Friday, January 11, 2013

DATES in DALLAS...

Need an idea for a date?

Being a girl I love a good date night, or date lunch, or date brunch...really I love a good date in general. I realize though that for guys this can be tough. Where should we go? What should we do? What's something new? I decided to create a list of date options for you that Ryan and I have enjoyed with places all over Dallas. No matter how long you've been dating or married I think date nights are so important. Hopefully these will give you some ideas of places to go here in Dallas. As we start this new year we are looking for more fun things to do and restaurants to try, so please leave us a comment of some of your ideas! 

I also think I should mention to the LADIES, plan a date night for your man every once in a while. Treat them to a night out where they can just come and enjoy the evening with you. Men do so much for us, and I know at least with Ryan, it's really fun for him when he can just enjoy the night. 

So here's my list...
Medina Oven & Bar
DINNER & CONCERT
Before we started dating one on one Ryan and I went with a group to DINNER at Kenichi and a CONCERT at House of Blues. It was so fun! Here is a list of other restaurants in the area. Match one of these places with a concert and it's sure to be a fun night!

Ray Johnston Band at HOB 
Kenichi (sushi): http://www.kenichidallas.com/ 
*This is pricey, but one of my favorite sushi places in Dallas. 

Neo Pizza: http://www.neopizzeria.com/
*This is a cheaper option and good food.

Medina Oven & Bar (Moroccan/Mediterranean): http://www.medinadallas.com/
*Love this place. It's smaller, but the food is great, and the staff is excellent.

House of Blues: http://www.houseofblues.com/venues/clubvenues/dallas/

ICE CREAM
Ryan took me to get ICE CREAM and to ask me on our first date. Yes, he asked me in person if he could take me on a proper date :) If you are looking for something quick and have time to just chat I recommend:
Wild About Harry’s : http://www.wildaboutharrys.com/

Journey Concert at Gexa
FANCY RESTAURANTS
For our first proper date Ryan gave me an envelope that had three more cards in it. Each of the cards was a date option: night boat ride, Rangers game, or Journey CONCERT at Gexa. Each was paired with a restaurant. I chose dinner and the concert. We went to Sangria for dinner, but I've included other NICER RESTAURANTS that we've been to that I love here in Dallas. You also could pair dinner with a drink and desert after at REUNION TOWER. 
Dinner at Javier's
Sangria Mediterranean Tapa and Bar : http://www.sangriatapasybar.com/
*This is a fun place because it's tapas style so you can pick different items and share.

Rex’s Seafood: http://rexsseafood.com/
*My favorite seafood place in Dallas. The staff and food are excellent. 

*You have to get the marshmallow soup (it's actually tomato, cheese, and pesto) to start & the artichoke. I love the crab or sausage souffle (you could share one if you do the starters), and then the creme brulee or chocolate desert. 

Meddlesome Moth: http://www.mothinthe.net/
*Voted one of the best places for beer which is fun to try something new. I love the shrimp & grits. 

*One of my favorites. Food is excellent so definitely eat, but after enjoy a cigar and cocktail in the lounge area. 

Gexa Energy Pavillion (concert location): http://gexaenergypavilion.com/
Reunion Tower
ACTIVE DATES
Ryan and I love being active so here are a couple super fun ACTIVE DATES we've done:

We went to a great dinner at Whisky Cake in Plano.Then we went to Adrenalina in Willow Bend Mall. We changed clothes after dinner and did indoor WAKE SURFING and BOOGIE BOARDING. It was so much fun! Girls be sure to wear shorts and a tank over your swim suit, you will probably fall and don't want any wardrobe malfunctions. I also have never laughed so much watching everyone wipeout. In my book this is a must do date. 

Adrenalina: :http://www.dfwsurf.com/lessons/flow-ride/flow-ride-lessons.html
Adventure Landing
We went to ADVENTURING LANDING in Plano around 4pm on a Friday afternoon and it was empty. We pretty much had the place to ourselves which was really fun. We bought the package where you could pick 3 activities and go tokens for the arcade games. We did go karts, laser tag (yes just the two of us, I actually loved it), and putt-putt. Best two out of three won, and the loser (happened to be me) paid for dinner. We had DINNER at this awesome small Italian restaurant Ryan grew up going to. I love it. We ended the night at a tiny little place that has live music called Obzeet. 

Adventure Landing: http://www.adventurelanding.com/parks/dallas/ with dinner at…
Obzeet: http://www.obzeet.com/
Six Flags
We went to Campisis for dinner and then Ryan surprised me and took us to Six Flags! It was such a blast. 

Campisi's: http://www.campisis.us/Inwood-Village.html
Six Flags: http://www.sixflags.com/overtexas/index.aspx

Go to the State Fair and enjoy tasting the food for dinner and riding rides.
State Fair
Go to a game together and enjoy some nachos, hot dog, burger, and a beer. There are so many teams in Dallas (Mavs, Stars, Cowboys, Rangers, Roughriders, and college games). 
Rangers Game

RELAXING DATES
Ryan and I are pretty busy so sometimes just a RELAXING DATE is perfect. Here are some ideas:
Picnic at White Rock
Go by Central Market together and pick out some food and then bring a blanket and have a PICNIC at White Rock lake.  
Klyde Warren Park
 Go to Klyde Warren Park and bring a football to toss around, or a blanket to relax on. You can eat from the food trucks. 
Chihuly Exhibit and Concert at Arboretum
Pack a picnic and go to the Arboretum to see the exhibits or a concert. 
Arboretum: http://www.dallasarboretum.org/

Go  by Eatzi's pick up some dinner that's already made, a bottle of wine (we love Malbec), and grab a movie from redbox. 

CafĂ© Express is quick and easy and then enjoy desert at I heart yogurt.

During the holidays do a carriage ride through Highland Park. You can bring your own wine with you too. 
Carriage Ride to look at lights
DINNER & A MOVIE
Do DINNER and check out a different MOVIE THEATRE. Here are some of my favorite movie theaters and a great restaurant near by:

Angelika at Mockingbird Station:http://angelikafilmcenter.com/angelika_index.asp?hID=7915 and for dinner…

Magnolia at West Village: http://www.westvil.com/theatre/ and for dinner…

Highland Park Theatre: http://www.hpvillagetheatre.com/ and for dinner…
Patrizio’s: http://www.patrizios.net/ 

BRUNCH
On the weekends it can be fun to enjoy a good BRUNCH together. Here are some places we like:
Brunch at Meddlesome Moth
Del Frisco’s Grill: http://delfriscosgrille.com/
Nick & Sam’s Grill: http://www.nick-samsgrill.com/home.htm
Meddlesome Moth: http://www.mothinthe.net/
Breadwinners: http://www.breadwinnerscafe.com/index.php

I hope this helps you have some awesome dates, and again we'd love some ideas for things to try so feel free to leave us a comment with your ideas!

*Thank you Ryan for dating me so well, and making it a priority for us to have a weekly date night. It truly means so much to me.