Best Valentine dining
A big juicy steak is a must at Ruth's Chris Steak House, but don't forget the decadent Chocolate Sin Cake to complete that Valentine's Day dinner.
YOUR PICKS
You say, “There’s nothing like a nice juicy steak on that special day” and “Ruth’s Chris is where I’d want to go.”
2. Restaurant Eugene
3. Amalfi
4. Wisteria
5. Tierra
This selection of fresh oysters at Canoe is the perfect beginning for a Valentine's Day dinner. Photo: Elissa Eubanks, eeubanks@ajc.com
OUR PICKS
1. Canoe
The AJC dining team’s specialist in Southern and Neighborhood Fare Jenny Turknett says, “Set on the Chattahoochee River, Canoe is warm and relaxed — perfect for a romantic Valentine’s Day dinner. With its high level of service, you can be confident you will taken care of at Canoe. Knowledgeable servers are happy to discuss the menu and make recommendations for entrees and wine pairings. Full-flavored and well-crafted, the varied entrees offer something for everyone. Don’t miss the beautiful and delicious desserts by Canoe’s talented pastry chef, Thomas Numprasong. Before leaving, sneak around to the back for a quick — though brisk — stroll by the river for a perfect ending to your Valentine’s Day meal.”
2. Aria
3. Restaurant Eugene
4. Bacchanalia
5. Parish
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68 comments Add your comment
Johnny Fontane
January 24th, 2011
12:12 pm
First. I’ve always wanted to do that.
kevin
January 24th, 2011
12:46 pm
Tierra is nice.
Sara
January 24th, 2011
1:17 pm
I was going to say Tierra as well, but I don’t want all y’all over-crowding the dining room
koko
January 24th, 2011
1:32 pm
take out sushi from Harry and Sons. going out on that day is a nightmare.
chip
January 24th, 2011
2:24 pm
La Grotta
OIFVet
January 24th, 2011
5:58 pm
Pasta Max Cafe McDonough
Mark
January 24th, 2011
6:16 pm
Restaurant Eugene is perfect for a special night like this
Mark
January 24th, 2011
6:17 pm
Quinones at Bacchanalia, too
Wade
January 24th, 2011
7:42 pm
JCT Kitchen on Howell Mill is a great place for a date and they offer a price fixed menu for Valentine’s Day. One of the better meals I’ve had in Atlanta.
Joe
January 24th, 2011
7:47 pm
Dining out on Valentine’s Day is for kids. It sucks. Most of the restaurants are overcrowded, the service is spotty, at best, the menus turn into prix fixes and they just want to turn tables. I would highly suggest trying to cook a new recipe at home and going out the day before or after Valentine’s.
Mary B
January 24th, 2011
8:13 pm
got to go with dante’s down the hatch….love that place
Jaye
January 24th, 2011
8:15 pm
The Melting Pot
Bmpsr1
January 24th, 2011
8:40 pm
Cook dinner at home on Saturday or Sunday night. Break out the China, Crystal, Cook a New Dish… After dinner have FUN!!!
Ian
January 24th, 2011
8:46 pm
I also think the day after valentine’s day is the day to go out. Wisteria is definitely up on the list though.
WhiteRabbit
January 24th, 2011
8:49 pm
As with New Year’s Eve, home offers the best dining room for Valentine’s Day. Much more fun, and the food is almost always better.
OIFVet
January 24th, 2011
8:53 pm
Thanks Joe for being an egotistical ape. Bet you are such a joy
highnoon
January 24th, 2011
9:21 pm
Try the “takeout” from Star Provisions or Alon’s. Gourmet food, at home, where you want to be anyway.
Jim
January 24th, 2011
9:25 pm
Aqua Terra Bistro-Buford
rf
January 24th, 2011
9:43 pm
bacchanalia for that day and for the rest of your life..and Joe ..poor thing..eat at home every day and don’t ruin it for the rest of us.
Brogens Hero
January 24th, 2011
10:14 pm
Joe is right Valentines Day is over rated for going out to eat. My wife is offended if I want to take her out for dinner on valentines day because there is nothing special about it. What is special about prix fixe menus? The amateurs who go out once a year love Valentines Day and I say good for them. I don’t think that there is anything remotely romantic about dining in a restaurant that is filled with couples who are going out because it’s Valentines Day. Valentines Day is an over-hyped dud.
SJM
January 24th, 2011
10:31 pm
The Blue Ridge Grill : It cannot get any better!!
HappyGirl
January 24th, 2011
11:45 pm
Just another day – - we will most likely stay in
However, I do expect a Hallmark greeting card.
Anson
January 24th, 2011
11:56 pm
Chez Anson. Better food than any local restaurant (I do the cooking at home), better service, lower prices, and we don’t need a designated driver.
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Jeff
January 25th, 2011
12:42 am
The best place is a “non-traditional” restaurant… pick a favorite that the two of you like, preferably not a “standard” Valentine’s restaurant like an Italian restaurant. Choose a place that you’ve both enjoyed before or has special meaning, like a great date… it can be a local steakhouse, your favorite barbecue place, a good chinese take-out or even a burger joint… it doesn’t matter what you eat, as long as you have some quality time together.
And since some people have brought it up…. BOYCOTT ANY RESTAURANT that tries to force you to use a prix fixe menu, whether it’s Valentine’s Day, New Year’s Eve or any other time. We as customers have to exercise our rights for CHOICE and VARIETY and NOT pay over-inflated prices for fewer options. That is idiotic and quite frankly a rip-off. I am offended when a restaurant suddenly thinks that I want to do “prix fixe” just because it happens to be a holiday. Screw you! We dumped both of our first two options for New Year’s Eve dinner because of that… wound up going to Ted’s Montana Grill for a delicious dinner where the dining options were OUR choice. We left a hefty tip, as well. So to any places trying this crap on Valentine’s Day… DON’T. You won’t get my business, nor the business of any savvy consumer. $40 or $50 a plate and YOU tell me my options for dinner? I don’t think so, Jack. Restaurant mark-ups are already out of control, and this is just another 25 to 30 percent mark-up because it’s a certain day of the year!
So, find a great place that you both like that is NOT prix fixe, and enjoy the night. Maybe go the Friday or Saturday after V-Day, since it’s a Monday… you might run into fewer crowds. And remember, folks, if restaurants try to mess you over with anything (including prix fixe), flex your consumer muscle, speak to a manager or owner, and let your voices be heard! The power to choose and the variety of options is what makes the free-enterprise system thrive, so keep it strong!
ATL4real
January 25th, 2011
7:45 am
Hey Jeff, take it easy buddy, it’s just dinner.
GaPeachy
January 25th, 2011
11:55 am
My significant other and I used to go to Steak & Ale downtown every Valentines (had the best deal on steak and lobster) but it’s closed so we may try another steak house. Maybe Shula’s or Ruth Chris, there’s nothing like a nice juicy steak on that special day!
HP
January 25th, 2011
1:08 pm
I went to this page to get ideas for going out on Valentine’s Day – not to hear a bunch of haters complain about how it sucks. Shane, please write a real article on some nice places to go. Haters, please have s-e-x on Valentine’s Day – or any day, for that matter – so you will stop being so grumpy. Out of 27 entries, only 11 recommendations. Really? Where’s the love?
Try This
January 25th, 2011
2:00 pm
Make your own crab legs at home and cuddle up in front of a TV with a rented movie and fireplace. No dress up (maybe dress down) and all is well!
RK
January 25th, 2011
3:22 pm
Apparently Jeff has never left the country…
NN
January 25th, 2011
3:58 pm
LOVE 10 Degrees South! Perfect romantic ambiance for the occasion!
Bob
January 26th, 2011
10:37 am
The Rusty Nail!
cw
January 26th, 2011
10:49 am
Brookwood Grill, Horseradish Grill, Goldfish, Seasons 52
Caitlyn Shatlock
January 26th, 2011
10:53 am
MARKET with after-dinner drinks at Whiskey Blue!
Pete
January 26th, 2011
11:00 am
Best Valentines Dining is at Arby’s. Anything off the 99 cent Value Menu. Very romantic.
Erin
January 26th, 2011
12:09 pm
Aria, Empire State South, Restaurant Eugene
Toby Miller
January 26th, 2011
1:01 pm
McKendrick’s Steakhouse
sr citizen dawg
January 26th, 2011
1:04 pm
McKinnons Louisianne in Buckhead on the northside
Pilgreens on the southside
Graham
January 26th, 2011
1:12 pm
I don’t know what it is but to me and my wife Amalfi in Roswell is far and away the most romantic restaurant. We recomend it all the time to other couples ant they agree.
Mabel Etheridge
January 26th, 2011
1:14 pm
Graham you must be reading my mind!!!!!!!!!! Amalfi is a date night dream.
Ronnie
January 26th, 2011
1:18 pm
Copeland’s ——-Atlantic Station!
Milly
January 26th, 2011
1:19 pm
Dogwood restaurant on Peachtree is my pick for the most romantic place for dinner on Valentine’s Day.
Ray
January 26th, 2011
1:21 pm
Used to say Joel, now I like BLT Steak if I am in the city, or Amalfi in Roswell if I am on a date OTP.
John
January 26th, 2011
1:31 pm
Hals on Old Ivey is spectacular. Best steak in Atlanta
Stephanie
January 26th, 2011
1:39 pm
Old Vinings Inn…romantic atmosphere and amazing food and service!
Lori
January 26th, 2011
1:45 pm
I’ve never really considered eating a “romantic” activity!! If I want romance, I’ll stay home. If I want good food, I’ll go out. But you won’t catch me in any restaurant on Valentine’s day. With it being on a Monday this year, that means all the restaurants will be full all weekend. Y’all have fun, I’m staying home and making some soup!
Trapper Keeper
January 26th, 2011
3:01 pm
Amlfi all the way. There is something very sexual about mussels!
Kristen
January 26th, 2011
4:15 pm
Excitedly booked at table at La Grotta for Monday night, only to find out they are serving the prix fixe menu and nothing else. We’ve cancelled, and will stay in.
dr. zorders
January 26th, 2011
4:26 pm
La Tavola is our tradition, but Anson – can we come over?
Stephanie
January 26th, 2011
6:10 pm
Splurge a little and go to brunch at Chateau Elan.