The most common date night activity in the United States of America is the time-tested favorite: going out for a romantic dinner. If you happen to find yourself in Salt Lake City, Utah, on date night, you’re in luck. There are many restaurants that offer cozy seating, low lighting, and a comfortable atmosphere that’s perfect for feeling a little warm and fuzzy. Oh, and did I mention the food? Yes, that’s pretty good, too.
If you have a date night coming up in your future, consider one of these three Salt Lake City date night favorites:
1. Log Haven. Log Haven is simply the most romantic restaurant in the Salt Lake Valley, and it has been nominated as such by locals every single year for as long as I can remember. This upscale restaurant is tucked away in Millcreek canyon, so you have five star dining combined with a cozy, rustic atmosphere that’s found just far enough out of the city to make you feel like you’ve taken a mini-vacation to your own private cabin in the woods. The menu includes incredible entrees like tarragon-crusted sea scallops or peppered Morgan Valley lamb sirloin, so you definitely want to show up hungry! Log Haven is pretty pricey (and worth every penny), so you’ll probably want to save this one for the really special romantic dinners…such as anniversaries, birthdays, and the ever important night-you-pop-the-question. 6451 E. Millcreek Canyon Road, Salt Lake City. 801-272-8255. http://www.log-haven.com
2. The Happy Sumo. There’s something about sushi that is just automatically sexy, at least in my opinion. We’re talking exotic food in small, delicious portions, that you eat with chopsticks in between sips of warm sake. There’s simply no way you can be in that setting and not start feeling a little more friendly towards your dinner companion, so I consider The Happy Sumo to be like dining romance for dummies here in Salt Lake City. Extra credit is added thanks to their conversation-inspiring menu (what in the world is The Playboy roll?) and the fact that this restaurant is located in The Gateway shopping district, which means that catching a movie or browsing the shops is a convenient way to extend your time together after dinner. 153 S Rio Grande St, Salt Lake City, UT 84101. (801) 456-7866. http://happysumosushi.com
3. Bambara, at Hotel Monaco. Bambara is one of those hidden gems that has been a secret local favorite for years. Hidden inside Hotel Monaco, Bambara is a stylish restaurant with an upscale feel, but the friendly service and comfortable atmosphere keep you from feeling like you need to keep your pinky up in this place. The food is five star quality, but many of the items on the menu seem to be inspired by comfort food, like the signature house blue cheese potato chips. In addition to wonderful food and great service, Bambara has a couple of extra things going for it. For one, their drink selection is out of this world and it’s probably the best place in the city to get a cocktail. Second, the restaurant is conveniently located in one of the nicest historic hotels in downtown Salt Lake City, so if you’re looking to really make a night of it, you won’t have to travel very far. 202 S Main St, Salt Lake City, UT 84101. (801) 363-5454.
