Valentine's Day has come and gone, and maybe you botched the dinner reservations for the big night. After a week of unanswered phone calls to that special someone, you're still not out of doghouse. But not to fret, Valentine's Day is widely considered amateur night-perhaps second only to New Year's Eve-by those in the restaurant industry. With pricey prix fixe menus and grossly inflated expectation, diners may be better off just staying in. recess presents a collection of unpretentious date spots for the (food) lover in all of us, perfect for a makeup meal or just an intimate night out.
Bar Dining
Saddle up to the bar at one of Durham's cozy, chef-run restaurants, where a satisfying, elegant meal is available without a reservation. French bistros Rue Cler and Vin Rouge feature well-chosen European wine lists and hearty, classical cooking that is surprisingly affordable.
Blu Seafood offers happy hour specials at its bar every weeknight with $5 appetizers and salads from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. On Tuesday evenings look for the city's best raw oysters at bargain prices all night long. The bar also offers unique sparkling wines available by the glass to accompany said briny bivalves. Keep an eye out for Spanish cava or a sparkling rosé from Gruet, a French producer located in, of all places, New Mexico.
Piedmont's daily-changing menu and warm, dark wood bar lend any meal here rustic appeal. Definitely order Chef Andy Magowan's charcuterie, such as the country pate and smoked beef tongue on the current menu. Piedmont is also one of the few locations in the area where diners can savor fresh winter black truffles atop plates of beef tartare, risotto and pasta.
Late-night Dining
Skip dinner altogether and enjoy a memorable meal well into the evening hours at Watts Grocery or Six Plates Wine Bar. After 10:30 p.m. Watts Grocery unveils its short but noteworthy late-night menu. recess has already sung the virtues of the restaurant's hush puppies and chicken gizzards but the sliders-mini-hamburgers-are worth a special trip. Season-appropriate cocktails, like a creamy Brandy Alexander and Old Fashioned made with Southern Comfort, lend Watts Grocery a sedate, mature vibe.
Six Plates Wine Bar is an ideal date night stop for its lounge-like vibe alone. Add to that a variety of wines available by the glass and small plates of haute finger food, and you have a spot that's perfect for either a quick drink or a leisurely meal. The menu includes dishes served "in-twos," making for easy sharing with your date.
Wine and Chocolate
For those looking for a bit of an education on their Saturday afternoons, Wine Authorities runs free wine tastings from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. A variety of artisanal cheeses, cured meats, bread and sweets from chocolate-maven Michel Cluizel are also sold in the store.
For those who prefer the privacy of their own room or apartment, A Southern Season is the date night one-stop shop. From flowers to gift baskets to the area's best selection of chocolates, Southern Season is a smart, if pricey, destination. The vast cheese, deli and wine sections make throwing an impromptu dorm room picnic simple, and the catering department offers a variety of assemble-at-home, multi-course meals.
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