Are you looking for something fun to do for Valentine’s Day? Restaurants and venues throughout the Conejo Valley and beyond offer special events for sweethearts seeking a romantic experience, including wine and chocolate tastings and dinner dances. Here’s a glimpse of Valentine’s Day activities to choose from.
Valentine’s Day Brunch & Sweetheart’s Dinner
Aroha New Zealand Cuisine & Bar is offering two special celebrations: a Valentine’s Day Brunch and Sweetheart’s Dinner. Guests can enjoy a romantic brunch with their loved ones under Aroha’s shade-sails beside indoor and outdoor waterfalls. This prix fixe Valentine’s Day Brunch menu offers a selection of beverages, main courses and desserts, including mimosas, Eggs Benedict, cinnamon crusted French toast, New Zealand venison sausage and Pavlova, the national dessert of New Zealand. An à la carte menu is available as well as gluten-free, vegetarian and dairy-free options for every course. Seating is limited. To make a reservation, visit ArohaRestaurant.com.
Aroha Restaurant
30990 Russell Ranch Rd., Unit C, Westlake Village
805.405.5054
Wine & Roses at NABU Wines
NABU Wines in Westlake Village will host two Valentine’s events a little bit early, on Feb. 10 and 11. Wine tastings are $20 for six varieties, including wines from both Napa and Malibu. Guests in attendance will receive a long-stemmed red rose. Custom Cupcakes by Sarah will be served. No reservations required.
Nabu Wines
2649 Townsgate Rd., #200, Westlake Village
818.835.3704
Petra Mediterranean Cuisine
Petra Mediterranean Cuisine in Thousand Oaks will feature live entertainment this Valentine’s Day. This casual dining restaurant offers Greek, Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisine. For more details, call 805.497.6767.
Petra Mediterranean
3731 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks
805.497.6767
Valentine’s Day at Rustico Ristorante Italiano
A special menu is planned for Valentine’s Day at Rustico Ristorante Italiano, located in a very special neighborhood Trattoria nestled below the North Ranch Mountain Range. Appetizers include Frittura Mista Tutto Mare, which are golden fried calamari, shrimp and sanddabs strips with arrabbiata sauce; Ahi Tuna Tartar and Shrimp Tempura Tower, Heirloom tomato salad with creamy burrata, Imported Bresaola Carpaccio, and Kale and Brussels Sprout with Manchego cheese, dried cranberry, roasted almonds, lemon dijon dressing. A range of entrees will also be offered, including Orecchiette with “Francesca’s” Meat Balls, Squid Ink Tagliolini, Lobster and Romanesco Broccoli, Fresh Mediterranean Branzino Fillet, Fresh Charcoal Broiled Skuna Bay Vancouver Salmon Fillet, Oven Roasted Chicken Breast Valdostana or Milanese or Parmigiana and Wood Oven Roasted Filet Mignon Bordelaise. Guests can also choose from an assortment of house made desserts, coffee and herb teas.
Rustico Restaurant
1125 Lindero Canyon Rd., Ste A1, Westlake Village
818.889.0191
Sweetheart Sunday at Stagecoach Inn Museum
On Feb. 12 from 1 to 4 p.m., the Stagecoach Inn Museum in Newbury Park will host Sweetheart Sunday. Guests can partake in photo opportunities in the gardens and a trunk full of costume hats and accessories will be available. This event is very popular, so guests are encouraged to arrive early and plan to use the cell phone camera or your photo devices. This event will also feature a Victorian romance speaker, Andrea Tice, who helped to curate the Victorian Jewelry exhibit at the Museum. Tice is considered an expert on the romantic use of various media for remembrances in Victorian times. For instance, women often used portions of their long hair to create amazing jewelry and art pieces—these were meant to convey their deep bond with the men who were part of their lives—men who went off to war, who travelled and were not home, and who were special members of the British society. Museum admission is a suggested donation of $4 for adults; $4 for seniors 62 and older; $4 for youths 13 to 21; $2 for children 5 to 12; and free for children under age 5.
Stagecoach Inn Museum
51 S. Ventu Park Road, Newbury Park
805.498.9441
The Dinner Detective Valentine’s Day Show
The Dinner Detective, considered America’s largest interactive murder mystery dinner show, will present a Valentine’s Day Show on Feb. 10 from 6 to 9 p.m. at The Gardens at Los Robles Greens. Tickets are $64.95 plus 10% taxes and service fees. Dinner selections include chicken, fish and vegetarian entrees. For reservations, visit TheDinnerDetective.com.
The Dinner Detective
299 S. Moorpark Road, Thousand Oaks
866.496.0535
Valentine’s Day at Twisted Oak Tavern
Twisted Oak Tavern in Agoura Hills will host a Valentine’s Day event on Feb. 14 from 5 to 10 p.m. Established in 2015, Twisted Oak Tavern is a distinctive gastropub and brewery offering a fresh twist on the classic tavern concept. Menu items include chicken and waffle bites, buffalo cauliflower, grilled ribeye and miso salmon. Guests can also make selections from the Twisted Oak Tavern’s bar, which was voted the best beer bar in California. Reservations are recommended for the Valentine’s Day event.
Twisted Oak Tavern
30105 Agoura Road, Agoura Hills
818.735.0091
Wine & Dine
The Four Seasons Hotel Westlake Village will host a Wine and Dine event on Feb. 14 at 6:30 p.m. Cost is $65 per person, and includes dinner, a recipe and wine. Guests can cultivate the art of moderation with gourmet small plates and perfect wine pairings. This is considered a great social event for date night, special events or solo.
Four Seasons
Two Dole Drive, Westlake Village
818.575.3000
11th Annual Sweetheart’s Dinner & Dance
The Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley will host the 11th Annual Sweetheart’s Dinner and Dance on Feb. 14 from 6 to 10 p.m. This event will feature an elegant evening under the wings of Air Force One. Guests will dine at intimate tables for two and enjoy a complimentary glass of champagne. There will be reserved and preferred table seating available for groups of four or more. Guests will be served a delicious three-course meal by professional wait staff while listening to live music. A professional photographer will be available to commemorate this special Valentine’s Day. Upon conclusion of the evening, each couple will receive a complimentary red rose to take with them. Tickets are $195 per couple (includes tax and gratuity) and reservations must be made by Feb. 8 at 8 a.m. Cocktail attire is suggested. For reservations, visit ReaganFoundation.org.
Reagan Foundation
40 Presidential Drive, Simi Valley
805.577.4057
Wines & Chocolates Class
If you’re willing to make a short drive across the Conejo Grade, head over to the Labyrinth Winery in Ventura for a wine and chocolate class on Feb. 11 from 5 to 7:30 p.m. In this class you will learn how to properly pair the strong, nuanced, powerhouse flavors of wine and chocolate. Resident sommelier, Gregory Leon, will educate and entertain as you taste pairings of exquisite chocolates with fine wines. After this symposium, you’ll be able to make perfect wine and chocolate pairings. This is Labyrinth Winery’s most popular class. Early enrollment tickets are $45; general admission is $55. To make a reservation, call the Labyrinth Winery at 805.585.2238.
Labyrinth Winery
607 East Main Street, Suite D, Ventura
805.585.2238