Restaurants to Take Your Sweetie for Valentine's Day in Bedford, Virginia

Valentine's Day is one of those special days of the year, when guys and gals tend to throw their budget aside, and spend a small fortune to show how much they love one another. Even though I am for showing love throughout the year, I am not opposed to Valentine's Day whatsoever. That's why I am here to offer up some ideas for restaurants for guys to take their girls for Valentine's Day, if they live in Bedford, Virginia.

Please take into consideration, your girl's taste in restaurants. I am going to suggest a few places that will cater to different tastes.

First off, I'd like to suggest Lake View Restaurant and Gift Shop. Located on the Peaks of Otter, this is the restaurant that my now-husband took me to on the night he proposed, so it resonates romance for me. The dinner menu is exquisite, and features everything from salads to steak, seafood, sandwiches, as well as house specials. The dessert menu is extensive, as well is the wine list, to accompany your meal. As far as my experience goes, as well as thinking ahead to if you want to order dessert and wine, I'd say that a meal for two would run you anywhere from $30 to $60 (including tip.) As for taking your sweetie there for Valentine's Day, I'd imagine they'd be pretty busy, so call ahead for a reservation. I also recommend stopping in the charming gift shop. The gift shop offers cute, local items. When my husband took me there, I got a cute, stuffed black bear. I still have it to this day.

Secondly, there's Bedford's favorite in the city-- The Olde Liberty Station. This is one of the most popular restaurants in Bedford anyway, so making a reservation for Valentine's Day is a no-brainer. The dinner menu here is a bit upscale homestyle. You can get salads, steak, seafood, chicken, sandwiches, and also, pastas. The dessert menu is a little sparse, in my opinion, but just the friazos alone makes up for it. Just be sure you like chocolate before ordering. If you're looking to take your date somewhere for wine with dinner, you won't find it here, but they do offer domestic, as well as some imported beers. I've only been to dinner here once (I usually go for lunch,) but judging by the prices, a dinner for two would likely land you at $35 to $50.

If you're looking for big, fancy, and swanky, call and make a reservation at Bedford Social Club, right in downtown Bedford. I've never been there, but I know that it is pretty expensive. From what I can tell, they serve up very upscale versions of favorites, such as steak, seafood, and chicken. This restaurant also has a very extensive bar with domestic and imported beers, wines, and liquors. This place is only open for five hours on the days that they are open, so calling and making a reservation is a must. By my research, dinner for two at this restaurant would cost you between $75 to over $100.

For the more casual Valentine's date, but still at a sit-down restaurant, try El Cazador. I have been there many times for lunch and dinner, and in my experience, aside from La Carreta, this is the best local Mexican food, for a relatively low price. Huge servings of delicious Mexican food average at around $6 to $9 a plate. This restaurant also offers a variety of domestic and imported beers, wines, liquors, and makes delicious mixed drinks. I personally recomment the Peach Margarita. For dessert, try sopapillas, a fried tortillas smothered in honey, cinnamon, and butter. Dinner for two usually runs between $25 to $35.

I'm not sure if they're open for dinner on Valentine's Day (the safe bet would be that they're not,) but if you love seafood, and you and your Valentine can get away for lunch, Clam Diggers, in downtown Bedford, is a perfect pick. No wine or beer here, but their amazing food makes up for that. I haven't tried a lot at Clam Diggers, but I will tell you that if you pick this spot for a Valentine's Day lunch, try their chowder. You can get a cup for $2.95, or a bowl for $4.50. If memory serves me correctly, the Manhattan Clam Chowder (the red) and the Rhode Island Clam Chowder (the clear) are both served with their amazing hush puppies (which you have to try with Texas Pete,) and the New England Clam Chowder (the creamy) is served with crackers. My suggestion is to try the New England. It's good and hearty for a cold Valentine's Day. Just be sure to order some hush puppies to go with it. Lunch here usually costs between $15 to $20.

Lastly, there are two "chain" restaurants in Bedford, that will certainly do for Valentine's Day-- Applebee's and Ruby Tuesday. Personally, I would choose Ruby Tuesday over Applebee's anyday. While Applebee's food is okay, I know that most of it comes packaged, and is just heated up. Ruby Tuesday tends to make fresh food. They also have a delectable salad bar, which I partake of every time I am there. If I were you, I would definitely pick Ruby Tuesday. Dinner for two at either of these restaurants is likely to run you between $30 to $50. Since these restaurants tend to be busy anyway, I would call ahead for a reservation.

If you're stuck in Bedford, Virginia this Valentine's Day, please give heed to one of these restaurant picks. Pair it with a sweet and thoughtful gift, and you'll have a Valentine's Day to remember.

Happy Valentine's Day!