Three years ago, my boyfriend and I both started graduate school. It was an exciting time — new beginnings, fresh starts, all that jazz. Less exciting? His program was in Palo Alto; mine was in Pittsburgh. We only saw each other every few months, criss-crossing the country on red-eyes and generally spending more time in airports than either of us wanted. With each visit came the unique pressure only long-distance can bring: to make up for all the Saturday nights lost to bad Skype connections and paper deadlines. In other words, whatever dates we went on had to be good.
So over the course of the past few years, we’ve built up a little arsenal of tried-and-true date spots around Stanford’s campus — eateries that serve up delicious fare while preserving our piddly grad student stipends. It’s also worth noting that we’re suckers for the dinner-and-a-movie date model, so all of these restaurants are within a short distance to a cinema.
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Terùn
Run by a trio of Southern Italians, Terùn is a quintessential date restaurant. Its interior dining room is often lively but still intimate, with small tables elegantly set in white. The al fresco patio in back is just the right dose of romantic, especially when the sunlight fades into dusk and the little strings of bulb lights blink on. And though you don’t have to dress up to eat there, it’s the sort of restaurant where you could and still feel comfortable.
We haven’t had a dud dish there yet, which means that Terùn can cater to whatever kind of rendezvous you want. Only in for drinks and apps? Enjoy some mouth-watering burrata and a summery rosé. Doing the whole dinner shebang? The pizzas are so legit they earned status with the Associazione Verace Pizza Napoletana, a non-profit that holds its members to the highest pizza-making standards (the pasta is killer, too — try the gnocchi). And if dessert is part of your night, you can’t go wrong with their tiramisu. It’s also affirming: I knew I’d chosen my future spouse well when, one night, I suggested a ten-minute tiramisu dash before our movie was going to start at nearby CineArts. He happily consented and we snagged seats at Terun’s bar to scarf down the heavenly dessert. #Priorities.
Bistro Maxine
We stumbled upon this place sometime in spring of 2015 and were charmed by the cozy dining area, solid selection of crepes, and convenient location. Right off University Avenue, Bistro Maxine is in the heart of downtown Palo Alto. Opportunities abound to continue the evening in a post-crepe haze: an array of pubs and wine bars; two different movie theatres –The Stanford, replete with a Wurlitzer organ, recaptures Hollywood’s Golden Age by screening the classics, while around the corner the recently renovated Aquarius sticks to indie flicks; or different dessert options. Grab a cone at Scoop Microcreamery (or endure the line at CREAM) and take a stroll.
Pro-tip: Unlike the other restaurants on this list, Bistro Maxine is also an exceptional option for brunch.
Sultana
We’re lucky that travel has been a big part of our relationship aside from the Silicon Valley-Rust Belt commute. Our adventures include a multi-month stint in Istanbul, where we ate a lot of flavorful grilled meat and fell deeper in love with soups than we thought possible. So whenever we find a Turkish place we like, it’s a special kind of treat; memories and anecdotes resurface from our time living there, and we can’t help but reminisce. That’s one of the reasons why we love Sultana. Friendly wait staff, filling portions, and a secluded back patio create a casual and inviting ambiance perfect for conversation. Dishes like the adana kebab and İçli köfte take us right back to our neighborhood near the Bosphorus.
And yes, you guessed it: The Guild Theatre –a wee one-screener, also for independent films and a monthly Rocky Horror event — is only a three-minute walk.
Vive Sol
Here is an understatement: it’s difficult to find Mexican food in Pittsburgh. For this native Arizonan, such a dearth was distressing, so you can only imagine how happy I was to return west and have a lot more options (heck, any options). Vive Sol was recommended to us by a friend, and it turned out to fit the date bill, too. Can you find cheaper Mexican food elsewhere? Yes. Is the service a little slow sometimes? Maybe. But if you’re not in a rush, the ambiance here is ideal for an amorous outing. From the street, you might not be able to tell — Vive Sol is tucked away off El Camino in between a florist and a vacuum and sewing machine repair shop. But the warm colors and tin star lanterns set the right mood, and the back patio — with its outdoor bar and surrounding plants — feels far from the parking lot it overlooks. As soon as you’re seated, chips and three types of salsa hit the table, and their margarita list is nothing to scoff at. (Drink it, instead!) The portions can be a little small for the price, but are satisfying nonetheless. The Enchiladas Al Sol, featuring both the mole and guajillo, are worth a shot.
Be warned: they don’t take reservations and it can get quite busy.
PokeBar
You’re probably wondering why a quick-serve poke stand nestled inside a market would make this list when ambiance has been so integral to every other restaurant. I’ll be honest: sometimes the best thing about a date is the freedom to do something a little different. Something a little more relaxed. Maybe something a bit more portable. PokeBar checks those boxes. Not only is it healthy and delicious, it’s a decent price point considering how filling it is. Pick up some drinks or sweets at Ava’s to add to your customized feast, and voila: a fun and hearty lunch. If all the tables in front of the market are taken, Pioneer Memorial Park is less than ten minutes on foot — close enough for an impromptu picnic.
