February has started, and that means Valentine’s Day is just around the corner. Romantic souls and marketing geniuses all around the world are getting ready for what has become known as a celebration of love and consumerism. Still searching for a dinner reservation for the big day? Look no further: we’ve found the most romantic restaurant in the U.S.
Pink heart balloons, chocolates, and cheesy greeting cards are just a part of what Valentine’s Day is all about. For years now, people have been taking advantage of the occasion to celebrate their love, either as a couple, solo, or amongst friends. According to a survey by Ripple Research, some 57% of Americans see Valentine’s Day as the perfect day to celebrate all relationships, not just the romantic ones.
“Gen-Z is leading the charge in making Valentine’s Day more inclusive. From partners and friends to family and self-love, restaurants will be the gathering place as over half of Americans plan to dine out this year”, said Cheryl Paniagua, VP of restaurant sales and services at reservation website OpenTable.
And what better way to celebrate love and friendship than by sharing a delicious meal together? While organising dinner at home can be very cosy, in order to make sure that all those who are present get to enjoy the moment, booking a table at a restaurant can be quite convenient. But where to go when you want to have a romantic date?
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Both OpenTable and Yelp decided to find out for themselves. In order to determine which restaurants are the most romantic ones in the U.S., OpenTable analysed over 9 million reviews, while Yelp asked for help from its Elite members. Both reservation websites put together a top 100, although OpenTable didn’t rank the restaurants, and Yelp chose a classic top 100 approach instead; one restaurant came out at the very top of the lists.
According to Yelp, Café Monarch in Scottsdale, Arizona, should be considered the most romantic one in the country. OpenTable at least partially agrees, designating it as part of its top 100 and as one of the most romantic spots in the state of Arizona. Moreover, TripAdvisor previously named it as one of the three best fine-dining spots in the U.S., underscoring its potential as a successful Valentine’s Day dinner location.
“This family owned and operated gem in the heart of historic Old Town Scottsdale has earned an illustrious reputation for its world class service, elegant ambiance, and five-star cuisine. At Cafe Monarch, the menu changes seasonally, bringing you an ever-evolving array of innovative culinary creations that feature the finest, premium, fresh, local, seasonal, organic, and sustainable ingredients. The four-course prix fixe menus are meticulously designed to delight even the most sophisticated of palates”, the restaurant writes.
Chances are you will no longer be able to find a free spot at the restaurant for this Valentine’s Day. However, Yelp’s full top 100 or OpenTable’s list of most romantic restaurants are full of inspiration. No luck? It’s never too soon to reserve next year’s table.
