I like the Top 10 romantic restaurants for this economy angle. It's not too hard to find a romantic restaurant if you can spend enough money. Much trickier if you're on a sport-bar budget.

But that said, I'm a singleton with no romantic plans (though I do like to be able to hear what my dining companion has to say, even when it's not romantic), so perhaps I'm not the best person to vote . . .

I like Top 10 Romantic Restaurants for This Economy, though my husband and I will not go out for dinner on Valentine's Day. It's not remotely romantic to wait for an hour and then cram ourselves in with two hundred other people.

Yeah, Top Ten Romantic places for cheapskates might just do the trick. Might want to call if "affordable romantic" to avoid annoying people...

Cafe De Paris in Columbia probably qualifies with their $30 3-course pre fix menu

Helmand in the city...

Were you just looking for romantic restaurants in the Baltimore area?? If not, I highly recommend Alfred's Victorian in Middletown, PA near Harrisburg.

www.alfredsvictorian

The pictures don't do the place justice, it's gorgeous and the food is excellent; we were just there last weekend.

Danielle was unpleasant. I'll go on record as having no interest at all in her happiness.

For a twist, I suppose you could do top 10 places to get romantic take away.

But, I wouldn't know romantic if it slapped me upside the head, so you are probably better off ignoring any of my suggestions.

How about Top 10 Restaurants Where Danielle and David Can Find True Romance (Preferably With Each Other)?

Personally, I would like to see a revised list for this year. If it comes out to be very much like last year's, so be it

How about the best dessert of ten notable and varied restaurants?

You should just meld the old Romantic Top 10 with the fireplace Top 10. Nothing like a roaring fire.

Love this idea. :-) EL

I vote against conforming to the minority. Fight the power!! No wait, we're the power. Now I'm confused.

you want romance? pizza, six pack, and my couch. done.

Lissa, I would be glad to ignore your suggestions but you forgot to list them. I have yet to eat at any place romantic in Baltimore. I have found in the past that romantic and really great food don't go together.

You should just meld the old Romantic Top 10 with the fireplace Top 10. Nothing like a roaring fire.

Reminds me of the awful Adams Family Special that was on in the 70's. The only thing I remember was the cast singing, "Come on baby, light my fire" while the set spouted flames in random places.

It was very bad, and not at all romantic.

Rebs - Yes!!! Now you're talking.

How about a Top 10 Romantic Dining Spots for Winter? Warm weather romantic dining makes me think more bright, sunny, and even outdoors (the garden at Kali's Court?), but winter dining is more romantic in a place like the Milton Inn.

How about a Top 10 Non-Romantic Dining Options? Such as any of the local all-you-can-eat buffets. Or the Golden Arches Room at Micky-D's. Or your local hospital dining room.

How about a Top 10 Non-Romantic Dining Options?

This, from the man who told us that anywhere he is with DW is romantic?

Ah, yes, but we're talking about the general public. Besides, we'll most likely be eating in. In the past I've set up a "table for two" with tablecloth, candles, the "good" china and stainless and published a menu. A nice salad, something like a tenderloin steak with Bearnaise butter, nice vegetable, potatoes of some type, and some heart-shaped mint-frosted brownies for dessert. That way we can have some wine and not worry about driving home.

I'm with RiE--romantic home-cooked meal in the candle-lit dining room with the good china/silver/crystal: luxurious soup, "designer" salad, beef filet or lobster or scallops starch & veg, chocolate mousse, wine with every course. THAT's romantic. That's how we celebrated New Year's Eve, and we didn't have to worry about amateur drunks on the road.

"good china", silver, tablecloths? Plus cooking a gourmet meal for 2? That's work no romance in my mind! I want to be waited on and have someone else clean up my mess!

Top 10 Romantic Restaurants for This Economy gets my vote

II'll third RiE and Dottie - how about top 10 romantic menus (w/ or w/o recipes) for those eating in. Whether you're eating in to avoid the crowds, the expense, or the DUI ticket...it works.

Joyce, I remember where I've had the ambience that RiE and Dottie are describing! Cocao Lane in Ellicott City. It's been several years, but my memory is of small rooms with low lighting and a very attentive - and charming - waiter. I remember that the meal was lovely but I couldn't tell you now what it was.

Whew, Eve - you just took me back about 30 years but you are right! I don't think Cocao Lane is like that anymore though but I wouldn't know for sure. The main thing I remember is the very glam table setting, excellent service and great French onion soup.

The last time I ate at Cocao Lane it was summer, so we ate up on the deck in back. That was fun but not romantic. Pretty, when the sun set behind the spire of the church across the road and up the hill. Lot of pinks and gold.

I see your point, joyce, but I see making a luxe meal for the "other half" as showing him that I love him. Yeah, it's "gooey," but that's how I feel.

Eve, Cacao Lane was wonderful several years ago when I last dined there--lovely small rooms, great food, and just the right level of service. Nice!

For RiE (and anyone else who wants to dine in on VDay), try this: Steam or roast whole fresh beets, then peel them, then press a heart-shaped cookie cutter through the whole beet. Then slice the beets and voila: heart-beets! A little food-pun, but it's fun.

Not "gooey", Dottie - but very sweet. I'm just too selfish for such displays I guess!

Hey Rebs - To top it off, Papa John's has a heart shaped pizza in honor of the special day!

Cheap + Romantic = Cheap

I had a gf whose previous bf took her to the Helmand on their first date. Fine. Problem: he said he liked the place because it was good and cheap.

Cheap or free can be very romantic but not when you label it as such. If you post a list of cheap/romantic restaurants you are signing the death warrants for hundreds of people. Even if they go to a place because they love the creme de fluervette soup or the braised racoon with mango salsa you have just branded someone as a cheapskate.

Hey baby, I found a place that's cheap and romantic -- because I love you that much.

I saw an excruciating first date (always painful) at the bar at Amicci's. Bar food + cheap = not romantic. Better yet, they have a great special this winter, $10 for a bunch of entrees on Monday and Tuesday. The dude got a coupon for this via email (go to their web site and sign up if your want it). So in front of his date he tried to haggle over the coupon which he didn't print out but pulled up the email on his phone in an effort to bend the rules. Plus it was happy hour when house wines are $3. Now that's romantic.

What about Surprisingly Romantic?

OMG, I thought surprisingly romantic was illegal?

OMG, I thought surprisingly romantic was illegal?

Like mass transit frottage? I'm thinking more like Abe Vigoda doing the lambada.

Isn't Abe Vigoda still dead?

Abe Vigoda is still alive.

Abe Vigoda is still alive

How can you tell?

Abe Vigoda is still alive
How can you tell?

Wikipedia says so. (Wink at McI

I saw that.

The Engineer's Club isn't a restaurant per se, but some friends took us there for Valentine's Day last year as a couple's date. The place is beautiful and very romantic. If you know a member, hint a bit.

Yeah, but who wants to go out with another couple on Valentine's Day????

Tennisgal1206 wrote Yeah, but who wants to go out with another couple on Valentine's Day???? Is swinging dead? (Unlike Abe Vigoda...)

BR,
I heard a rumor that Engineer's Club was open to public for dinner now. Maybe you don't have to drop subtle hints to your friends anymore.