Dining with your Valentine in White Rock

Celebrate love in White Rock this Valentine’s Day. And whether you prefer to make a reservation for a romantic dinner or set the scene for an intimate meal at home we’ve picked out some great meal experiences and romantic specials guaranteed to make your evening perfect.

A local favourite, and always a romantic choice, Jan’s on the Beach is offering a three-course dine-in menu on Valentine’s Day. The menu starts with a choice of crab cakes or French onion soup. Entrees include roasted duck breast with chimichurri and potato pave, Italian marinated chicken served over angel hair pasta with a lemon garlic parmesan sauce, or Mongolian marinated 1/2 rack of lamb served with wild mushroom risotto. For dessert, your tastebuds will thank you as you savour chocolate fondue or red velvet cake with strawberry cream cheese icing. Reservations are required. $85 per person, February 14, 14989 Marine Drive, 604-531-5444.

Allora Pasta + Wine is offering a 3-course Barrique (their former restaurant) throwback menu for Valentine’s Day. Enjoy the house brioche with truffle butter followed by a lobster bisque with shrimp tartine. The main is a classic Quebecois tourtiere with pommes puree and braised endive, and finish this sumptuous feast with Crepes Suzette. If you don’t feel like going out this year, Allora is offering a Charcuterie platter for two, Negroni kits and bottles of Prosecco to go.  $65 per person, February 14, #1 – 15223 Pacific Avenue. Seatings are 90 minutes.

Uli’s Restaurant has been a White Rock staple for over 30 years and their cosy patio provides diners with spectacular views of Semiahmoo Bay and the White Rock pier. Their Valentine’s menu includes your choice of burrata with tomato coulis and chive oil or shaved prosciutto with blue cheese and balsamic reduction, followed by a main course of seared scallop linguine with uni cream sauce, or a 12 oz strip loin with dauphine potatoes. Your shared dessert is an almond florentine and salted chocolate brownie. $140 for two, February 10 – 18, 15023 Marine Drive, 604-538-9373. 

Make a reservation for a romantic dinner at Bin 101 and enjoy a special 3-course menu. Start with the lobster bisque or a beet and pear salad, followed by your choice of seafood linguine, with lobster, tiger prawns and scallops, or 7 oz beef tenderloin steak frites with a cabernet sauvignon demi-glace and truffle fries. And for dessert, order the chocolate terrine or raspberry mousse. Pair your meal with an excellent bottle of wine or a delicious cocktail. $80 per person, 1436 Johnston Road, 604-560-1434.

Italian classics with a modern twist are on the menu at La Baia Italian Restaurant. Located across the street from the beach, La Baia has been serving locals and visitors delicious food for over 35 years. This Valentine’s Day they are offering a special four-course set menu. The appetizer course features dishes like scallops and beans or La Baia’s famous seafood chowder. For “primi piatti” (first dish) choose from a pasta course of risotto with prawns, gnocchi and mussels or fusilli Italia. The entrees include a chicken breast stuffed with mushroom and spinach, wrapped in bacon, 8-hour slow braised beef cheek with creamy mashed potatoes or a poached seabass.  And dessert features their signature tiramisu, panna cotta or Tartfuo, a chocolate hazelnut gelato. $166 per couple, 15791 Marine Drive, 604-531-62261.

All you need is love … and The Boathouse. Their special 3-course Valentine’s menu is one for the senses and features items like their delicious Oysters Rockefeller, Togarashi Seared Ahi Tuna and a choice of Espresso Crème Brulee or molten lava cake. Pair your meal with a glass of sparkling wine. $75 per person, February 14, 14935 Marine Drive, 604-536-7320.

Take in the spectacular view of Semiahmoo Bay at the much-loved Washington Avenue Grill and enjoy a limited a la carte menu of the WAG’s greatest hits, a 1/2 rack of lamb with a minted 5-spice rub, herb whipped feta and rosemary roasted potatoes, and a 7 oz beef tenderloin with celery horseradish puree, and seasonal vegetables. And the dessert special is red velvet apple crumble with dulce de leche and vanilla ice cream. 5-15782 Marine Drive, 604-541-4244.

White Rock’s favourite brunch spot, The Wooden Spoon Co. is offering a special “spoon-style” dinner this Valentine’s Day. Start with your choice of carrot ginger soup or a Caesar salad, and then dive into the shared pasta course featuring penne diavlo with fire-roasted tomatoes, grilled seasonal vegetables, Calabrian chili and shaved grana padano. Next up is your choice of a bone-in chicken breast with pomme puree, broccolini and a mushroom medley or based short rib with honey roasted heirloom carrots. And dessert is a to-die-for vegan chocolate cake with berry coulis to share. $79.95 per couple, 15171 Russell Avenue, 604-560-6018

Are you treating yourselves to a romantic evening at home?  Pick up a gorgeous Valentine’s Day Charcuterie Box from Hillcrest Bakery & Deli. The box is full of high-quality meats and cheeses, fresh fruit, pickles and olives, a freshly baked baguette, spinach dip and sweet treats, for just $65. And we all want extra dessert, so the lovely folks at Hillcrest are preparing to bake up a storm of tasty treats, including assorted cookies, heart-shaped cake for 2, mini macarons, Linzer heart cookies and Valentine’s Day doughnuts. Pre-order for pick-up at the bakery or schedule a delivery.  15231 Thrift Avenue, 604-531-1750

 

Keep checking back, we’ll add more restaurants as details are released.