Any romantic restaurants near Hot Chocolate?

Hi everyone, thanks in advance to any responses. I'm taking out this girl on a first date and I'm taking her to hot chocolate after, so I was wondering if anyone knew any romantic places nearby that area (1747 n damen) that would be convienant to eat beforehand. I'm not really aware of the nice, conversation friendly places in the northside.

I've done research on this forum and people seem to mention nomi, north pond, and of course geja's but I was just wondering if anyone had any recommendations for a place somewhat nearby hot chocolate so that going there after would be a short drive out. Somewhere dimly lit, upscale in menu/decor and conversation friendly that doesnt cram you into an elbow to elbow couples table space. Thanks!

Nearby you have...

Spring
Scylla
Meritage
Cafe Matou
Think

All of these are good places in the neighborhood. Spring would be my first choice, Scylla second. Both are just a few blocks from Hot Chocolate - a short walk, no need to drive.

Also, Cafe Absinthe.

I would say Cafe Absinthe is the most romantic on that list.

Hot Chocolate isn't just for dessert, and it's not bad in the romantic department on its own.

Agreed, unless you are going for a 1-2 punch. Hot Chocolate is a great date place all around. The Passionfruit "Martini" is a great cocktail to open with, the "high end" calzone (as TonyC and I were calling it) of farmstand cheese in a light pastry along with the antipasta plate make great openers. I haven't delved too deeply into the mains but the cassoulet looked decent. Obviously the desserts speak for themselves (I'm sure that's why you are heading there based on your post) but I'll throw my hat in for the "Apple" which perfectly ballences hot, cold, rich, and sweet without being heavy at all. Went perfectly with a glass of Muscate bringing out even more crisp apple, pinaple, vanilla, citrus, and honey.

While there are certainly other dinner options in the area, I personally can't think of a better overall date place in WP... come to think of it, I've been remiss myself about not taking my SO there yet... can't help it, she is always up for Boat noodle soup, blood sausage, and fried shrimp heads rather than "romantic" places... talk about the perfect woman

My vote would be Scylla-the building is cute as hell, and the chow is killer.
The idea of 2 places for a first date is superb-there's a change of atmosphere to break things up, and it adds to your hipster factor.
(Okay, I don't even know what a hipster factor is....)

I actually would NOT recommend Spring, it is quite loud in there and we were disappointed with the food when we went (our anniversary/my birthday).
Meritage has great food but it is also very loud...until the warm weather comes and then you can sit outside. Then, it's lovely.

Le Bouchon is close by, but it is quite cramped.

Let us know where you end up!

If the weather is warm and you're not in a rush, you could technically walk to Hot Chocolate from dinner some place on Division. I had a successful(?) first date at Miriai, and we had a second floor table by the window. It was a nice setting if you like the lounge atmosphere. I'm more of a Mirai downstairs person; I think the first floor can be sufficiently romantic with the right person.

As for recommendations already made here, I third Scylla because stewed coot is right. The building is "cute as hell."

This isn't espescially related to venues, just a slightly different perspective. Whether it's Hot Chocolate, Café Absinthe, or whatever, really doesn't matter all that much. For a first date, it's all about the interpersonal chemistry, not the location.

Sure, the place you choose says something about you, but assuming you're not doing a first date at McDonald's, almost any nice place should do. It really shouldn't be about the place, it should be about the interaction. The place is just the background.

So, do Hot Chocolate, maybe a music place afterwards (I'm a fan of Davenport's in the 1300 block of Milwaukee - not a long walk, but not exactly hipster stuff) and just get to know each other.

It's all about the interpersonal connection. Don't sweat the other stuff.

(BYW, I'd be interested to hear from the ladies here if they have different opinions.)

Well I'm no lady, (and probably still wouldn't be if I was female!) but I think we are all giving too much dating advice, either directly or indirectly.
Foodsnob was pretty clear in his request.
Having said that, allow me to pontificate away. I think the overall idea is to make as good of a first impression as you can, but unless you're a sociopath you can't really hide who you are for long. My "hipster" comment was perhaps a poor choice of terms, even if it was half tongue- in-cheek. (Speaking of which, it is one of my loftier goals to place slow cooked veal tongue in between two halibut cheeks, and offer it on a menu as...)

nr706,

I agree with you mostly, but I think the location should at least somewhat facilitate the interpersonal connection. In other words, if the two people on the date tend to make said connections when they can speak to and hear the other person easily then any relatively quiet place would work. If one or both people on the date tend to be impressed by louder, hipster or more scene-y places (e.g. maybe a place like De La Costa, from what I've heard), then such establishments might make for a slightly better first date. If the two people have some inside joke about McDonald's, then they might even really connect over quarter pounders. All of this, of course, assumes that the two people share the ability to enjoy all types of settings or one type (quiet, loud, scene, etc) in particular. So in planning a first date, it might be helpful to check with the other person at least about what types of settings he/she tends to like.

All of this said, my boyfriend and I had our first date at Avec. I picked the place because we seemed to share an interest in Spanish-inspired cuisine, and he had never been there before. I thought it wouldn't be too loud or crowded for an early dinner on a Sunday, but we ended up having to yell at each other, and the food was off that night--we ordered a short rib dish that was tough and impossible to chew. It was still an excellent date.

I've only been once, but I loved the food at Scylla and had a very pleasent experience all around (decor, service, etc.). We actually went to Hot Chocolate after our dinner there. I personally would rather have stayed at Scylla for dessert, but think I may be in the minority. I'm going to give Hot Chocolate another try before I place my judgement too harshly.

figmolly wrote:I'm going to give Hot Chocolate another try before I place my judgement too harshly.

I got 2 words for you: Brioche donuts.

I really wanted to hate Hot Chocolate. But every time I've been there the food has been really good and the deserts have been yummy. However those donuts (served with hot fudge for dippin') are made with the tears of angels. They'll make you sell your mother down the river for a bite.

Cafe' Absinthe is one of my favorite longtime restaurants in Wicker Park, however it gets really, really, noisy around the dinner hour: high brick walls just spank the sound all over.

Having whored Hot Chocolate "coupons" for the last 2 years, i seriously suggest: come for dinner, stay for dessert. you can romance her from the first bite onward @ Hot Chocolate without getting out of your seat. The anticipation (brioche donut, 5 levels of hot chocolate) will probably keep her tantalized with excitement the second she sees the menu...

If you really insist on moving locales, I wouldn't stray far (it's 30deg outside again) and follow stewed coot's suggestion for Scylla first, Hot Chocolate second.

Spring is just a lousy place to eat. Food's bad, crowd's out-of-place relative to the actual neighborhood. Unless you want to impress your date with your wallet instead of your taste, avoid Shawn McClain's biggest failure in the city.

that said, does anyone have a suggestion for a "Japanese" sushi joint in the city for a bday... cuz i'm all out of ideas. really.

TonyC wrote:that said, does anyone have a suggestion for a "Japanese" sushi joint in the city for a bday... cuz i'm all out of ideas. really.

Omakase with Byung Kyu at Aria?



E.M.

Oh man, hold on before you reply, Tony, I have to get a bag of popcorn.