At The Whale Wins, you don’t need a dreamy view or candlelight to bring a romantic vibe. After all, you’re likely looking at Stone Way, which, let’s face it, isn’t that pretty. Regardless, I’ve recommended The Whale for date nights to everyone who asks. In the whitewashed interior, warmed by the glow of the wood-fired oven, I feel transported to a charming, small European town—in France, or maybe Ireland. The seasonal ingredients are expertly transformed into simple yet elegant dishes undoubtedly swaddled in some mind-blowing sauce. I don’t even care that the dishes are served, purposefully, lukewarm. Start with a small plate of cheese and marmalade; ooh and aah over a colorful, artfully plated seasonal vegetable dish; and dive into slender medallions of meat paired with more seasonal veggies and one of those sauces. It helps the romance that you’re sharing plates with your date, which is how The Whale intends it. If I were planning a European honeymoon, I’d hope a restaurant similar to The Whale would be on the agenda.