Book These Five Top Unusual Ethnic Valentine’s Week-End

(Gerry Furth-Sides) New fascinating favorites this year for Valentine’s Day include a new chef at The Raymond with its history of regional cuisine. Also new and destination-drive worthy is a contemporary Indian Restaurant, ARTH BAR+KITCHEN and , a new Mexican eatery, El Granjero Cantina. Offers that extend the entire week-end mean a chance to try them all.

At ARTH BAR + KITCHEN:Arth Bar + Kitchen, Executive Chef Sagar Ghosh will be serving up extraordinary modern Indian fare. His Signature Menu include Small Plates, Shared Appetizers, Entrees, Sides, Tandoor Fresh Baked Breads, Rice, and Dessert for Lunch all weekend long and on Valentine’s Day.

For Valentine’s Weekend Dinner, Chef Gosh offers 9 Starters featuring Tandoori Shrimp, Mustard & Dill Salmon, and Lamb Chops, 9 Main Dishes spotlighting the Arth Signature Chicken Tikka Masala, Peking Duck Pepper, and Malabar Lobster Curry, 8 special Sides including Chef Sagar’s Garlic Butter Naan, Chili Cheese Naan, Onion & Goat Cheese Kulcha, and Burnt Garlic Raita.

2 Desserts showcase the seamless melding of classic and contemporary in the Gulab Jamun Thandai Trifle and the Date Palm Jaggery Tapioca Kheer. Head Bartender Lexi Kim will also be shaking up Arth Bar + Kitchen’s Lychee Martini prepared with Tito’s vodka, lychee liqueur, lychee juice and elderflower liqueur, and Mira Meets Pedro made of Nosotros Reposado Tequila, Cointreau, tamarind, spicy bitters, JaUeera, Himalayan salt, and Indian chile, making these the perfect Valentine’s Day libations!

Arth Bar + Kitchen hours:  Friday, February 11^th, Saturday, February 12^th, Sunday, February 13^th, and Valentine’s Day, Monday, February 14^th, 2022, from 11:30 am to 10:00 pm. For more information, please call Arth Bar + Kitchen at 424.503.4155; Arth Bar + Kitchen 9531 Culver Boulevard, Culver City, CA 90232; www.ArthLA.com

EL GRANJERO CANTINA’s Executive Chef Jenni Sklar is offering a special modern Mexican LUNCH & DINNER FOR TWO MENU ($60) featuring a Caesar Salad for Two,Two Surf & Turf Taco Plates comprised of Beef & Shrimp Veracruz Tacos served with rice and beans, and Tres Leches Cake for Two for the perfect sweet finish. 

El Granjero Cantina will also be offering their signature menu showcasing Chef Jenni’s Antojitos (Snacks), Ensaladas (Salad), Quesadillas, Tacos, Los Tazones (Bowls), Burritos, Acompanantes (Sides), and Desserts for all sweethearts and singles to enjoy. 

Three specialty Valentine’s Daycocktails created by Tobin Shea Including the Spicy Lover made of mezcal, lime, honey and spicy tincture, Cupid’s Arrow prepared with Casa Rica Rosado, fregola, lime, and agave, andLove Potion with guest’s choice of spirit, hibiscus, raspberry, lime, and soda for the perfect toast to say Te Amo!

El Granjero Cantina will be open for Valentine’s Day Weekend on Friday, February 11^th, 2022, from 11:30 am to 9:30 pm, Saturday, February 12^th, 2022, from 10:00 am to 9:30 pm, Sunday, February 13^th, 2022, from 10:00 am to 8:30 pm, and on Valentine’s Day, Monday, February 14^th, 2022, from 11:30 am to 8:00 pm. For more information or reservations, please call El Granjero Cantina directly at 323.879.9324; El Granjero Cantina at The Original Farmers Market Los Angeles is located on the plaza 6333 W. 3^rd Street, Los Angeles, CA  90036; 323.879,9324; www.CantinaLA.com

 

THE RAYMOND 1886:

At our very favoriteThe Raymond 1886 in South Pasadena, Executive Chef Gabriel Cappelli offers a decadent Valentine’s Day Four-Course Prix-Fixe Dinner Menu ($120.00 Per Person). The meal begins with Bread and Truffle Butter and the AMUSE featuring Roasted Fanny Bay Oyster with white wine vinegar beurre blanc roasted shallots and thyme.

The First Course is comprised of a Seasonal Mixed Greens with avocado, citrus, fried onion sprouts in a buttermilk dressing. The Second Course showcases a Tuna Tartare with uni cream, egg toast and miso oil.

The Third Course comes with a choice of the Pan Seared Duck Breast prepared with braised cabbage, beets, yam and local carrot purée, crispy wild rice pilaf, crème fraiche and dill, Broiled Halibut served with black trumpet mushrooms, collards, orange preserves and bone marrow, or the Filet Mignonprepared with pressed potatoes, turnips, watercress purée, and beef jus (Black Truffle Shavings + $35).

Desserts of the Fourth Course alone are destination drive worthy! It is a choice only of sharing to experience both the White Chocolate Mousse served with hazelnut, sage, blueberries, and house-made yogurt, or Sorbet & Ice Cream. 

1886 Jesus Gomez’s Valentine’s Day Cocktails including the Clover Club made of egg white, gin, lemon, sugar, and raspberries, Professional prepared with nigh-proof bourbon, Jamaican run, and Campari, or the Antilles comprised of cognac, dry vermouth, sweet vermouth, and orange flower. 

The Raymond 1886 will be open for Dinner on Valentine’s Day, Monday, February 14^th, 2022,from 4:00 pm to 9:00 pm. For more information or to make reservations, please call The Raymond 1886 directly at 626.441.3136; 1250 South Fair Oaks Avenue, Pasadena, CA 91105; 626.441.3136; www.TheRaymond.com