Want a romantic night out on the town?  A fine Italian food restaurant is a safe bet.  Italian food has always been romantic and here are some tips to picking a great restaurant.

It’s important to pick a place that serves authentic Italian food; otherwise your date will come off looking like a cheap imitation of the real thing.  How do you know what’s authentic?  Simply look at the menu; if you understand it, it’s not authentic enough.  You’re looking for more Italian food than just spaghetti and pizza.  You might also want to talk to some people who work at the restaurant.  When I’m looking for an authentic Italian food experience I definitely want the people behind the food to know more Italian than English.  If everyone there seems too American you can bet the food is going to be more American-Italian than authentic Italian food.

Once you find a place with a good menu the next step is to learn to understand it.  You won’t make a good impression on your date if you order something and are then shocked to find out what it is when it gets to the table.  Decide beforehand what you’re going to order and learn how to properly say it in Italian.  Then, find out what Italian food your date likes and pick out some recommendations from the menu beforehand and learn how to say them.  When it comes time to order and you’re reading off your selection from the menu like an Italian food connoisseur you’ll really impress your date.

Now, Italian food isn’t Italian without a good wine to go with it.  Any respectable Italian food establishment should have a nice selection of wine.  This is a must for your romantic date.  Research what wine will go best will the Italian food you’re ordering.  Don’t be scared to ask the server, that’s what they’re there for.  However, also be aware that they know it’s easy to rack up your check with expensive wine.  Italian food was meant to be enjoyed with wine, so do take some time to make sure you’re getting a good wine for both the food and you’re budget.

Now that the Italian food and wine are squared away, the next thing to look for in a restaurant is ambience.  There are really two ways to go on this one.  The first is with a more traditional fine dining restaurant with dimmed lighting and maybe some romantic music in the background.  This is an excellent choice.  However, sometimes the most authentic Italian food can be found at small family owned restaurants with more of a home feeling about them.  This can be equally as romantic as long as the restaurant isn’t loud.  There you can enjoy not only good Italian food, but it will also be a memorable experience for your date.  If the restaurant doesn’t have candles or a flower on the table you may be able to add that romantic touch by asking if you can bring your own candle and rose to decorate the table.  Your date will be really impressed with your initiative when your table is distinctly nicer than the others.

Following these steps will lead to an excellent Italian food experience for you and your date.  Find the right restaurant and you’re sure to have a romantic evening eating fine Italian food.