Birthdays and anniversaries are obvious reasons to need a romantic restaurant in Houston to take your significant other. But you don’t have to wait for those special occasions to surprise your loved one with a romantic date at a great restaurant in Houston. Does your honey work hard during the day? Did he or she recently get a promotion? Has it been awhile since you had some alone time together? Don’t wait for a reason, set aside some time to reconnect with a romantic meal at a romantic restaurant in Houston. Need some ideas? I have compiled a selection of romantic Houston restaurants suitable for any occasion:
Rainbow Lodge
This restaurant always makes my top choice for just about any category but it is especially apt for a romantic restaurant in Houston. Located at 2011 Ella Blvd, this romantic Houston restaurant is open Tuesday through Friday 11:30 am to 10:30 pm, Saturday 6 pm to 10:30 pm and Sunday from 10:30 am to 9 pm. They serve lunch dinner and brunch on Sundays. While this place is a bit of a splurge it is well worth it and if you want to get the same quality food and romantic ambiance without the expense, try dinner or brunch.
The entire Rainbow Lodge experience is a sensual and decadent one that stimulates all the senses and is especially suited to those who have a passion for great food and great wine. The restaurant is located in an historic cabin and has views of the creek, has several fireplaces and decks. The interior and exterior are designed to be romantic yet cozy. The staff treats you wonderfully without being overly stuffy. It is the perfect setting for a romantic date.
Start out with the Taste of the Wild, a selection of wild game samples accompanied by a bottle of wine from their extensive wine list. Then go to the charcuterie, a selection of “house cured meats, salumis or terrines with traditional and untraditional condiments”. For an entrée my personal favorite is the bison but I also enjoy the mixed grill, duck, antelope and ostrich. Their bread pudding is a perfect end to the meal to share. This culinary experience is not cheap and with everything you will spend about $200 including tip but the experience is well worth the cost and your honey will certainly appreciate it.
The Melting Pot
Located at 6100 Westheimer, The Melting Pot is open Monday through Thursday, 4:30 to 10 pm, Friday from 4 to 11 pm, Saturday from 3:30 to 11 pm and Sunday from 1 to 9:30 pm. It is a chain of fondue restaurants that serve nothing but fondue based dishes but have something for everyone. The experience, while one that can be enjoyed in a larger group, is perfect for a couple and the atmosphere is one that really caters to a romantic dining experience. Each table is a booth, complete with high walls to prevent any out of place child from staring at you during your meal and the lighting is perfect. Each table has its own light to read the menu by and see the food, but the overall lighting is very subdued; really setting the atmosphere for a romantic meal.
Fondue itself is a very sensual experience. The Melting Pot specializes in four-course meals. The appetizer is traditional cheese fondue, however the choice of cheese, additions to the cheese and the food to dip is where the customers get to choose. Three are a variety of salads you can then choose from, each one delicious. The main course includes various meats and seafood that are cooked tableside.
Dessert is always a must when going for fondue, being chocolate based, with almost mandatory liqueur added. The meal lends itself to trying new combinations, feeding your significant other if you so choose and simply enjoying a decadent meal that won’t leave you feeling too stuffed for a night of dancing or cuddling on the couch. They also have a full bar for cocktails and a fairly decent wine selection.
Regularly priced, the four course meal is $82 per couple. However, if you sign up for their email club you can often get significant discounts.
Capriccio Ristorante – Fine Spaniard & Italian Cuisine
This restaurant is located at 10865 Jones Road and is open for lunch Monday through Friday and dinner Monday through Thursday from 5 to 9 pm, Friday and Saturday from 5 to 10 pm. As with their web site, an experience at Capriccio is one that begins by being greeted with Spanish guitar playing. The décor is levels above the prices and the food is as well. They are unique in that they offer a full tapas menu for lunch and dinner as well as a full menu of food. The lighting is dim but not dark and between the amazing food, their extensive wine collection and the guitar playing and singing, the atmosphere is perfect for a couple looking for a romantic escape.
For the budget-minded romantics, or simply those that want to excite their palates in many different ways, the tapas menu is perfect. These small dishes range in price from six to nine dollars and can be seen as a great appetizer if one is ordered or an excellent way to truly sample the restaurant’s diversity by picking four or five different tapas dishes and sharing the experience each new dish brings. If you order off the tapas menu, the wait staff actually asks which order you would like them in and they will wait for you to finish or be nearly done before bringing the next.
The beauty of Capriccio’s menu is their diversity. The Tapas menu is perfect for the adventuring type, the pizza’s for those that want the atmosphere but are cautious and then the rest of the menu caters to everyone. Pastas are priced from nine dollars for a basic fettuccine Alfredo to $19 for jumbo lobster ravioli in a wine and saffron sauce. Their offerings also include paella, a Spanish rice dish that is flavored with saffron as well. Prices for their paella range from $29-$36 and serves two people. On top of this, Capriccio also offers gourmet main dishes that range from $16-$24 per plate. Chicken parmesan, roasted snapper and rack of lamb al pistachio are but three of the fine offerings available.
Capriccio is very generous with their portions so dessert may be a challenge on your first outing. A romantic dessert date on a separate night may be in order because their dessert offerings are amazing and are made in-house. Tres Leches, Tiramisu, including a two-dollar sample size Tiramisu, and other traditional Italian and Spanish dessert offerings are available. Ask your server if you have been experiencing their Tapas menu as there is a special dessert Tapas available as well.
“Rainbow Lodge”, Rainbow Lodge
“Dinner Menu”, Rainbow Lodge
“The Melting Pot, Houston Texas”, The Melting Pot”
Capriccio Ristorante – Fine Spaniard & Italian Cuisine”, Capriccio Ristorante
