Everyone loves a good date spot to snuggle in, grab a glass of wine and get your romance on. Today we are rounding up some of our favs on both coasts just in time for Valentine’s Day!
Some images were taken from the venues Instagram and online.
West Coast Date Spots – Kelly
FOR THE REALLY PICKY EATERS: The Original Farmer’s Market at The Grove is the perfect spot if you/your S/O don’t have the same taste buds. There is a very homey and authentic feel and all of the restaurants/food vendors are reasonably priced. Plus if you go on the right now, there is usually an accordion player which really sets the romantic mood! Plus, if the date is going well, The Grove is the perfect place to walk around to get some dessert and watch the fountain show!
FOR THE ROMANCE: Bacari on West 3rd is just as much whimsical as it is practical. As you make your way down the hidden hallway (that honestly looks like nothing from the street) you are greeted with a vast outdoor dining area topped off with string lights and heaters (for the colder months). The menu is fantisimo and has the option of a 90 minute open bar anytime which includes wine, sangria and beer. The lighting is spectacular and super dim – I don’t know about you but I love a dim light because it makes me feel pretty!
TO GET THE BLOOD PUMPING: OK, I don’t know if I am weird but I absolutely love doing physical activity on dates because it gets the adrenaline going and you feel like you have accomplished something together. Enter – Sky Zone Trampoline Park. Aside from the inconvenience of the location (we went to the one in Van Nuys) jumping around on floor to ceiling trampolines made me break a sweat and get silly. It’s a blast to feel like a kid again and breaks down the walls especially if you have just started dating!
TO SHOW OFF THAT YOU ARE CULTURED: I don’t know about you but I am a HUGE history and museum buff. I love everything about learning and flexing my knowledge in front of my boyfriend. We recently went to the Getty Museum on a sunny Saturday and it was nothing short of magical. But here are a few insider tips to make your trip even better. If you arrive after 3pm, parking is $10 (not $15) and it is generally less crowded. The line to take the tram up to the museum is a nightmare so if you are able, skip the line and walk up! It’s a nice little workout and doesn’t take more than 15 minutes (but you will need to wear comfortable shoes. Pack a picnic because food and drinks are pretty pricey and if you want to bring wine you will have to be very discreet.
A NIGHT AMONG THE STARS: This is actually a pretty nostalgic one for me because our Poppa’s home was in the Palisades and where we spent our Summers. The Palisades Village has very recently been completely redone and the final layout is really, really gorgeous. Snag a table on the outdoor patios and great ready for some celebrity spotting – opportunity for a fun drinking game perhaps? From Diane Keaton to Tome Hanks, The Pacific Palisades is home to some of the top talent in the world and makes for a fun conversation! The last time I went, every single restaurant was packed so I suggest getting a reservation prior to showing up!
East Coast Date Spots – Courtney
Breaking down a few of my favorite restaurants & places for the perfect date night or even your VDAY dinner in New York City. Such a magical city it is!
Drunk Shakespeare – What can I say about this Off Broadway show other than that it was freaking hilarious. I saw it last weekend with my little sister and her boyfriend and we laughed, cried, drank and maybe even cringed a bit. The best part was, when I was in line looking to get a cocktail the couple in front of me were giving off MANY second date vibes. Turns out, after the actors also sensed this as well, they told the audience it was their THIRD date! Which is how it ended up in this list… it really is a perfect date night show!
Beware that the show is extremely interactive. The actors will ask you questions and make you a part of the show. (EXAMPLE: My sisters boyfriend looks like Ryan Gosling and the actors couldn’t get enough of him, even giving him a free tequila shot lol.) SO if your date is not into that, maybe this wouldn’t be the best spot. However if he/she has a good sense of humor and likes to drink (they give you a shot when you walk in) then this is the spot for you!! I fully plan on having my bday party here.
The Flying Cock – This has quickly become mine and Kyle’s favorite spot in Murray Hill for Brunch & Dinner. When we moved here from Brooklyn we were pretty skeptical about the food situation, especially because Brooklyn has so many amazing places. However The Flying Cock has stolen our hearts and our stomachs! The reason why this makes for such a great date night spot is 1.) because of the name – lol – great ice breaker! And 2.) because the food and cocktails are fabulous! I highly recommend the cauliflower buffalo wings as well as their lucky charm cocktail – all AMAZING.
NOTE: They have large portions so you will most likely get a second meal out of it.
Boqueria – Another NYC based restaurant that has multiple locations across the city! We love dining out here because tapas is just plain fun and it brings about conversation, which is perfect for a first date or a date where you are still feeling the person out. We personally like the Soho location best but all are fabulous and have amazing vibes that could automatically put anyone in a good mood! 🙂
Left Bank: For all of you romantic people out there look no further than Left Bank. This is such a quintessential New York City – West Village restaurant. Every time we eat here we ask for a table by the window and it just feels soooooo… NEW YORK for a lack of a better term lol. The food is Italian and we have yet to try anything we have not liked. Highly recommend a bottle of red wine, candle lights and a big plate of pasta for your Valentines Day dinner this year.
Samwon Garden Korean BBQ: Kyle and I tried Korean BBQ for the first time about a month ago and each fell instantly in love with it. For those of you who do not know, Korean BBQ, is a dining experience that you partake and immerse yourself in! Each table has its own little grill and you or the waiters (in our case – we were beginners lol) will come around and cook your meal right in front of you. It was such a fun/cool experience that I cannot wait to do again! I also recommend this location particularly because it was it is one of the oldest Korean BBQ restaurants in South Korea and we are so lucky to have one right here in New York’s Koreatown!
SHOP COURTNEYS LOOK HERE:
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