Best Date Night Restaurants in Parlin

My wife and I don't make it out very often but having worked 15 years in the restaurant industry I cherish an incredible dining experience. TLDR: this was it. Lives up the hype. 10/10 would recommend. I don't only focus on the food, but the cocktail program, the servers menu knowledge, how the hostesses greet you, and the focus on ambiance and vibe as much as food. (As a side note, I'm not a snob, I just love this industry.) It's been a very long time since I've said this but I was blown away from start to finish. We showed up about 15 minutes early for our reservation, which for me is on time. At the time of our reservation, we were promptly sat. It took a few minutes to get the initial greeting, but I'll give a bit of leeway here because there wasn't an empty table in the establishment. Upon our servers intro, he grabbed us water and took our drink orders. My wife typically doesn't do cocktails , but the server had an answer for each question my wife had and she was pleasantly surprised by the La Granada Spritz. Not too sweet but still delicious. I did the Cantarito. I typically drink Pacifico, margaritas or tequila on the rocks but I was looking to have fun. Needless to say, I had two! As parents who don't get the chance to "date night" a lot, we knew we were going through all three courses. For apps, we did, street corn, Acapulco style ceviche and corn and roasted cherry tomato Gauc. Each with its own unique flavor profile, each delicious. For dinner we did steak and cheese tacos and barbacoa tacos. My barbacoa tacos were just the right amount of salty and tender. The server was kind enough to let me know the salsa arbol was spicy. Kudos to this call out as I love spicy but that's not everyone. For dessert we did tres leches and a Matador. I was leaning towards this cocktail but our server was quick to recommend it as well which made for an easy decision. The ambiance was fun, energetic and can't recommend this enough.

So, so, so good! Staff, food, ambience all 10/10! The bacon appetizer is beyond divine, the steaks and sides perfection! Run don’t walk to this gem of place!

Food was incredible. Our server was gem. I didn't get her name but she was so kind and attentive.

Hawksmoor can be a little frenetic and noisy at dinner — nothing wrong with that! And the bar area is always quieter. But for the main dining room, I prefer going for lunch. They have a $25 lunch special that includes their famous rump steak and a side, but I went for the $45 option. I got the beet salad in a yogurt dressing, which was delicious, and the rump steak with fries (chips) and side salad. The steak was nicely charred on the outside and pink in the middle — a tad salty, but still quite tasty. And of course I got the Hawksmoor Martini, with Ford's Gin, which was served ice cold with olives on the side. A hell of an accompaniment! The room is beautiful and the service was friendly and efficient. I'd recommend the company too, but I'm not sure my dining companion would want to go here with everyone who reads this.

The dinner was spectacular in every way. Hygge in New York! The atmosphere was cozy, congenial and filled with Christmas cheer. Flowers and soft candle light everywhere. The punterelle salad was perfectly dressed with ample anchovies, the sea bream en papillote was tender and infused with deep flavor. Add a perfectly balanced negroni sbagliatto to start and the evening was perfect.