By DAILY MAIL REPORTER
Birthday boy: Justin Bieber and girlfriend Selena Gomez - who appears to be covering a cold-sore on her mouth - out to dinner at Maggiano's restaurant in Los Angeles to celebrate his 17th birthday
They spent months trying to keep their relationship under wraps but now it seems that Justin Bieber and Selena Gomez have given up hiding.
The young couple celebrated Justin's 17th birthday yesterday with a whole day of activities that ended with an intimate candle-lit dinner for two.
The Baby singer and Disney star Selena, 18, dined at Los Angeles Italian restaurant Maggiano's Little Italy near the city's trendy Farmer's Market in West Hollywood.
Dressed casually in black jeans and a leather jacket, the birthday boy was spotted escorting his new girlfriend back to their car after the meal.
Time to go: The pair leave the restaurant after Justin's birthday meal with a host of bodyguards as they prepare to head home
Perhaps the star plumped for the eaterie's signature dish, the 'Famous Rigatoni "D"', which is rigatoni pasta, herb-roasted chicken, mushrooms and caramelized onions, tossed in a marsala cream sauce.
Selena had dressed up for the occasion in a classic little black dress and patent high heels, clearly wanting to impress her new man.
Earlier in the day the pair browsed the stores at the Beverly Centre Mall in West Hollywood, holding hands and chatting excitedly as they walked from shop to shop.
Birthday date: Justin and Selena spent the day shopping at the Beverly Centre in Los Angeles where they were spotted holding hands
He posted on his Twitter afterwards: 'Great bday. flew in grandma and got my cake. hung out with friends. got surprised. and you all helped #makeachange with @charitywater' And in a sentimental message to his almost eight million followers, he wrote: #and im not changing and im never forgetting. we r just starting this journey...2gether.'
In recent weeks the couple have become inseparable, spending almost everyday together.
Luxury: Selena Gomez and Justin Bieber spent two days in the $6.000-a-night Presidential Suite at the St Regis Monarch Beach hotel in Dana Point, California
Last weekend the pair checked into a $6,000-a-night suite as they enjoyed a romantic Californian getaway.
Justin and Selena spared no expense as they started Justin's birthday celebrations a few days early with two nights at the Presidential Suite at the St Regis Monarch Beach hotel in Dana Point, California.
The 3,000 square feet suit comes with a butler on call, two bedrooms, a dining room to seat ten, a private balcony overlooking the ocean and a hot tub.
During their stay Justin and Selena also enjoyed a romantic dinner at the nearby Stonehill Tavern, where they were seen kissing and feeding one another from their forks.
No expense spared: As well as enjoying the hotel's facilities, the pair also had a suite overlooking the ocean with a private balcony
Going public: Selena Gomez and Justin Bieber made their first red carpet debut at the Vanity Fair Oscars party
'For the most part, Justin and Selena wanted to be left alone,' a source told HollywoodLife.com.
'They didn’t have bodyguards or parents with them, but there was an emergency contact list at the front desk with numbers for a bodyguard and some of their people’s info if they needed it in any way.'
The next day the pair returned to Los Angeles for the Vanity Fair Oscars party, where after months of surreptitious meetings they went public with their romance.
And as they enjoyed long lingering kisses in front of the cameras outside the party, and happily showed off a photobooth shot of them puckering up, it was clear they had no intention of hiding their love any longer.
Justin Bieber, Chris Brown And Selena Gomez - Maggiano's Little Italy - 2011
Justin Bieber & Selena Gomez Birthday Dinner!
Justin Bieber is aggressive with paparazzi and hit the Camera
source: dailymail