Chez Nous is one of Austin’s most romantic date nights, yet it’s also casual and relaxed, the kind of place where you’re lulled into comfort, whether it’s your first date or your hundredth. Newer, hipper places try to emulate the genuine sweetness that comes from these lace curtains, fresh flowers in old French liquor bottles, Toulouse-Lautrec posters, and twinkly lighting.

The main selling point here is a $26.50 three-course prix-fixe, which consists of a choice of good house-made pâtés (the salmon can come a bit skunky) or salad (the Lyonnaise is outstanding); one of three mains; and for dessert, luxurious mousse au chocolat, crème caramel (consistently our favorite), or a brie plate. The kitchen handles fish skillfully and simply. Duck is another strength—rich, pink, and tender. Preparations are traditional; the menu keeps a blissful distance from fusion. Likewise, the all-French wine list is small but well edited, equally divided between economic, mid-range, and pricier bottles. Hard-to-find Belgian beers round out the selection.

There are only a few odd missteps: the bread is a little stale and the butter pats hard; escargots are sometimes chewy; and, most surprising of all for a quality French restaurant, cheeses on the cheese plate tend to be stiff and over-refrigerated. Such bumps are smoothed by the classy service of the French staff, which is also, as it happens, a formidable force in the city-wide soccer league.