Valentine's Day for Valley Girls and Guys

Looking at the same old choices this Valentine's Day? Don't want to sit in traffic or have to wait for a table? Here's a list of some romantic restaurants that won't force those pricey prix fixe menus on you and your date. Relax and enjoy yourself this Valentine's Day! Just don't forget to make a reservation...

Cafe Bizou, Sherman Oaks

Offering some of the most delicious and oh-la-la saucy dishes, this French-themed restaurant is a constant hit for any occasion. There are now three branches of this delectable diners' domicile: in Pasadena, Santa Monica and in Sherman Oaks. All three have impeccable service and the same BYO-Wine policies: a gracious $2 corkage. So you can expect your evening to go without a hitch and the bill for two ever-so-in-love lovebirds to come to less than $50.

14016 Ventura Blvd
Sherman Oaks , CA 91423
Reservations: (818) 788-3536

Palate Food + Wine, Glendale

If you can wait until a Thursday, and you're up for some culinary adventure, try Palate's 'Cirque Du Fromage', located behind the formal restaurant. An evening of cheese and wine pairings, their sampling menu allows you to tailor your temptation to your wallet and still feel the satisfying buzz of food for serious foodies. They are probably one of the only wine merchants in the Valley with their own (and properly climate controlled) cheese cellar, but if you're worried about food snobs, don't be. Their wine bar is as trendy as it is laid-back, so you and your date can still share a quiet tête-à-tête.

933 South Brand Boulevard, Glendale, CA 91304
Reservations: (818) 662-9463

Aroma Cafe, Studio City

Treat yourselves to a lush Sunday breakfast at this cozy breakfast nook. Pricier than the other options in this article, you're paying for truly fresh and delicious food in a setting that should make your date swoon with cozy comfort. Aroma Cafe is decorated like a film set straight out of your girlfriend's favorite romantic comedy and shares some space with a bookshop called 'Portrait of a Bookstore'. A sweet display of tantalizing titles from every genre will entice you while you munch on fresh pastries, and sip some of their seasonal caffeinated concoctions.

4360 Tujunga Ave
Studio City , CA 91604
Reservations: (818) 508-0677

Chadaka Thai, Downtown Burbank

Brought to you by the same successful owners of Silver Lake's Rambutan Thai, this classy joint offers homestyle fresh and delicious noodles, perfectly cooked tofu and satisfying curries, all in heaping plates to share. The sociable tables on the patio and intimate dark wood and candlelit interior make this place an easy go-to choice for Burbank locals. Parking is easy at the lot around the corner on Palm Avenue, and you can easily catch a movie before or after dinner at one of the three AMC theaters within walking distance.

310 North San Fernando Boulevard
Burbank, CA 91502-1125
Reservations: (818) 848-8520