Have you noticed it too?  The chill in the air, the way the walkways are sheer-ice, and the sharp increase in couples holding hands on their way to class. Yes, cuffing season is in full effect here in Biddeford, Maine. Don’t be that person who hits up DeScary for double-portions in the maroon plate line or the Forum for a burrito with bae every weekend — sometimes you need a night out on the town that says “I love you like a fat kid loves cake”. Whether you’re looking for a spot to take your crush (once you finally work up the courage to ask them out) or a place to fan that long-lasting ever-burning flame that is your relationship — I’ve got you covered.

Los Tapatios — Biddeford, ME

• Reservations: Not needed
• Hours: 11a-10p
• Address: 11 Adams St
• Phone Number: (207) 602-6284

Los Taps is hands down one of my favorite spots in the area. If you love good Mexican food and are ballin’ on a budget, this place is for you. Located in the basement of a building across the street from the court-house, this place is the best kept secret on campus. The chips and salsa are worth the trip alone, but the best thing on the menu is the Pollo Fundito. It’s grilled chicken that has been drowned in this gooey-creamy cheese sauce with beans, rice and warm tortillas that puts you in heaven. To top it off they have fried ice cream that basically a giant ball of vanilla bean ice cream that has a fried Cinnamon Toast Crunch shell for dessert — which is a must have. For the 21+ crowd: the beer is cold and tall and inexpensive. Check out their full menu here.

One Dock Prime — Kennebunkport, ME

• Reservations: Recommended
• Hours: 5p-9:30p
• Address: 1 Dock Square
• Phone Number: (207) 967-2621

Looking to spend a night out on the town with Kennebunkport’s “elite”? Look no further than One Dock Prime! Located in the historic and well-maintained Kennebunkport Inn at the epicenter of Kennebunkport’s thriving town center, this steakhouse is serving up something juicy every night! If you aren’t in the mood for steak they also have things like Swordfish, Salmon, and a Cauliflower Steak for you vegans out there. You can check out the full menu here. Thursday night they have some live entertainment, but if you don’t want to feel like you’re turning up at your parent’s holiday party I’d avoid it.

Ocean at the Cape Arundel Inn — Kennebunkport, ME

• Reservations: Required, especially for weekends
• Hours: Call for hours
• Address: 208 Ocean Avenue
• Phone Number: (207) 967-2125

This place is only for the heavy-hitters, the people who are really celebrating something big or have been dating forever. Ocean is easily the most up-scale restaurant on this list but worth dressing up and spending a little extra scratch because this place is the real deal. Chef Pierre Gignac is one of, if not the premier chef in the area and has a wonderful and committed staff at his disposal that make every meal special. He is known for his Lobster Thermidor which is a starter but the Sea Scallops are pretty mean too. For an entrée I always go with Swordfish but if you are looking to expand your horizons check out the Rabbit Trio (which is exactly what it sounds like). Unfortunately they are closed right now but they should be opening back up in a few weeks so circle your calendar and stare at their menu until they are open again.

Taco Escobarr — Portland, ME

• Reservations: No accepted
• Hours: 11a-1a
• Address: 548 Congress Street
• Phone Number: (207) 541-9097

You can probably tell by now I’m partial to places where you can get a mean taco, and this place is the end-all be-all of tacos (at least as Maine goes). This would be the perfect place to go before or after a concert or pre-Old Porting. Located right on Congress Street, Taco Escobarr is your one-stop shop for tacos and margaritas. They have six or seven different fillings to go in three or four different shell options, I am partial to the Al Pastor filling with a puffy shell but I encourage you to blaze your own trail because all the fillings are amazing. The chips and salsa is second to none and the relaxed atmosphere makes this the perfect place to take a date that you want to impress but without looking like you’re over-doing it. Pro tip: they don’t have call-ahead seating or reservations so try to avoid the peak dinner hours if you want a table.

Eventide Oyster Company — Portland, ME

• Reservations: Recommended
• Hours: 11a-12a
• Address: 86 Middle Street
• Phone Number: (207) 774-8538

Eventide is a great spot to go in Portland that has a really nice atmosphere. It makes you feel like you’re in a much larger and more exciting place than Portland, Maine so any restaurant that can do that is a must go! Seafood is the specialty here, and it is only the freshest and highest quality that you could get. The menu changes almost daily because they only use what they can get their hands on that day but some can’t miss things that they always have are oysters on the half-shell and the fish sandwich. If you are stuck waiting for a table you can take a seat at the bar and enjoy one of the coolest atmospheres north of Boston.