The Best Romantic Restaurant in Los Angeles

Although getting there may be an adventure in and of itself, Candlelight Kitchen and Bar in Simi Valley (about 30 minutes outside of Studio City, CA) is well worth the trouble. Located in the hills, on the edge of a Vineyard and surrounded by waterfalls, Candlelight is sure to be the romantic oasis you've been looking for. The color scheme is quite simple, earthy and white with a green, turf-like floor that attempts to bring the outside in. The light of hundreds of candles (some real, some fake) and a twinkling ceiling, that reminds one of a planetarium, set an extremely romantic and sexy vibe through out. Patrons have the choice of sitting at the large bar in the middle of the room, standard white tables, large white picnic tables with pillows on the benches, large white, comfy couches or white beds with bed trays. There is also a large "Pillow Room" where 30 or so large pillows covered the floor for guests to lounge and relax in. If you're aiming for romance, you need not look any further.

Although the menu is small, it is reasonably priced with prices ranging from $9 appetizers and salads to the $44 1/2 dozen shucked oysters with 1/2 bottle of Vueve Cliquot. The Connoisseur de frittes ($11) come as four large cones with four different styles of french fries and a multitude of dipping sauces including a miniature bottle of ketchup and mustard were an instant hit at our table as was the Arugala and Artichoke Dip ($9) which comes with tortilla chips for dipping. When it came time for the main course we were pleasantly surprised by the size and taste of the Mandarin Blood Orange Chicken and Tea Lotus Plum Chicken ($16) served over steamed broccoli. It was flavorful and big enough to share. The Kobe Beef Sliders ($14) and the California Pesto Linguine ($17) were also wonderful and tasty. I do not recommend the Maine Lobster Mini Melts ($17) unless you like Lobster salad, but the presentation in this dish was nice, even if the taste wasn't up to our standards. When it came to dessert, the Candlelight Cake ($9) was highly recommended by the staff, and it looked amazing, but we opted for the Chocolate Fondue Decadence ($13) . What better way to end the perfect romantic night than with a large pot of melted dark chocolate goodness and plates of fruits and pound cake. There is nothing sexier than lounging on an all-white bed, in candlelight, dipping berries in chocolate and feeding them to your sweetie.

Of course, no night out would be complete without an array of decadent and delicious drinks. Candlelight Kitchen and Bar cleverly refers to their drinks as "Emotions" and names them after such. Coming in 2 sizes, small and large, guests have their choice of "Emotions" such as Sensual, Pure, Desire, and Joy just to name a few. Erotic a mix of X-rated Liquor, Sky Vodka, Peach Schnapps and Fresh Cranberry, was refreshing and delicious (particularly if you don't like a very strong alcohol taste) and Deceit, a mix of Bacardi O Rum, Malibu Coconut Rum, fresh pineapple, fresh orange and Lahaina Rum was also well-received at our table for it's pleasing taste.

Overall, if you are looking for a romantic place to take your honey for Valentine's Day, a birthday or just a special night out, Candlelight Kitchen and Bar is definitely the place to go.