What is it about the coupling of food and romance? From the aphrodisiac qualities of oysters to the intoxicating effects of a good bottle of wine (both literally and metaphorically) to the subtle sensuousness of chocolate mousse, food occupies center stage when it comes to matters of the heart. Of course, where you dine can contribute nearly as much passion as the food itself—which is why we’ve scoured several of America’s major cities to discover where the locals go to cook up that extra special night.

From Manhattan to O’ahu, here’s our top choices for your out-of-town weekend encounter, those evenings when it’s time for over-the-top romance, whether you’re planning to propose, trying to impress, or just hoping to bring a sense of the magical into the mundane.

• Intro |
• New York City |
• San Francisco |
• Las Vegas |
• Honolulu, O’ahu