Localeur’s Guide to a Safe Date Night (or Day)
Whether you’re all about the quality time, prefer to shower your partner in gifts, or are long overdue for some wining and dining, we’re here to help you speak your love language and celebrate date night safely.
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Butcher & Bee
Charleston, South Carolina
A BYOB location that’s popular for late dinners and long lunches – plus weekend brunch, of course – Butcher and Bee is a quirky little spot with a constantly changing farm-to-table menu. It’s perfect for an intimate, relaxing dinner or a juicy burger around midnight. With a spacious outdoor patio, winter warmers by the mugful, and a decadent pastry menu come brunch, there are plenty of ways a person could reasonably stand to come here for multiple meals in a single day.
Viña Emiliana
Valparaiso, Chile
About half an hour from Valparaiso in the heart of the Casablanca wine valley, this charming estate of red-brick buildings, green pastures, trees, and lush vineyards has made a name for itself as Chile’s foremost organic vineyard by embracing a wholly sustainable and biodynamic model for growing and making its wines. You can learn all about their eco-friendly practices on their tours, but our recommendation is to bring a blanket, pick up a cheese plate and a bottle of one of their top varietal like the Carménère or Cabernet, and enjoy the Southern Hemisphere’s warm season in the presence of some extremely hospitable alpacas.
Buvette
New York, New York
For the sort of tucked away dinner date that you’ll remain charmed by long after the check has been paid, the small, delicious French bistro known as Buvette feels relaxed yet upscale, refreshing devoid of rabble-rousers in the quietest part of the Village. As with all French eateries to have passed muster, garlic, butter, and wine are the predominant flavors here – the coq au vin is the perfect marriage of all three – and while it shines at dinner, Buvette is great for a drawn-out brunch, too. Their Covid-friendly patio dining manages to strike a balance between making diners feel safe, but not entirely cut off from the warm embrace on display indoors.
Kura
Mexico City, Mexico
Young sophisticates have claimed Kura Izakaya as their HQ, and they won't leave. It’s a restaurant that’s easy to fall in love with: it’s comfortable and stylish, the food is to die for, and it all comes at a reasonable price. Reading through the menu, frankly, reminds us of studying for an exam – it’s quite long! – but it’s worth your time to do so with intention, covering the bases of Japanese cuisine from sushi and sashimi to ramen, teppanyaki, tempura, and much more. For the carnivore looking to indulge, try the fried pork belly skewer and the spicy tuna roll (which tastes nothing like the spicy tuna rolls you’ve had before). Daily and seasonal specials also offer some more creative and daring surprises – including a number of dessert specials exclusively available between now and Valentine’s Day – which you can enjoy al fresco on Kura’s sidewalk patio.
Kungsträdgårdens Isbana
Stockholm, Sweden
If you’re the sort who runs towards winter with open arms rather than going the hibernation route, you’re in good company in Sweden, where the best way to embrace the cold is on two skates. Charming, nostalgic, and naturally Covid-friendly, ice skating at Kungsträdgården – or Kungsan – is a great plan for a memorable date, where the winter cheer is rounded out amply by traditional touches like roasted almonds, twinkle lights, and the occasional pony ride (just go with it). If it’s been a while since you’ve taken to the ice, don’t fret. Skates – and helmets! – are available to rent.
Harbour House
Cape Town, South Africa
For a romantic meal where, refreshingly, a great view doesn’t mean you’ll be missing out on quality or execution of the cuisine, Harbour House in Kalk Bay is a must. It’s known for its seafood worldwide and lies outside the city limits of Cape Town; the drive alone is a memorable date, with plenty of gorgeous vistas and photo ops along the way – give yourself plenty of time to make the trip so that you can relish the natural beauty. With excellent service, outdoor seating, come to Harbour House to enjoy some live music and an a la carte meal, or go all in on their three- or five-course tasting menu.
Nourish
Melbourne, Australia
No matter your stance on Valentine’s Day, there’s no denying that an indulgent massage is a great way to relax and show your partner you care year-round. The rooms at Nourish are serene and beautiful, full of thoughtful touches like warm towels and sips of aloe vera juice, and the massage menu is long, with blissful reiki options available alongside deep-tissue and prenatal treatments. Whether you need to recharge or simply zone out, we love this Melbourne spot for a splurge-worthy treat and a well-deserved pampering session.
Old Yellowstone Garage
Jackson Hole, Wyoming
The snow bunnies and powder fiends among us know that the best way to enjoy a long winter’s night is by engaging in the art of the après ski. At the Old Yellowstone Garage mere steps from the Jackson Hole tram dock in Teton Village, the vibe isn’t so much pitchers of beer and wet gear as it is mixologist-approved drinks and small plates. Of course, it’s still the place to swap stories of your day on the mountain as you devour an order of the Italian truffle fondue – beautifully prepared with broccolini, fingerling potatoes, and sun-dried tomatoes – and watch skiers traverse up and down nearby runs. Pair it with a glass of Primitivo from Puglia, a screaming deal from 3:30-5 p.m. daily.
Ahiru Store
Tokyo, Japan
While the Western Hemisphere remains largely stuck under stay-at-home orders, places like Japan are cautiously enjoying what we’ll refer to from here on out as “The Other Side” of the pandemic. In Tokyo, where gathering in a tiny wine shop is no longer an unabashed threat to public health, this charming bar near Yoyogi Park is the perfect hidden gem for a delectable glass of wine and a spot of lovingly prepared French food. One good date here will have you forever referring to Ahiru Store as “our spot,” and the only thing that’ll taste better than the glass of Côtes du Jura you’re sipping is the varietal you’ll opt to try next.
B-Roof
Florence, Italy
A day in Florence may sound like one of the most obscenely romantic ideas you can stomach. Embrace it at B-Roof, part of the Hotel Baglioni right outside of the central train station. The multi-level terrace here means there’s plenty of outdoor seating, all with sunset views so beautiful you just might weep, and the abundance of greenery (alas, in summertime only) lends an Eden-like charm while also serving as a natural barrier against wintry gusts of wind. The name of the game is traditional Tuscan food, best paired with an Old Fashioned and a classic aperitif.
Goodhood
London, England
If your S.O. is the type of impossibly stylish person whose taste you’re always seeking to either emulate or influence, a treat from Goodhood is a surefire way to find them the pretty little thing they’ll be mooning over all season long. Clothing for men and women, home goods, lifestyle products, and cosmetics have been on offer at this Hackney shop since 2007, all uniquely crafted with a dedication to the brand’s identity that somehow never pigeonholes itself into tweeness or obscurity. Gorgeous cookware, investment-worthy slippers, and delicate, unusual jewelry are on hand in spades; we think a thoughtfully selected gift from Goodhood is a great way to show the tastemaker in your life you care – or you could open a bottle of wine while the pair of you scroll through their online shop for an unorthodox yet of-the-times night at home, wherever that may be.
Lenoir
Austin, Texas
Tucked away on South First, Lenoir is the epitome of unpretentious yet elevated food, served with hyperlocal ingredients and a great wine list. While we love the interior, we’re also grateful that Lenoir has moved its operations entirely outdoors so that guests can keep a safe distance from one another while soaking up the ample charm of the restaurant’s Live Oak trees and twinkle lights. Lenoir has comfortably resided at the intersection of class and approachability for years now, and its ability to evolve to fit Covid protocols feels impressively effortless and all the more endearing.
Hotels We Love
If you’re tired of spending day in and day out staring at the same four walls… we can relate. A weekend staycation at one of these hotels just might be the thing your relationship needs to hit the Refresh button.
Hotel Ella
Austin, Texas
Kensington Place
Cape Town, South Africa
International Hotel
New Orleans, Louisiana
The Dean
Dublin, Ireland
Hotel DeBrett
Auckland, New Zealand
The Dewberry
Charleston, South Carolina
Mine Hotel
Buenos Aires, Argentina
The Maritime Hotel
New York, New York
Hotel Wailea
Maui, Hawaii
Hôtel Eastwest
Geneva, Switzerland
Salotto Monti
Rome, Italy
Hotel Havana
San Antonio, Texas
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