An Illinois restaurant was just named among the most romantic in America.

We're past the New Year and the holidays; if you're coupled, now is the time to start thinking about Valentine's Day.

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I'll be honest: this restaurant is just so darn good; it's perfect for friends and family, too.

That said, it is an excellent spot for a romantic dinner.

Tommy O. via Yelp
Tommy O. via Yelp
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Erika P. via Yelp
Erika P. via Yelp
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An Ambiance That Sets the Mood

The mood, the lighting, the ambiance, and the food—my goodness, the food is top-notch.

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I have difficulty disagreeing with The Infatuation because it's the absolute truth.

Dining That is Considered "Sexy"

Nestled between two New York restaurants on The Infatuation's list of the 9 Most Romantic Restaurants in America sits Bavette's, and they loved the place so much they numbered the reasons why:

One, it’s the only dining room we’ll describe as “sexy” unironically—dark and windowless, with red leather booths, 1920s jazz, and suave servers.

Yelp
Yelp
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Two, the bone-in ribeye is the best in the city, and sharing a piece of juicy red meat is inherently romantic.

Erika P. via Yelp2
Erika P. via Yelp2
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Three, there’s some special magic in the way the flickering candlelight shines on their collection of ornately framed paintings, rustic mirrors, and a “free wine daily” sign.

Yelp
Yelp
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And when curiosity about that sign is rewarded with a complimentary glass of red or white, it’s easy to buy into all of Bavette’s charm before even having a bite.

 

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When I went there for dinner with my wife a few years ago, I had no idea they were handing out wine if you asked about the sign.

Clare C. via Yelp
Clare C. via Yelp
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Visit Bavette's: A Culinary Destination

Looks like I just found a reason to go back. Bavette's is located at 218 West Kinzie Street in Chicago.

This is a beloved and definitively romantic restaurant, but it's far from a chain. See the 50 most popular chain restaurants in America below.

50 Most Popular Chain Restaurants in America

YouGov investigated the most popular dining brands in the country, and Stacker compiled the list to give readers context on the findings. Read on to look through America's vast and divergent variety of restaurants—maybe you'll even find a favorite or two.

Gallery Credit: Paul Feinstein

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