Impress and Indulge: Halo Restaurant
The Morrison Hotel, Ormond Quay
Phone: 353 (1) 887 2400
Got a smokin' hot date? Then you might want to head down to this trendy hotel restaurant and bar where all the beautiful people hang out. Halo is in the Morrison Hotel, where a lot of touring bands stay when passing through town. The first thing you see when you walk into the bar is a huge, life-size poster of a young (and insanely sexy) Bob Dylan -- very rock 'n' roll indeed. The restaurant, however, has a broader appeal. The decor is very modern for Dublin, almost American (and I mean that in a good way), but the room is still warm and sexy. Halo is definitely a great date place, especially if you want to take your time and make an evening of your meal, which you will. Everything on the menu is to die for. Note: leave your low-carb diet at home. They do incredible things with potatoes.
Belfast
Isn't it Romantic: The Mitre Restaurant
Culloden Estate & Spa, Bangor Road, Holywood
Phone: 44 (0) 28 9042 1066
If ever there was a place for a man to get down on bended knee, this converted Bishop's palace and five-star hotel restaurant has got marriage proposal written all over it. Overlooking 12 acres of sprawling gardens and rolling hills, guests are treated to French-inspired cuisine and a resident pianist playing classic background music. The undeniably romantic atmosphere could explain why the Mitre boasts a lot of high-profile regulars, including Belfast's own Van Morrison. But don't even think about saying hello to the classic rock star -- he's notorious for being a grumpy son of a bitch...like 24/7. "Marvelous Night for a Moondance" my ass.
Keep Your Options Open: Piano Bar Restaurant
Europa Hotel, Great Victoria Street
Phone: 44 (0) 28 9027 1066
Dubbed the most bombed hotel in Ireland, the Europa is a political landmark. But it's also a great place to dine. Putting a modern spin on traditional Irish dishes, the Piano Bar Restaurant is a simple and elegant place to take a new love. And just think: if you hear sirens, you and your date could share a kiss under the table (Life is Beautiful-style) as you duck for cover and dodge flying shrapnel. And if things don't work out with your date (ladies), you can just wander into the bar area. There are always loads of lonely English suits sitting there downing a few after a day of high-power meetings. It's a win/win.