Romantic restaurants for date nights
Need a romantic spot to dine out for Valentine’s Day or any other day to show your significant other why they are so significant? Spend a cozy evening in a romantically lit local restaurant to make a classic date night as special as your love.
Note: Many of these restaurants are offering special Valentine’s Day events, so reservations are recommended. To see our list of Valentine’s Day events, visit toledocitypaper.com
The Benchmark Restaurant
6130 Levis Commons Blvd.,
419-873-6590.
benchmark-restaurant.com
When Chef Jeff Dinnebeil (formerly of Biaggi’s, The Toledo Zoo, Social Gastropub, among other Northwest Ohio staples) announced he was going to open his own steakhouse in 2017, he didn’t even have to look to far to hire staff— local professionals he’s worked with through the years flocked to him in hopes of getting placed in his all-star lineup. Just over a year later, Chef Dinnebeil’s steak and seafood fine dining destination continues to consistently exceed expectations.
Registry Bistro
144 N. Superior St. (Secor Building)
419-725-0444. Registrybistro.com
Much-lauded, Chef Erika Rapp’s bistro combines passion, technique and creativity to present a delightfully eclectic and artful New-American menu full of pleasing, surprising, and traditional options. The urban-chic atmosphere provides an elegant experience where foodies snap pictures of beautiful plates and exotic ingredients are found on the impressive cocktail menu.
Mancy’s Steakhouse
953 Phillips Ave., 419-476-4154. mancys.com
For old world charm, the Mancy’s family’s original continues to impress as it has since first opening in 1921. Almost 100 years later, this Toledo classic still uses the same techniques passed from generation to generation to prepare mouthwatering steaks — aged for 28 days, hand-cut and seared at 1500 degrees.
Element 112 Restaurant
5735 N. Main St., Sylvania. 419-517-1104. element112restaurant.com
Chef Nixon’s ever-evolving menu sings with local flavors. Ingredient-focused and sourced from local farms, eclectic and impressive dining options range from traditional favorites to unexpected treats. Indulge in nature’s favorite aphrodisiac on Thursdays, when raw oysters are only $1 each.
Koreana
1423 Bernath Pkwy., 419-867-8080. Koreanatoledo.com
Casual and elegant, this mood lit, intimate Korean restaurant, accented with a cozy fireplace, makes for a memorable date night experience. Opt for an authentic Korean aromatic traditional stew, sample savory selections from the sushi menu, or enjoy both. Soju yogurt cocktails made with Boochy Mama’s locally made Kombucha tonics are unexpected cocktail menu highlights.
Rockwell’s Steakhouse & Lounge
27 Broadway St. (in the Oliver House).
419-243-1302. Mbaybrew.com
Tucked away in the historic Oliver House, this classic upscale steak house offers timeless elegance in a tranquil hideaway for couples seeking a private moment. Sip a piquant dirty martini, sink your teeth into fresh seafood, finest prime cuts of aged meats and soak up the ambiance of traditional sophistication.
Rasa Restaurant and Bar
2633 W. Bancroft St.,419-725-0525. rasarestaurantandbar.com
For the eco-minded, Rasa’s chic, bright atmosphere and farm-to-table seasonally-inspired menu bridges the gap between fine dining traditions and contemporary tastes. Find artful plates, handcrafted cocktails and a hip atmosphere, complemented by live music on Thursday evenings and select Sundays. While Rasa is certainly a great date night spot, we also suggest spending the morning after enjoying their spectacular brunch fare with sunny mimosas .
