Patch Picks: Romantic Valentine's Dinner Ideas

• La Piccoletta: this quaint Italian trattoria in downtown Claremont has been open for 25 years and offers a little Mediterranean romance. The one-room restaurant has the feel of being invited to a meal at a friend's home — that is, a friend for whom pasta al dente is second nature. Seating is limited to 40 people, so reservations are recommended. As they say, good things come in small packages. Buon appetito!
  Address: 114 P N. Indian Hill Blvd., Claremont
  Phone: (909) 624-1373
• Burger Continental: the Pasadena restaurant looks like a typical burger joint, but a special back room offers romantic and private dining space. The restaurant is a longer drive than others in the list, but worth a visit for a more far-flung retreat.
  Address: 535 South Lake Avenue, Pasadena
  Phone: (626) 792-6634
• Elephant Bar: this West Covina stop offers a tropical setting only 10 minutes away and is great for a private dinner for two.
  Address: 200 S Vincent Avenue West, West Covina
  Phone: (626) 918-3400
• Mimis Cafe: request a private booth at this Chino restaurant and enjoy a French Cafe ambience that takes you straight to the Champs Elyseés. A Valentine's Day special gives you a dinner for two for $25.99, from Feb. 10 - 16. Check out the Valentine's Day menu.
  Address: 3890 Grand Avenue, Chino
  Phone: (909) 465-1595
• The Cat and the Custard Cup: this La Habra restaurant offers an extensive wine list and a rustic feel with "new american" cuisine inspired by French flavors.
  Address: 800 East Whittier Boulevard, La Habra
  Phone: (562) 694-3812

Home-made Valentine's

We recognize that sometimes a full Valentine's dinner is more trouble than it's worth. Members of the Diamond Bar/Walnut Patch Moms council offered the following "home-made" Valentine's dinner suggestions.

• The Backyard Meal: Don't take these Southern California winters for granted. It's not everywhere that a backyard dinner in early February is possible, so bring out the candles, pull out the French cookbook you bought in the entryway of Barnes and Noble and get to cooking! A less-than-stellar plate of spaghetti, a trip to Trader Joe's for wine, and a little evening air can be tremendous shared with the right person.
  Address: Your backyard
  Phone: Unplugged from the wall
• In-n-Out with a view: grab burgers to go and enjoy them near the Japanese garden, rose garden, or gazebo near the "triangle" building at Cal Poly Pomona. Or, if you'd rather stay in the car, drive up to the top of Lemon Avenue for a great view of Walnut. The overflow parking lot at the Diamond Bar Center also offers a great view of the San Gabriel Valley at night.