by Jeff Hocker

Happy VD, boys!

Whether you are in a relationship or are trying to court that special someone, Valentine’s Day gives us all a chance to pamper and explore our deepest feelings with our partners or budding romances.

For the perfect, fun, funky or just plain fabulous Valentine’s Day card, visit the friendly and always chock-full Soho Gallery. Choose from thousands of cards, gifts, CDs and, yes, plan on taking a little time to find that perfect card that expresses your true sentiments.

You’re next step is satisfying your chocoholic’s fixation with a visit to the Corridor’s Café Chocolat. New to the Corridor Center and adjacent to Koffi on North Palm Canyon, the Café an endless array of truffles, candies and exotic treats. Elaborately decorated and flawlessly wrapped gift items fill the shelves and are sure to impress even the most difficult to buy for.

For an enchanting evening, visit the newest edition to Rancho Mirage’s culinary scene, Bing Crosby’s Restaurant. The space—gussied up with photos of Uncle Bing’s career—has every bit the glamor, elegance and charm characteristic of Old Hollywood. Impress your significant other by reserving a booth overlooking the dining room and grand piano bar. Start with the steak tartar served with capers, red onions, cornichons, Dijon mustard, quail egg and bruschetta, or seared foie gras sliders with toasted brioches, pickled red onion, huckleberry jam and calvados gastrique. Bing Crosby’s signature dish is the grilled filet mignon with black truffle demi-glace, braised haricot vert and spinach with crispy potato cannellonis. Afterward, take a stroll by the rushing waters and cascading waterfalls of the River in Rancho Mirage. Sit along the rock-lined tributaries and take a few moments to enjoy each other’s company while taking in the fresh desert air.

Built in 1924 and originally called the Roberson house, Le Vallauris Restaurant personifies sophistication and elegance. Executive Chef Jean Paul Lair and owner Paul Bruggemans have continued this 25-year tradition by creating a magical environment in the garden patio beneath glorious, mammoth ficus trees, carefully strung with radiant twinkle lights. Tux-clad waiters cater to your every need as you pick delicacies off the sandwich board menus. A great appetizer to start with is a tropical Maine lobster cocktail with Costa Rican papaya, mango passion fruit, onion relish, Dijon mustard, grape seed oil and champagne vinegar. Two of their most delectable entrée items are the grilled Australian lamb filet with fresh mint persillade, sweet pea ravioli and tomato concasse and the roasted crispy Minnesota Peking duck with tangerine, orange reduction, medley of fruit chutney, crisp potato fan and sautéed leaf spinach with carrot mousse. Soft music and dim lighting accentuate the relaxing tone that permeates the restaurant. Your evening of stellar fine food paired with the finest of French and California wines will truly be a memorable experience that you’ll cherish a lifetime.

The Details

Bing Crosby’s Restaurant
71-743 A Highway 111
Rancho Mirage
www.bingcrosbysrestaurant.com

Café Chocolat of Palm Springs
515 N. Palm Canyon Dr.
(760) 320-8889

Le Vallauris Restaurant
385 W. Tahquitz Canyon Way
Palm Springs
www.levallauris.com

Soho Gallery
301 N. Palm Canyon Dr.
Palm Springs
(760) 318-8125