With Valentine’s Day right around the corner I thought you might like to see a list of the top 10 romantic restaurants compiled by Forbes Traveler. From New York to Chicago to Florida to the vineyards of California there’s something here for everyone, providing you live in one of these cities and can afford the tab. I have to wonder with the economy this year will restaurants see a decline in business? Or will people say “economy be damned” we’re still going out! Click on link at bottom of post to view the slideshow of these restaurants. The top 3 that appealed to me the most were River Cafe, NY, - Everest, Chicago – Etoile in Napa Valley. My husband and I decided NO gifts but we’ll still go out. What about you?
River Café, Brooklyn, N.Y.
A restaurant Gershwin might have used to inspire him to write “Rhapsody in Blue,” River Café’s view of the Manhattan cityscape and its rep for fine cuisine goes back to 1977.
Alex, Las Vegas, Nev.
Las Vegas at its most starry-eyed, very lavish, very grand, very romantic, and Chef Alessandro Stratta cooks in the same glamorous style of haute cuisine.
The English Grill, Louisville, Ky.
With its lovely wood-paneling and stained glass windows and a menu that reflects modern American and European cuisine with flair, the English Grill has for decades been the place to propose or to celebrate an anniversary.
Azul, Mandarin Oriental Hotel, Miami, Fla.
The blue-green water shimmers, the silver-yellow moonlight over Miami works its magic, and the food—a mix of Gulf Coast and Pan-Asian cuisine—is exquisitely executed and presented for maximum dazzle.
Terra-Encantado, Tesuque, N.M.
Even the thunderstorms here have a dramatic impact that makes dinner at this stunning new restaurant in the New Mexican desert an experience you’ll never forget with someone you love.
Everest, Chicago, Ill.
No city has a more romantic skyline than Chicago, and from Everest you get to see most of it, and the beautiful great lake too, all the while dining at the same level as the 40 stories up the top of the Chicago Stock Exchange.
Nana, Dallas, Texas
The lights of Dallas and the vast skies of Texas are the backdrop for some of the most creative and sumptuous cuisine in America, while the setting, with very fine Oriental antiques, has a shadowy, sexy appeal.
Etoile, Yountville, Calif.
For pure relaxing enchantment, Étoile, set within the vineyards at Domaine Chandon in the Napa Valley, is sought out by lovers of every kind, not least lovers of great wine.
Blue Hill at Stone Barns, Pocantico Hills, N.Y.
A Hudson Valley reverie of pastoral grandeur, set on a Rockefeller estate and farm, from which Chef Dan Barber culls most of his ingredients for modern American cuisine focusing on the seasons.
Restaurant Jean-Louis, Greenwich, Conn.
Highly personalized cuisine, service as deft as it is discreet, and the intimacy of a small dining room make Jean-Louis a natural for a lovers’ long evening of great food and wine.
Source: Forbes Traveler
Everest is nice if expensive. I would say the most romantic restaurant in Chicago is Gejas, a fondue rstaurant that has live flamenco music. http://www.gejascafe.com/
Flamenco has to be one of the most romantic dances to watch.
Talk about being in the moment.
I’d go to any of those restaurants listed, probably the English Grill appeals the most.
We’re going out to some dinner dance for Valentines Day, but the people organizing it decided it must be semi-formal, which I am not thrilled about…
Laoch – thanks for the recommendation and link!
Cilicious – sounds like you have a good night planned, have fun!
with the economey the way it is now a lot of restaurants in Canada have closed in our area, so we will just stay home and make Bar-B-Q pork back ribs with brocolli salad, one of our favourite foods…….it has worked for us in the past also when Our kids were small……and now after 49yrs……we are going to try it again………..
@ Mary Anne -Well to be married 49 years you must be doing something right! Happy Valentine’s Day to you.
I’ve never been to Etoile. It sounds lovely and not all that far away. Thanks for the tips!
We don’t usually go out on Valentine’s Day (too crowded, but go just before or after) to one of our favorite spots – Mattei’s Tavern in Los Olivos.
@Keli – I love Napa Valley, how lucky you are to be so close
We’re doing the same thing, going out before or after but not actually the 14th…way too crowded for our taste.