680 Eats Presents: Food and Drink Pairings for a Valentine's Day Date

Patch asked a few of our favorite restaurants along I-680 to recommend food and drink pairings for Valentine's Day.

Martini Sky, 416 Sycamore Valley Road West. This intimate candle-lit restaurant, located in the former Patrick David's location, is the perfect spot for a romantic V-Day date, especially since a flower, edible no less, will adorn your appropriately pink cocktail. Their recommended pairing:

• Lobster Risotto — Tender Lobster Knuckle Pieces folded into Arborio rice with Preserved Lemons, Wild Mushrooms, Chives, Cauliflower and Lemon Beurre Blanc. $16.
• Asian Pear — Grey Goose Pear Vodka, Soho Lychee Liqueur, Hibiscus Infused Simple Syrup, Grüner Veltliner, Dash of Orange Bitters. $10.

Residual Sugar, 1684 Locust St., Walnut Creek. This wine bar could easily have been transported directly from New York's hip SoHo neighborhood, with its dark wood accents and the staff's remarkable wine knowledge. We like their $25 Valentine's Day special because it includes two romantic meal staples: chocolate and strawberries.

• Cheese & Charcuterie Plate — La Mancha Manchego Cheese, La Quercia Prosciutto and Crostini 

• 2 Glasses of California Sparkling Wine

The New Forli Ristorante, 3160 Danville Blvd., Alamo, No one knows romance better than the Italians, but save yourself the jet lag and find that European retro cool right here in the East Bay. You'll almost expect to see Frank Sinatra dining at a table nearby. Their recommended pairing:

• Veal Osso Buco — Forli's Signature Braised Veal Shank, Tuscan Style. $26.
• Pairs with a bottle of Il Falcone, a Puglian Bold red wine blended with 70% Nero di Troia, 30% Montepulciano grapes. $50.

1515 Restaurant and Lounge, 1515 Main St., Walnut Creek. This popular Walnut Creek restaurant is offering a four-course menu for $65, including an appetizer, soup or salad and dessert. Diners will have several options of dishes to choose from.

What's your favorite local romantic eatery or your go-to food and drink pairing? Tell us in the comments.