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Romantic offerings across the region

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Love is in the air regardless of the budget with this selection of Valentine’s Day (and weekend) offerings:

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Pop-up Flavor

Chef Ryan Carson brings his Los Angeles-based pop-up restaurant, ‘Pri-ve, to the Taco Asylum restaurant in The Camp, 2937 S. Bristol St., B102, in Costa Mesa for select nights this month. Valentine’s Day is booked, but Sunday, Monday, Feb. 19 and 20 were available as of press time. Future dates might open up as well.

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‘Pri-ve has popped up at more than 10 locations in the Los Angeles area. After his most recent pop-up at Chateau in Santa Monica, Carson said he was homesick for Orange County, where he got his start as a chef.

“The brotherhood of the chefs in Orange County is better than anywhere else I’ve worked,” he said. Carson is a colleague and friend of Taco Asylum partner and Executive Chef Greg Daniels.

“He welcomed us with open arms; it was really nice to come back to Orange County so quickly,” Carson said. He hopes to give ‘Pri-ve a permanent home this year, either here or in the Los Angeles area, so the local pop-up seemed like a natural fit.

“We just wanted to showcase what we’re trying to do, and see what O.C. and L.A. diners really like,” Carson said. “When we thought about the menus and what we were going to do, our first thought was of nostalgia, from our childhood or from other people’s childhoods. We’re bringing in obscure products to the general public by making them identifiable, approachable.”

Carson will offer guests an 11-course “postmodern American” tasting menu for $99 per person, excluding beverages, tax and gratuity. Menu items include a fun Otter Pop-inspired intermezzo, a modern take on trout Amandine, “all things oyster,” “octopus mosaic” and much more.

For reservations, give your name, party size and reservation date at (909) 576-9210 or ryanjcarson1@yahoo.com.

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Dance-Inspired Dining

Taking your date to see Monaco’s own Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo’s unique take on “Cinderella” at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts through Sunday?

Pair it up with a “Taste of Monaco” at neighboring eateries like Marché Moderne, Pinot Provence, Leatherby’s Cafe Rouge, Antonello Ristorante, Quattro Caffé, Nello Cucina and Antonello Espresso Café.

In addition, partake in a memorabilia exhibit on the cultural heritage of Monaco and Princess Grace’s contributions to the arts at South Coast Plaza’s Jewel Court. Information: (800)-782-8888 or southcoastplaza.com.

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Four Courses for $45

Join Shades Restaurant at the Hilton Waterfront Beach Resort, 21100 Pacific Coast Hwy., Huntington Beach, for a bargain Valentine’s Day dinner deal from 5 to 10 p.m. Tuesday.

The prix-fixe menu, $45.95 per person, includes a first course of bruschetta of lamb sausage, white bean ragout and stewed tomatoes; a second course panzanella salad with fresh Burrata cheese, pan croutons, pickled onions, tomato and basil oil; an entrée choice of seared Arctic char with paella risotto and saffron aioli or prime New York strip loin, yucca fritters and watercress salad tossed with horseradish vinaigrette; and for dessert, a warm chocolate and raspberry tart with homemade vanilla bean ice cream.

Reservations: (714) 845-8444.

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A Murderous Meal

For something different this year, try a Valentine’s mystery dinner show by Creative Motion Entertainment from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Wyndham hotel, 3350 Avenue of the Arts, Costa Mesa.

“The Password Is … Murder” is set during the 1933 Prohibition gangster era at an “illegal” speakeasy, organizers say; the PG-13 performance features audience involvement, a costume contest (costumes suggested but not required), a four-course meal with choice of entrée, a free rose for every two reservations, and free chocolates for every six reservations.

A full cash bar will be available during the show; the price per person starts at $85, including gratuity. Information: (949) 509-9889 or BestComedyMurderMystery.com.

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Valentine’s Vinyasa

Ever want to meet a dreamboat doing Downward Dog? YogaWorks Laguna Beach, 30818 Pacific Coast Hwy., is offering free one-hour sample classes on Valentine’s Day. They include Pilates Meets Yoga at 3 and 4 p.m., Iyengar at 4:30 p.m., Sculptworks at 5 p.m., Vinyasa at 6 p.m., Yoga Blend at 6 and 7 p.m. and Vinyasa Flow at 7 p.m. Information: (949) 415-0955 or yogaworks.com.

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Sunday Musicale

The Elixir Trio will perform in a free, first-come, first-served concert at 3 p.m. Sunday at the Newport Beach Central Library, 1000 Avocado Ave. Violinist Samvel Chilingarian, pianist Lucy Nargizyan, and cellist Garik Terzian will perform a traditional and modern repertoire with classical, folk and jazz influences, including works by Khachaturian and Piazzolla, among others.

Information: newportbeachca.gov.

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European Flavor

Pop into the Hotel Hanford for a fun Valentine’s Day menu and optional wine pairing, as well as optional overnight romance package. Begin with an amuse-bouche of Beausoleil oysters, followed by a burrata and citrus caprese or vichyssoise, entrée choice of seared dayboat scallop with faro or lamb chop with currant brulee, and a “caramel macchiato” dessert. Dinner is $50 or $85 with wine pairings. The Hotel Hanford is at 3131 Bristol Street, Costa Mesa.

Information: (714) 557-3000 or thehotelhanford.com.

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Self Love

To pamper yourself a bit this weekend, pop into any Bath and Body Works location for its Valentine’s Day Party from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Those who wear pink will be able to try the store’s new Pink Chiffon fragrance.

Information and locations: (800) 756-5005 or bathandbodyworks.com.

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