Every good date begins with good food. 

Finding that right setting, where the candlelight twinkles in your beloved’s eye, where the smells entice as each dish passes by, and where the intimate ambiance feels secluded, can be a challenge. From Parisian comfort food and rich Italian flair to modern Japanese and even a humble toast, these are some of the hottest restaurants serving up something special this Valentine’s Day.

Frenchie

Date night in Dallas just got a little more dreamy with Travis Street Hospitality’s newest concept, Frenchie, a classic French brasserie located in the bustling Preston Center Plaza. Here, candlelit tables, spacious booths, and warm lighting await, creating a cozy atmosphere, while an approachable menu with modern flair sparks culinary cravings that will entice all your senses.

When asked what inspires the menu, Executive Chef Reilly Brown, who brings Michelin star power from a five-year run at Press Restaurant in St. Helena in Napa Valley, said, “Let the seasons dictate, and technique refine.” To this end, Chef Reilly leverages traditional techniques with a modern edge and Japanese influence to create a menu that will not only beckon you and your beloved this Valentine’s Day but also evoke a year-long date night destination for many romantic evenings to come.

Impress your dearest with The Grilled Octopus. This poetry-on-a-plate features sous vide octopus with chimichurri, charred shishito, and black garlic espuma, finished on the grill for added smoky flavor, yielding a tenderness that can be cut with a spoon.

Or warm your hearts with The Butternut Squash Soup, a delectably creamy, velvety-smooth soup with spiced pumpkin seeds and crème fraiche. Pair it with The Gingy, made with Whistlepig 10-year Rye, gingerbread, and Angostura bitters, for a complex, smoothly spiced cocktail.

For entrees, the Mussels & Fries, featuring mariniere-style mussels, white wine shallot sauce, and crispy shoestring potatoes, is a balanced union of flavors and textures that combines saltiness, light acidity, and herbs for a dish that is bold yet not too heavy. Pair it with the Parisian Gnocchi, an intensely creamy indulgence featuring ham, bechamel, and gruyere.

For a euphoric finish, share a Café Liégois made with espresso ice cream and chocolate crumble, topped with a playful dollop of Chantilly and candied almond. This desire-inducing treat pairs well with a Carajillo, a smoothly blended combination of Licor 43 and espresso crowned with a froth that indulges and excites. Follow Frenchie and plan an intimate evening out.  

Zanti Cucina Italiana

Succumb to the seduction of classic Italian fare at Zanti Cucina Italiana, Houston’s hottest culinary hotspot for an evening of adoration. After the success of their first location in the Woodlands, CEO and founder Santiago Peláez brought the warmth and excitement of Zanti to the River Oaks neighborhood, elevating the local culinary scene with their signature handmade pasta, wood-fired Neapolitan-style pizza, and iconic Italian staples.

Once inside, an elegant dining room boasting the timeless charm of white linen tablecloths and sparkling chandeliers, combined with calming wood tones and an open kitchen with an alluring wood-fired oven, creates a captivating environment brimming with warmth and courtship. With Executive Chef Hilario Zamora at the helm, the menu is like an Italian serenade on the palate, inviting diners to fall in love again over a sensual meal.

The Beef Tartare is a tantalizing visual spectacle of shaved black truffles falling like feathers onto a lump of hand-cut beef tenderloin, sun-dried tomatoes, celery, Parmigiano Reggiano, capers, and parsley, drizzled with truffle oil and Dijon lemon dressing, and set on a bed of arugula for a cool, refreshing spark of flavor.

The Braised Lamb Ossobuco served with Parmigiano Reggiano risotto is an alluring entrée, bold and glistening with fall-apart tenderness and fulfilling enough to be shared with a date.

Tortino Di Latte Bruciato. Video Martin Ramirez.

The culinary experience intensifies with the Tortino Di Latte Bruciato, a blissful lava cake that pours warm dulce de leche, topped with whiskey cream, and served with homemade vanilla ice cream. With a special Valentine’s menu available throughout the whole month of February, you won’t have to wait for this craving for too long. Plan your visit now.

CATCH Dallas

Nothing inspires affection more than a shared sense of adventure, and at CATCH Dallas, the sixth location for the famed Catch Hospitality Group’s concept, a modern Japanese menu excites with bold, adventurous flavors. Set in Dallas’s lush Uptown neighborhood, the restaurant blends emeralds and marigolds with natural wood tones and white marble into a bouquet that wows from the entrance, creating a yearlong playground for all the senses.

At each table, soft lighting creates an intimate atmosphere, sparking seductive moments, while the menu, which also features a selection of curious cocktails, turns up the heat. Share the Grilled Shishito Peppers with yuzu chili-garlic and amazu ponzu with your special sweetheart, and pair it with a Fresno Paloma made with Patrón reposado, grapefruit, Fresno chile, and mint. The peppers’ lip-licking heat will tickle the palate, while the paloma offers a crisp, layered refreshment.

The Truffle Sashimi with tuna, Hamachi, chili ponzu, black truffle purée, Kaluga caviar is a favorite, providing a cool pop of saltiness and spice. The Smoked Cadillac, featuring La Familia Platino Tequila, pineapple, lime, fire-roasted poblano chiles, and Tajín, is another lively companion, offering a soft touch of smoke and spice that heightens the senses.

Moving on to mains, the Salmon a La Plancha with a market side salad and jalapeño cucumber emulsion is a light but flavorful entrée. The crispy-skin salmon offers a delightful, salty mouthfeel, while the jalapeño cucumber emulsion stimulates with a mildly spicy coolness.

Hit Me Cake. Video Martin Ramirez.

A playful finish is the “Hit Me” Chocolate Cake. This decadent dessert thrills with a liquid “Klondike” cake that ruptures over roasted white chocolate ice cream and devil’s food cake. Visit catchrestaurants.com or follow @catch on Instagram to plan your Valentine’s Day rendezvous.

Toastique

For those feeling the need for something a little more uplifting to squeeze in between a full day of Valentine’s adventures, Toastique’s six locations throughout the Lone Star State offer a chic, downtempo hang to regroup, refuel, and reflect on longing love over a hearty board of gourmet toast.

Formed by D1 athlete Brianna Keefe, Toastique’s menu of gourmet toast, power bowls, and fresh-pressed juices is the perfect recharge needed between a playful competitive round of mini golf at Puttshack and settling in before a movie at Hooky. Each food and drink option is packed with nutritional benefits, supporting a healthy relationship that starts from the inside.

The Smoked Salmon is a protein-packed option, combining delectably seasoned smoked pastrami salmon with herbed cream cheese, fresh arugula, and tangy pickled onions. Indulge carefree with guilt-free, gluten-free bread options, and pair it with a cold-pressed juice like Recharge, an exquisite earthy, zingy flavor explosion of beet, carrot, apple, orange, and ginger. Just in time for Valentine’s Day, try the limited edition Heathrob Juice with pomegranate, fennel, green apple, lemon, and mint.

Find health and happiness in your relationship at Toastique. Order online here.

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Cover Photo Kayla Enright

Martin Ramirez is a brisket-eating, Shiner-loving, road-tripping enthusiast of all things Texas. This Dallas-born writer / adventurer is ready to take his ‘78 El Camino to find the best in food, fun, and fitness throughout the Lone Star State.