Best El Paso-area restaurants to grab romantic Valentine's Day lunch, dinner

Most Valentine's Day plans in El Paso include a special lunch or dinner to celebrate love and friendship.

Fortunately, El Pasoans have a lot of choices when it comes to celebrating a special occasion in all parts of the city, as well as Las Cruces. Many restaurants offer a first-come, first-served policy and only a few will require reservations.

We've gathered some of the best spots in El Paso and Las Cruces to have a romantic outing and a great meal, whether you're a steak or seafood lover.

Here's a sampling of some of the best spots to consider for Valentine's Day plans.

Anson 11

Address: 303 N Oregon St., Downtown El Paso.

The restaurant Anson 11 offers two unique dining experiences: the casual friendly Bistro on the first floor with additional patio seating and Upstairs restaurant with American cuisine.

The Bistro offers vegetarian, seafood, pasta and beef dishes. The 12-ounce Ribeye is an excellent choice with the super creamy loaded mashed potatoes. Add some sautéed onions and baby mushrooms to crown that tender steak.

Upstairs find iconic table-side preparations and family-style sides, including a shareable 32-ounce Bison Tomahawk, Lobster tail and lamb dishes.

Information: anson11.com

Cafe Central

Address: 109 N. Oregon St., Downtown El Paso.

Centered in Downtown, Cafe Central is one of the most upscale restaurants in El Paso, offering elegance and a varied dinner menu that includes lamb, duck and American Wagyu dishes.

It might be hard to reserve a table for Valentine's Day, but you can always have an earlier or later celebration the same week.

Information: www.cafecentral.com

Corralito Steakhouses, Weso Steakhouse

There are several Corralito locations: 5800 Doniphan Drive, 1160-A Airway Blvd., 2725 N. Mesa St. Suite 100, 1501 N. Zaragoza Road, and 1200 Futurity Drive, Sunland Park, New Mexico. Weso Steakhouse is at 601 N Mesa St. Suite 150.

A family franchise for more than 15 years along the borderland, Corralito Steakhouse is known for its high-quality steaks in both El Paso and Juárez. A favorite dish on the borderland is Tampiqueña, which pairs a juicy steak with a cheesy enchilada, refried beans and guacamole.

Billy Crews, Santa Teresa, New Mexico

Address: 1200 Country Club Road, Santa Teresa, New Mexico.

If you want to feel like you're getting away, make plans for dinner at Billy Crews, a long-time restaurant tucked in Santa Teresa. The tables are already set for a lovely dinner with red cloth napkins folded into wine glasses.

The restaurant has won top awards from Wine Enthusiast and Santé Magazine and has a varied menu, including custom-cut steaks, fresh seafood, prime rib, chicken, lamb and veal.

The restaurant wine cellar holds more than 3,200selections and more than 200 imported to choose from for a special romantic toast. The restaurant plans various wine tastings throughout the year.

Mesa Street Grill

Address: 3800 N. Mesa St.

On the West Side, make plans for a special Valentine's dinner at Mesa Street Grill, known for its great atmosphere, service and quality food.

Dinner options include Chilean Seabass, 14-ounce ribeyes, salmon and pasta dishes. You won't be disappointed with their collection if you're a wine connoisseur.

Information: www.mesastreetgrill.com.

D.H. Lescombes Winery & Bistro

Address: 1720 Avenida de Mesilla, Las Cruces, New Mexico.

If you have time to make a day of it, include D.H. Lescombes Winery & Bistro, at 1720 Avenida de Mesilla in Las Cruces, in your lunch or dinner plans.

The winery and restaurant offer great views, with many windows facing a gorgeous patio. It's a great place to celebrate love and friendship over wine and a nice meal. The menu offers a variety of dishes, from pasta and meatloaf to steaks and burgers.

Try a Heritage Flight for various wines, including Pinot Gris, Rose, and Cabernet Sauvignon.

More: Great American Steakhouse debuts revamped Northeast location

María Cortés González may be reached at 915-546-6150; mcortes@elpasotimes.com, @EPTMaria on Twitter; eptmariacg on TikTok.

This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Grab romantic Valentine's Day dinner at these El Paso-area restaurants