Making Valentine’s Day plans can be daunting when there are so many restaurants to choose from. We are weighted with anxiety to try and do something creative that is not the typical dinner and a movie. But what is wrong with a nice meal spent with your person? Stop putting so much pressure on making the day an epic love fest, and simply remember to take the time at dinner to celebrate your relationship.

Going out for dinner does not have to be cliche if you do it the right way. Pick a restaurant that matches both of your food preferences with a chef-driven restaurant that is preparing a special menu for Valentine’s Day, do not skip a beverage pairing or a nice bottle of wine, and remember to talk to each other.

Here are a few options for a nice Valentine’s Day meal with your person:

• Stoke, in Uptown. A three-course menu for $40 per person, tax and gratuity not included.  Standouts include tagliatelle with braised lamb and a 63-degree egg, flank steak with Brussels sprouts and mustard vin, and the doughnut holes with diplomat cream. Stoke’s daily menu will also be available for Valentine’s Day.
• Chef Paul Verica, of The Stanley in Elizabeth, will provide a five-course tasting menu for $85 per person. Beverage pairing is offered for an additional $45 per person. Both prices do not include tax or gratuity.
• Enjoy comfort food and a cozy environment at 300 East, serving a three-course meal for $55 per person, tax and gratuity not included. Pro-tip: choose the pork rillettes, mushroom ravioli, and an apple, pear, and rum raisin brioche for your meal.
• Chef Mike Knoll and mixologist Amanda Britton have teamed up at Bardo and created a four-course dinner with wine and cocktail pairings. Tickets are $240 per couple and include tax and gratuity in price. Three seatings are offered for the night.
• Netflix and chill is a great option since Valentine’s Day falls in the middle of the week. Order Thai Thai Takeout and binge watch the show(s) you are behind on as a couple.
• Avoid the hectic experience of Valentine’s Day and celebrate the holiday on Sunday, February 10th at Meat & Potatoes. A five-course innovative meal by five Charlotte chefs creating dishes using no prime cuts of meat proving that Charlotte is more than just a meat and potatoes town. This is for adventurous couples, nothing is off-limits. Tickets are $95 per person or $140 per person for the beverage pairing. —Justin Burke-Samson