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Valentine’s Date Ideas: Local Romantic Restaurants You May Not Have Heard Of

• January 21, 2012
• by Tracey Lyles

Looking to impress a new love interest this Valentine’s Day? Or did you make a resolution to finally make up for years of the same excuse: that you didn’t know the most romantic day was February 14^th? I’ve compiled a list of favorite romantic restaurants off the beaten path that you may not have heard of, or just haven’t been adventurous enough to try. If you’re already engaged or have been married for 20 years, you’re not off the hook: you owe it to each other to keep the romance alive.

Take note that you don’t have to splurge on a fancy dinner: many of the restaurants listed offer breakfast, lunch and brunch. And since Valentine’s Day falls on a Tuesday this year, shake things up a bit and celebrate the Saturday or Sunday before the official day. 

And P.S. – an ocean-view picnic in the park is on the list below!   

Romantic Restaurants in Los Angeles/Hollywood/San Fernando Valley/San Gabriel Valley

• Castaway, Burbank – Dine on steak and seafood high up in the hills. A perfect setting for a surprise proposal. 
• Yamashiro Hollywood – Asian-inspired cuisine with the most gorgeous view in town
• Bistro45, Pasadena – Charming and romantic; ranked one of the top 100 restaurants in the nation by Conde Naste Traveler
• The Sunset Restaurant, Malibu – Consistently ranks high on Yelp, can’t beat it’s on-the-beach setting
• Firefly Bistro, South Pasadena – A delicious cultural dining experience, Southern California-style.
• Cicada, Downtown Los Angeles – This sexy Art Deco (and expensive) restaurant had starring roles in “Pretty Woman” and “Mr. & Mrs. Smith.” Worth the splurge!
•  Mezzo Mondo Trattoria, Studio city – Family-owned Italian restaurant with rave reviews.
• The Sky Room, Long Beach – Spectacular views with an impressive menu and wine list
• Café Massilia, Monrovia – Authentic Provencal French cuisine in an ultra-romantic and intimate setting

Romantic Restaurants in Riverside/Rancho Cucamonga/Claremont/Temecula

• Tutti Mangia Italian Grill, Claremont – Cosmopolitan setting in the ultra-hip Claremont Village
• The Sycamore Inn, Rancho Cucamonga – Celebrate Valentine’s Day old-school style with martinis and prime rib at this traditional steakhouse
• Las Campanas, Riverside – A more affordable option to the famous Dwayne’s Prime Steak House at Mission Inn. Margaritas and decent Mexican food under the stars. (Use the money you save and stay overnight at this historical hotel.)
• Ponte Winery, Temecula – Sustainable seafood, wood-fired pizzas, and WINE in a picturesque outdoor dining area.

Romantic Restaurants in Coastal Orange County/Newport Beach/Laguna Beach

• Treasure Island Park, Laguna Beach – If the $25 appetizers and $50 main entrees at Studio Montage restaurant are a tad out of your budget, treat your sweetheart to a romantic picnic lunch at the park with million dollar views in front of this celebrity-fave luxury resort.
• Rothschild’s, Corona Del Mar – Pricey. Yes. But if this is a BIG date (a marriage proposal, perhaps?) then this is worth the splurge.
• San Shi Go, Newport Beach – The highest rated restaurant in Newport? This sushi bar. Expensive and authentic. Impress your date in a big way.
• Roman Cucina, Sunset Beach – Affordable, delicious Italian food in a casual setting. Perfect for après-surfing at Huntington Beach.

 North Orange County/Anaheim/Fullerton/Orange

•  Zov’s, Tustin – Foodies will fall in love all over again at this TV Food Network favorite featuring  Mediterranean cuisine
• Mr. Stox, Anaheim – Classic fine dining with fabulous ambiance and a 4 ½ star average with Open Table reviewers. How about a romantic dinner for your hockey fan before a Ducks game?
• Summit House, Fullerton – English Food with a View. Save room for the Dessert Sampler: Belgian chocolate profiterole, lemon tarte, crème brulee and a chocolate torte.   
• Napa Rose, Anaheim –  Upscale dining at Downtown Disney? You bet. this high-Zagat ranking offers truffle mac and cheese, and the salads get rave reviews on Yelp.

San Diego/Del Mar/Carlsbad/North County

• The Marine Room, La Jolla – Celebrate your romance with an oceanfront view at San Diego’s most romantic restaurant.
• Jake’s Del Mar – The ultimate in California coastal cuisine. The seafood trio and a glass of Ferrari Carano Sauvignon Blanc make this beachfront restaurant the best romantic deal between San Diego and Malibu.
• Bertrand at Mr. A’s, San Diego – Modern American cuisine for lunch or dinner with romantic views of the San Diego skyline. There’s good reason why this restaurant has hundreds of glowing reviews.
• The Prado, Balboa Park – Start your date off with two pomegranate margaritas and share the shrimp & filet plate. Then hold hands as you walk to one of the many museums.
• Albert’s Restaurant, San Diego – Our Robbins Brothers San Diego team tipped us off to this hidden gem inside the San Diego Zoo. From sautéed artichoke hearts to Pacific Rim seafood stew, your date will remember this full-service dining experience overlooking a private waterfall in the Lost Forest Zone.
• Vivace, Carlsbad – Wine Spectator gave this innovative restaurant at Park Hyatt Aviara Resort the Award of Excellence, and it has earned the AAA Four-Diamond distinction. If the fines Italian cuisine and stunning ocean views put you in the mood for love, I suggest you book a night at the hotel along with your dinner reservations…
• Vincent’s on Grand, Escondido – Classic French cuisine in a warm, comfortable setting. Enjoy a romantic date with your sweetie at one of San Diego’s favorite restaurants in downtown Escondido.

 Dallas/Fort Worth/Arlington

• The Grape, Dallas – This Dallas original offers an intimate setting, a creative menu and an impressive wine list. Why not celebrate your love during happy hour?
• Cacharel Restaurant, Arlington – Any restaurant that offers Apricot Soufflé with Roasted Macadamia Nuts, on top of the WBAP/KSCS Tower no less, will score you big-time points.
• St. Martins, Dallas – European sophistication meets fine dining at this “Best in DFW” French restaurant. Also rated by TripAdvisor as one of the “Top 10 Romantic Restaurants in the U.S.”
• The Old Warsaw, Dallas – Impress your date with Chilean Sea Bass, Baked Prime Beef Wellington or Bone-in Rib Eye at this elegant Uptown dining establishment.
• Ginza Asian Bistro and Sushi, Arlington – Don’t let the strip mall stop you from setting up a romantic date at this urbanspoon.com critic favorite. Order different menu items and share the love.
• Lili’s Bistro on Magnolia, Fort Worth – These innovative dishes will linger in the memory long after a boring old box of chocolates is devoured. Harvest Shepherd’s Pie sounds like comfort food at its finest.  

Houston/Clear Lake/Webster/Bay Area

• Cullen’s Upscale American Grill, Clear Lake – Executive Chef Paul Lewis creates innovative signature dishes that match the exquisite ambiance of this top-rated Houston fine dining establishment.
• Masraff’s, Uptown Houston – New American Cuisine in a very upscale, modern setting rated a “Houston Top 10.”
• Eddie V’s Prime Seafood, Memorial/Houston – Dine on the freshest seafood (including Hong Kong Style Hawaiian Sea Bass!) and then continue your hot date night as you dance the night away in the V-Lounge.
• Damarco, Houston – Share black truffle risotto then indulge your taste buds with a 48 oz Porterhouse “La Fiorentia” for two. For dessert go easy with a seasonal sorbetti.
• Perry’s Steakhouse & Grille, Houston/Clear Lake – Get dressed up and romance your date with the Petit Surf & Turf or Chateaubriand for Two. And of course, a bottle of your favorite wine or Champagne.

If you have another favorite romantic restaurant you’d like to add to the list, please share in the comment section below! 

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Tracey Lyles

A hopeful romantic and enthusiastic UCLA grad, Tracey serves as Director of Marketing and Public Relations for Robbins Brothers. For leisure she enjoys shopping, dancing, hosting parties for family & friends and staying abreast of the latest celebrity news.

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