I'm not from B'ham (I lived in Houston for 15 years before coming over here), but Shula's is supposed to be very nice. I think there's a couple of good places around 5 Points, too.
I can personally recommend Botega, in Highlands area, and also Highlands Restaurant, to really impress. Silvertron Cafe, in the Crestwood area, is also excellent.
You could also take that special someone to Milo's, and stop by the package sto' on the way to the hiz-ouse.
Sol Y Luna - upscale Mexican - it's really good. The menu is setup with tapas. These are small portions and you order about 4 for a party of 2. They bring an extra plate for each person and you share off of the tapas
Los Angeles - fusion - combo of cuban, caribean, and latin foods. I haven't been, but have friends that have. It's supposed to be really good.
All 3 of these are in the Lakeview area. This is the area along 7th Av S just one block from St. Vincents Hospital
Shula's (as others have recommended) is at the Winfrey hotel which is part of the Galleria. My wife took me there for my birthday and it was very good. As an additional note about Shula's: In the lobby is (or was when I was there) the original oil painting for Danny Moore's print "Comeback".
Flemings - located at the Summit is an upscale steakhouse chain similar to Shula's
IMHO, both Shula's and Flemings are better than Ruth's Chris
A small Italian place on Rocky Ridge road (Hoover,Vestavia area) called Leonardo's is pretty good and has a nice atmosphere. Brio's is an upscale Italian chain at Brookwood mall.
Botega and Highlands are both very good.
On Southside, there is a nice, upscale seafood restaurants called Oceans.
In Crestline, Mauby's is a local, very nice upscale place.
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Ali Baba's in Hoover, at the intersection of Hwy 31 and I459, just north of the Galleria. Excellent Persian cuisine, decent wine list, turkish coffee, middling price range and on thursday nights....belly dancing!
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