El Paso has a diverse culinary scene and a range of excellent casual dining options. However, if you’re looking for a romantic night on the town, or want to explore El Paso’s fine dining scene, there is no shortage of options. Here are three of El Paso’s upscale restaurants for your next date night.
Café Central
Café Central is one of El Paso’s beloved romantic dining options. The restaurant originally opened its doors in 1918 over the Mexican border in Juarez. After a series of moves, Café Central settled in El Paso.
The menu focuses on local, fresh ingredients and pays homage to the history and flavors of the Southwest. The chefs work to present dishes in creative ways, which has paid off. Café Central has received four James Beard Foundation Award nominations, and local patrons can’t get enough of the place. The menu changes, but look for interesting dishes like cream of green chile soup or roasted rack of Colorado lamb.
There is a nice outdoor terrace, extensive wine list, and Café Central hosts live jazz on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights.
Anson 11
Anson 11 is an interesting restaurant that opened its doors inside the beautifully renovated Mills Building in El Paso. Initially, the downstairs offered a bistro and bar menu. With the addition of the second-floor fine-dining space, Anson 11 is more popular than ever.
The menus are separate, and you’ll want to make a reservation for upstairs if you want to experience the fine dining option. There is a lounge area with a piano in the main dining area that is flanked by two private rooms — the Garden room and La Cava chef’s table. The garden room features white doves along foliage, and La Cava is a wine vault.
Order a la carte or request a special chef’s tasting menu of either five or seven courses, both of which include a tailored wine pairing for each course. Don’t miss starter items like seared foie gras and main courses like Boar Osso Bucco.
Mesa Street Grill
Mesa Street Grill’s original concept was not a high-end one, but after some introspection, the team reinvented themselves and now offers a more elegant menu and sophisticated decor. They also have an impressive wine list, winning Wine Spectator’s Award of Excellence 13 years in a row.
The driving force behind the restaurant, Annette Means, passed away in 2009. A lifelong resident of El Paso, she was a beloved member of the community, and the team works hard to carry on the restaurant in the way she envisioned.
Try innovative starters like the jala-mari, which is calamari and jalapeno strips, roasted cashews, crispy rice noodles with citrus aioli and creamy avocado poblano, and classic meat dishes like the Prime Delmonico Rib-Eye.
El Paso is known for its Mexican cuisine, especially with its proximity to the border. However, if you’re looking for a change of pace or want a more upscale dining spot for a romantic night out, these are three of the best options you’ll find in town.
Photo by Hadley Paul Garland | Licensed by CC BY-SA 2.0
Connect with us
