I Fratellini
Go ahead and dress up for this one. I Fratellini in downtown Clayton is an elegant Italian spot that’s one of the most romantic spots in town. The intimate setting is the perfect backdrop for a menu of exquisite traditional Italian selections, both heavy and light (think lasagna versus scallops). Warm wood finishes, romantic chandeliers, exposed brick…all the makings of a cozy space designed for sipping vino and indulging in carbohydrate-rich delicacies.
KEEP IN MIND
Make reservations as early as you can—this place fills up quickly.
Bar Les Freres
Dark red walls, a crystal chandelier, vintage art - Bar Les Freres oozes ambiance. No one does romance like the French, which is where this restaurant/bar gets its inspiration. The cocktail list and vintage paintings hearken back to another time, and the dishes (souffle, mussels, duck confit, and of course, cheese) will take your mind to the city of love.
KEEP IN MIND
When the weather permits, opt for a table outside and pretend you're living that Parisian life.
Photo courtesy of Bar Les Freres
Billie Jean
Restaurateur Zoe Robinson obviously knows a thing or two about romance, seeing as this is her third restaurant on this list. Billie Jean, her new American restaurant with an Asian flare, might be the sexiest yet. Everything inside this small restaurant is black or white. It could feel cavernous and depressing, but instead it feels chic and sexy. It only seats about 30 people, including those at the bar, so do your damndest to make a reservation far in advance. It’s worth it.
KEEP IN MIND
Get the lemongrass and lime leaf dumpling soup.
Photo courtesy of Billie Jean
Sidney Street Cafe
A contender for best restaurant in St. Louis for over a decade now, Sidney Street Cafe is where you go to have your mind melted by beautiful plating and out-of-the-box cooking. Mood lighting, brick walls, and white tablecloth. Romance is in the air. Even if you're not the most adventurous eater, it's still a great choice for a date thanks to an impressive wine list and one of the best steaks in town.
KEEP IN MIND
The tasting menu is a fun way to get a 5-course sampling of Sidney's best offerings of the day. Unlike other tastings, you and your guest will each get different dishes, which makes it more fun for sharing.
Aya Sofia
This Turkish/Mediterranean restaurant will transport you to a different state of mind, if not a different country, through its authentic food, romantic atmosphere, and belly dancing. The low lighting and candles set the mood right off the bat, but if you really want to hit it out of the park, ask for a booth when you make your reservation. They’re pure romance.
KEEP IN MIND
The kofta may not be the sexiest looking dish in town, but boy, it is good.
Brasserie
French cuisine, romantic string lights, outdoor café-style seating just like what you’d see in Paris…Brasserie is perfect for a special occasion dinner or Sunday morning brunch with friends. Seriously, you could pick Brasserie up with a magical crane and drop it off in Paris and no one would look twice, and everyone knows French = sexy.
KEEP IN MIND
We like asking for a table near the back of the restaurant for cold winter nights. Make sure to leave room for dessert—they're as decadent and delicious as you'd hope.
Taste
Go to Taste after the sun sets. When you walk in the door and through the velvet curtain, it’ll take your eyes a second to adjust to the dim edison bulbs and candlelight. This actually feels like a speakeasy–especially if you manage to snag a seat on the couches upstairs. There is limited seating, so be prepared for a wait on busier nights—but rest assured, no matter where you sit in Taste, a romance will be in the air.
KEEP IN MIND
If you're looking for an intimate hang out sesh, ask about the availability of the couches upstairs. Trés sexy.
Louie
If you meet someone in St. Louis who doesn’t like Louie, you can immediately stop trusting their opinion on food (and honestly, start questioning that friendship). This restaurant is as close to an instant classic as we’ve had in years, thanks to a killer crew, starting with owner Matt McGuire, the man behind the now defunct King Louie. Warm woods mixed with floral wallpaper at the front (no, it doesn’t feel like your grandma’s), white marble walls with a massive pizza oven in the back. All around: sexy.
KEEP IN MIND
This is going to be hard to believe, but one of you has to get the roast chicken. If it's not the best roast chicken you've ever had, write us an email and tell us where you've had better.
