The lure of the ocean draws lovers each Valentine’s Day to Terranea Resort in Rancho Palos Verdes. Whether celebrating the ultimate romantic getaway along our scenic 102 acres, or enjoying a cozy day of romance at home – enjoy these offerings that you’re sure to fall in love with.
Savor the moment and enjoy our romantic dining offerings at Terranea’s signature restaurants including mar’sel, catalina kitchen, bashi, Nelson’s, and the Lobby Bar & Terrace. Celebrate love with a four-course tasting menu and live entertainment at mar’sel. Fall head over heels for Valentine’s surf and turf dining specials at Nelson’s. Head to bashi on Valentine’s weekend and try specialty cocktail, “Love Potion” featuring Japanese strawberry gin, raspberry liqueur and pomegranate. catalina kitchen offers live entertainment and a unique menu featuring black pepper tuna carpaccio, pan-roasted swordfish, surf n’ turf with filet mignon, broiled jumbo tiger prawns and lobster mashed potatoes, a decadent 40oz Porterhouse for two, and more. Continue your Valentine’s celebration with themed after-dinner specialty cocktails and live entertainment at the Lobby Bar & Terrace.
And don’t forget to purchase sweets for your sweetheart! Terranea’s award-winning pastry team has crafted a decadent selection of desserts and sweet treats to share with loved ones. Specialty Valentine's items at sea beans include premium heart chocolate boxes, tiramisu chocolate cups, cupcakes and cakes of every variety, pies, tarts, white chocolate strawberries & cream cookies and much more. Fall in love with sea beans’ specialty drink, La Vie en Rose – a returning favorite featuring notes of strawberry, rose petals, and espresso and partake in the chocolate dipping station.
Looking for a date idea? Terranea also offers endless opportunities to explore the natural environment of the Palos Verdes Peninsula. Through the resort’s Adventure Concierge, guests can get up close and personal with local flora and fauna in the coastal preserve. Private adventure lessons are available to try your hand at horseback riding, ocean kayaking, paddle boarding and the art of falconry. Practice the art of mandala meditation and create your own unique work of art keepsake in celebration of Valentine’s Day. Receive mandala painting supplies, two stemless wine glasses and a half bottle of wine. Aim for adventure and enjoy a themed, custom-tailored archery session for two with heart-shaped targets, set against the backdrop of the breathtaking Beach Cove and featuring instruction from Terranea experts. Couples will also receive a ½ bottle of red, white, or bubbly and a specialty jar of house-made chocolate truffles from sea beans. For a kid-friendly activity that’s sure to entertain, purchase a Kids Club Activity Box online or at pointe discovery, or pick up a variety of activity kits fun for the whole family, including Stargazing and S’mores roasting to enjoy at one of the resort’s 228 fire pits and fireplaces.
Create a transformative experience for body, mind and spirit for you and your loved one. Designed by the foremost experts in wellness and restorative therapy, The Spa at Terranea is a serene oasis that provides oceanfront relaxation. Select treatments are available including CBD Massage, Therapeutics Massage, Tranquility Massage, Relaxing Classical Massage, Revitalizing Marine Massage, Ocean’s Renewal Massage, Mommy-To-Be, Stone Therapy and Crystal Reflections. Facial treatments include Skin Specifics Facial, Nature’s Transformation, Botanical Brightening, and Gentlemen’s Facial. Fitness classes are also available, in addition to the oceanfront Spa Pool.
And if you’re looking for the perfect gift, Terranea’s Digital Getaway Certificates and gift cards can be used resort-wide for dining, golf, spa, activities, stays, and more! Available for purchase at terranea.com/store.
Cook up some romance yourself with a little quality time in the kitchen. This unique take on a signature soufflé hints at the ocean without overpowering the dish. Warming ginger adds just a touch of heat to spice up the night.
One dessert. Two spoons. Now that’s pretty sweet.
Salted Dark Chocolate Soufflé with Strawberry, Ginger Chantilly Cream
Makes (1) 16-ounce or (2) 8-ounce soufflés
Ginger Syrup
2 tablespoons water
1 tablespoon peeled, fresh, grated ginger (2-inch piece)
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
Ramekin Prep
Butter inside of a 16-ounce ramekin, dust with granulated sugar. Tap out excess sugar and chill.
Base
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour, or bread flour for a “chewier” texture
1 ounce unsalted butter
1/3 cup dark chocolate chips 62% cocoa, slightly melted
4 fluid ounces whole milk
1 deseeded, scraped vanilla bean, seeds only
3 tablespoons granulated sugar
2 large egg yolks
Soufflé
3 large egg whites, room temp
pinch, cream of tartar
Garnish
pinch, natural sea salt (plus extra to sprinkle on top)
powdered sugar
Strawberry & Ginger Chantilly Cream (recipe below)
Preheat oven to 400º. Combine ingredients for Ginger Syrup. Cook over medium heat until sugar dissolves. Strain liquid and reserve. Should yield approximately 1 tablespoon of syrup. Save ginger pulp for Chantilly Cream recipe below.
In a medium saucepan slowly whisk the flour into the melted butter, making a blonde roux paste. Cook about 3–4 minutes without browning. Remove from heat and add chocolate chips to a warm (not hot) mixture. Stir until fully combined and the chips are completed melted into the base.
Scald milk and vanilla by bringing to a near boil and remove from heat. Add ginger syrup. In a separate bowl, beat egg yolks with sugar until fluffy and pale in color. Slowly add a small amount of hot milk to the egg mixture and then mix the two mixtures. (This prevents the egg yolks from scrambling.) Combine with chocolate roux mixture. Reserve. Can be made a day in advance. Warm over a double broiler until batter stirs easily.
Whip egg whites in a clean bowl on medium until frothy. Add cream of tartar and whip until stiff peaks form yet meringue is still glossy and not dry. Whip ¼ of the meringue into the room-temperature soufflé batter until mixed throughout. Carefully fold in the rest of the meringue (leave visible streaks of meringue). Transfer batter to a piping bag. Pipe into prepared ramekins, with a circular motion. Make sure that the top 1/8-inch of the inside rim of the ramekin is clean by taking a thumb around the top inner edge to remove the butter and sugar. This allows the soufflé to peak and rise with ease. Smooth top of soufflé with a wet finger or back of a wet spoon.
Turn oven temp down to 375º after the first 4 minutes. Bake soufflé on a sheet tray on the middle rack of the oven until it rises 1 inch above rim, about 15 to 20 minutes. Remove from oven. Sprinkle with sea salt. Dust with powdered sugar. Serve immediately with Strawberry & Ginger Chantilly Cream and vanilla bean ice cream.
Note: Oven temps may vary. Place soufflé away from hot spots and resist opening the oven door until they have risen. If the soufflé is not done inside, turn the oven up 25º and reheat until it rises and is cooked through.
Strawberry & Ginger Chantilly Cream
Whip 1 cup of heavy cream with 3 tablespoons of granulated sugar or powdered sugar. Once the cream starts to thicken, add the ginger pulp. Continue to whip until thick peaks form. Fold in 3 to 4 finely diced fresh strawberries. Add additional sugar to taste. Reserve under refrigeration until ready to use.
Success Tips
Clean the mixing bowl and whisk with white vinegar and water and dry completely before whipping egg whites.
Make sure egg whites are room temperature and free of any egg yolks before whipping. Buy a container of pure egg whites for perfect, no-hassle meringue.
Don’t overmix base, and carefully transfer mixture to the piping bag, or the soufflé mixture will deflate and not have enough structure to properly rise.
Undercooked soufflés can be reheated for a few minutes to rise again if they are still warm from the oven. Leave the oven on. Turn it up 25º in case you need to pop the soufflé back in for a couple minutes.
If the top surface is cracking, your oven might be too hot or you may have cooked it too long. A dusting of powdered sugar and Chantilly Cream can solve most soufflé imperfections. Enjoy!
For more information about Terranea Resort’s Valentine’s Day offerings, please visit www.terranea.com/heart.