St. Martin's Wine Bistro

"This longtime institution left Greenville in 2024 and reopened in East Dallas with new ownership, but don’t worry—they kept the piano. The combo of soft music, flickering candles, and French classics practically screams “romantic night out,” so make a reservation here for anniversaries or other outings with your most significant other. With the mood set, you’re free to focus on foie gras with buttery brioche and bright cherry jus, hearty coq au vin, and the person sitting across from you. Or beside you, if you’re one of those couples." - Kevin Gray

"If an old-school sense of romance, where the room is dim as it possibly can be without turning the power off and a live piano player serenades everyone. The food is also old-school fine dining, with escargot, foie gras, its famous Champagne brie soup, rack of lamb, and duck breast l’orange all on offer." - Courtney E. Smith

"The recipe for Champagne brie soup at St. Martin’s Wine Bistro in East Dallas is a well-kept secret, but chef Bobby Weddle let us know that it involves a mélange of brie, sparkling wine, chicken stock, and cream." - Rachel Pinn

"This neighborhood bistro will serve its regular menu on Christmas Day. If the holidays call for escargot, crab cake Newberg, Champagne-brie soup, rack of lamb, or duck breast l’orange, this is the spot. There is live piano music starting at 5 p.m. and dark, moody vibes all night." - Courtney E. Smith

"There are a load of French bistros in Dallas, but not many that have been in business for 47 years. After closing its original location on Greenville Ave., the newly refurbished St. Martin’s on Bryan Street is being run by Pasha and Sina Heidari (whose hospitality group also has Bowen House, Las Palmas Tex-Mex, Mike’s Gemini Twin Lounge, and Urbano Cafe), along with their uncle Omid Haftlang. The vibes remain immaculate. This is one of the most romantic restaurants in town, with extremely dim lighting and live piano music nightly. The food is elevated bar fare, with many nods to the heyday of mid-century fine dining. One could drop Don Draper in this spot and he’d recognize it as fine food done early ‘60s style — which is not at all like we expect today. Everything is understated and not created with Instagram in mind. That’s probably why you won’t find any Instgrammers circling their tables in this spot." - Courtney E. Smith