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Valentine's Day is pretty much the worst day of the year to dine out. Practically every restaurant you'd normally go to is overrun with two-tops and overpriced prix-fixe menus. If you and your significant other aren't the type who yearn for steak, lobster, and molten chocolate cake by candlelight, consider opting for a more creative approach this Saturday night. Here are 14 places to have a totally low-key Valentine's Day dinner.
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14 Low-Key Valentine's Day Dining Options in Dallas
Skip the molten chocolate cake and lobster this year.
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Nova
Great cocktails and creative food await at this Oak Cliff staple that caters to a steady stream of locals. Grab a booth and order up some shared plates like smoked salmon potato skins and fried frog legs. It's Valentine's Day without the cheese factor.
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Olivella's
This SMU-area pizzeria actually can be kind of romantic, thanks to the super-dim lighting and rustic setting. A bottle of wine (or a pitcher of the delicious sangria) and a truffle-laden thin-crust pie would make for a pretty solid V-Day dinner. (Bonus: On Saturday night, buy a bottle of wine and get a chocolate-Nutella-walnut-marshmallow dessert pizza for free; this deal is also in effect at the Lakewood and Victory Park locations.)
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Royal China
Share a steamer full of soup dumplings while you watch the noodle master at work. There's also a decent wine selection, including prosecco by the glass.
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Sakhuu
Fresh, tasty Thai food, warm friendly service, and a very welcome BYOB policy (might as well bring that bottle of bubbly you've been saving). Don't sleep on the stuffed chicken wings.
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S & D Oyster Company
McKinney Avenue's old-school seafood spot is totally charming and the service is awesome. And hey, aren't oysters an aphrodisiac?
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Bowlounge
Even if you suck at bowling, it's still pretty fun, especially when you've had a few drinks. Food by Twisted Root means you can dine on burgers, tacos, fried pickles, and a milkshake flight, plus there's plenty of beer and cocktails on tap.
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El Come Taco
Some of the best damn tacos in town served up in a sleek, modern setting. Share chips and excellent guac to start, then finish off with a single freshly fried churro in an attempt to stage some Lady & The Tramp-style action.
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Crushcraft Thai Street Eats
It's dimly lit (at least at night), cheap, delicious, has booze, and is guaranteed not to be overrun with lovey-dovey couples. Sounds like a win-win situation.
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Jimmy's Food Store
Grab a couple of the city's best sandwiches and a cannoli from the deli counter in the back, then head up to the register for inexpensive wine by the glass before grabbing one of the small tables in the front.
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LUCK
If your date prefers craft beer to Champagne and chicken wings to lobster, take them to this Trinity Groves staple. If you feel like getting at least a little fancy, splurge on the giant pork porterhouse and the red velvet cake infused with Peticolas Velvet Hammer.
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Ramen Hakata
Delicious bowls of ramen, shareable apps like chicken karaage and fried oysters, Japanese beer, and mochi ice cream for dessert, in a cool laid-back atmosphere that feels decidedly un-Addison.
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Truck Yard
Take your special someone up in the tree house for a bottled rum cocktail, then grab a cheesesteak and treat them to ice cream at Carnival Barker's afterward. Bonus: You can even bring Fido along.
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Zoli's NY Pizza
If your idea of romance is stuffing yourself silly with New York-style pizza (do try the Sicilian crust) and garlic knots, Zoli's is the place to do it. They even have wine in cans — tres romantique.
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Small Brewpub
If your date has an appreciation for weird cuts of meat, fine charcuterie, and obscure craft beers, this recently opened Jefferson Boulevard brewpub is the place to be. Solid cocktails, too.
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