Love is always in the air at Amour Amour Wine Bar in San Mateo. That doesn’t just mean that this is a great spot for a romantic evening (though there’s no question that it is a great choice for a date night); it’s also a reference to the fact that passion is what drives owner and operator Simone Nguyen in every decision he makes for the restaurant.

Nguyen sources premium wine, beer, and coffee for Amour Amout, as well as imported meats and cheeses from France and Spain. Regulars say that this passion is evidence from the moment you enter the storefront. The small, intimate atmosphere, with just six tables and a bar, helps to bind everyone together, and the menu is dominated by shareable tapas-style plates, both hot and cold. Your server can best guide you in your selections, but Yelp reviewers particularly recommend the crostini sampler, Sauvignon prawns, and Kaffir lime beef.

CC-BY-SA-2.0/Flickr James E. Petts