10 GREAT PLACES FOR ROMANCE

Yeah, DTLA Valentine's Day is almost here. Except with gas prices and Covid Scrooge; you might not be leaning towards that fancy dinner coupled with parking, candy and flowers. But that should be no reason to give up on love and romance, especially when there are so many great places for romance in the city. Here's a list of 10 Great Dates plus Added Romance.

Grand Central Market

In the beginning…God created Downtown…a then, Homer Laughlin Sr., a former Civil War veteran turned dinnerware mogul, bought the land in 1896 and commissioned architect John Parkinson of Union Station and City Hall fame to build the six-story structure on the site. What began as an apartment store has since filled with dozens of delicious food vendors, some of which cater to long lines and die-hard fans all year long.

Everything about GCM screams "bring a date" as the two of you explore the enormous farmers market's variety of savory food and beverages. From pasta to deli sandwiches, you'll find it all at GCM.

For added romance, we suggest visiting the Oyster Man at The Oyster Gourmet. If your date is vegan, they'll be no messing around when it comes to what they will and will not eat.

Trouble is finding a great vegan restaurant in downtown LA with the class and style to impress any date is not always easy. Romantic dinners must come with ambiance. When Downtown thinks of romance and vegans, we think of Au Lac on Bunker Hill.

Au Lac is everything we love about being vegan. Nutritional meals without sacrificing taste. Chef Ito is known for dishes as delicious as they are beneficial effect on your health.

The Oyster Gourmet serves freshly shucked oysters, ahi, scallops, and select wines inside a handcrafted wooden kiosk. When the Oysterman is around, the canvas flaps of the kiosk open as high as the ceiling. When entering or exiting on Hill Street, it's hard to miss.

As the zany neon display illuminates your fresh shucked pearly love gems, take the time to let your date know you've planned a surprise… then escort them across the road to Angel's Flight for added romance you can only find in the movies. There are other fish in the sea, and you can find them here in the genius behind Au Lac's crispy calamari mushroom rings; such a complete substitute in flavor and texture you'll be hooked.

For added romance, we suggest a short walk north to the Music Center.

That's right, you've acquired two front row seats at the Ahmanson Theater at 8, but first, a skip through the water fields and a quick glance at the lights of City Hall from the Music Center Promenade.

CryptoCom Arena / LA Live

The most expensive naming rights deal in sports history is rumored to have been made right here Downtown at Crypto.com Arena.

Although the Staples Center name is gone, love is still very much in the air at the CryptoCom Arena /LA LIVE entertainment site.

What could be more romantic than watching your team win? … but careful they don't lose the game; it could ruin the mood.

For added romance, make a pack with your date. Let your date know that if their team wins, there will be a night of celebration at the LA LIVE restaurant-bar of their choice. If their team loses, they'll be a short walk of shame for eye-opening coffee.