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Top 10 Romantic Restaurants
Amour on the menu
Several area restaurants offer the right ingredients for a romantic dinner
What makes for a romantic restaurant, anyway? Is it the intimate atmosphere, the quality food, the attentive service, or the well-executed libations?
Well ... yes.
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Photos
Interior shot of the Lincoln Park Grille, 580 Lincoln Park Boulevard in Kettering, on the list of top romantic restaurants in Dayton area.
An elegant private dining room is available at Mr. Lee's Fine Asian Dining on Poe Ave. in Vandalia.
Stars, in the Crowne Plaza Hotel, offers a view of downtown Dayton.
Pacchia Prima offers intimate dining in Dayton's Oregon District.A restaurant's "romance quotient" is never more important than this time of year, with Valentine's Day approaching on Thursday (if you're headed out to dinner but haven't yet made reservations, get off your duff and do it NOW). There is something about a fine meal served in the right atmosphere that can really — ahem — melt the ice.
So we went searching for the Dayton's area's most romantic restaurants. It's a subjective list, to be sure — I'm still relatively new to this food and dining gig and must confess I haven't visited every restaurant in the Miami Valley yet (I'm trying, I'm trying). And I can think of some other very strong contenders that could've been included. I'll bet you can too.
So if you're outraged to find your favorite hangout has been omitted, no reason to wad the paper up and throw it across the room. Head here, and tell us your favorite, or why you think we're wrong. Or right.
We came up with this top ten list, in no particular order. So make the call, you sucker for romance you. And think flowers. Or chocolate. Or both.
4120 Far Hills Ave., Kettering
(937) 299-5536
More than a quarter-century of experience and plenty of recognition from Mobil Travel Guides command attention — but so do the food and atmosphere. And the upscale bar even has a dance floor! For what may be the ultimate romantic feast the day before Valentine's Day, check out the "Champagne Wishes and Caviar Dreams" dinner — but be prepared for the $250-per-couple price tag.
2600 Far Hills Avenue, Oakwood
(937) 298-0022
The glass-enclosed atrium seating area that faces Far Hills Avenue can have a romantic feel to it, at least when the restaurant isn't packed. And the sauces here add a certain sensuality to the French Bistro-style dishes.
515 Wayne Ave., Dayton
(937) 228-2626
This relatively new restaurant — it opened about nine months ago — has carved a strong reputation with its eclectic menu and inviting atmosphere. There's just something romantic about the leopard-skin carpet design and the silver ornaments hanging from the ceiling.
2450 Dayton-Xenia Road, Beavercreek
(937) 426-4600
The high-backed and comfortable booths offer a bit of privacy — though you shouldn't assume your neighboring diners can't hear every word you're saying. The elegant atmosphere convinced DDN readers to name this restaurant the number one "Best Place for a Romantic Dinner" in the 2006 DDN "People's Choice Awards."
580 Lincoln Park Boulevard, Kettering
(937) 293-6293
First, the current owners of this restaurant trace their lineage to the King Cole, the venerable upscale restaurant that brightened downtown Dayton for many decades. Second, the tables by the window of LPG overlook Lincoln Park and its festive lights, which just seems to extend the holiday feel and chase away the winter gloom.
21 West Main St., Versailles
(937) 526-3020
The charm here is in the restaurant's atmosphere and its location in the heart of a small town — not to mention the feeling of escape after driving an hour or so from Dayton. And since the restaurant is located in The Inn at Versailles, it doesn't hurt that if desired, you can, quite literally, "get a room." Great wine list, too.
7580 Poe Ave., Vandalia
(937) 898-3860
The soft lighting and rich woods of this new restaurant's interior make it one of the most inviting atmospheres in the Miami Valley. You won't know you're sitting in a former Cooker's restaurant. And the Yellowtail sashimi melts on your tongue like a kiss.
410 E. Fifth St., Dayton
(937) 341-5050
This restaurant and the café next door have gone through more changes than newborn quintuplets, but the interior of the fine-dining restaurant boasts an intimate and inviting atmosphere, and the dishes are well-executed.
33 E. Fifth St., Dayton
(937) 224-0800
Cincinnati has all those hills and great views, while Dayton — not so much. But if you want to take her breath away, the view from the Stars restaurant and lounge atop the Crowne Plaza hotel will do it — day or night. Why leave such a spectacular view to out-of-towners attending conventions? This is a great place for a late-night drink or Sunday brunch.
> Find more area restuarants by cusine, price or location
Love is in the air — can you feel it? So, where are you going to wine and dine that special someone? Comment on this list (or give us your own!)
Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2258 or mfisher@DaytonDailyNews.com.
