You like your dates to be fresh, hot, good, fun and fast. Actually we're not sure about the fast part when we're talking about the person you're with, but really, we mean the restaurants. Yeah yeah we know that the convo and all that jazz is important, but the spot you take them to is pretty key as well. It can't be too upscale (read: snobby), or too quiet (read: boring), but it has to be just right. That way you can impress your date and a round two is practically guaranteed. We know, the pressure's on. And in Smyrna and Vinings, there are a lot of places to choose from. But don't worry we got everything taken care of, except the bill. That's all you.
The best date restaurants in Smyrna and Vinings
Eateries that are sure to impress your date, no matter what
By Jessica Thomas
Special to MetromixNovember 5, 2008
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Lime Taqueria and Tequila Bar
4600 West Village Place Ste. 3007 -
Smyrna
678-309-1113
You get kind of nostalgic when you're reminded of the weekly dinners with mom and dad at the local Mexican restaurant back home. You just ate and ate until you couldn't move anymore, ouch. But now with Lime Taqueria and Tequila Bar you only have good memories of great times (read no fighting with the 'rents about your curfew). And now you're old enough to know when to stop eating even when you don't want to. But really Lime is one of the best Mexican restos we've ever been to. With the fabulous and fun decor, upbeat salsa music and an attentive wait staff, Lime will really knock your socks off, oh and your date's socks as well. With a huge list of 35 to 40 tequilas served neat or mixed in fab drinks like the Kiwi Mojito or the Paloma Margarita, Lime can set the stage for a great night. Pick several tacos to munch on, like the Camaron Diablo (Bacon wrapped shrimp tacos), the Langosta (Grilled lobster with avocado cream and chile poblano oil), the Pescado (Crispy catfish filet with mango jalapeno slaw and lime) or the Res (Grilled skirt steak in a cilantro garlic pesto with tequila salsa). Or perhaps order the Veracuz Enchilado (Grilled jumbo shrimp in a smoky chile ancho salsa over spaghetti squash with lime splashed sauteed spinach) for you and your date to split. But honestly whatever you order, it will be a winner. And knowing those odds, you should take a date to Lime. Their impeccable service, phenomenal food, tasty libations and fun atmosphere will ensure you have another one. We know you need all the help you can get.
Muss and Turner's
1675 Cumberland Pkwy. - Smyrna770-434-1114
What's better than being surprised, you know, in a good way? Well, not much, especially when you check things out at Muss & Turner's in Smyrna's Ivy Walk. This great resto's menu changes every four weeks to keep things fresh and vibrant. The majority of ingredients at this spot are locally grown fruit and vegetables, and locally raised meat, which equals tasty to us. The small plates and cheese plates are great for sharing especially if you want to cuddle up to your date. The sandwiches that never change happen to the best around. Try the hamburger made with locally grown, grass fed beef, roasted poblano pepper, melted Cabot cheddar cheese, red onion and house-made cilantro mayo on a challah bun. Yummy. The beer and wine list also changes with the wants and needs of the customer's at Muss & Turner's. But it stays quite large, boasting 25 to 30 wine selections by the glass, 60 to 75 choices by the wine bottle and 50 to 75 unique beers from mainly local microbreweries. The desserts rock too. All of them are housemade fresh each day; try the “Evil” chocolate cookie. There is a reason it’s called evil. Oh and the vibrant atmosphere and fantastic customer service keeps people coming back for more. It’s thriving every night. That's reason enough for us.
Taverna Fiorentina
3324 Cobb Parkway - Atlanta770-272-9825
The closest you are going to get to Italy in Atlanta is if you dine at Taverna Fiorentina. This spot that serves up delicious North Italian cuisine has a low key ambiance that is really great for romantic dates. You'll no doubt impress with this choice. And the food at Taverna Fiorentina is really in a whole other realm; a realm called amazing. The chef who actually is a native of Italy serves up appetizing starters like the Cozze Fagoli (Steamed PEI mussels with white beans, tomato sauce and sage) and the Raviolini Fritti (Fried cheese ravioli with arugula and topped with a spicy marinara sauce), and inventive plates like the Wild Boar alla Fiorentina (Wild Boar marinated and braised in a Chianti wine reduction with polenta and asparagus) and the Three Cheese Ravoli with truffle oil. The wine list is extensive and each wine is paired perfectly to each dish to ensure that you and your date have the best gastronomic experience. But after the food, wine and atmosphere, you're on your own. They can only do so much.
Zucca Bar and Pizzeria
2860 Atlanta Rd. - Smyrna770-803-9990
Ever been to a pizzeria in Brooklyn? Yeah neither have we, but after you visit Zucca Bar and Pizzeria, you'll think you just might have. With quite possibly the most perfect pizza ever, yes ever (they won an award for the best pizza dough in the Southeast), great martinis (try the Key Lime Martini) and awesome pasta, Zucca will transport you to the city; we mean New York City. Make sure to try the Victory Pie (Margarhetia Pizza with mushroom, homemade parsley sausage, imported olive oil and shaved parmesan cheese on top) that won the award for Zucca, the Chicken Gorgonzola and the Linguini with Clam Sauce. Delicious. Owned by three buds who grew up in the North, they know how to get people coming back again and again. Not only is the food tasty at Zucca, but the atmosphere is fun and relaxed and the customer service is right on target. The $10 bottles of wine on Wednesdays and the $6 martinis are definitely two perks of knowing Zucca in and out. But really the biggest perk is getting to stuff the awesomely authentic cuisine down your pie hole. But please try to contain yourself because you don't want to return to Zucca by yourself now do you?
Clark & Schwenk's Oyster Bar
3240 Cobb Pkwy - Atlanta770-272-0999
You tend to be pretty choosy about what you eat especially on a date (you don't want to be caught with anything in your teeth, do you?), but one time at C&S Oyster Bar in Vinings will have you bringing all your dates back. Sure we know you go on a lot of them, what do we look like-stupid? C&S has the perfect vibe. It's upscale enough to be classy, but not too much so to be elitist. Similar to a swanky speakeasy for the 1920's, C&S has globe lighting, a dark wood interior, intimate booths, a spacious bar area and an open kitchen. And being an oyster bar, the place is a perfect aphrodisiac. Speaking of, the Oyster's Rockefeller is to die for, and all the other selections are great too. The lobster bisque is right on and the steaks are as fabulous as the seafood selections like the porcini crusted salmon and the bacon wrapped rainbow trout. Wash it all down with a Hemingway (how appropriate) daiquiri or a the original C&S cocktail, a ginger limeade, which will lead you to well....not prohibition. That's for sure.
