With Hallmark's favorite holiday looming around the corner, just waiting like a steel-trap to gobble up all of those hype-sters and snatch up as much of their money as possible, I figured this share is all the more relevant.
My friend Lindsey (we played soccer together for many, many years!) and her fantastic new blog about great date spots around the city (L is an interior designer and her eye for detail gives a quirky, honest and thorough translation of these mood-makers), has laid down the
top 10 places NOT to go on a date in Atlanta. I love this post for many reasons (and aside from agreeing with every single one), especially with the plethora of V-day suggestions that are about to rain upon the interwebs. Heck, I'm sure I'll put together my own guide out of obligation (don't worry, it won't be lame).
So below I give you
Ms. Howe's post. Do you agree? Where do you think the great date spots are?
I had a minor panic attack, similar to the type of panic stricken feeling I get when I can't find any ketchup in the house, when I realized Valentine's Day is a little over a month away. No, I'm not stressing because I don't have a date for that night yet (which, by the way, is true gentlemen), but more so about my lack of date places for you to check out on The Biggest Dating Night of The Year. So while I frantically put together a series of posts for you, I thought I'd write up a short list of places NOT to go on a date, Valentine's Day or otherwise. So to tide you over until I start posting like the Energizer Bunny on speed, here are the major offenders. (Note: Some of these places are actually good destinations, just not on a date).
1. Ru San's (any location but specifically Piedmont). While it may be cool to get free shots of sake at the bar, it's also ear-splitting loud. The Datealicious Decibel Meter recorded it at 89 decibels which in layman's terms is LOUD. I don't like free sake enough to endure the pain or the sub-par sushi. I also suspect I got food poisoning here three weeks ago. Nuff said.
2. R. Thomas Grill. Don't get me wrong, R. Thomas is heaven at 3am when you've overindulged in adult beverages and you've got a craving for home fries. But there are live birds in cages out front and holes in the canvas roof over the patio. Hey Mr. Health Inspector!
3. Shout. If the fact that pasta AND sushi are included on one menu doesn't deter you, then the throngs of Bachelorette parties will. Nothing kills the mood of a date like tipsy Future Mrs. (fill in the blank) tripping into your table asking you to play Suck-For-A-Buck.
4. Tavern at Phipps. The bartenders here are well, quite attractive. Too attractive. Your date will feel inadequate no matter how pretty they are. Plus, even though it is attached to the fanciest mall in Atlanta, it's still attached to a mall. Avoid.
5. Cafe Intermezzo. Very much like one of my ex-boyfriends. I'm in love with idea of Cafe Intermezzo, just not quite in love with the reality. Every time I have been here I have had terrible service and equally bad food. I actually think that this place would be perfect for The Breakup Date. At least your waiter won't be around when someone awkwardly starts crying or gets too upset to eat.
6. The Sundial. Yes, it's got a great view and yes it spins, but the food is mediocre and overpriced, the design is dated and your date may run to the bathroom from altitude sickness. I'm not sure if there's any correlation but I actually went here one Valentine's Day with an ex and we broke up the next day. It's also been hit by a tornado. Save the time and money, this place is cursed.
7. Imperial Fez. Something about eating with your hands and having belly dancers gyrate in your face does not sound romantic to me. Next.
8. Cheesecake Factory, Cheesecake Bistro or any other form of said establishment. Emphasis on the word CHEESE.
9. Underground Atlanta. I'm only including this because this came up in a Google search for "best date spots in Atlanta." Who in their right mind would ever say this?! If you are new to Atlanta, trust me. I don't know a single person that would want to go on a date here.
10. Dante's Down the Hatch. (Pictured above) Dante's website claims that they have been described as one of the "Most Romantic Restaurants in Atlanta." By whom? Pirates? The thought of fondue and jazz does sound intriguing but this place is horrifically overpriced. Please, at all costs, do not take someone here unless they have a peg leg.
Okay, hope that helped. Lots of great spots to impress your boo on Valentine's Day coming soon! Until then...
Stay classy Atlanta.
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