McKinney, Texas, enjoys a prime location with picturesque parks, tree-lined streets, and a charming historic downtown. With the right new vehicle, you’ll have all these delights at your fingertips for a special outing whenever you’re in the mood to escape. Set the perfect mood for a memorable excursion for two with a stop at one of these charming McKinney restaurants.
Rick’s Chophouse
The atmosphere at Rick’s Chophouse delivers plenty of romance and charm. Located in the historic Grand Hotel, this restaurant features leather-upholstered seating, cozy gas lamps, and a beautifully embossed tin ceiling. These distinctive elements create a sophisticated setting perfect for the refined menu and artfully prepared plates.
Start your dinner with gourmet appetizers, such as calamari, jumbo lump crab cakes, beef skewers, or escargot. For a special treat, you can indulge in raw, fried oysters or Rockefeller oysters. The entrees include many elegant choices, including chili-powdered seared salmon, pork tomahawk, black pepper-crusted elk, prime rib, buffalo tenderloin, and more. Order the porterhouse for two for a romantic treat, served with potato puree, sauteed mushrooms, and bone marrow compound butter.
Save room for dessert if you can. You’ll find a decadent selection that includes Texas pecan pie with whiskey chocolate sauce, rustic apple pie with bourbon ice cream, and warmed bread pudding with orange ice cream. If you prefer to share, get the Texas brownie and blondie sundae for two, complete with dark chocolate ice cream, cream cheese, dark chocolate mousse, and hot fudge.
Location: 107 N. Kentucky St., Suite 200, McKinney
Hours: 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Monday through Wednesday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Thursday and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday, and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Sunday
Mio Nonno
Mio Nonno delivers an artful combination of local ingredients and authentic Italian imports for a rich flavor that blends tradition and originality. The atmosphere combines rustic features, such as exposed brick walls, with contemporary highlights, such as colorful upholstery. Mio Nonno features a full bar, attentive staff, and beautifully plated cuisine to create the perfect date night.
The menu includes many flavorful Italian dishes, such as the Alla Crema, featuring fettuccine, roasted chicken, sun-dried tomatoes, mushrooms, and gorgonzola cream. The signature Nonno’s includes penne, shrimp, spinach, spicy calabrese pepper, tomato gorgonzola, and pecorino. If you enjoy seafood, you’ll swoon for the Zuppa Di Pesce, which includes salmon, shrimp, mussels, clams, calamari, and capellini pasta in spicy fumet broth. You can satisfy nearly any Italian craving with everything from lobster-stuffed ravioli to veal scaloppini and crispy fried eggplant parmigiana.
Location: 939 W. Stacy Road, Suite 160, Allen
Hours: 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Sunday
Zin Zen
The Zin Zen wine bistro features a snug atmosphere that feels a world away. You can curl up in plush living room seating, pull up a chair at the bar, or find a table in the cozy dining room. Live music adds to the ambiance, which begs you to settle in and stay awhile. This is an ideal destination when you want a leisurely evening out with your partner.
The menu includes over 80 wines from around the world. Zin Zen boasts that their selection can make anyone a wine lover thanks to the extensive range of flavors. Select a few shareable for an intimate evening of sampling fresh flavors. The menu includes a gourmet antipasto platter, house-made hummus, creamy spinach-artichoke dip, baked brie, and other delights. If you prefer a more complete meal, you’ll also find a variety of salads, sandwiches, and flatbreads, along with a small selection of desserts to complete your evening.
Location: 6841 Virginia Parkway, Suite 104, McKinney
Hours: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday to Thursday and 11 a.m. to midnight Friday and Saturday
Sugarbacon Proper Kitchen
Situated in Historic Downtown McKinney, Sugarbacon is a charming destination for a night out with someone special. Dine inside amid exposed brick walls, modern art, and plush booths, or snag a table on the spacious patio to enjoy the fresh air and warm Texas weather.
Sugarbacon isn’t just the restaurant’s name and the signature menu item. This crispy pork belly strip comes with cilantro, watermelon chutney, BBQ sauce, and serrano peppers. Other indulgent starters include fried green tomatoes, oysters on the half shell, and jumbo lump crab cakes. For your entree, you can order flavorful creations such as braised short ribs in red wine sauce, half an herb-roasted chicken, or grilled duck breast with whiskey butter. Sugarbacon also features an outstanding steak menu with a Wagyu filet, Wagyu New York strip, Wagyu ribeye, Wagyu tomahawk, or the dry-aged feature.
Location: 216 W. Virginia St., Suite 101, McKinney
Hours: 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Sunday
Pane Nostro
Pane Nostro delivers fine dining in a distinctly elegant atmosphere, complete with white tablecloths, expansive windows, modern light fixtures, and light, airy hues. You can start your meal with imported Italian charcuterie, fried calamari, mussels, and portobello fries. The elegant al dente pasta includes penne alla vodka, linguine pesto, traditional lasagna, or the chef’s daily risotto inspiration.
You’ll find delights among the meat and seafood entrees, such as lobster tail with lobster ravioli, grilled salmon, prime tenderloin, and rosemary-crusted lamb chops. For an extraordinary date night, order the prime porterhouse for two. Sophisticated sides such as parmesan risotto, sauteed broccolini, and roasted potatoes pull the whole meal together for an experience you won’t soon forget.
Location: 6675 Mediterranean Drive, Suite 3120, McKinney
Hours: 4:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, 4:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 4:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Sunday
What’s your favorite romantic restaurant in McKinney, Texas? Contact our team at Huffines Kia McKinney and let us know so we can keep our recommendations current and offer the best suggestions in town.