Hell's Kitchen Tops OpenTable's Ranking Of Romantic U.S. Restaurants, But Is It Worth It?
When Valentine's Day is right around the corner, it's a great time to start planning a romantic date night with someone special. For most people, visiting a fine dining restaurant is the perfect way to celebrate this romantic occasion, as nothing is better for raising amorous feelings than sharing an exquisite meal in a lovely environment. According to Restaurant Business, Valentine's Day is a major occasion for dining establishments, coming in just behind Mother's Day in terms of guest volume. Additionally, most restaurants see a boost in sales before the holiday even arrives. Consider that in 2019, reservations for the Thursday prior to the holiday saw a 433% increase as compared to other Thursdays throughout the year.
While dining out is standard for Valentine's Day, selecting the right restaurant can be challenging when striving for the perfect combination of delicious food and romantic atmosphere. Fortunately, OpenTable is here to guide diners all over the country to the best locations in their neck of the woods. And one selection has proved rather surprising thanks to its association with a world-famous celebrity chef.
Undercooked fish, insults, and ... romance?
While known for being a restaurant reservation service, OpenTable also compiles information about the restaurant business. Its recent review analysis focused on the 100 most romantic spots in the nation, a list that was compiled from a whopping 13 million customer reviews. Food & Wine provides further insight into the top 10, which ranks the Maui-based Mama's Fish House at number one with 39,627 reviews. In second place is Las Vegas' Hell's Kitchen. Other notable entrants include Bobby Flay's Amalfi, which failed to crack the top 10 but garnered some excellent reviews (one diner lauded its "great service" per OpenTable).
As for Hell's Kitchen, this notable establishment got its start thanks to Gordon Ramsay, the hotheaded celebrity chef best known for his work on the reality TV show of the same name. Along with his culinary chops, Chef Ramsay is also known for his colorful insults (according to Screen Rant, Ramsay once likened a chef to an "idiot sandwich" while placing two slices of bread on either side of their face). Based on his reputation, one might not immediately associate Hell's Kitchen with a pleasant romantic atmosphere. However, the restaurant currently has a 4.5 rating on Tripadvisor, and reviewers offer consistent praise when it comes to the quality of the dishes and the wonderful atmosphere. But really, no matter where you choose to dine on Valentine's Day, there are a few steps to take that will ensure a successful outing.
Tips for the perfect Valentine's Day experience
Choosing a great restaurant is really just the first step. You'll also need to secure a reservation on an impossibly busy occasion, which can be daunting for diners. OpenTable (via Cision PR Newswire) offers a few tips in this case, such as booking a table a few days before the actual holiday. In addition to securing a reservation at your desired locale, celebrating a day or two early will also help you avoid a massive crowd.
If you prefer celebrating on the day itself, try to be flexible when it comes to the timing of the reservation. In 2022, almost half of all diners made their reservations between the hours of 6 p.m. and 7:59 pm. Conversely, there were far fewer reservations before and after that time slot. Scheduling earlier or later than the dinner rush can improve your chance of nabbing a reservation, especially if you choose a popular establishment (per Mashable). While planning the perfect Valentine's Day excursion is a noble goal, don't lose track of the real meaning of the holiday: to show someone you love how much you care for and appreciate them.