David Chiu

Valentine’s Day 2005.

I was a little smarter this year and made reservations at the Inn of the Seventh Ray a week in advance. Even so, I couldn’t get a reservation earlier than 9.45. I also decided to buy flowers two days earlier so I didn’t have to deal with inflated prices and last minute shoppers. I bought H a nice arrangement at Rita Flora. Anyone can sell roses, but not everyone can put together a unique flower arrangement that makes you say “Wow”!

Our romantic dinner plans started off as a small adventure when we started double-guessing the directions and couldn’t figure out if we were suppose to take the 101 Ventura freeway North (which is also labeled as West depending on where you get on) or 101 S (which is sometimes East). We’ve actually been to the Inn a couple times in the past but have always taken the scenic route up the coastline. Little did we know that the canyon road is actually closed from the south after 9pm. So that’s why we had to take the complicated LA freeway route - 10W to 405N to 101N (sometimes West), then exit Topanga Canyon.

Even with us backtracking on the freeway twice, we were only 10min late. We pulled up on Old Topanga Canyon Road to be greeted by limos, BMWs and Mercedes at the makeshift valet booth both arriving and departing. A whole line of couples stood in the cold waiting for their carriages. We pulled up in our ‘93 Ford Taurus, exited the car and proceeded to the hostess stand. That’s when we realized how cold it was. It was pretty chilly and neither H and I wore coats. The restaraunt was packed. There were people standing all over the place waiting for their name to be called. We checked in and proceeded into the warm bookstore. The small new-age bookstore was crowded as well with couples trying to keep warm. H and I browsed through some of the books and sniffed a bunch of candles, incense and oils waiting to be called. Luckily we didn’t wait long and we were summoned for dinner. We gently pushed our way through the bookstore to be greeted by another hostess who would show us to our table.

The Inn of the Seventh Ray has always felt like a sort of mystical place. As you stand at the top of the stairs before descending into the seating area you get a glimpse of what looks like a glowing magical forest with lighted tables amongst the trees. The hostess led us down the stairs and we made our way through the maze of candle lit tables with people in a romantic haze. We walked down another set of stairs and was led to our candle-lit table which was at the edge of the creek. It was a very beautiful spot secluded from most of the other tables. To our left was a babling creek and a forest. The stars shined bright above, and past the stone booth on our right were tall shrubs. It was all very romantic - except the fact that it was COLD. The restaraunt had setup portable propane heaters at the tables that were at the edge of the creek, but it wasn’t enough. For a half-hour H and I tried to ignore the fact that it was cold and just enjoy our wine, bread and “Love Apples”, but it was just too cold. Luckily, the couple in the booth next to us eventually left and we jumped up and stole their booth. The booth had heat lamps above, and we moved the propane heater to warm our feet as well. Finally we were comfortable and we very much enjoyed our romantic seven course meal under the stars, near the creek, in the canyon forest.

Happy Valentines Day.
To my infinitly beautiful wife.