Romantic Dining

Best Dallas restaurants for romantic dining on Valentine's Day 2017

Where to eat with your sweetheart on Valentine's Day.

Photo by Malin Strandvall/Flickr

Is it too soon to have romance on your mind? Some would say never. If you're wise in the ways of love, you know that restaurants fill up on Valentine's Day, and you get your reservation in early. These restaurants are already planning, and so might you.

Here's our list of restaurants ready to serve up some romantic dining on Valentine's Day. All dinners take place on February 14, unless otherwise noted.

Americano
Specials include oysters on the half shell ($19), beet gnudi with goat cheese and hazelnuts ($20), and squid ink spaghetti with mussels, clams, and rock shrimp in San Marzano tomato sauce ($22). For dessert, Italian cream cake and pistachio-strawberry opera torte. February 10-14. 214-261-4600.

Asador
Three-course meal with oysters, kale salad, and choice of rib eye with asparagus and truffle potato or tuna with forbidden rice. Desserts include choice of passion fruit tart in a jar or chocolate lava cake. 5-10 pm. $60 or $90 with wine pairing. 214-267-4815.

Bird Cafe
Four-course dinner begins with an amuse-bouche and champagne, followed by choices such as Blue Point oysters, pork cheek croquettes, eggplant bruschetta, lobster bisque, strawberry beet salad, rack of lamb, sea bass, quail cordon bleu, and osso bucco. Dessert options include red velvet trifle, a "reversed" banana muffin, and a bourbon-glazed bacon brownie. 5-10 pm. $90, plus $30 for wine flight. 817-332-2473.

Bistro 31
Special menu includes Atlantic oysters, sweet red shrimp, potato-leek soup, lobster risotto, surf and turf, and chocolate cake with raspberry coulis. $16-$58. 214-420-3900.

Bolsa
Four-course menu includes choices from beef tartare, shrimp and grits, quail with collards, flatbread, and local greens salad. Desserts include white-chocolate rum tile and brownies. 214-367-9367.

Canary By Gorji
Four-course dinner includes choices such as mussels, venison, Caesar salad, filet with garlic-gorgonzola smashed potatoes, trout and poached shrimp, lamb and quail, wild boar and scallop, or spinach lasagna. Desserts include flourless chocolate cake or kefir cheese butterfly. 5-10 pm. $99. 972-503-7080.

CBD Provisions
Chateaubriand steak for two with frisee salad and potato gratin is $90. Other specials include pork chop, beef tartare, wild mushroom pasta, and chocolate crinkle cookie sandwich with rocky road ice cream and burnt marshmallow fluff. February 11 and February 14. 214-261-4500.

CiboDivino Marketplace
Five-course Italian-centric dinner with mezzelune ravioli filled with beets and ricotta cheese; and pan-seared scallops with cream of corn. An alternate farm-to-table menu with choices such as hangar steak is a la carte. 5:30-8:30 pm. 214-653-2426.

Cook Hall
Three-course menu includes Texas quail with mole sauce, choice of duck breast or beef Wellington, and raspberry soufflé. $80 per couple. 214-397-4111.

Cru
Four-course menu includes choices from potato blinis; vol au vent; jumbo shrimp; asparagus salad; lobster salad; filet of sole with crawfish; beef tenderloin with pommes puree; lamb loin; and sea bass with celery root puree, sautéed spinach, and shaved black truffles. Desserts include chocolate bombe, sauternes sorbet, or chocolate fondue for two. 5-10 pm. $55. 214-526-9463.

Del Frisco's Grille
Special menu includes two pairings featuring bone-in rib eye with fried oysters for $65, or crab-stuffed lobster tail with garlic grits, for $49. Raspberry chocolate ganache tart is a special Valentine’s Day dessert. Regular menu is also available. February 10-14. Dallas 972-807-6152, Fort Worth 817-887-9900.

Fearing's
Three-course romance menu includes peekie-toe crab soup with dumplings, beef wellington, and a dessert duo featuring dark chocolate cake with raspberry chocolate filling, and vanilla panna cotta with passion fruit champagne sauce. February 10-14, 6-10 pm. $75. 214-922-4848.

Grayson Social
Four-course dinner has choices such as oysters, chicken-fried quail, baked Brie, arugula salad, corn bisque, fried chicken, oscar wellington, lamb, and dessert for two. $65. 972-232-1728.

Knife Dallas
Options include steaks for sharing as well as a cherry-chocolate cocktail with Luxardo amaretto, cherry liqueur, creme de cacao, vodka, and cranberry. Special dessert is dark chocolate raspberry roulade, with raspberry foam, dark chocolate ganache, raspberry sorbet, and dehydrated chocolate mousse. February 10-14. 214-443-9339.

Pakpao
Three-course meal includes lobster roll, wagyu filet with crispy oysters and Brussels sprouts, and a chocolate cloud cake for dessert. $39. 214-749-7002.

Pappas Bros. Steakhouse
Three-course dinner with choices from Caesar salad, soup, filet oscar, filet with shrimp, and red velvet brownie for dessert. February 10-14, 5–10 pm. $75. 214-366-2000.

Reunion Tower
Candlelight buffet with imported and domestic cheeses and nuts; Caesar salad, chicken breast, butternut squash risotto, jalapeño macaroni and cheese, New York strip loin, garlic potato puree, rolls. Dessert buffet includes dark chocolate cake, milk chocolate hazelnut crumble, crème brulee, red velvet cheesecake with white chocolate sauce, and glass of champagne. February 11 and 14, 6 and 8:30 pm. $250. 214-712-7043.

Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek
Three-course dinner begins with welcome cocktail and amuse. Choices include tenderloin, venison, duck, quail, lobster risotto, butternut squash tortellini, and vegetable couscous. Desserts include chocolate cake, yuzu mousse, or apple tart. Seatings at 5:30, 7:45, 9, and 9:30 pm. $150. 214-443-4747.

Salum
Three-course dinner includes a "three-heart" salad with artichoke, palm, and strawberry hearts, and surf and turf with lobster tail and beef tenderloin. Dessert is a chocolate-themed confection with "chocolate pets de nonne," dark chocolate mousse, chocolate-caramel tart, and a shake with white chocolate and Licor 43, accompanied by a glass of Ruinart blanc de blancs. February 10-14. $75. 214-252-9604.

Second Floor
Three-course dinner with choices from corn bisque, tenderloin, diver scallops, chicken, or mushroom ravioli. Vanilla bean creme brulee for dessert. 6–9:30 pm. $125 or $200 with wine pairings. 972-450-2978.

SER Steak + Spirits
In addition to à la carte classics like tartare deviled eggs, 28-day aged black rib-eye, and diver scallop purloo will be a menu of special "for two" dishes including oyster and tequila pairings ($36), porterhouse, and tomahawk steak. A dessert lounge will feature an array of confections for $12. Live music and dancing will be available in a special “speak easy lounge” featuring top-tier champagne selections. February 10-14. 214-761-7479.

Theodore
Three-course menu includes oysters, baked Brie, lobster bisque, short ribs, salmon with quinoa, pork osso bucco, and roasted chicken. Desserts include choice of cheesecake, crème brûlée, or ice cream. February 10-18. $80 for two, with champagne toast. 469-232-9771.

Toulouse
Special menu includes petit oysters; salad with smoked salmon, crispy avocado, arugula, goat cheese, grapefruit, blood oranges, and olives; Nova Scotia halibut; beef wellington; and spicy Valrhona dark chocolate fondue. $12-38. 214-520-8999.

Whisk Crepes Cafe
Three-course meal with choice of two savory crepes and one dessert. Options include French copa with parmigiana, mozzarella, fig, and hazelnuts. Desserts include the Parisian pink with raspberry whipped cream, lemon sorbet, raspberries, and white chocolate. 5-10 pm. $50. 469-407-1899.

Y.O. Ranch
Dinner for two with prime rib and lobster tail carved tableside. $99 for two. 214-744-3287.

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Where to eat

Where to eat in Dallas right now: 10 best new restaurants for July

Frenchie

Natalie salad at Frenchie

The July edition of Where to eat, CultureMap Dallas' monthly column of the hottest restaurants, has an exciting range of cuisines and locations: from a new bistro in McKinney to an impressive Indian restaurant in Coppell to a downtown Dallas cafe to a mom-and-pop taqueria in Oak Cliff.

Here's where to eat in Dallas right now:

Boxed and Brewed
Downtown Dallas cafe from Boxwood Hospitality features boxed lunches, breakfast sandwiches, croissants, and breakfast tacos. They do it gourmet style with offerings such as a curried veggie goat cheese wrap, Mediterranean chicken sandwich, and Greek salad. They're open in the U.S. Post Office at 400 N. Ervay St. during classic downtown worker hours: Monday-Friday for breakfast and lunch.

Centro on the Square
Italian bistro from acclaimed restaurateurs George Stergios (Knife Steakhouse Plano) and Brian Dunne (Mexican Bar Company) has made its long-awaited debut on McKinney’s downtown square in the former Harvest space (which relocated in 2023). The menu features hearty Italian-American dishes like chicken meatballs, mussels, cacio e pepe pasta, short rib ravioli, chicken marsala, soups, and salads. They also served grilled items including salmon, red fish, and chicken.

Donde los Tacos
Small taco shop in Oak Cliff in a former gas station is a mom-and-pop from first-time restaurant owners Martin and Jennifer Reyes who are putting lots of love into this small, cozy spot. Their tacos include trompo marinated pork, chicken, chorizo, fried shrimp, a slow-simmered beef called suadero, a ribeye taco, and a vegetarian taco made with plant-based protein. Appetizers include guacamole & chips, queso, and Mexican street corn. The majority of their tacos are $3 but on Tuesdays, they offer a $2 taco deal.

Ella
American bistro in the old Chido Taco Lounge space brings elevated eats to Preston Hollow Village. The concept is from Chido Taco Lounge founder Blaine McGowan and executive chef Kyle Farr, with Michelin-awarded Julian Shaffer leading the bar program. Their menu features shrimp and masa dumplings, pork cheeks, steak frites, and sides like broccolini and truffle fries.

Flamant
European cocktail bar and bistro that cooks over an open flame is now open at the Boardwalk at Granite Park in Plano. The restaurant is from acclaimed restaurant team Tanner Agar and Taylor Rause, and is a sibling restaurant to award-winning restaurants Rye and Apothecary. The menu features flavors from Portugal, Spain, France, and Italy with dishes such as faux gras, pasta, wood fired Wagyu burger, and pepperoncini chicken. They also offer weekend brunch with frittata and cannoli French toast.

Frenchie
French concept from Travis Street Hospitality (Le PasSage, Georgie) recently opened in the former Corner Bakery at Preston Center Plaza, which closed after 23 years in 2022. The restaurant is a French brasserie, serving casual lunch and dinner. There are dishes such as crepes, quiches, oysters, steak frites, and onion soup.

Silk Road IndianSilk Road

Mas Chingon
Sports bar and restaurant with a lively atmosphere recently opened in Bishop Arts dishing out Latin vibes and a Mexican-Latin menu. Standout dishes include tacos, Mexican burger, al pastor burger with both a beef patty and al pastor, elote coated in Hot Cheetos dust, and ceviche. They also do bar food such as a burger, chicken wings, and an over-the-top $350 Cowboy steak.

The PoBoy Shop
Sandwich shop obsessed with po’boys is a spin-off of Evan’s Meat Market now open in Preston Center. Founder Evan Meagher is drawing on his Louisiana roots on po’boys and sandwiches such as fried shrimp, fried bologna, turkey, and pastrami, available in 4-inch and 8 inch sizes with Cajun sides such as dirty curly fries topped with grilled boudin or Zapp’s Potato Chips.

Ruthie's Cafe
Do-gooder cafe that started out as a food truck is bringing new life to South Dallas. They serve grilled cheese sandwiches — solo or with tomato tomato soup — including one stuffed with brisket. There's also breakfast including sandiwches, a power bowl, and a chicken sausage & bacon wrap. They just added a coffee bar, in response to customer demand, with creative espresso drinks such as Nutella latte, Horchata, and Matcha latte.

Silk Road Indian
Indian concept from a hospitality trio recently opened in Coppell. The restaurant comes from Prinu Prasannan, Sushil Kumar, and Sreekumar Madolil, who have roots in the Kerala state in India but met in Dallas. They serve a range of vegetarian dishes such as vegetable samosas and tikka masala. They also have non vegetarian and Indo Chinese dishes including biryani, butter chicken, fish curry, and egg curry.

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