The French are notorious for speaking the language of love and at this Uptown Park restaurant, Chef Philippe Verpiand’s does just that. Impress your date by ordering up classic dishes like foie gras, coq au vin, escargot and duck à l’orange or stick with more comfortable offerings like the vegetable risotto, roasted chicken or salmon steak. Consider dropping in for brunch for a less traditional date, because Etoile serves some excellent brunch items like gruyere omelettes, benedicts, and croque madames.

A quaint 100 year old log cabin is the quintessential romantic backdrop, what with its soft lighting, mounted animal heads and hearth fireplace. Just make sure taxidermy won’t be a mood killer. Wild game and Gulf seafood covers the menu with best sellers like the lobster and summer corn risotto, rainbow trout with lump crab, and pan seared duck breast with foie gras. For a really special night out, consider six courses of petite seasonal features and favorites for $79 per person.

Overhanging gilded light pieces, marble counters and dark leather will greet you at this sexy River Oaks restaurant. Whether the night calls for a dry aged strip steak, sticky, smoky beef ribs, a pan roasted flounder or squid ink pasta, State of Grace has it all and a seven course tasting menu with wine pairings. If the dining room is full (seriously, make reservations) ask to be seated in the side room. The circular oyster bar is ideal for intimate conversations.

Unpretentious Montrose bar Camerata (connected to adjoining Paulie’s) is a simple, no frills option for date night drinks. The industrial space tends to draw a mixed crowd who enjoy the artisanal cheese and salami plates, and impeccably chosen glasses of vino. Bonus, stop into Paulie’s for dinner either before or after casual pre-dinner drinks.

A favorite amongst love birds for many years, Chef Marco Wiles pulls out all the stops in this luxurious upscale eatery that showcases the taste of Tuscany in a refined setting. While this might not be the place to meet in the middle of spaghetti à la Lady and the Tramp, couples can nonetheless enjoy inventive pasta dishes like spaghetti with sea urchin or homemade garganelli with slow-cooked rabbit. End a perfect meal with sheep’s milk ricotta cannoli or a creamy panna cotta.

Any partner would be impressed with the sleek and elegant MF Sushi. The Museum District’s premiere sushi spot serves up consummate fresh fish in the form of high quality sushi, nigiri and sashimi. The minimal woodsy décor is the perfect accompaniment to excellent service and an original drink menu. Make reservations, because this place fills up fast.

No date will be able to resist a stellar dinner at this show-stopping restaurant with a tasting menu. The five course Omnivore or Vegetarian menus are $105 with wine pairings and $65 without, so settle in for the long haul with truly unparalleled dishes by James Beard semifinalist Chefs Seth Siegel-Gardner and Terrence Gallivan. The menu changes seasonally so you may never have the same meal, or date, twice.

Break the ice under the soft yellow glow of a sundry of reproduced Tiffany’s lamps made from vintage stained glass. Perch atop simple wooden stools or antique furniture for quiet conversation and choose a hand crafted cocktail from an impressive collection.

Art deco-style cocktail bar Public Services is housed on the first floor of the 1884 Cotton Exchange building and carefully preserves its old world charm. The striking arches, gilded accents and plush seating will certainly take any date’s breath away, as will the boutique assortment of wines, beers, ciders and mixed drinks chosen by alcohol ingénue/sommelier Justin Vann and snacks from culinary virtuoso Justin Yu.

Be prepared to leave a tad boozed up when visiting Justin Burrow’s undeniably cool downtown bar. The night will start with a dark, weathered staircase that leads to a massive 25 seat bar surrounded by more intimate nooks and crannies. End the night outside on small balcony space to enjoy an expertly mixed libation, cigarette and maybe a smooch.