From French food in a romantic setting, to cozy seasonal cooking, here are six restaurants to make a reservation for your next date night.
L’Auberge Chez François
L’Auberge Chez François serves classic French fare in a romantic setting, complete with a brick fireplace, a garden, and a terrace fountain. Don’t miss dishes like the Les Escalopes de Veau, veal scaloppini made with Virginia ham, jumbo lump crabmeat, wild mushrooms, in a crème sauce. The chocolate or raspberry soufflés make dessert a delicious ending to the meal. 332 Springvale Rd., Great Falls
Tuscarora Mill
After wandering around historic Leesburg (a fun afternoon date in itself), end your day at the restaurant nicknamed “Tuskie’s.” The restaurant features an extensive American menu, with items like roasted organic chicken served with fingerling potatoes, baby carrots, cipollini onions in a red wine sauce, or a flavorful flank steak in a bourbon molassas. For lunch, try the housemade pastrami Reuben on marbled rye with Swiss cheese, sauerkraut, and Russian dressing. 203 Harrison St., Leesburg
Vermilion
Vermilion’s cozy atmosphere combined with seasonal cooking using regionally farm-raised products makes it an ideal date night. The menu is small, but full of great options like short ribs, pork loin, and small plates too (the chioggia beets with mint yogurt, crispy chili, and bitter orange is an incredibly flavorful dish). Servers are very helpful if you’re looking for a wine to pair with your meal. 1120 King St., Alexandria
2941 Restaurant
Ranking No. 2 on our 50 Best Restaurants list, you’ll love the ambiance of 2941’s koi pond and modern art for a date night. The chef’s five-course tasting menu varies monthly, giving you and your date the chance to sample multiple dishes. There is a three-course, $65 prix fixe option Tuesdays through Thursdays. 2941 Fairview Dr., Falls Church
Laporta’s Restaurant
Looking for a casual spot for a date or maybe a group date night? It has live jazz music every night, which makes for some great conversation starters. Laporta’s specializes in Italian food. Its Pasta Laporta is penne with Italian sausage in lightly spiced tomato sauce with red and green peppers and fennel seed. But what Laporta’s is best known for would be its Monday and Tuesday night specials where you can get two entrées and a bottle of wine for $39.99. (Think of it as a cheap date night.) 1600 Duke St., Alexandria
Trummer’s
Co-owners Victoria and Stefan Trummer were the first New York restaurateurs to open a dining spot in quaint Clifton. The American bistro, which is among Northern Virginia Magazine’s top 10, takes Virginia’s agricultural community seriously, serving regionally sourced dishes like rockfish or New York strip steak from Seven Hills Farm. Don’t miss daily offerings from its rotisserie like the prime rib with horseradish cream served on Fridays and Saturdays. The espresso martinis are a wonderful finish to a meal, as is the bourbon peach pound cake. For those on an afternoon date, Trummer’s offers $25 bottles of wine at lunch. 7134 Main St., Clifton
Feature image by Rey Lopez
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