Valentine’s Day is next Thursday, February 14. For those in need of suggestions for dinner, we offer the following restaurants. We chose these restaurants because of their consistency of excellent food and service and atmosphere appropriate for the occasion.
Our picks:
18 Seaboard
18 Seaboard Avenue • Raleigh, NC 27604
(919) 861-4318
18seaboard.com
18 Seaboard modestly describes itself as a “Contemporary American Grill.” The menu ranges from she-crab soup to pan-seared foie gras; Florida gulf Red grouper to Braised Carolina bison oxtail. The atmosphere is subdued, but upscale bordering on fine-dining.
42nd Street Oyster Bar
508 West Jones Street • Raleigh, NC 27603
(919) 831-2811
42ndstoysterbar.com
42nd Street Oyster Bar is one of the best seafood restaurants in Raleigh and offers a special prix fixe menu for two for Valentine’s Day.
518 West
518 West Jones Street • Raleigh, NC 27603
(919) 829-2518
518west.com
518 West is an Italian restaurant specializing in seasonal fresh pastas, wood fired pizzas, seafood, steaks. 518 West has a very light and open atmosphere.
Caffé Luna
136 East Hargett Street • Raleigh, NC 27601
(919) 832-6090
cafeluna.com
Located in a beautiful historic building in downtown Raleigh, Caffé Luna serves authentic Italian cuisine with a Tuscan flair.
Coquette
4351 The Circle at North Hills • Raleigh, NC 27609
(919) 789-0606
coquetteraleigh.com
A true French brasserie, Coquette features traditional French meals, an exclusively French wine list, European beers, and classic French cocktails.
Dos Taquitos
5629 Creedmoor Road • Raleigh, NC 27612 • (919) 787-3373
dostaquitosnc.com
Dos Taquitos is easily one of the best Mexican restaurants in Raleigh, with excellent service and a romantic atmosphere. One caveat: the seating is a little close for intimate conversations.
Gravy
135 South Wilmington Street • Raleigh, NC 27603
(919) 896-8513
gravyraleigh.com
Gravy serves Italian dishes in an contemporary setting. Gravy has reasonably priced but excellent wine choices. Review.
Hayes Barton Cafe
2000 Fairview Road • Raleigh, NC 27608
(919) 851-8551
hayesbartoncafe.com
Hayes Barton Cafe offers traditional American fare in an intimate 40s-themed setting. Hayes Barton also offers several choices of excellent cakes.
Margaux’s
8111 Creedmoor Road • Raleigh, NC 27613
(919) 846-9846
margauxsrestaurant.com
Margaux’s is in the running for the best restaurant in Raleigh. With its cool urban interior, Margaux’s almost seems out of place in North Raleigh.
Mia Francesca
4100 Main at North Hills Street • Raleigh, NC 27609
(919) 278-1525
miafrancesca.com
Mia Francesca serves some of the best Italian food in Raleigh. The atmosphere is upscale and contemporary, but casual. The menu has flavorful rustic, Tuscan-inspired dishes.
Oliver Twist
8111 Creedmoor Road # 137 • Raleigh, NC 27613
(919) 844-4426
theolivertwistlounge.com
Oliver Twist serves small plates and specialty (read very tasty) martinis. There is frequently live music, and the choice of seating at tables and couches.
Sawasdee
3601 Capital Boulevard • Raleigh, NC 27604
(919) 878-0049
6204 Glenwood Avenue, Suite 120 • Raleigh, NC 27612
(919) 781-7599
sawasdeeraleigh.com
Sawasdee has a quiet atmosphere and some of the best Thai food in Raleigh, along with …
Shaba-Shabu
3080 Wake Forest Road • Raleigh, NC 27609
(919) 501-7755
shabashabu.net
Shaba-Shabu has an upscale not-quite-formal atmosphere and the choice of Thai and some of the best sushi in Raleigh, except for …
Sono
319 Fayetteville Street • Raleigh, NC 27601
(919) 521-5328
sonoraleigh.com
Sono has excellent original sushi rolls and a cool urban ambiance.
Sullivan’s Steakhouse
414 Glenwood Avenue • Raleigh, NC 27603 • (919) 833-2888
sullivansteakhouse.com/raleigh
Sullivan’s Steakhouse, along with Angus Barn, is where we turn to on the rare occasion that we go out for steak. Sullivan’s is offering a Valentine’s Day special February 11-14, $89 per couple.
Taverna Agora
6101 Glenwood Avenue • Raleigh, NC 27612
(919) 881.8333
tavernaagora.com
If there is a better Greek restaurant in Raleigh, we’ve never heard of it. Plus, the atmosphere is very romantic, especially the outdoor seating.
The Melting Pot
3100 Wake Forest Road • Raleigh, NC 27609
(919) 878-0477
meltingpot.com
Fondue, low light, sharing food over an open flame, strawberries dipped in chocolate for dessert. How could anyone botch up a date here?
Tokyo House
7439 Six Forks Road • Raleigh, NC 27615
(919) 848-3350
tokyohousesushi.com
Tokyo House is not as hip as some of the downtown restaurant and does not have the most intimate setting. But, you’ll have to look long and hard to find better sushi in Raleigh.
Zely and Ritz
301 Glenwood Avenue, Suite 100 • Raleigh, NC 27603
(919) 828.0018
zelyandritz.com
We saved the best for last. Zely and Ritz takes the concept of small plates to a new level. The food is organic and sourced from Coon Rock Farm in Hillsborough and other local suppliers. Zely and Ritz has a special three course Valentine’s Day menu that is definitely worth checking out.