Before I took over the family business, Tom would often approach me at Valentine’s time to ask about my favorite romantic spots for dining on “Love Day.” He never did think about dining establishments as a venue to romance, because dining out was always about the food for him. My girl thoughts were welcomed for any article on Valentine’s Day, because I’m all about the atmosphere.
To further explain my husband’s lack of romance creds, he had a spectacularly unromantic approach to February 14th. His advice: go out another day! Huh? I always wondered if anyone who followed that advice got in trouble with the woman in their life.
So the following suggestions of sexy spaces are just my very personal and random thoughts as the big day for romance approaches. We chose to feature 14, in no particular order.
For some reason, I think steakhouses are romantic. I understand that they tend to be masculine in vibe, with leather booths and dark colors, but maybe the overall darkness appeals to my sensual side. And there is just something about the lighting that I find intimate. I also think the food served in a steakhouse is sexy, which is why this list is heavy on the steakhouses. This piece focuses entirely on the atmosphere, but there isn’t a place on it that doesn’t have terrific food too.
Dori’s Metropolitan, which has morphed into Doris Metropolitan. A peculiar story about why this Israeli steakhouse landed here (and then in Costa Rica!) only adds to the enigma. I have said from the getgo that this is the most European restaurant in the city. It is also one of the most expensive. Enter into the bar past glass enclosures of hanging beef, which doesn’t sound at all romantic. But the space is dark and aglow with the energy of human interaction. The bar is handsome and always busy, with a few tables. Off the bar is a tiny courtyard that would be perfect if balmy weather returns for the big day. If not, the dining room is smallish and cozy.
My apologies to any I offend by including a national chain in this group, but Ruth’s Chris has two locations here that I consider alluring. Downtown is beautiful, whether you are at the bar or in one of the cozy booths, and the bar in Metairie is dense, fun, and almost raucous.
Dickie Brennan’s Steakhouse has the masculine steak thing going strong. The very placement below street level makes it sort of a cave, and the lighting seems sensual. It also buzzes with the hum of happy customers out for a great night.
Mr. John’s is another handsome place to get a great steak meal. This was always Tom’s pick for favorite steakhouse, besides his sentimental favorite, the Crescent City Steakhouse.
There’s a new place in town that is absolutely tiny, which by definition makes it cozy. It is also dark, and hip. I haven’t made it there yet, but it is Italian, with an odd menu that includes Bistecca Fiorentina, a Tuscan steak rarely seen outside Tuscany. San Lorenso is located in the Hotel St. Vincent on Magazine in the LGD. You will drop a few coins here.
And speaking of Italian/Steakhouse hybrids, Rizzuto’s in the old Tony Angello’s space belongs on this list. The redo was handsome, and the food here is great. It’s an enormous place with several dining rooms large and small, and a little bar to the side which makes no statement. Here are some of the best chargrilled oysters in town, in my opinion.
Speaking of Italian, Irene’s has that same sensual electricity. It was that way at the old location, and the new one has it too, only more of it because it’s larger. The bar is long and fun, and the tiny dining rooms carry the vibe of Irene’s from its beginnings in the deep French Quarter. Delicious too!
Another romantic Italian place is Vincent’s on St. Charles. All the same components to sexiness are here: Small, dark and cozy, with locally renowned standout Italian food.
More great romantic Italian is on the north shore in Del Porto. The place is gorgeous and modern, with a handsome clientele. The wine room is small and cozy illuminated mostly by flickering lights.
Cava Bistro, a little gem in Metairie has been open about a year in the space that was Cypress. It is a tiny place with one little dining room and a long but still small bar. Every serious diner in town knows owner Danny Millan, who has returned to his gourmet roots. White tablecloth elegance with roses and candles make a perfect backdrop for the delicious food. Tom said the first time we went that it reminded him of the old Louis XVI. That’s a powerful recommendation.
It’s hard not to include a French Brasserie on a list like this. Justine exudes that same energy of people cozying up to each other and having a great time. It’s a handsome place with three distinctly different vibes to satisfy different moods. And Justin Devillier is in the kitchen.
Pardo’s on the Northshore is pure American food, served up in one of the most stunning restaurants in the entire metro area. It seems like California, or Aspen in its vibe , but it is located in Mandeville. The clientele here matches the space. The food can be inconsistent, but not to a fault.
These last two don’t really fall into the romantic class as I defined it earlier, i.e., dark and cozy. But they are elegant and classy and are on a tier by themselves anyway, one on each side of the lake. R’evolution has been around since 2012, when Chicagoan Rick Tramanto teamed up with our own John Folse to fuse their respective culinary cultures together, creating an eclectic menu of local Cajun favorites and dishes from Rick Tramanto’s Italian heritage. The level of adventure and excellence here is unrivaled, The three dining spaces have completely different personalities, but to me the most romantic part of R’evolution is the bar.
Tchefuncte’s is a Northshore R’evolution, and by that I mean the restaurant goes the extra step. All breads are baked in-house, there is a carving cart which is rolled through the dining room, stellar service, and a view like the one from the old Bella Luna, The Tchefuncte River isn’t the mighty Mississippi, but the lights on the river and the closeness to it suffice as a romantic mood-setter. This place is a great value, which is not to say it’s inexpensive, but for the price of a regular restaurant of this caliber, you get a lot of extras they don’t have to offer.
Many of these are tried and true stalwarts, but they are that because they maintain standards that make people want to return time and again.
Not looking for something more than just atmosphere? Here’s a few places around town offering their own Valentine’s Weekend specials.
SoBou keeps its reputation as a fun and hip place to have a bite or cocktail, and now, some l’amour.
Beginning Friday the 11th and going through the weekend, they offer a special Valentine menu for $65 per person, plus a Galentine Brunch February 13th for $50 per person.
Special wine pairings and Valentine’s themed cocktails are available too.
Gianna is offering a four course Valentine’s menu for two people at $120.
The Fountain Lounge at The Roosevelt offers a three course Valentine’s menu for $49 on Saturday the 12th.
And you can romanticize Monday’s regular fried chicken on Valentine’s Day with rose bubbly.
Jack Rose will be serving a three course dinner on Valentine’s Day, plus a Galentine’s Brunch on Sunday the 13th from 11-2.
The new Virgin Hotel Commons Club will be serving Valentine’s Dinner 4-10PM on Valentine’s Day with a special menu.
Criollo at the Monteleone has a $95 four course menu Saturday only with decadent entree choices.
I don’t recall a time we ever needed to celebrate love more. Enjoy!
