Valentine’s Day is just around the corner and many of us are undoubtedly still looking for the perfect place to wine and dine that special someone. With that said, here are some romantic dinner and cocktail experiences around Irvine to celebrate the special occasion.

Hive & Honey Rooftop Bar

Boasting spectacular rooftop views of Irvine, Hive & Honey is a must for any date night. With access to Heirloom Farmhouse Kitchen, Hive & Honey is the perfect way to begin a relaxing evening, admiring the sunset with that special someone.

Tuesday – Thursday: 4:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Friday – Saturday: 4:00 p.m. – 12:00 a.m.

7905 Irvine Center Drive Irvine, CA 92618

Puesto

Fresh off celebrating its 10 year anniversary, Puesto is full of love. Originally founded in San Diego, Puesto’s claim to fame started with its dedication to providing authentic tacos from Mexico. Today, the menu has grown tremendously.

With a few locations in Orange County, including two in Irvine inside Los Olivos Shopping Center and Park Place, taking advantage of Puesto’s tequila and mezcal flights seems like an incredible way to spend any Valentine’s Day.

Sunday – Thursday: 11:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Friday – Saturday 11 a.m. – 10 p.m.

8577 Irvine Center Dr., Irvine, CA 92618

Bistango

Part art gallery, part restaurant, Bistango, which translates to bistro in French, is located in the Atrium Building in Irvine, near the former Irvine Museum. The venue was designed by Venice-based architect Michael Carapetian as a combination restaurant and art gallery. The popular site, which recently reopened for outdoor dining, has exhibited art on its walls since its inception while serving food that Bistango founder, the late John Ghoukassian called “new American cuisine.”

Featuring an extensive wine list with award-winning varieties.

Monday – Thursday: 11:30 a.m-8:00 p.m.
Friday: 11:30 a.m.-9:00 p.m.
Saturday:  5:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m.

Bistango, 19100 Von Karman Ave., Irvine.

Twenty-Eight

Three words: Wine. Whisky. Wagyu.

With rare Napa Valley wines, along with an incredible selection of both American and Japanese spirits, Twenty-Eight is a sleeper hit for any date night.

For educational purposes, one fun fact about the whiskey spirit is that it is spelled differently depending on the country of origin. The European and Japanese versions omit the “e”, spelling it “whisky.” Only the American spirit is spelled “whiskey.”

Wednesday – Thursday 4:00 p.m.– 8:30 p.m.
Friday – Saturday: 4:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.

19530 Jamboree Rd, Irvine, CA 92612

Little sister

Recently opened at the Irvine Spectrum in 2021, the experience at Little Sister comes with a juxtaposition between hot and cold.

(Little Sister)

With two different kitchens serving hot and cold selections, Little Sister serves dishes in a family tapas style. Offerings include the “bo tai chanh” salad served with lime-marinated raw beef, rau ram, basil, mint, onions and fried shallots. The cold kitchen also produces rice paper rolls like the Autumn Roll, which is made with sweet potato, jicama, egg, herbs, Chinese sausage, candied shrimp and coco peanut sauce.

Monday – Sunday: 11:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.

896 Spectrum Center Dr, Irvine, CA 92618

Bacchaus

What better place to take your valentine than a place named after the Roman God of agriculture, wine and fertility?

Located in Irvine, Bacchus features six rotating taps, along with some bottled IPAs, stouts and ales, along with a solid list of wine and cocktails. As you move on to dinner, be sure to check out the well-rounded mix of small bites that include a cheese and charcuterie plate, crispy pork belly served with persimmons, miso, Japanese sweet potato, and mustard greens.

Tuesday – Thursday: 4:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Friday – Saturday: 4:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.
Sunday – Monday: Closed

6735 Quail Hill Pkwy, Irvine, CA 92603

Porch & Swing

If you’re looking for stellar southern hospitality in Irvine on Valentine’s Day, look no further than Porch & Swing.

Irvine Weekly’s Liz Goldner writes, “traditional Charleston, SC style cuisine served in a hi-tech Irvine environment might seem an unusual recipe for success. Yet Andrew Parish’s Porch & Swing, situated among gleaming high-rise buildings with an expansive patio, is a culinary tour de force. On a recent Saturday evening, patrons there, filling up every table inside (with social distancing) and on the patio, eagerly dined on a variety of Southern-inspired creations.”

Lunch: Tuesday -Friday, 11:00 a.m.- 3:00 p.m.
Dinner: Tuesday – Thursday, 5:00 p.m.- 9:00 p.m.,
Friday – Saturday: 5:00 p.m -10:00 p.m.

2010 Main St., Irvine, CA

Marufuku

The attention to detail at Marufuku does not end with the broth, but rather begins. One slurp, and you will understand.

Swimming in a thick hakata-style broth, which takes 20-hours to prepare, are specially selected “ultra-thin artisanal noodles.” Here, guests can dictate their own experience from the style of ramen, to the choice of protein and even the firmness of the noodle itself.

The two main protein choices on Marufuku’s menu are chashu pork and chicken paitan. The melt-in-your-mouth chashu pork, which is simmered pork belly, provides a much richer mouth-feel, and all-around more fatty flavor.

If you go, a trusted order would consist of Marufuku’s fried squid legs, known as Geso Fry, served with a delightful mayo, followed up by the popular Hakata Tonkotsu, featuring chashu pork, a seasoned soft boiled egg, green onions, kikurage mushrooms and bean sprouts.

Monday – Sunday: 11:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.

8543 Irvine Center Dr, Irvine, CA 92618

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