date night dining out | food with a view

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Don’t let social media fool you: date night did not exist until 6 years ago. It appeared on the scene exactly six and a half years ago with the birth of our son. Among other rude awakenings, we discovered that quality couple time would no longer be a spontaneous, carefree act, but rather the result of weeks of careful planning.

photo by Brooke Lark via unsplash

As [sort of] experienced parents, we are fortunate to have wonderful, reliable childcare and a well-established date night routine (thanks to the wisdom of our friends Katie and Patrick). When my local friends need a date night restaurant recommendation, I’m thrilled to grab my list and help them pick the perfect spot.

I’ve been around the figurative restaurant block a few times, so my list is long, and consists of rave reviews, “do not repeats”, and everything in between. Every relationship is unique, and the perfect restaurant for you and your special someone will vary with the seasons of time and life. I’ll kick things off with my current happy place: 100 Steps Supper Club in Cranford, New Jersey.

photo by Julien Pianetti via unsplash

I jump at the chance to send locals and visiting friends to 100 Steps. The warm and cozy Supper Club/Raw Bar is, quite literally, 100 steps from its original sister restaurant a toute heure, frequently heralded as one of the best restaurants in New Jersey. Lucky us, 100 Steps doesn’t require weeks of advance planning to snag a reservation, but still serves up soul-satisfying food, warm and welcoming service, and a darkly romantic candlelit room. The menu rotates seasonally, but if you see shrimp with smoked paprika and cilantro butter or the lobster crostini on the menu, order them. Both of them. Don’t even think twice.

Note: the restaurant owners recently sold to people they clearly trust to keep the tradition going. We’ve now visited 100 Steps post-transaction, and it remains a favorite. book it on opentable

Craving a few more ideas?

Razza – Pizza Artigianale

Jersey City

casual night out

In my view, there’s nothing like pizza and a bottle of wine for a romantic evening. We love Arturo’s in Maplewood, but it has two strikes against it for date night: impossibly long wait for a table, and no wine! Enter Razza, the second of Dan Richer’s restaurants: the same wood-fired pizza with elegant “condiments” as they call them (because the bread is the star of the show), plus a wine list and an easier reservation. Marissa Bates of the New York Times Dining section said it best: “Stick with someone who takes you here on a first date”. official website

Red Cadillac

Union

cheap and cheerful

Fresh, flavorful margaritas, great [sometimes live] music, and a lively atmosphere combine for fun romance (in my view, the best kind). No need for fuss – throw on your favorite jeans, order a pitcher of sangria, relax, and enjoy each other’s company. official website

The Orange Squirrel

Bloomfield

something different

Many a Maplewood resident identifies as a recovering hipster missing Brooklyn. If this is you, or you are just looking to try something different, consider The Orange Squirrel in Bloomfield. It features global comfort food with a few quirks, like disco fries fancied up with pulled duck and blue cheese. On our last visit, “The Shining” was playing on the big screen behind the bar. That may or may not be your idea of the perfect date night, but hey, to each his or her own. official website

Bin14 Trattoria & Wine Bar

Hoboken

learn while you dine

Hoboken’s first and only “true” wine bar, featuring italian-style tapas to complement your choice of vino. I love date nights that involve learning a little something, and wine tasting is a perfect pairing (pardon the pun). I plan to check out their Friday night Wine Knowledge Happy Hour on an upcoming date night, and explore a curated selection of four wines for only $20 per person. official website or book it on opentable

south+pine american eatery

Morristown

for your food-loving love

I like south+pine for its unpretentious, simple yet elegant focus on the ingredients and the food. I also like that it has a large outdoor dining space in the warmer months, and seasonal invitation-only tasting events to launch the upcoming menu. That sounds a lot fancier than it is — just sign up via email if you’re interested — but it sure does make for a special date night. The chef is Bobby Flay trained, and it shows. official website

Jockey Hollow Bar & Kitchen at the Vail Mansion – Oyster & Wine Bar

Morristown

something special

The Oyster and Wine Bar at Jockey Hollow is our go-to when we want to dress up a little and remember the formative years of our relationship. Hip yet casual, cool yet friendly, Jockey Hollow makes art out of drinking. I won’t spoil all the surprises, but let’s just say it’s high tech (iPads, a wine preservation system) and high brow (cocktail ingredients you have to google to decide if you like them or not). The thoughtful service and seasonal menu makes for a memorable evening… that is, of course, unless you enjoy it a little too much. official website or book it on opentable

Huntley Taverne

Summit

warm and cozy

I love Huntley Taverne in the cooler months, and especially around the holidays. Think cozy sweater, glass of red wine, snuggling by the fireplace kind of date night. It’s great all year round, as are two of the sister restaurants – Urban Table in Morristown for a hip farm-to-table burger and creative cocktails and Trap Rock Restaurant in Berkeley Heights for a locally brewed craft beer and American “ski lodge” fare. official website

Tillie’s

Short Hills

like home, only better

A relatively new entrant to the Short Hills dining scene, Tillie’s is a welcome addition with its farm-to-table, local artisan focus. The menu rotates seasonally, but thankfully a few favorites stick, including my favorite — the Louisiana shrimp and grits. Casual, welcoming service means you will feel right at home, only better. official website

Bâtard

Manhattan – Tribeca

in the city

If you’re up for the trip to Tribeca, Bâtard is a rare Manhattan find — seriously upscale dining, a reasonable price, and friendly service. Seriously. The prix fixe menu starts at $58 for two courses, not too obnoxious when you consider that Bâtard has earned itself a Michelin star. Definitely worth the trip, especially for an extra-special evening. official website or book it on opentable

Bernards Inn

Bernardsville

super-romantic

The Bernards Inn is our go-to for special occasions and romance. Every time we go we ask ourselves why we save it just for those special times. The bar area is perfect for a casual date night: tasty food, live piano music, and an outstanding wine list. If you’re looking for the ultimate in romance, book dinner at the restaurant and an overnight stay at the Inn. Go ahead, splurge for the tasting menu with wine pairing. If you’re in the area, you can surprise your special someone when you slip them a hotel room key. Trust me, it’s memorable. official website

“pizza garlic cutting board” by ponce photography via pixabay

What’s your favorite place to kindle a little romance? Share your thoughts on the perfect date night restaurant in the comment section below. Connect with me on Facebook to see more of my dining out adventures and ideas for your next night out!

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