Date Nights

Even though we live together, Josh and I love going on dates. Having something to look forward to, dressing up for each other and exploring new places in Raleigh never gets old. One of our favorite special occasion places is Cafe Luna in downtown Raleigh. I had to convince Josh to go there the first time - most Italian food comes with some serious cheese, so he was pretty hesitant, but once he tried it, he loved it!

 Color coordinated for our date!

Notice my red chest from walking around at the St. Patty's day parade all day! We actually got to sit outside behind the restaurant on a little patio and we were able to watch the crazy people who had been downtown drinking and celebrating all day - we could not believe how they were still going strong 7 hours later! I always order the same thing - I also always think I'm going to get something new, but this dish is SO good I can't resist! I forgot to take a picture, but it is:

"Fiocchi -  Fresh Pasta Stuffed with Four Italian Cheeses and Pear Saute in Cream with a Touch of Fresh Tomato"

So good!

Caught Josh looking happy and hungry

The next weekend, I surprised Josh with a date to Moonlight Pizza. My friend Cara had told me how good it was and I saw it on Groupon the next day, so I went ahead and bought it. It was the perfect place to go on a rainy Friday night. We ordered the Earth Wind and Fire pizza, which had roma tomatoes, grilled chicken, red onions, avocado and pepper jack cheese. 

Josh liked it!

After that, we went to Fox's Liquor Bar for a drink. I LOVE this place. It has such a good atmosphere, the drinks are amazing, and so far it hasn't been too crowded for us. We found a spot on a couch in the corner and started googling everything on the menu because we had no idea what some of the ingredients were. The drinks have crazy names and stuff I have never heard of in them, and they hand carve their ice into huge single cubes or tall spikes, depending on the glass.

My favorite is the Mexican Firing Squad and Josh likes the Champ, which has whiskey and mint

Check out all the ice packed into that cup!

 I wish I had better pictures from inside the bar, but it is SO dark. We have been there twice now and would probably go back every weekend if it wasn't so expensive. New favorite Raleigh bar!

This next place Brian took us to - so not exactly a date. But we thought it was so good we went back yesterday for a little date night dinner. I had heard of this place called Calavera that served only empanadas but didn't know where it was - it is awesome! It is a tiny little building with seating upstairs that overlooks the street - it is right across from El Rodeo downtown. The menu is small and simple - I love places like that. I feel like when a place really specializes in something, it's going to be pretty good.

My favorite was the Havana Jerk - spicy pork with mango habenero salsa! We also got cilantro jalapeno margaritas - worth going there just for those!

Brian hiding behind some flowers

One little thing we do is write notes back and forth to each other. I saw this idea on Pinterest and just thought it was so easy, I had to do it. I put a piece of notebook paper in a clear plastic frame and put it next to our bed with a dry erase marker. We write notes directly on the frame and leave them for the other one to find. We have opposite schedules a lot of days, so it is nice to come home to a sweet note!

Usually when we go out on a little date night that is all we do - go out and come home afterwards and just chill out. Going out to these little places makes our date nights feel special though, even if we do just come right back home and put on our pjs!