Valentine's Day Dinner Restaurants in Houston

Are you spending Valentine's Day in Houston this year? If so, lucky you! Houston is chock full of romantic restaurants that will thrill your special sweetie, including some that won't break the bank. Bear in mind that Valentine's Day is on Sunday in 2010, so check to make certain wherever you go will be open on that day.

Here are a few of my favorite romantic area restaurants:

Marks American Cuisine
This River Oaks restaurant has been voted the most romantic in Houston for a reason. Located in a renovated 1920's church, the romantic décor at Marks includes high gold-painted ceilings, candles on every table and hand-painted deco walls in warm colors. The atmosphere is sophisticated, but like most Houston eateries it is not overly stuffy. The high-end nouveau American fare includes highlights such as a black walnut-crusted rack and loin of Colorado lamb with a timbale of three color potatoes, grilled Texas red snapper with mascarpone carrot risotto, and seared tenderloin of beef with field mushrooms. In addition to the season menu, guests can offer from the chef's personal choices or from a verbal menu presented by the efficient, but not overly-friendly wait staff. Expect to pay around $40 per entrée and while the wine list is vast, you won't find any bargain bottles on it. Chef Mark will have a special three-course menu for Valentine's Day dinner (call for details). Reservations are a must and should be made early.

Address: 1658 Westheimer Rd (at Dunlavy street)
Houston, Texas 77006
Phone: 713.523.3800
Parking: Valet
Hours: Lunch: Mon-Fri 11am-2pm, Dinner: Mon-Thur 5:30pm-11pm
Fri 5:30pm-12am
Sat 5pm-12am
Sun 5pm-10pm

Rainbow Lodge
If dining in a 100 year old log cabin setting with lush woodland views on White Oak Bayou is your thing, you can't go wrong with the Rainbow Lodge. Located just a few minutes from downtown Houston, the lodge with it's three fireplaces and earth-toned décor is cozy yet sophisticated. The menu is heavy on Gulf seafood and wild game. Adventurous diners can chow down on a mixed grill of venison, wild boar, and quail while others dine on lovely pan-seared Gulf snapper or slow-roasted pork loin. Yummy desserts include bittersweet chocolate crème brulee and croissant bread pudding. The price of entrees runs from $25-$37 and they have half-priced glasses of win on Sundays after 5 PM. The service is attentive and friendly. If it isn't too cold, hot, or humid outside the outside terrace is nice for more casual dining. Reservations are suggested for holidays.

Address: Ella Blvd ( at TC Jester Boulevard)
Houston, TX 77008
Phone: 713.861.8666
Parking: Valet or parking lot
Hours: Tue-Fri 11:30am-10:30pm
Sat 6pm-10:30pm
Sun 10:30am-3pm, 5pm-10:30pm

The Capital Grille
No guide on romantic Houston restaurants can be complete without the inclusion of a great steak house. The Capital Grille has enough dark wood, leather, and portraits to satisfy any oil tycoon and serves up just what you'd expect: Great dry-aged steaks and fresh seafood. Start your Valentine dinner with Wagyu beef Carpaccio and then try the Kona crusted dry aged sirloin with roasted shallot butter or the seared tenderloin with butter poached lobster. Entrees are in the $40 range and the wine list is vast. Service is impeccable. Reservations are a must on holidays.

Address: Westheimer Rd (at Yorktown Street)
Houston, TX 77056
Phone: 713.987.3528
Parking: Valet and some self-park
Hours: Sun-Thurs 5 PM -10 PM
Fri-Sat 5 PM-10 PM

Backstreet Cafe
A warm atmosphere in a 30's era house with both a fireplace and a cozy terrace awaits diners at the Backstreet Café. One of the distinctive things about the café is that you can dine in the New Orleans style backyard if the weather allows. From Coq au Vin to the homey meatloaf tower to the shrimp and grits, this long-time Houston favorite serves great food at good prices. Entrees run from $14 to $24 and the extensive wine list is reasonable. The wait staff is friendly and knowledgeable, and there are plenty of vegetarian options for non-meat eaters. This restaurant is casual but elegant enough for special occasions. As with most places, reservations are recommended for Valentine's Day.

Address: 1103 S Shepherd Dr (in River Oaks)
Houston, TX 77019
Phone: 713.521.2239
Parking: Valet or street
Hours: Mon-Thurs 11am-10pm
Fri & Sat 11am-11pm
Sun 10am -9pm