Local Resources
Best After Hours Place
Bungalow Restaurant
2441 E. Coast Hwy., Corona del Mar
(949) 673-6585
Specialty martinis and oversized velvet booths surrounded by dark cherry woods create an inviting scene for late-nighters to enjoy one of the best 21-ounce porterhouses in town.
Best Cheap Date
Gypsy Den Grand Central Cafe
125 N. Broadway, Santa Ana
(714) 835-8840
Located in the trendy Santora Arts District of Santa Ana, Gypsy Den offers a cheap and cheerful dining experience with vegetable lasagna, quiches, and tamale pies.
Best Club
Rain
1700 Placentia Ave., Costa Mesa
(949) 548-3533
Dont let the Tiki-Bar ambiance lead you astray. Rain is where locals congregate almost every night of the week for DJ promotions, singles nights, and club-style dancing.
Best Creative Date
Fairview Park
2501 Placentia Ave., Costa Mesa
(714) 754-5069
Adventurous types look to Fairview Park for action-packed dates that include gliding, horseback riding, and trail jumping.
Best Place for a Laugh
Irvine Improv 71 Fortune Dr., Suite 841, Irvine
(949) 854-5455
Orange Countys top comedy scene lures professionals and TV personalities from their regular LA gigs to weekend performances and midweek comedy nights.
Best Place for Coffee and Dessert
Haute Cakes Caffe & Bakery
1807 Westcliff Dr., Newport Beach
(949) 642-4114
Paintings from local artists, a freestanding flower store, and a salon are but a few of the reasons to visit Haute Bakery, if not just for the delectable sweets themselves.
Best Place To Buy a Gift
Fashion Island
401 Newport Center Dr., # A150, Newport Beach
(949) 720-3330
One of the West Coasts most picturesque shopping centers, it combines big name luxury stores like Neiman Marcus and Bloomingdales with smaller independent shops.
Best Restaurant for a Second Dinner Date
Bandera
3201 E. Pacific Coast Hwy., Corona Del Mar
(949) 673-3524
Elegant and refined, Bandera takes Spanish-American influences to produce some of the most flavorful and generously portioned steaks in the southland.
Best Restaurant for First Dinner Date
Rouge Bistro and Bar
327 Newport Center Dr., Newport Beach
(949) 640-2700
David Wilhelm, Orange County's most noted restaurateur, continues to prove his worthiness in French gourmet cuisine with this new bistro and bar.
Best Restaurant for Lunch or Brunch First Date
Ritz Carlton Laguna Niguel
1 Ritz-Carlton Dr., Dana Point
(949) 240-2000
The fanciest Sunday brunch in Orange County can get a quick answer to whether or not that special someone is ready for a commitment.
Best Special Occasion Restaurant
McCormick & Schmick's
2000 Main St., Irvine
(949) 756-0505
The areas finest seafood in a distinguished, tailored environment that is considered one of inland OCs premier dining choices.
TOP FIVE DATES
I love the nightlife
Shark Club
841 Baker St., Costa Mesa
(714) 751-6428
Orange County has one of the hottest dance scenes in the area, especially for the 30 to 40 year old set. Make a late date around 10 p.m., and hit the Shark Bar or your favorite local nightclub. Depending on the chemistry, dance the night away or use it as a stepping board to an even later date.
Love is in the air
Pacific Amphitheatre
100 Fair Dr., Costa Mesa
(714) 708-1870
Pacific Amphitheater offers outdoor concerts and performances by touring solo acts in addition to acclaimed local artists and musicians. The outdoor amphitheater allows patrons to bring in their own picnics, which is a great way to bring individuality to the date. Be sure to remember some candles and cloth napkins.
Make a formal date
Orange County Performing Arts Center
600 Town Centre Dr., Costa Mesa
(714) 556-2787
With a local opera, ballet, and orchestra, Orange County is the perfect place to indulge in an evening performance. Rather than slinking in jeans and a button-down shirt to a third tier seat, why not splurge on the best seats you can get and go in a suit or even a tuxedo?
Sometimes it can get hot in the kitchen.
St. Regis Monarch Beach Resort & Spa
1 Monarch Beach Resort, Dana Point
Call for other locations.
(949) 234-3200
Sometimes cooking is a talent that comes after a really positive cooking experience. With so many great restaurants and hotels in the area, why not go to a daytime cooking school to learn the tricks of the trade? Many of the classes are filled with hungry couples looking to nourish their relationships with good food and communication skills.
The allure of a civilized spirit
Bowers Museum of Cultural Art
2002 N. Main St., Santa Ana
(714) 567-3600
Living in Orange County gives people the ability to visit some of the best museums in the world. A great way to impress a date is to make a trip to a local museum. The Bowers Museum of Santa Ana offers one of the areas best and most extensive art and artifact collections in a stellar setting.
