As Paris 7th’s Executive Chef Mark Hitri says, part of the romance of French cuisine is its long tradition. The dishes eaten today have been perfected as palate pleasers—and the occasional aphrodisiac—for centuries. If you’re looking for a romantic date night this winter, here are four French restaurants to indulge in: 

Saint-Emilion

Fort Worth’s oldest French restaurant feels the most authentic with its cottage exterior and intimate dining area. Is there anything that lends itself more toward feelings of affection than being seated with 50 grams—almost half a stick—of butter at the table?

The fixed price offerings from owner Bernard Tronche and chef Pascal Paviani include three courses a la Francaise: first course, main and a cheese and salad plate. Although wine, appetizer and dessert are not included, do not hesitate to add them on. Winter specials include cassolettes of lobster, venison, beef fondue and Black Forest tiramisu, Tronche’s wife, Karin Kelly, says.

Saint-Emilion is open 5:30-9 p.m. or 9:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and 5:15-8:15 p.m. Sunday with themed wine dinners on Wednesdays. Reservations can be made on Resy.com.

Paris 7th

When Tronche wanted a larger restaurant, he opened Paris 7th down the street in 2018, Kelly says. Tronche sold it a few years later, but today the expanded kitchen produces an extensive menu of French dishes with Hitri at the helm.

Hitri says French cuisine is cooked with love, making it an act of romance, but when it comes to a date night, it’s important to consider what your companion prefers. Paris 7th’s mix of entree options gives you and your date plenty to choose from, like roasted duck, dover sole and bœuf bourguignon, plus six different desserts and seasonal specialties.

“With the colder weather coming in we will be doing some rich braised dishes such as lamb shank or braised pork collar and, of course, the classic cassoulet,” Hitri says.

Paris 7th is open 5:30-9 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, from 5-10 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 5-8 p.m on Sunday. Reservations are available at OpenTable.

rise n°3

rise n°3, which specializes in souffles, is not the only place in Fort Worth where you can obtain the finicky and fluffy egg dish, but with 16 variations on the menu, there are more options than any other establishment. Choices include savory (jambon and gruyère, creamed spinach, smoked salmon and sun-dried tomato and pesto chèvre) and sweet (pecan praline, Grand Marnier and chocolate).

A variety of French dishes beyond the namesake entree round out the menu, according to rise n°3’s website. With its location at The Shops at Clearfork, you can increase the romance by popping into Tiffany & Co.

rise n°3 is open 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Visit the website, risesouffle.com, for reservations.

Le Margot

At Le Margot, the open kitchen and bar area allow guests to see the love that goes into preparing the food and drink you’re going to enjoy, chef Graham Elliot says. Fort Worth’s newest French restaurant opened in June 2023 with art deco flourishes and chairs straight from a Parisian sidewalk.

Elliot says some of the French cuisine romance can be attributed to marketing.

“When you hear Paris, you imagine you and your hubby whisked away with your pink poodle,” Elliot says. 

But the ingredients and the technique play a part as well.

In the past, Elliot and Far Out Hospitality founder Felipe Armenta have done themes to elevate their Valentine’s Day offerings—like aphrodisiacs or a menu based on florals or the color red, and Elliot says to expect a similar approach this year.

Le Margot is open 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Sunday and Monday and 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. Reservations are available on ExploreTock.com.