Our Favorite Valentine Day Restaurants for Two or Twenty

(Gerry Furth-Sides) Celestino Ristorante in Pasadena on historic Lake Street is one of the rare huge, rambling spaces in which you could happily dine alone (we were there on a holiday eve with about 15 other people and felt so special) or a party of 100.  Perfect for Valentine’s day as a couple or with friends.

 Celestino Ristorante’s Owner- Executive Chef Calogero Drago created a Four-Course Prix-Fixe Valentine’s Day Menu ($78.00 per person)  plus a full à la carte Dinner Menu.

The Prix-Fixe Valentine’s Day Menu begins with Antipasto choices of: Zuppa di Barbabietole Dolci alla Romeo, a red beet soup with goat cheese; the Anellini di Calamari Fritti e Vegetali al Bacio, fried calamari and vegetables with aioli pesto sauce, or the Insalata di Aragosta con Pure’ di Piselli e Melone, steamed lobster over sweet pea purée and melon. The Pasta course features heart-shaped Ravioli di San Valentino, stuffed with buffalo ricotta, burrata, and spinach in a goat cheese sauce.  Risotto al Sapore di mare con Fave e Pecorino, a risotto with mixed seafood, fava beans, and pecorino cheese, or the Farfalle con Degli Innamoarti con Radicchio, Speck, e Mascarpone, a corkscrew pasta served with radicchio, speck, and mascarpone cheese is also on the menu.

The Third Course includes a choice of Filetto di Branzino con Patate Peruviane alla Mode degli Amori di Primavera, a grilled filet of sea bass served on a bed of Peruvian mashed potatoes and leeks in a black truffle broth, or the Involtini di Pollo Ruspante al Pepe Rosa, chicken roulade stuffed with fontina cheese in a pink peppercorn and brandy sauce.  Savor a special glass or bottle of Italian Wine from Celestino Ristorante’s award-wining Wine List to complement the magical meal. Torta Sorpressa d’Amore, represents a surprise sweet Italian “love” cake.

Celestino Ristorante will be open on Valentine’s Day, Friday , February 14th, 2020 for Lunch from 11:30 am to 2:30 pm and Dinner from 5:00 pm to 11:00 pm; 141 South Lake Avenue, Pasadena, CA 91101; 626.795.4006; www.CelestinoPasadena.com