Whether you’re in the mood for a filet mignon, French artisan bread or panda-shaped macarons, you can get it to go.
FOGO DE CHAO
Irvine Spectrum Center
Date night doesn’t have to involve leaving your house. Fogo de Chao, a Brazilian steakhouse at Irvine Spectrum, is offering a date-night package for pickup or delivery (Doordash or Uber Eats). It includes your choice of two ready-to-grill proteins: rib-eye, filet mignon or salmon — along with chimichurri sauce and rock salt, so you can season it to your liking. The dinner also comes with a pound of potatoes and butter and cream for mashing. Items that are ready to serve include Brazilian baked cheese buns, Caprese salad and slices of chocolate Brigadeiro cake and New York cheesecake. You can also choose between a bottle of South American wine or, if you don’t imbibe, a jumbo poached shrimp cocktail for two.
HONEY & BUTTER MACARONS
Irvine Spectrum Center
Honey & Butter macarons are asdarling as they are delicious. The Irvine Spectrum sweet shop has an Instagram feed filled with macaron cartoons and “creatures,” from panda bears to pineapple faces to Baby Yodas. Themes and flavors rotate weekly. Our favorite flavors: sea salt caramel, cookie butter, French toast and fruity pebbles. During Valentine’s week (Feb. 11-15), owners Leanne and Pawel Pietrasinski will have Raspberry Rose, Red Bean & Mocha and Royal Durian, and are launching a new, cherry blossom-themed Macaron Tote Box (with animated characters wearing kimonos). Online orders open at noon Thursday through Monday. Or you can walk in to order from noon to 8 p.m. Because each macaron is handmade, there is a limited supply, so better get there early before they sell out.
PANDOR ARTISAN BAKERY
The Market Place
There’s a new kid in town, and she’s French. Pandor Artisan Bakery, owned and operated by husband and wife Raffi and Tiffany Sepetjian, opened its doors at The Market Place in Irvine less than a month ago. The cafe specializes in authentic French artisan breads, vien- noiseries, pastries, tartines, paninis, soups and award-winning quiche. You can order everything from soupe du jour to daily specials through DoorDash or Uber Eats for delivery or call the cafe directly for pickup.
