Damian's

If you’re looking for "just-like-I-had-in-Florence" Italian cuisine, Damian’s is not the place. This elegant restaurant specializes in Italian-American—emphasis on the American—dishes created with premium veal chops, shrimp, chicken and lobster that are generally served over pasta with deliciously complex sauces. The low lighting and intimate atmosphere make this a good choice for romantic dinners and its location puts it near the downtown corporate set who flock here for expense account lunches. The wine list is strong and the service is first-class without being stuffy. After dinner, head down the street and hit the Midtown nightlife. Damian’s, like Sophia Loren, has just enough Americano in its presentation to make it accessible without diminishing its European flair.

Damian's has a private shuttle that will drop you off and pick you up at the Alley Theatre, Jones Hall, and the Wortham Center, with drop-off schedules perfectly calibrated to curtain times. It's way better than paying to park.