A NOTE TO OUR READERS:
"Our Favorite Romantic Restaurants" is from the February 2004 issue of Southern Living. Because prices, dates, and other specifics are subject to change, please check all information to make sure it's still current before making your travel plans.

Nothing quickens the heart quite like an intimate setting, the warm glow of candlelight, and sumptuous cuisine. For those pining for that perfect fusion of flavor and ambience, our writers have chosen their favorite restaurants. Whether you're looking for a quiet atmosphere tucked away from the city or the bold surroundings of an urban hot spot, these establishments are sure to charm. Whatever your palate and passion, we hope that among our choices you'll find just the place to savor a memorable evening with someone special and ignite a new--or old--flame. Melanie Parker

Standard Bistro, Birmingham
On a crisp winter's evening, the stars blink brightly upon this escape from the city. Less than 15 miles from downtown, the Standard Bistro, in the community of Mt. Laurel, offers a menu blending Southern cooking and French cuisine. Best table: Call ahead to reserve a table in the wine room, their private dining area. Don't miss: Any items that incorporate produce grown in the Mt. Laurel Organic Gardens are a must. As an entrée, try the Duck Two Ways ($23.50), which is seared and braised with sweet potato hash browns, wilted greens, bourbon, and molasses. Must-have dessert: Finish with the Sticky Toffee Bread Pudding With Almond Crunch ($7.25). 3 Mt. Laurel Avenue; (205) 995-0512. Tanner C. Latham

above, left: Standard Bistro's grouper over lentils. above, right: The Inn at Easton's tomato-and-goat cheese tart.

The Inn at Easton, Easton, Maryland
This cozy restaurant, located on the first floor of a hip yet historic inn, marries the best of Maryland's Eastern Shore with the flavors of Australia. (Chef Andrew Evans met his wife, Liz, while working in the Land Down Under.) Best table: Sit in the secluded bay window alcove, or reserve The Jewel Box, the inn's private dining room. Don't miss: The fried oysters appetizer ($12) showcases a local delicacy. They are coated with polenta and lightly fried, then returned to the half shell with a bed of Swiss chard and a drizzle of spicy butter sauce. For an entrée, try the slow-cooked lamb ($29), which is crusted with a Dijon-herb rub and served with creamed spinach, potato galette, and a Pinot sauce. End with Australian cheeses ($13) and a toast from the impressive list of boutique Aussie wines. 28 South Harrison Street; (410) 822-4910. Cassandra M. Vanhooser

Cypress Lowcountry Grille, Charleston, South Carolina
Location matters, and Cypress takes full advantage of its prime spot on the corner of East Bay and Queen Streets in the heart of Charleston. As the name suggests, Lowcountry cuisine gets highbrow here. Big picture windows; dramatic lighting (which changes colors); and high-back, upholstered chairs make for quite a treat. Check out their wall of wine (4,500 bottles, 30 feet wide x 25 feet high). Best table: Try those in the corner, by the windows, and to the left of the entrance. Don't miss: The tableside preparation of a Caesar salad is the perfect start to a romantic dinner. Entrées range from $17 to $34. Bar: With a tremendous selection of wines from all over the world, consider some you've never had. 167 East Bay Street; (843) 727-0111. Mark G. Stith