Romance is in the air and on your plate in SA

East meets west at this Peruvian restaurant that gleefully plays with Asian-South American fusions. The cuisine is properly referred to as Chifa Nikkei. In Peru, Chifa refers to Chinese-Peruvian cuisine and Nikkei to Japanese-Peruvian food. The seasoned chef of Botika, Geronimo Lopez, is a world traveler from Caracas, Venezuela. His cuisine is inspired by all of a multitude of international cultures, offering diners a taste of something unique and exceptional. Unlike anything else you'll find at the Pearl or even in San Antonio for that matter, Botika is a fun and surprisingly affordable place to take a date before the game or any other kind of event. Start your meal with some Hoisin-shitake braised pork steamed buns or the duck confit and potato empanadas. As you roll into your main course, go light with some beautiful fresh sushi or dig into a signature dish.

Warm atmosphere abounds at this coffeehouse, where you can relax on the patio with friends from work or stake out one of Candlelight's comfy couches. It feels just like you're at one of your best friend's houses. Thanks to a reasonably priced but thorough selection of coffees and a range of tasty desserts, this neighborhood hangout is a stylish after-dinner choice for sure, but they have a thoughtful array of dining options including sandwiches, pasta and salads. A great choice for looking for a non-traditional alternative to sitting in a stuffy restaurant. They also have a large patio. Ideal for a couple's date!

Chef Andrew Weissman is the "it" chef in San Antonio and he's got his name written all over Signature, quite literally. Everything about this upscale, thoughtfully-crafted and elegant restaurant screams Weissman. This is not just any old hotel restaurant, this is a place reminiscent of a European countryside Michelin star restaurant, from the drive up to the venue to the excellent cuisine described only as classic contemporary. Signature features of the restaurant include an open kitchen, wood-burning fireplace and putting green, where you can sip on a cocktail and play while you wait to be seated. As you can expect, it's an all scratch kitchen, with delicacies on hand such as aged cheeses. Chef Weissman maintains his own beehives as well as a garden. It's only the best for this chef, and of course, all of his guests. The menu is "straightforward and beguiling," featuring first-class ingredients, from Atlantic Coast oysters to Pacific Northwest lamb, and without a doubt, Texas Hill Country venison, dove and quail. When it comes to providing an unforgettable experience, you can bet it all on Chef Weissman!

Dependable food and reliable service are Ernesto's mainstays and two of the main reasons that locals keep coming back. Behind the modest, strip-mall exterior, items like crab and shrimp crepes are favorites. A casual yet romantic atmosphere makes Ernesto's a popular choice for anniversaries and birthdays, and Ernesto himself might even offer a few recommendations. Years ago, Ernesto taught French cooking in San Antonio, and now he's artfully merged French elements with Mexican cuisine to create one-of-a-kind delectable dishes, such as Red Snapper stuffed with crab meat, accompanied by some incredible sauces that will have you coming back again and again. It's a wonderful restaurant for a special evening out with family and friends. Make sure to save room for their cajeta caramel crepes for dessert. To-die-for!

Located in Southtown, not far from the riverwalk, La Frite is a quaint yet well-appointed casual spot. Belgian cuisine is on offer, especially as the name implies, fries, served piping hot and cut thin. The Moules frites, a mussels dish, is one of the restaurant's most popular and comes with a variety of scrumptious seasonings, but their steak tartare also wins raves. Desserts don't disappoint either; if time permits indulge in the dark chocolate, cookie-crusted tart, or a fruit version. They also showcase a superb wine selection and a bright, welcoming interior. This has earned its spot over the years as being a local's favorite.

Boudro's Texas Bistro is the ideal spot for intimate lunches or dinners as well as large parties and convention groups. They can accommodate you inside or on one of their special river barges, catered exactly to your taste. The Chef offers culinary inventiveness with the use of fresh, local ingredients that help make this restaurant so sought after. The delicious frozen margaritas are made with swirls of crimson prickly pear juice, and the menu revels in dishes like black lacquered duck leg, papaya-marinated flank steak, mesquite-grilled Texas quail, and shrimp and crab enchiladas. Boudro's truly has some of the best food on the River, from smoked shrimp enchiladas and blackened prime rib to seafood straight from the Gulf.

The reputation of Battalion, a new American Italian restaurant, precedes it as one of the three outstanding Andrew Goodman and Chef Stefan Bowers restaurants in San Antonio. This is their newest incarnation, and what a delight! Located in a historic building in Southtown that was once a fire station, it has since been transformed into one of the coolest, classiest joints in town. With exacting modern Italian dishes and a true Italian pasta chef making housemade pasta every day, Battalion should be at the top of everyone's list for lunch, dinner or even a few cocktails and appetizers before a night out. Chef Bowers describes what they do as merging contemporary cooking with old-world flavors in a fun environment. The interior was lovingly designed by Mr. Goodman himself to facilitate a good, rowdy, delicious time. Lunch is shockingly inexpensive and certainly approachable. Battalion is most definitely upscale, but it's not just a special occasion restaurant unless you want it to be!

The Cookhouse just opened their doors in early September of 2014 but is already the talk of the town, which comes as no surprise as it's the only restaurant in San Antonio that showcases traditional New Orleans cuisine, the kind you might find at some fine dining establishment in the French Quarter. The roasted Duck and Dumplings made with an exceptional marjoram potato gnocchi and served with tomato confit and a red wine demi-glace is utterly divine. Other favorites include the Tomato Artichoke Canoli, made with house-made pasta, goat cheese, tomato confit, artichoke hearts and marjoram, not to mention the Grilled Trout Amandine with muniere butter, toasted almonds and fresh green beans. If you adore fresh seafood, you can bet The Cookhouse serves up some of the freshest gulf oysters and shrimp from here to the coast. The New Orleans Barbecue Shrimp is served in a pool of savory spicy garlic butter and beer sauce (a secret recipe!) and charred French bread that is ideal for dunking. So addictively delicious, you may find yourself wanting to drink it. It's okay, nobody's looking!

For a moment of pure bliss, well, head to Bliss. Owned and operated by one of San Antonio's greatest chefs, Bliss is a delight in every form of the word. A perfect option for a romantic date, friendly gathering or family celebration. Located in Southtown, the ambiance is relaxed yet elegant and the service is some of the best you'll find in town. The seasonal menu consists of contemporary American cuisine, from hearty, perfectly-seasoned dishes such as pork shank to more delicate fare such as seared scallops. Their charcuterie, made with premium meats and artisanal cheeses is a must as a starter, and you can't go wrong with dessert here either. Wine aficionados will appreciate their award-winning wine list.

Fondue saw its heyday in the 70s, but The Melting Pot has not only revived all that is delightful about fondue but has brought it into the future with modern flavors and ingredients. Everything is on point from the friendly service to the flirty cocktails. However, the best part about a night out at The Melting pot is the interactivity. It's fun and makes for a whole night of entertainment. You dip your own bread in hot gooey cheese and you cook your own meat, from filet mignon to lobster tail. You get to choose the cheese fondue as well as the entree fondue, salad course and chocolate fondue for dessert. If you're looking to get cozy with your date and really get to know them in an intimate fine dining atmosphere, then make your reservations now. Especially on Valentine's day, this is the place to woo and get wooed!