Sardine's Ristorante Italiano

This Fort Worth landmark earned its reputation for being Cowtown's romantic rendezvous because of its dark, cavernous backroom where the tables are lit by oil lamps and live jazz is performed nightly. If romance is on the menu, the inattentive wait service may not be noticed. Otherwise, you may want to take your oil lamp and mount a search party for drink refills. The food is good, but not great. The Italian sausage was grainy and thick-skinned. And the tiramisu, which our waiter topped with canned Redi-Whip at the bar, appeared to have been sliced from a frozen, boxed pie. But ambience and nostalgia can be a powerful force: Since the University of North Texas announced plans to raze Sardine's to build a parking lot, thousands have signed petitions to save it.

• Cuisine(s): Italian

  Hours: Sun 3pm-11:30pm, Mon-Thu 11am-2pm, Mon-Thu 5pm-11:30pm, Fri 11am-12:30am

  Price: $$

  Payment Types: All Major Credit Cards, cash

• Attire: Casual

  Features: Catering, Delivery, Order Online, Patio/Sidewalk Dining, Private Party, Smoking, Takeout, Vegetarian Friendly

  Serving: Dinner, Lunch

  Entertainment: Live Entertainment

• Reservations: Accepted, Recommended on Weekends

  Parking: Lot Available