Philly's Best Romantic Restaurant

By SARAH BAICKER

Updated 1:04 PM EST, Mon, Feb 9, 2009

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Valentine’s Day is right around the corner. Boyfriends and husbands, take note: Dinner at whatever chain restaurant you live closest to is not the way to please your ladies.

Instead, check out the restaurants below, which were nominated as Philly’s top romantic spots by your local media. Any one of these options is sure to impress.

Citysearch: James
824 S. 8th St.
We can’t say we were surprised to learn that James, Bella Vista’s romantic storefront spot, is helmed by a Philly foodie couple. Jim and Kristina Burke put love into everything they do here, from the lush interior décor to carefully crafted menu options, with options like ginger glazed ricotta gnocci and hand-cut tagliatelle with duck ragu. And the wine list—which includes a wide variety of glasses and bottles that perfectly match the faire—certainly helps emphasize the romance.

MyFoxPhilly: The Columbia Bar and Grille
148 Bridge St. Phoenixville
Phoenixville’s premiere American-French fusion restaurant specializes in weddings—but it’s also a hotspot for those looking to celebrate any occasion (or no occasion at all) with a romantic dinner. Enjoy a three-course meal by a fireplace, or cap off your night with drinks in the upstairs piano bar at the 116-year-old former hotel.

AOL City’s Best: Rose Tattoo Cafe
1847 Callowhill St.
Maybe it’s the name, or the menu that changes with the seasons, or the flower-filled interior, but something about Philly’s Rose Tattoo Café is unavoidably romantic. The menu is heavy with seafood options, like a sea scallop pasta and Chilean sea bass, but the meat options (we hear great things about the pork chop) will leave even the most adamant of carnivores feeling the love.

Around Town pick: Amada
217-219 Chestnut St.
In our opinion it doesn’t get more romantic than Amada—even the name translates to “beloved” in Spanish. The diverse menu includes small plates of everything from paella to cured meats, and every option will have you and your date “mmm”ing with every bite. Not to mention, tapas are perfect for sharing. But hey, even if you don’t fall in love with your date, we’re pretty sure you’ll fall in love with your meal.

More Best of's:
Philly's Best Burger
Philly's Best Pizza
Philly's Best Fries
Philly's Best Coffee Shop
Philly's Best Cocktail
Philly's Best Brunch
Philly's Best Sushi
Philly's Best Mexican
Philly's Best Dessert
Philly's Best BYOB
Philly's Best Lunch
Philly's Best Seafood
Philly's Best Cheesesteak
Philly's Best Vegetarian
Philly's Best Beer Bar
Philly's Best Dive Bar
Philly's Best Thai
Philly's Best Happy Hour