By Meridith Ford Goldman

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Confession time: I’m not very traditional when it comes to romantic dinners. I find eating an al pastor taco out of the back of a street truck as romantic as a four-course dinner at the most low-lit, high-end spot in town. But for those of you who’d like your valentine dinner to be more amorous than adventurous, here are some sexy spots that will make it easy for you and your honey to toast to amore.

La Pietra Cucina

1545 Peachtree St., Suite 100, Atlanta, 404-888-8709, www.lapietracucina.com

Does the deep red color of the upholstered walls at La Pietra Cucina put you in a valentine mood? If not, chef Bruce Loque’s freshly made pasta will, from bevette to bucatini. He wraps his all’ amatriciana around it, made in Roman style, with rich notes of tomato, red onion, pecorino Romano and the zesty flavor of his house-made guanciale. He gets downright sassy with a house-made calabrese sausage “dip” and fried olives with a peppy green tomato chutney. What’s in it for you? An Italian meal that’s possibly the most authentic in the area.

Au Rendez-Vous (not rated)

1328 Windsor Parkway N.E., Atlanta, 404-343-4983, www.aurendez-vous.com

The famous braised beef dish of boeuf bourguignon is a favorite at this odd little Lynwood Park bistro, where chef-owner Kiet Jean-Claude Changivy makes a mean version of this French classic. Born in Vietnam, Changivy’s Asian roots and classic French culinary training make for an intense interpretation of other classics like cassoulet and escargots, too. Patio tables and chairs, as well as a meager wine list, make for strange romantic bedfellows, but truth be told, this little bistro is one of the sexier spots in the city.

Tierra

1425 Piedmont Ave. N.E., Atlanta, 404-874-5951, www.tierrarestaurant.com

A love story in and of itself between husband-and-wife chef-owners Dan and Ticha Krinsky, Tierra embraces that immeasurable cross between gourmet and good. The diverse, pan-Latin menu of steamed mussels and the ever-loved pionono, as well as Ticha’s take on Salvadoran pupusas, are reason enough to fall in love with this Ansley Park favorite. But it is the restaurant’s tres leches, a wholesome layer of milk-drenched cake blanketed in a snow of fluffy white meringue, that will make you and your honey say “I do.” Blessings to Dan, who is recovering nicely from a kidney transplant last fall.

C&S Seafood and Oyster Bar

3240 Cobb Parkway, Atlanta, 770-272-0999, candsoysterbar.com

C&S Seafood and Oyster Bar is a brasserie-style restaurant that’s a little lower Manhattan and a little Boca Raton. Its brassy, lush-life look, plus a menu brimming with big-boy portions of raw oysters and cherrystone clams, classic champagne cocktails (like Pimms’ royale and the French 75) as well as a variety of fish from arctic char to rainbow trout flown in fresh daily make for lovin’ spoon- and forkfuls. All harken to the grandeur of the steak and fish houses of the early 20th century, and make for a grand evening out.

Livingston

659 Peachtree St. N.E., inside the Georgian Terrace Hotel, Atlanta, 404-897-1991, www.livingstonatlanta.com

Looking for a loving little nibble before heading to a show? Chef Gary Mennie’s bar menu at Livingston is just enough of a nosh to make you and your sweetie pie happy. It’s so easy to plop into one of the oversized, plush armchairs in the lounge and settle into a mini meal, especially when it’s highlighted by oysters on the half shell (aphrodisiac, anyone?), soft pillows of acorn squash ravioli and Kobe beef sliders on fluffy brioche buns, schmeared with a grain mustard and sweet Vidalia onion marmalade. Add a cocktail and the evening is ripe for romance.