EATERIES CATER TO LOVE ON ROMANTIC HOLIDAY.Byline: Sherry Joe Crosby Daily News Staff Writer Since their daughter was born Jan. 1, Ilanit and Yuval Ben-Naim haven't had time for each other. Valentine's Day Valentine's Day: see Saint Valentine's Day. Valentine's Day Lovers' holiday celebrated on February 14, the feast day of St. Valentine, one of two 3rd-century Roman martyrs of the same name. St. was their first night out in a long time, and they had some serious catching up to do. ``We've been hesitant to leave the baby (with a sitter), but we said, `let's do it. And if we do it, let's make it Valentine's Day,' '' said Ilanit Ben-Naim, 25, of Tarzana, sitting at a romantic table at Milano's Italian Kitchen in Woodland Hills. ``After dinner, we're going back home, snuggle next to the fireplace - and change the baby's diapers,'' Yuval Ben-Naim said, laughing. Love was in the air Valentine's Day night - and so was the sound of restaurant cash registers on what typically is the busiest, most romantic evening of the year. And those who didn't have the foresight to make reservations were destined des·tine tr.v. des·tined, des·tin·ing, des·tines 1. To determine beforehand; preordain: a foolish scheme destined to fail; a film destined to become a classic. 2. to wait in long lines In communications, circuits that are capable of handling transmissions over long distances. - or hear the dreaded words: ``I'm sorry, but we're fully booked.'' That was the case at Ca del Sole in North Hollywood, where owner Rodolfo Costella turned away 300 diners without reservations. His restaurant was booked three days ago. ``It's busy. It's unbelievable,'' said Costella. ``I've been on the phone for two hours at a time. ``It's just relentless. It's the busiest night for us.'' At Milano's, Richard and Laurie Singer counted themselves lucky to even get a table at the Italian restaurant. Turned away by other restaurants and unable to find baby-sitters, they and two friends brought their children along for the evening. ``There are no baby-sitters. They're all out on dates,'' said Laurie Singer, who was so grateful for the reservation that she bought the manager a box of heart-shape chocolate cookies. At the Italian restaurant, diners munched on Juliet's Caesar salad caesar salad n. A tossed salad of greens, anchovies, croutons, and grated cheese with a dressing of olive oil, lemon juice, and a raw or coddled egg. , which included mushrooms, cheese, chicken and avocado avocado (ä`vəkä`do, ăv`–), tropical American broad-leaved evergreen tree of the genus Persea of the family Lauraceae (laurel family). , and Romeo's Ravioli, featuring shrimp and lobster ravioli. ``Fine wine, dinner and a cool evening. It's perfect, you couldn't ask for anything better,'' said Angel Luna as he and and his wife, Karen, dined outdoors. Angel Luna made his reservations Tuesday - way ahead of most impromptu Romeos. ``He's really a romantic,'' said Karen Luna, sporting her Valentine Day's gift: drop pearl earrings. To keep up with the crowds, restaurants brought in extra workers, tables and offered fixed menus to hasten orders. Pinot Bistro in Sherman Oaks installed 24 extra tables and parlayed its outdoor terrace into an al fresco dining experience for lovers. ``We usually don't use it at this time of year, but we were running out of space,'' said Pinot Bistro manager Nathalie Gamel, who said the restaurant doubled its business Friday with 450 customers. And for those lovers who wanted romance without the hassles of dining out, the French restaurant offered a take-out Take-out A cash surplus generated by the sale of one block of securities and the purchase of another, e.g., selling a block of bonds at 99 and buying another block at 95. Also, a bid made to a seller of a security that is designed (and generally agreed) to take the seller out of version of its four-course meal that included caviar caviar or caviare (kăv`ēär), the roe (eggs) of various species of sturgeon prepared as a piquant table delicacy. , corn-and-seafood chowder chowder, stew of fish or shellfish with potatoes, onions, and pork (usually salt pork), thickened with crumbled hard bread. The name chowder seems to have originated from the French word chaudière , grilled salmon and beef tournedos or chicken breast wrapped in crispy crisp·y adj. crisp·i·er, crisp·i·est 1. Firm but easily broken or crumbled; crisp. 2. Having small curls, waves, or ripples. pancetta pan·cet·ta n. Italian bacon that has been cured in salt and spices and then air-dried. [Italian, diminutive of pancia, belly, from Latin pantex, pantic-.] , an Italian ham. Price: $40.95 per person. Bad news for procrastinators, though. You had to order 24 hours in advance. CAPTION(S): Photo Photo: Angel Luna and his wife, Karen, enjoy a romantic Valentine's Day meal on the patio at Milano's Italian Kitchen in Woodland Hills. John McCoy/Daily News |
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