Hannah Steiner
Break Up, Make Up or Level Up This Weekend.
Welcome to Perfect Date Night, a new weekly feature that acts as your spirit guide for going on a perfect date in what is objectively Texas' best city, Dallas. Each week, we'll give you a night's worth of suggestions for a date night in a specific neighborhood, complete with recommendations for bars, restaurants, concerts, art shows, sporting events or, well, anything, really. Just make sure you include an emoji or two when you text your crush to invite them out.
Date Details.
• When: This weekend.
• Duration: 2 hours.
• Number of Stops: One.
• Modest Estimated Budget For Two: $50.
• Ballin' Estimated Budget For Two: $200.
• Romance Scale: From zero to five out of five hearts, it all depends, really.
Recently, I was out at dinner with my co-workers when someone pointed out how a young couple across the room had decided to make everyone around them uncomfortable by same-siding it at their table.
Things went downhill from there. Throughout the night, we saw them argue, cry, make up and (likely) break up.
It was like watching a train wreck. We couldn't look away. And the fact that we were in an upscale steakhouse? That only made it all the more surreal.
For this week's date night plans, I've picked out some restaurants for every type of couple to enjoy, whether you're looking to break up, make up or level up.
THE BREAK-UP OPTION: Dick's Last Resort (2211 N. Lamar Street, Dallas). The best type of break-up restaurant is definitely one where all eyes will be on you and it's quiet enough for everyone to hear you. Just kidding! You need somewhere where your arguments will be drowned out, people are too busy having a good time to notice you and bad attitudes can fit right in. Fortunately, Dick's Last Resort checks all the boxes. If you haven't been, the gist is that the staff gets to be rude to you while you wear obnoxious paper hats bearing insults written by said staff — and it's a packed and touristy place, to boot! The paper hats will add a needed bit of humor as you have your final battle as a couple. Plus, you can keep the drinks coming if you're left there alone. An added bonus is that it's not somewhere you'll bring your next partner, and that's fine. The food isn't that great anyways.
THE MAKE-UP OPTION: Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek (2821 Turtle Creek Boulevard, Dallas). The Mansion has a reputation for being romantic for a reason. The grounds are beautiful, the restaurant has a relaxed vibe that lets you truly just enjoy time with your special someone and the chefs execute perfect contemporary American cuisine with wine pairings that will have you floating on Cloud Nine. If you owe someone quality time and a night out, snag a reservation here. If you want to go the extra mile, throw in one of their gorgeous suites for a little getaway to fix things right up.
THE LEVEL-UP OPTION: Five Sixty at Reunion Tower (300 Reunion Boulevard, Dallas). Let me say this now: I do not care that many Dallasites will consider this clichéd. Reunion Tower has the best views of Dallas, and the sunset from hundreds of feet up will provide a killer backdrop for the photographer you've planted to capture your special moment. Bonus points because both the food and drinks on Wolfgang Puck's menu will calm the butterflies you're feeling.
