Top Bakersfield Restaurants for Romantic Evenings

Whether you want a fine dining experience or something more casual,you want a little ambiance with dinner. You will find it in these next restaurants that I know you will enjoy.

Bakersfield has lots and lots of chain restaurants, diners and fast food restaurants. Most are family-oriented, casual and fun, with huge portions for big appetites. Like many of our Basque restaurants that considers Bakersfield "home". I love Basque food and especially the atmosphere, which is usually loud and upbeat. "Happy Birthday" is belted out by the wait staff at every corner of the spacious establishments. But for a quiet, romantic dinner for two, Wool Growers just isn't the best choice. The right choice for would be Valentien's Restaurant, a French restaurant at 3310 Truxtun Avenue in Bakersfield. This is fining dining at its best. You can dine on fabulous French food with an extensive wine list in a cozy, comfortable atmosphere where the ambiance screams romance. When I was there, soft, live music played in the background. The wait staff and owners were wonderful and the well-prepared entrees looked beautiful as they were brought to the table. This is a setting for a romantic evening right out of the movies. It IS expensive, but well worth it. I went there one time and had a memorable evening. I recommend calling for reservations at 661-864-0397.

Another fine dining establishmentis Mama Tosca's Italian Restaurant in a California-style mini strip mall on 9000 Ming Avenue #K3. Being in a strip mall, you wouldn't imagine that the outside has a wonderful arched doorway and a small but elegant outside area with tables and chairs. When you walk into the candle-lit room with white tablecloths, you'll know that romance is all about the ambiance, which Mama Tosca's delivers. I was here several years ago with my fiance,had champayne and a triple chocolate dessert and felt I was in heaven. He didn't even have to be charming, the place did it anyway. We never got married, but that wasn't Mama Tosca's fault. She did her best and did it right. Call for reservations at 661-831-1242 for a wonderful romantic evening.

If you want an evening without spending a week's salary in one night, although I recommend it at least once. It's like a high-end restaurant without the high-end price. When I've visited the restaurant before, I usually go after 7pm when it gets quieter. The low lighting and excellent food will be even more romantic when you can afford a movie afterwards. Call 661-328-0580 for reservations and see what the specials are. I love the food, you can go dressy-casual and romance will definitely be in the air.

Since I've gone French, Italian and American, one of my favorite Chinese restaurants is the Rice Bowl on 18th Street downtown. Yes, it is family-friendly and a bit loud in some spots, but the dining room has multiple rooms and the room in the back is quiet and comfortable for nice conversation. Order one of the house specials, like the Steak Que or Lobster Que, the Rice Bowl's Famous Mai Tai, the dim lighting will do the rest. You can visit the cocktail lounge/bar for some nice after dinner drinks or exotic cocktail. You won't break the bank here either AND might take home leftovers. The number for the Rice Bowl is 661-324-9441. I have a great time there every time I visit the place.

Romantic evenings can also be spent at Akira's Japanese restaurant, Bit of Germany and Mexicali for Japanese, German and Mexican food, Romantic dinners can be had in coffee houses, diners and cafes also, but my experience with romance in Bakersfield restaurants happened in my favorite Bakersfield restaurants mentioned above, and the times will remain memorable