A very odd list. Tony’s in St Louis is still a classic. It was around in the early ‘60’s when I was in college there. I haven’t been 5here in over 40 years but I have friends who will still go there for a birthday or anniversary. Just looked at their website: they have finally given in and dropped their coast and tie requirement for men. I know it was in effect 8 years ago as a group planned on going and one didn’t want to have to dress up.

We have a couple on the list. Connor’s Steak House is excellent and we have been there many times both for lunch and dinner. I guess I would call it ‘romantic’ but it is just a great place to eat. The other is the Melting Pot which is a small chain of fondue type food. Also great and unusual and a nice atmosphere so I suppose it would be considered ‘romantic’. I would have included a couple of other spots but what was chosen is fine.

Oh, I love Cafe Sparrow, have only been for dinner. Here we have The Victor Cafe in Philly, with opera-singing wait staff. Fun. Noisy and cramped. Not sure the reason for "romantic".

There are four on the list near me. Unfortunately I can't afford to eat at any of them, so I can't give any kind of review.

I wonder that the number of steak houses. While I like meat a steak house would not be where I would go for a romantic evening. Perhaps it is because the ones I have been in have all been dimly lit.

One is is my town. I have been a few times. Actually it's the only one in my entire state.I wonder how they decided this list?

If you use a site like Open Table and some others, they ask you to rate the restaurant by a number of criteria: romantic, best view, good for children, etc. Doesn't really mean anything. A dim steakhouse might thrill some people's romantic senses, while a bustling opera cafe gets to others. There's no real standard.

No. There are no romantic restaurants in Los Angeles, and that is fine with me.

Nothing from the Great Plains??

There is two in my city. It's not the restaurants itself that is romantic it is the view of the city and rivers from the restaurants that sit high atop on a cliff.

I too think it's an unusual list. So many steakhouses and chain restaurants? No Asian or fusion styles?

I'd thought the restaurant in the Santa Cruz County area that topped most "romantic" lists is Shadowbrook. There's nothing on the list for the greater Santa Barbara/Coast areas north of LA? Or the Wine Country, or Mendocino, or Marin, or Carmel, or Bay Area, or ?

I don't know how widespread the use of Open Table is among restaurants but I suspect all the "winners" are Open Table customers. That right there fouls the list.

LeYaca has been my favorite restaurant in town since we moved here. Don't know that I would call it a "romantic" restaurant. It moved its location a couple of years ago and though very lovely, I don't think it's as good as it use to be. Still, it's my favorite.

Weird. I didn’t see anything from Greenville, South Carolina on the list. Might have missed it. But on my news there was a list of the 100 most romantic restaurants in the world and it was included. Surely it would be on the US list then.

I never heard of the ones in Seattle and Issaquah and I'm a native Seattleite. Guess I don't get out much.

Your suspicions are spot on, Elmer. It is most definitely an Open Table list. Says so right at the top of the page.

There is one in Galveston, but I have never heard of it. Like Sephia, I don't get out much any more.

I would think that the "typical" description of a romantic restaurant would be low lighting, low noise level, linen tablecloths (no plastics on the table) and child free. The excessive noise levels in most restaurants disqualify them from the romantic designation for me.

Have eaten at the Monterey Fish Grotto in Pittsburgh at least 2 times. Daughter takes us there for very special occasions, like our 50th anniversary almost 10 years ago and DH's retirement 21 years ago.

Lone Jack there are actually two in KC area Café Provence is over in Kansas. It does look like it should be a romantic restaurant. It is in a small strip shop that I go to a Better Cheddar location to pick up a particular type of Italian candy. Le Fou Frog is down in the River Market area and from friends the food is good and the atmosphere very nice. Both have French styled food which my husband avoided if possible so I have never eaten at either.

We don't eat out much anymore, but there are at least three in Huntsville, AL that I would consider much more romantic than the two listed, although I am sure they are good restaurants.

1892 East

The Bottle

Cotton Row

They are not chains. When we do eat out, we prefer local, non chain restaurants, no matter what the menu prices are.

I too noticed that many were steak houses. Even one of the ones here is primarily known for their steak but it is actually a ‘steak and seafood’ place and has delicious seafood also. I particularly love their shrimp and grits but that’s just me and I know that’s a local southern thing. Their steak is exceptional but it’s rare that I order steak out.

From my observations of many couples eating out, many prefer to perhaps impress with a steak dinner or at least have that option. I agree Elmer, the demographic of people who even use or respond to Open Table reviews would drive how this list was constructed. I use Open Table fairly often but I seldom write a review.

edited to add, Sherry, I pretty much agree with you, but Connor’s is not a chained I would rate it right up there where it is. I’m meh on 1892 but the Bottle is a fave.

There's one restaurant in my area on that list, and it's an Italian place where the waiters sing opera. It has mediocre food and is a tourist trap. I have nothing against opera, but I don't want to hear it while I'm eating!

There are quite a few excellent and romantic restaurants around here; its a shame one of them wasn't on the list instead.

Connor's is in several cities. I call that a chain. It may not be a big chain, but a chain. Once a restaurant expands beyond the original, many times the quality goes down. Wentzel's Oyster House did that. Copeland's of New Orleans did that. The owner can't control the quality as well from way off.

RESERVE A TABLE ONLINE: Huntsville, AL | Fort Myers, FL | Sarasota, FL | Franklin, TN | Knoxville, TN

I realize it is just me, but I prefer one owner, one restaurant (or at least if they stay in one town).

When I lived in San Francisco, I thought The Trident Restaurant in Sausalito was rather romantic, and I generally took a ferry to get there. Lots of restaurants along the beach in California have great views, although the ones in Venice are generally too crowded to be considered romantic. They're still fun to go to, and I ate out a lot more when I lived in Venice.

Oh, yeah, I recall the Trident in 1969, the most romantic place in the world!

Sherry, I had no idea he had expanded! Thanks for the correction. I remember when he just did a little catering. Good catering, but still. Happy he is successful. Have you been to the one in H’ville lately? I don’t think it has suffered.

I had to look up Monterey Fish Grotto to see that it's in PITTSBURGH! Oh, yum, fresh fish. Sorry, my years in (the real) Monterey spoiled me!

Not feeling very romantic, just now.

Doesn't seem to be any, anywhere close.

Oh, right - this is Canada.

Don't know where "credit"/(debt) card is, there'd be cross border and exchange fees ... and no U S funds on hand.

And the yard and lane are covered with ice: glad I didn't fall while walking there today.

Better stay home - raid the frig.

ole joyful

Be careful and be well ole joyful. You are a treasure here. You are right about my cousin and made me think long and hard with your reply. She is a damaged person and carries the weight of that in ways you made me see. Wrong place to post this but you get the message.

Thank you, seagrass - glad that I may have been able to be of a little help.

Good wishes to you and your family - especially the one who's got a bit of your goat at times.

ole joyfuelled