February 8, 2008 -- By Kerri Buckley

Portland, the City of Roses, will turn into the City of Roses, Chocolate and Dining this February 14. And where should you go in town for a romantic, candlelit dinner? Making the choice could be difficult. Portland's dining scene holds its own with larger cities and has its own eclectic style that others try to emulate.

According to chefs and others in the business, the ten most romantic restaurants in and near Portland are listed below. Each is sure to serve amazing fare on the "Day for Lovers." Of course, all require reservations.

Ride to the top of the US Bank Building at SW 5th and Burnside and you'll be greeted with the most dazzling cityscape beneath these stars. Portland City Grill starts our list, and rightly so. Their food is excellent, the views unsurpassed and the atmosphere caps the whole experience.

Chef Michael Fry talked about Valentine's Day, adding "If a couple gets a window seat, it's as if there is no one else in the room - just the two of you and the lights of the city."

Portland City Grill has a huge gala planned for February 14: "Valentine's in the Sky," a dinner with a violin concert performed by Aaron Meyer. Dinner begins at 7:00pm, music at 8:00pm. Chef Fry also recommends Genoa, Bluehour and The Stephanie Inn in Cannon Beach (see below) for amorous evenings.

Perhaps no romantic dinner in film is more perfect than the one in Lady and the Tramp. The human equivalent to that experience would be had at Genoa, which, according to Executive Chef Jeff Sprague, "is a place only for special occasions - lots of people propose here. We make sure the food and atmosphere are part of an evening that people will remember forever."

His Valentine's Day menu includes oysters, pomegranates and Hawaiian fish. An incredibly cozy ambiance (less than 20 tables), spectacular service and food fashioned into art, leaning toward Italian fusion, keeps Portland lovers coming back for more. "We have a prix fixe menu - it includes everything," Sprague explains of the three-, five- and seven-course options. "Our dinners are meant to be shared." And what could be more intimate than that?

Carlyle is another hotspot for proposals. General Manager Michael Mickow says, "Carlyle is romantic because it's very sexy. Its atmosphere - the mahogany, cherry woods, low-lighting, our food (American-French with a twist) - it all adds up to a very sexy restaurant. We at Carlyle are very passionate about what we do." Chef de Cuisine Patrick Schultz is planning a special prix fixe menu for Valentine's Day.

Voted most romantic hotel in Portland, The Vintage Hotel is adjacent to Pazzo Ristorante. Assistant Manager Lemmy Cooper noted of their reputation, "It starts with the service - very intimate service. Candles all around the dining room, it's small, quiet, dark. For five years we've run a Game of Love Special on Valentine's Day, a five-course dinner featuring local game meats - roasted duck or boar, for example. With dessert, couples receive a small bottle of Brachetto - pink sparkling dessert wine. We add many special touches; our dining and service is very 'old school.'"

Cooper's favorite romantic restaurant, next to Pazzo? "sel gris is one of them," he confided.

Indeed, sel gris is definitely turning heads. Newest on the list, this SE Hawthorne establishment features delicate flavors and inspired combinations from Executive Chef Daniel Mondok, a three-time winner of Portland's Iron Chef Award, and Pastry Chef Steven Smith.

Sous Chef Michael Murray explains why this tiny place is so alluring: "sel gris is known for creating food from the heart and from the hip. Valentine's Day will have two seatings, a very special menu, an aphrodisiac, really, using foie gras for each course in a unique way - even in the ice cream, which has bacon," he said, laughing. "Dinner is truly a show at sel gris." Named for the gray, mineral-rich salt found off the northern coasts of Europe, this newbie - "with the setting, design, the colors - is an amazing experience for two people."

Seven years ago, Bluehour garnered all the trendy buzz, and still continues to live up to its fine caliber, earning five roses for jazz, food and ambiance. Chef Kenny Giambalvo is planning a special Valentine's Day for couples at this modern Pearl restaurant.

Finally, mention romance and Portland and you absolutely have to include the Heathman Restaurant with its cozy fireside dining. Bar Manager Dustin Dickson says this restaurant is so romantic because of " atmosphere, our diversity and eclectic menu," adding, "Our drinks are amazing; we're hand-picking vodkas, gins and other liquors to create hand-crafted drinks you can't get anywhere else."

Sous Chef Philip Oswalt said of Executive Chef Philippe Boulot's Valentine's Day offerings: "There will be a limited menu, truffles, chocolate and a whole lot of love!"

Oh! But if you're lucky enough to get out of town for a long weekend, there are nearby spots that make the perfect romantic destination. The Joel Palmer House in Yamhill County, in Willamette Valley Wine Country, is known for an intimate atmosphere, wild mushrooms, truffles and wine. Written up by numerous national publications, chef and owner Jack Czarnecki explained their enigma: "Joel Palmer House was built in 1857, seats 42, has three separate dining rooms... The food is excellent, wine selection endless, the rustic experience reminds one of the rural wine regions in both France and Italy."

Bonneville Hot Springs Resort also offers truly unforgettable dining in its Pacific Crest Restaurant and has a resort package so couples can indulge in mineral baths and massages.

And it's hard to surpass Stephanie Inn in Cannon Beach, as Portland City Grill Chef Fry recommended earlier. An hour and a half from Portland, the oceanside resort has the edge on the coast in the romance department. Executive Chef Crystal Corbin and Sous Chef Aaron Bedard devote themselves to impressing guests every day at Stephanie Inn, and Valentine's Day tops their list.

So that all goes well for you and your honey on this special day, don't forget flowers, chocolates (head to Alma, Moonstruck or Cacao), espresso and that romantic walk after dinner.