Favorite Place AND why??

The BF gave me nice things for Christmas. One of those nice things is a promised dinner to the restaurant of my choice in the area as long as it is $150 or less for the two of us. He said he wasn't sure where I'd want to go since I'm more of a foodie than he is (but he's learning). Some suggestions I've received have been Raw on eat the sushi off the girl night, Morton's (one of my fav's), and the Melting Pot just because it is pretty intimate to share a pot with someone. What are your most decadent suggestions???

By reading your post liking it really tell if you're looking for a restaurant with great food or great atmosphere because what you mentioned cover the entire spectrum. Raw with the sushi on the girl night is far from intimate but I'm sure the food would be very good since it always is. On the other hand the Melting Pot is very intimate but the food is marginal and overpriced. Morton's in my opinion is somewhere in between what if you're looking for steak there are definitely better choices. I think we can be a lot more helpful if you tell us what you really looking for, hopefully it's for food which we can provide a lot of choices for.

Also, does your $150 budget include wine and/or cocktails?

I'd say Equus for food and atmosphere. But I haven't been to Corbet's yet. The setting is dark, (as in candlelit) and sophisticated and the food is fabulous. You will be treated as a king and queen. It's always our "go-to" place for important celebration meals.

Also L&N, for many of the same reasons. Food is always excellent and I find it less formal than Equus. But then we like formal. The last time we went to Equus, DH put on his tux and I wore an evening gown - for fun.

Sushi off a human is wrong on so many levels.

Equus is exactly where I was going to suggest that she was really into food. It certainly has a wonderful menu and a great service, of course now that they're serving the entire menu next door at Jack's you can enjoy the same food in a more relaxed atmosphere. If she really wants a great steak I was going to suggest Z's, they have a very peaceful atmosphere also with steaks I think are better than Morton's and I love their appetizer choices!

I also agree with you on the Sushi off a girl it's certainly something I don't want to do.

Raw was suggestted just because it is different.

Equus is a place I've had many fine meals at. Years ago, I even did a tasting there were we got a tour of the kitchen.

I'm just wanting some place that has GREAT food, perferably in courses. Lily's used to be one of my fav's, but we went there back in July and I certainly wasn't impressed. Z's really has better steaks than Morton's? I haven't been to Morton's in a little over a year, but have always really enjoyed their food.

I'm curious about L&N. I've heard both very good things about it, and mediocre things about it.

Intimate would be good. We don't want to have to dress in a tux and gown, but dressy is certainly fine. The most important thing to me is that the food be good, the atmosphere not overly loud, and the service great.

Seviche is hands down my favorite restaurant for any occasion. Last week I had an amazing salmon seviche and the churrasco steak. Both were excellent paired with a good malbec wine.
It was a perfect meal with great service to celebrate new jobs for myself and my better half.

Havana Rumba is our current fav. We change up about once a year and someplace new gets our fav vote for a while, but right now food and atmosphere Havana Rumba is the vote. We have been many many times and every single course, every single aspect of the food has been spot on every time. Few restaurants we have frequented have been this consistent. The atmosphere is buzzing. For a place in a strip-mall like shopping center, HR has loads of charm and warmth. The colors are earthy and warm and there is a familial and fun vibe coursing through the house. The service has always been prompt and friendly, never pushy or rushed. Visits in the mid-afternoon have resulted in very personal service and pleasant conversation with both the staff and management. We have taken friends and relatives and all have agreed that HR is a destination spot in the city. The price is always right as well, you can probably have dinner for two a couple of times on a budget of $150. Not sure if the atmosphere would be too loud for you on a weekend night. Also, HR is more casual than dressy, and is not course service so if that is a prized consideration HR may not be a valid option.

And if all of that doesn't explain it well-enough, two words: Havana Bananas. If Heaven were a dessert it would be Havana Bananas.

My two cents: Melting Pot is overpriced and lacking quality and is not going to give you the kind of experience you are looking for.

I would have to say Varanese. We had a wonderful time and the food was excellent! We thought it was romantic, but not over the top. Perfect.

[Robin Garr]

There are so many great options, and I could agree with every one that's been listed.

Corbett's or Equus (same management) are definitely strong options, though, especially if quiet dignity and class and excellent cuisine are your targets; go with Seviche if something equally creative but Latin and edgy appeals to you.

Havana Rumba, Mojito, 610 Magnolia, Palermo Viejo, varanese, Bourbons Bistro, L&N Wine Bar, Volare ... there are SO many more candidates, and I'm sure I've overlooked some other very important alternatives.

211 Clover Ln is a nice romantic spot...

You can get a delicious fondue appetizer for two at L&N. I love the appetizer and getting wine flights is a lot of fun.

I even did a tasting there were we got a tour of the kitchen.

This had to be shortest "kitchen tour" ever. I have always been amazed that Equus could put out such a superb product in such a small place.

I even did a tasting there were we got a tour of the kitchen.

This had to be shortest "kitchen tour" ever. I have always been amazed that Equus could put out such a superb product in such a small place.

Have you seen the kitchenat 610? I'm always amazed at it's size, although I don't know how it compares to Equus' kitchen. I've toured Asiatique's kitchen and it is quite spacious.

It WAS an extremely short kitchen tour. It has a tiny little dungeon to put out that good of food. He served us an amazing balsamic vinegar that night with our salads along with black truffle (my first time ever). It was actually a "class" thru Williams and Sonoma. WELLLLLL worth the price we paid. Dean was our host all night. He was a delight, and the food was amazing.

Havana Rumba (same area too!) is one of my favs. The BF is not big on pork. I think we'll save that for a fun night of dinner and movies or something. I could spend forever with their appetizers and sangria.

I even did a tasting there were we got a tour of the kitchen.

This had to be shortest "kitchen tour" ever. I have always been amazed that Equus could put out such a superb product in such a small place.

Have you seen the kitchenat 610? I'm always amazed at it's size, although I don't know how it compares to Equus' kitchen. I've toured Asiatique's kitchen and it is quite spacious.

Y'all should see Corbett's.