Thursday, February 11, 2010

Valentine's Day Ideas

It's been a while since I last posted something in my 'Diary'.  I thought I'd take advantage of the upcoming Valentine's Day 'holiday', and recommend a few spots I've enjoyed in the past.  Good luck trying to get into one of these hot spots this weekend!

Tres Romantique -- Coup des Tartes
Victor took me here last year, to celebrate my birthday.  The mood is very intimate and cozy, and the service is great as well.  The food was simple, yet elegantly presented and tasted delicious.  The highlight of our dinner was the warm chocolate cake the waiter brought us for dessert.  The memory was captured forever with a complimentary photo they took of us that night.

Churros and Sangria, Anyone? -- Barrio Cafe
On a much simpler, much more relaxed note, this is a great spot for dessert or pre-dinner drinks.  They have the best sangria in town, and it is best served with their warm churros filled with caramel sauce.  This is a great spot to start, or finish, the evening.

More Swank for Your Buck -- The Mission
I only needed to go once to declare this one of my favorite spots serving Mexican food.  The decor is glamorous, even swanky, one would say.  What's great about the experience is not only how beautifully their food is presented, but also how it tastes just as great as it looks.  The chef is influenced greatly by French cooking, and this is obvious in the delicate sauces that balance his dishes and bring out the flavors in all his plates.  This is the spot we're hoping to get back into on Sunday, if we're lucky.

Great Sunday Brunch - T. Cooks at the Royal Palms
This is a great spot for brunch, and is often voted one of the most romantic restaurants in the area.  I read somewhere that wedding proposals are all too common here, so ladies beware...lol.  On a more serious note, this is one of those places where everything is perfect, every time.  You will be treated as if you're the only table your waiter has, and the food will be awesome, no matter what you order.  I find this to be one of the few expensive restaurants in town where you actually feel like the food and service are worth the higher cost.  Also, take time to enjoy the beautiful outdoor seating area while you're there.  It is made for lingering...

I hope I've given you enough ideas to put together a nice day out with your Valentine this year.  We are keeping it low-key this year.  Brunch and a movie is the way to go, for us. 

Have a sweet Valentine's Day and feel free to share your favorite spots and experiences, too.

xoxo