Best Valentine's Day Dates For Parents In OC

Valentine's Day is the perfect day to get away from it all. Whether it is an escape from your work or your kids, the night should be reserved for you and your partner and some delicious food. Whether your kids are old enough to fend for themselves or so young that you have to hire a babysitter, give yourselves a night off with some romantic alone time. Anniversaries, birthdays and other special occasions might breed some heartwarming feelings, but Valentine's Day is a day for parents to remember why they got together in the first place.

Gabbi's Mexican Kitchen
141 S. Glassell St.
Orange,CA 92866
(714) 633-3038
www.gabbipatrick.com/gabbis-mexican-kitchen

Valentine's Day should be a somewhat adventurous day, bonding over exotic food or new settings. Gabbi's Mexican Kitchen offers a twofold Valentine's Day treat: delicious, amazing food and an open front of the restaurant that allows patrons to look out at downtown Orange while they dine. The menu has traditional Mexican cuisine like tacos, enchiladas and empanadas, but they are more modern and classy than any previous orders you may have ever had. The combination of delectable cuisine and a great atmosphere will seal the deal this Valentine's Day.

Valentine's Day with Matthew Morrison
Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall
615 Town Center Drive
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
(714) 556-2787
www.pacificsymphony.org
Date: Feb. 13-15, 2014

If you finally get a night out alone and don't want to spend it shoulder to shoulder with every other pair of parents in town at a nice restaurant or bar, head to Costa Mesa for some song and dance. Glee's Matthew Morrison is leading a show at the Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall in order to strut his stuff, the very same stuff that has earned him Tony, Emmy and Golden Globe nominations. He will be performing cuts off of his new album that takes classic Broadway, jazz and show tune standards and dashes a little bit of Morrison's charm over them. This will be romantic, entertaining and a lot less sweaty and uncomfortable than the traditional Valentine's Day night out.

AnQi Gourmet Bistro
3333 S. Bristol St.
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
(714) 557-5679
www.anqibistro.com

Once voted the most romantic restaurant by OC Weekly, AnQi in South Coast Plaza is decadent beyond the menu. The vibe is totally red and passionate, giving off that perfect Valentine's Day vibe. It might be worth going to eat a little earlier than most, both to beat the crowd and to enjoy the "Red Hour," a discounted experience that has some half-off hand-crafted cocktails to enjoy. The mature, romantic mood is perfect for a grown-up dinner built for two and the stellar atmosphere is unlike anything else in town.

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Park Avenue
11200 Beach Blvd.
Stanton, CA 90680
(714) 901-4400
www.parkavedining.com

If you ever wanted to spend a night dining the way your favorite characters from "Mad Men" may have, give Park Avenue in Stanton a try. Its 1950s style might be the thing you are looking for, soaking in some of the classic upscale NY dining that sticks to classic and simple meals made to perfection. The drinks are the biggest highlight, however, as the specialty drinks mix some of the sweet (lemonade martini) with the sour (garden Manhattan). This is a particular style of class that parents might need in order to transport to a simpler time...before they had kids! This year, you can also join the restaurant for a romantic Valentine's Day brunch. From 10am to 2pm on February 14th or 15th, they will serving up items like Chilaquiles Scrambled Eggs, a smoked salmon Benedict and much more. For a full menu, visit the menu.

Habana has the kind of outdoor patio that might make your Valentine's Day the perfect Valentine's night. If the weather is nice and you find yourself outdoors enjoying anything off of the Cuban- and Spanish-inspired menu, take the time to order the killer mojitos or other fresh drinks. The fish and poultry dishes are all seasoned to perfection and the portions are fit for both people and then a little more. This hideaway tucked in a quiet spot in Costa Mesa might just make your Valentine's Day complete.

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