Don't wait for Valentine's Day to take your special dining companion out for a romantic meal, because these Myrtle Beach area restaurants will inspire that lovin' feeling any day of the year.

MIDDLE: Myrtle Beach Romantic Restaurants

Aspen Grille - Smooth jazz, fresh local food, a sleek and cozy ambiance and candlelight. It's fine dining with luxurious hands-on touches from the chef/proprietor.

PierView Bar - Picture this: a third-story ocean view, a roaring fireplace, live music and a sofa to snuggle on. http://secondavenuepier.com/

Villa Romana - Italian restaurants ooze romance, and this is the best of that kind in the Myrtle Beach area. Bonuses: superior food and a strolling accordionist.

The Library Restaurant - Tableside cookery, impeccable service, linens, crystal and a lot of little touches that make you feel pampered. It was recently remodeled for a fresh and sultry new look.

NORTH: North Myrtle Beach/Little River/Longs/Conway Romantic Restaurants

The Brentwood Restaurant & Wine Bistro - French cuisine from a French chef in a big old mansion. It's uber-romantic. http://thebrentwoodrestaurant.com

Crady's Restaurant - The chic coziness of this small town Main Street restaurant is romantic and the chef crafts totally tasty dishes, but the real love affair is with any chocolate dessert that baker Barbara Whitley creates.

SeaBlue - I daresay this is THE most romantic restaurant in the entire Grand Strand area. It oozes sexiness, and the menu and wine list are premium. http://seablueonline.com/

SOUTH: Surfside Beach/Murrells Inlet/Pawleys Island/Georgetown Romantic Restaurants

Austin's Ocean One - Chef Bill Austin is known for his flawless presentations and lavishly wonderful flavors, and this is presented in a chic second-floor oceanfront restaurant where a friendly wine steward is in attendance. One Norris Dr., in the Litchfield Inn,

Bliss Restaurant - It's new and rustically romantic. This one is for nature lovers, including the freshly caught food aspect.

Frank's Restaurant - It's hard to say if Frank's Restaurant or its al fresco sister, Frank's Outback, is more romantic. Let's be bold and give the nod to both of them, and acknowledge their world-class creative American cuisine and impeccably stylish surroundings.

Who decides the lists? Becky Billingsley: an award-winning food and restaurant journalist who has been covering the Myrtle Beach area restaurant beat for local, regional and national publications for 15 years.

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List updated on April 9, 2012