most of their dishes, so you can sample different things, and they offer a couple of tasting menus.
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Maison Akira Restaurant
713 E. Green St., Pasadena, CA 91101 -
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re: perk
Once I went there for my birthday and we got an extra free dessert with a candle in it. :) A nice touch that I definitely don't expect from a high-end restaurant. Service was excellent, as always. You might also note that you want to be seated in the main dining room when you make your reservation. The last time I was there they seated us in the bar area, which is not nearly as nice (this is the only time this has happened). They were unable to accommodate my request for a different table, but were gracious about the problem and at the end of the meal they gave us a nice box of chocolates (which were incredible!) as an apology.
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re: RoxyGrl
Went to Providence two or 3 years ago for our anniversary, and it was a disaster. I know it gets glowing reviews on this board, but the treatment we received couldn't have been farther from what is portrayed here. And the food was hardly destination restaurant fare. The highlight was the mojito gelee amuse bouche, which was admittedly tremendous. The lesson I took from this is that what makes the special occasion is the company you are keeping, and its better to put the evening into the hands of one of your tried and true places. Experiment on a new restaurant some other evening...
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re: Nicole
My point is that even a restaurant with a reputation like Providence can screw up a special occasion, particularly for those who aren't regulars. i'm not going to trust the boards for special occasions again. i'll trust my own experience. BTW, I went to Providence for my anniversary specifically because of the extraordinary praise it got on this board for service and food. What I got out of that was having to convince my wife we shouldn't walk out about 1/3 of the way through dinner. Not really the romantic experience I was trying to create...
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wienermobile
Mar 8, 2011 08:55 AM
Saddle Peak Lodge. Rustic romantic and timeless. Wonderful food.
http://www.saddlepeaklodge.com/and here is their tasting menu
http://www.saddlepeaklodge.com/wp-con...-----
Saddle Peak Lodge
419 Cold Canyon Rd., Calabasas, CA 91302›3 Replies-
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re: sdv231
wienermobile
Mar 8, 2011 09:53 AM
I have dined at Saddle Peak and love their food (their elk is incredible) but have not had the tasting menu yet . It looks great.
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re: chezwhitey
We are open to all food types She loves seafood, Japanese, and we both love fine dining. Money will not be an issue as I am looking for SPECIAL evening. I know there are other threads but some of them seem to be dated. I was thinkink of the tasting menu at Spago or Providence but wanted to hear other ideas. Thanks
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Spago
176 North Canon Drive, Beverly Hills, CA 90210
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