Make it a date

A few suggestions for a splendid meal

Stacee Sledge

Sept 25, 2003 — Although we stepped out of the singles dating pool many years ago, my husband and I still enjoy the occasional date night. For us, it usually means dinner out and a movie rental from downtown's fabulous Film Is Truth.

I could easily list two-dozen area restaurants that make fine date destinations, but instead I'll focus on just a few recent favorites.

Nimbus

If you're looking for a special-occasion restaurant and have plenty of money to spend, you can't go wrong with Nimbus.

Floating above the city at the top of the Bellingham Towers, this lively eatery serves dishes as vibrant and memorable as its decor.

To start, split an appetizer of popovers, a somewhat average item made exquisite by the Nimbus kitchen with the inclusion of manchego cheese and fresh basil, dipped in honey and herb-flavored oils.

Entrées are always spectacular at Nimbus. From braised lamb shank with sage pesto and apple, sage and toasted walnut stuffing to tenderloin of beef stuffed with spinach and gorgonzola cheese, your date will find something worth savoring.

Date dinners

Nimbus  119 N. Commercial St., 14th floor  Phone: 676-1307  Hours: 3 p.m. to midnight, Monday through Wednesday; 3 p.m. to 2 a.m., Thursday through Saturday   The Cliff House  331 N. State St.  Phone: 734-8660  Hours: 5 to 10 p.m, daily   Temple Bar  306 W. Champion St.  Phone: 676-8660  Hours: 4 p.m. to midnight, Tuesday through Saturday   D'Anna's Café Italiano  1319 N. State St.  Phone: 714-0188  Hours: 4:30 to 9 p.m., Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday; 4:30 to 10 p.m., Friday and Saturday; 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Tuesday through Friday   La Piñata  1317 Commercial St.  Phone: 647-1101  Hours: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Sunday through Thursday; 11 a.m. to 1:30 a.m., Friday and Saturday   Swan Café  1220 N. Forest St.  Phone: 734-8158  Hours: 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily

The Cliff House

The Cliff House is another high-end eatery that offers a romantic setting but caters to a slightly older crowd. It replaces the contemporary flair of Nimbus with a more traditional waterside interior and stunning right-on-the-water sunset views.

Known for its pricey steak and seafood offerings, the Cliff House offers a king salmon fillet finished with sun-dried tomato butter or garlic tenderloin served with a savory garlic sauce.

For a less expensive date alternative, enjoy an early evening rendezvous in the bar, which offers the same ambience and spectacular sunset as the dining area proper. The appetizers at the Cliff House are as impressive as the entrées; don't miss the whiskey crab soup. Thick, creamy and tangy, this soup will get the attention of even the most demanding date.

Temple Bar

Want to impress for less? Temple Bar offers a romantic European setting at Bellingham prices.

A first date? Meet for a glass of wine and keep things short and simple. Conversation and music levels at Temple Bar can get a bit boisterous as the night stretches on, so you won't need to worry about awkward silences.

If things are going well, order a bottle and settle in for simple, upscale nibbles made onsite and mouth-watering desserts brought in from next door's Mount Bakery.

From open-faced crostini sandwiches and sumptuous cheeses to warmed pistachios and cold-smoked salmon topped salads, each Temple Bar offering is understated yet elegant, thanks to careful attention to quality ingredients.

And don't be nervous about ordering wine. Owner Liz Dean (the friendly blonde you'll see working the room) can expertly guide you to something suitable.

D'Anna's Café Italiano

D'Anna's Café Italiano is my favorite place to go when I want a nice meal out but don't want to spend a lot. With prices ranging from $9 and $14 per entrée, you can have a comforting Italian meal complete with D'Anna's signature fresh-baked Sicilian bread and house salad with Italian vinaigrette. Want to splurge? Seafood dishes run a few dollars more.

I usually order the spaghetti with meat sauce. Because all of the pasta is made fresh — spaghetti, linguini, fettuccine, spinach rigatoni and spinach fettuccini — the simple dishes really shine.

I've never had a D'Anna's dish that wasn't delicious, but most regulars will tell you to order D'Anna's' traditional handmade ravioli. Stuffings include chard, spinach, butternut squash and roasted red pepper.

As for dessert, look no further than the tiramisu, some of the best in the county.

La Piñata

For something a bit more casual, try a tasty repast at downtown's La Piñata, followed by karaoke in its next-door cantina.

The layout of the colorful Mexican restaurant offers privacy perfect for a romantic evening, its long, narrow main dining room holding a single line of tall-backed booths covered by a faux roof.

Portions are colossal and reasonably priced, the service quick and friendly.

On a recent visit, I enjoyed a combination entrée with one enchilada stuffed with beef and a crisp, flavorful chicken chimichanga. The sizeable platter arrived warm, the main course rounded out by rice and beans and a heaping garnish of lettuce, tomatoes, sour cream and guacamole.

The margaritas go down nicely at La Piñata, and might help loosen you up for your turn on the karaoke stage next door.

Swan Café

With the gorgeous views in Bellingham, you really can't go wrong packing a picnic to eat bayside. There are many area delis that can set you up handsomely with a creative, healthy meal to go, but I'm always drawn to the Swan Café in downtown's Community Food Co-Op.

The sizeable café offers everything you could possibly want for a romantic picnic for two. Grab a bottle of wine (don't forget the corkscrew), a variety of fine cheeses, a loaf of freshly baked bread and organic fruit for a highbrow affair.

If you want to keep it simpler, try the café's three salad plate. I eat lunch often at Swan Café, so I know the salads well. You can't go wrong with the sesame noodle, tempeh pasta or turkey basil asiago salads. I'm also a fan of the falafel nuggets, which are just as tasty served cold as they are warmed up.

My favorite place to sit at the water's edge is Zuanich Point Park at Squalicum Harbor, which tends to be less busy than Boulevard and Marina parks.

Any of these eateries will delight your potential paramour. But when I took an informal poll of friends and coworkers, many also suggested Pepper Sisters, The Calumet, Boundary Bay Brewery & Bistro, Harborside Bistro, Le Chat Noir, Mannino's, Fino's and the Wild Garlic, just to name a few.

With so many wonderful options, it might be more difficult hit upon the right date than to find the right restaurant.