Romantic Restaurants in Fort Worth

With Valentine’s Day around the corner I thought I’d put together a list of Romantic Restaurants in Fort Worth.  I’ve also included restaurants with special Valentine’s Day menus, if you haven’t thought about it better make reservations soon if you’re planing on dining out.  If you can’t get a reservation for Saturday the 14th, try Friday the 13th.  If you are still having no luck you can always pick up a prepared meal from Central Market.

Restaurants with special menus are listed first, all other romantic restaurants follow in no particular order.  These would be great for an anniversary, date night, or any other special event.

Lili’s Bistro on Magnolia
1310 W. Magnolia Avenue
817.877.0700
$60 per person, Three seatings: 5pm, 7pm & 9:30pm
This cozy bistro is a great spot for you and your sweetie.  The savory pan perdu made up of brioche topped with Gruyere cheese, roasted tomatoes, bacon, microgreens and a poached quail egg sounds like the perfect way to start off your special dinner.  Lilli’s house wedge salad, a choice of entrees (lamb, halibut, beef tenderloin,veal tenderloin) and desert (not included in price)complete the meal.  The pistachio crusted lamb is divine, I highly recommend it. Hibuscus champagne is featured with the desert options of chocolate almond torte and banana upside down cake. Full menu details on Lili’s website.

Chadra Mezza and Grill
1622 Park Place Ave
817.926.3992
$39.95 includes: 4 course meal, 4 Rahr beers, & dancing
Dinner begins at 7PM
From the Chadra Website:  We can make your WINTER WARMER with an UGLY PUG, BLONDE, or RED. Reserve your seat for a Rahring four course meal paired with beers from our favorite local brewery, Rahr.  Come early and have a drink at the bar. This is going to be a fun casual Valentine’s Day. Be prepared to meet new people and have a great time. 

Ferre
215 E. 4th Street
817.332.0033
$40 per guest for 3 course prix fixe meal
The menu is divided into “Love” for the starters and salads, “Lust” for the mains, and “Sin” for the deserts (clever, I like that).  From the website: Tuscan-inspired menu prepared by Executive Chef Sean Alvarez will transport you to the romance of Italy on Valentine’s weekend. On both Friday, Feb. 13 and Saturday, Feb. 14, you can enjoy selections from our special three-course menu that includes selections such as Lobster Ravioli, Chilean Sea Bass with Creamy Butternut-Speck Risotto, Beef Tenderloin with Parsley-Taleggio Whipped Potatoes and Dark Chocolate Polenta Cake. Check the Ferre website for the full menu breakdown.

Scampi’s Mediterranean Cafe
1057 West Magnolia Avenue
817.927.1887
$49.95 per person 4 courses, desert specials, and complimentary champagne – Reservations Required
Great food and great service.  Italian and Greek fare in a cute and cozy spot on Magnolia.  BYOB saves big bucks, even with the $5 corkage fee.

Fuego
6333 Camp Bowie
817.377.4400
$60 per person, menu online,
Formerly Tim Love’s Duce, Efrain Benitez has made this Westside spot his own by serving up classic cuisine with Meditteranean and Mexican touches. Butter lettuce salad, Ensalada Toscana, or a Shrimp and Corn bisque start off the meal. The Salmon Fuego topped with Crab meat and pico de gallo in a lime butter sauce sounds like an appealing Mexican twist to a standard dish.  Grilled New Zealand Rack of Lamb, Crusted Filet Mignon, Stuffed Chicken Breast, Eggplant Parmagiano, and Heart Shaped Lobster Ravioli (aw how sweet) are the other main course options.  Desert includes chocolate covered strawberries, Aji Chocolate Cake, Tres leches cake (mmm), and Cheese cake with Rasberry Sauce.

Cafe Modern
3200 Darnell Street
817.840.2174
$75.00 per person; $67.50 per person for Modern members.
Reservations are available at 6, 6:30, 7, 7:30, 8 and 8:30 pm.
This gracefully curved restaurant looks out onto the reflecting pool of the Modern.  Inside there’s curved sculptural seating and it’s darkly lit.  Not as predictable as a stand alone restaurant and the special Valentine’s Day Menu sounds as artistic as the art inside The Modern.  Duck confit with fig jam crostini, thai red curry soup with mussells, tenderloin, risotto (vegetarian), or halibut are some of the intriguing and creative options.  Check out the full menu on The Modern’s website.

Reata
310 Houston Street
817.336.1009
The outdoor terrace of the Reata is a super romantic spot.  At night all of downtown twinkles as you overlook Houston Street.  The grotto bar and geodesic dome in the background add to the scene. The price of their Valentines Day Menu varies depending on the main, Steak and Lobster – $65.00, 14 oz. Charbroiled Ribeye with Cook’s Butter – $55.00, 10 oz. Pepper Crusted Tenderloin with Port Wine Sauce – $55.00, Pecan Crusted Mahi-Mahi with a Raspberry Chipotle Cream Sauce – $55.00, Alpine Chicken Breast served with Pan Gravy – $45.00.  The meal also comes with salad and desert.

Zambrano’s Wine Cellar
910 Houston Street Suite 110
817.850.9463
Dinner only $49.95 (+tax and tip), and $74.95 (+tax and tip) with Cef Zambrano’s wine pairings
Friday & Saturday Seating 6:00PM – 7:45PM and 8:00PM – 10:00PM
Wine is a natural pairing for romance.  Zambrano’s simple menu options will let the wine pairings shine through with a shrimp cocktail, tomato basil soup or greek salad, prime rib au jus or salmon with dill, desert is a chocolate cheesecake or creme brulee.

Bistro Louise
2900 South Hulen, Suite 40
817.922.9244
$75 per person (4 courses), Valentines Day Brunch (Sunday) $32.50
Bistro Louise exudes warm feeling of Provence, the patio outside makes a perfect lunch spot.  Dfw.com reports on all Valentine’s Day menu details.  The second course lobster risottto sounds decadent, mains include a classic chateaubriand, lemon sole and wild Columbia River sturgeon.  Louise offers traditional strawberry craquelin or profiteroles with coffee and pistachio ice creams, port-cherry sauce and hot fudge sauce as desert options.

Bonnell’s Fine Texas Cuisine
4259 Bryant Irvin Road
817.738.5489
$90 per person
Classic elegance permeates the ambience at Bonnell’s.  Chef Jon Bonnell punches up classic dishes with bold Texas touches. Brandied lobster bisque starts off the meal,Center Cut Beef Tenderloin with Wild Mushroom and Truffle Cream served with Jalapeno Twice Baked Potato and Julienne Vegetables for desert the Chef’s Decadent Chocolate Trilogy.

Lanny’s Alta Cocina Mexicana
3404 W. 7th Street
817-850-9996
$95 per person, reservations
Lanny’s dining room is clean and crisp and elegant in its simplicity with a small bar and two main dining areas, there is also an inviting patio.  Lanny Lancarte elevates native Mexican ingredients into amazing dishes and also incorporates Mediterranean and French flavors. Beautiful, well presented food with stellar service sets a romantic tone.  Dfw.com has all the Valentines Day menu details.  The lobster ravioli with foie gras butter is the ultimate in indulgence.  Oaxacan pasilla soup with Gruyere toast sounds like a wonderful mix of flavors.

St. Emillion
3617 W. 7th
817.737.2781
What says romance better than little French hideaway.  This cozy cottage on 7th is a great spot for l’amour.  Food and Fort Worth reviewed this spot and the melting cake sounds like perfect date night food.

Sardines
509 University
817.332.9937
This Cultural district restaurant is a classic Fort Worth spot for romance.  Candlelit tables are about the only illumination and live jazz definitely sets the scene.  Classic Italian dishes complete the recipe for romance.

Pops Safari Room
2929 Morton Street
817.334.0559
The Cultural district gem has only a few tables nestled within aged wooden wine racks and that makes for amazing ambiance if you ask me.  If it’s intimate you’re looking for, this is it.  Trust the server’s wine recommendations here, because they are usually spot on.  There is also a small casual patio outside. Read more about the food at  Fort Worth Hole in the Wall.

Sapristi
2418 Forest Park Boulevard
817.924.7231
Want to pretend you’re in a neighborhood European bistro? You need go no further than Forest Park, Sapristi’s is the spot.  The main dining room sports sunny yellow walls and rich wood accents (the secondary dining room has a bit of catching up to do).  It can get loud but the setting is charming. The tapas plate varies and is a great way to start off the meal.  The staff know wine, so I trust their judgment and am never disappointed, I’ve discovered some of my favorite wines here.  Their mussels and fries are unbelievable.

The Italian Inn
I’d be remiss if I didn’t include this Fort Worth institution.  The booths have little doors for extra privacy, it’s the custom to scrawl you and your sweetie’s name on the wall, if you’re lacking conversation you can always read what others have graffitied on the walls.  There’s also the famous singing waiters.  The food is standard Italian fare, but it’s all about the fun and romantic (if you get a booth) atmosphere at this spot.

Grace
777 Main Street
817.877.3388
Fort Worth’s newest hot spot restaurant also exudes romance with its rich and sophisticated atmosphere.  Grace is an elegant spot for your romantic dinner.  Luxury comes at a price though so bring some bank.  Steak and seafood are the specialties here.

Simply Fondue
111 W. 4th Street Suite 15
817.348.0633
What’s sexier than dipping stuff in melted cheese or chocolate – I think that’s about as good as it gets.  Simply Fondue is in the old Woolworth building downtown.  Before you think this is your Mom’s 70′s fondue, they offer several varieties of fondue which include a Traditional Fondue, Fondue Grill, Mediterranean Sangria, Shiner Bock Bayou Cajun, and Thai Coconut-check out their website for details.  If you want to know what you’re in for – read West and Clear‘s Kevin Buchanan’s excellent review, he found that it was vegetarian friendly and the photos that accompany the review are wonderful.  After dinner head to the Scat Jazz Lounge and make a Simply Fabulous evening of it.

Nonna Tata
1400 W Magnolia Ave
817.332.0250
I love Nonna Tata, and though it may not be romantic to wait for a table, nothing’s stopping you from making out in your car while you wait.  Once seated you’ll be transported to Italy with authentic flavors and a warm atmosphere.  BYOB.  Check out my review for all the details for dining at Nonna Tata.

Bistro LightCatcher
6925 Confederate Park Road
817.237.2626
By the time this is posted they may be already full for their Valentine’s Day dinner. However, Bistro LightCatcher, part of the LightCatcher Winery is a beautiful setting for a special evening.  Beautiful food presented in the presence of wine aging in barrels – Hello! that’s romantic!  There’s also an outdoor terrace and pavilion.

Did I forget your favorite romantic spot? Let me know what restaurant and why in the comments.