"Maybe it’s all the trumpeting cherubs, the giant crystal chandelier that feathers out into the red dining room, the plush velvet banquettes, or the fact that the cocktail list is signed XOXO Erba—but we get the feeling this restaurant is flirting with us. Erba was designed for date night. The Italian food isn’t too heavy, there’s an ideal amount of space between tables, and servers appear from thin air to refill your wine without being intrusive. Even bread service is romantic—you can stare lovingly at each other above the glow of a fluttering butter candle (which you get to eat once it’s melted). Portions are large enough to enjoy as entrees, but we like sharing the beef cheek agnolotti for some insight into how selfish (or collaborative) your date is. " - ryan pfeffer, virginia otazo
