Romance / Romantic Restaurants

Our Favorite Restaurant Picks:

International:

Paris, France

LeJules Verne: What could beat eating at the top level of the Eiffel Tower in Paris, France? Well.......not much! Talk about Romantic and the view to die for! I must stress, this is NOT Romance at Reasonable rates -- but it IS worth the money for a once-in-a-lifetime experience!

This Fabulous Restaurant is called LeJules Verne; located in the southern pillar of the Eiffel Tower. A private elevator whisks you up 125 meters to the glorious restaurant of many private rooms - all glass enclosed for the ultimate view of Paris where ever you sit!

You MUST have reservations, and usually there is a 3-month wait, 6 - 9 months for a window seat - however, dressed in our wedding attire, the Maitre D could not say no! You are required to get a full dinner, priced at about $300 per person, US; or $140 Euros. There is a luncheon menu for $75 Euros. There are breathtaking views in a room decorated by Patrick Jouin. Service is chic and professional, and the food (French Contemporary Cuisine) is refined and handled by Chef Alain Ducasse; so you can be assured that each and every selection is superb!

Afterwards, you have a private viewing landing around the Tower that all diners have access to - so you can see all the areas of Paris at night.

Photos to come -- and Hello to our dining friends, Ben and Katy Peake of London - who joined us on the viewing landing for pictures, and for drinks up on the Champs - Elysees afterwards. What fun - absolutely Brilliant!

Cancun, Mexico

1) Harry's Prime Steak house & Raw Bar: Blvd. Kukulcan Km. 14.2, Zona Hotelera, CP 77500, Q. Roo, Mexico   Phone: (998) 840-6550        www.harrys.com.mx

I had a fabulous birthday dinner at Harry's on the Lagoon in the Hotel Zone of Cancun! The Manager Stefan and our waiter, Ricardo - were both so accommodating. The food -- we had the BEST steaks that we have ever tried - anywhere! They have a large selection of red meat, but we ordered  "the Happy Cow Colby Beef" which was Ricardo's recommendation - this cow was organically fed, massaged, listened to soothing music, and treated to all the best. Could it possibly make a difference? Absolutely - go figure!

Our oysters were fresh from Japan, we had several servings of hot fresh bread, and a surprise birthday cake and blue cotton candy surpise after-dessert. The soft lighting, cool, sexy South-beach style music, and table overlooking the lagoon, made for a very romantic, sexy dining experience. It was our best steak and seafood dinner in Cancun - and we highly recommend it!

2) La Habichuela Restaurant: Margaritas Street 25, downtown Cancun (884-3158); and in the Hotel Zone - Blvd. Kukkulcan.     Phone: 840-6240        www.labichuela.com

We went to the downtown restaurant after shopping in the Kiwi market. They have both indoor and outdoor seating, with the outdoor courtyard romantically decorated in white tea lights throughout the trees. There for 33 years, it was recommended to us from one of the popular locals named Victor.

We had two waiters at tableside - Victor and Ascension. I started with the cold Avocado soup and Jim had the tomato hot soup. Then we split the favorite of the house - a hard coconut shell with a brown curry sauce with lobster, crab. white fish, bananas, pineapples and other delectable’s mixed in. For desert we had a Mexican coffee and flaming banana and chocolate crepes. Thank you to Santiago, the Manager, for being such a gracious host! What an incredible meal - this was our favorite, most romantic Mexican gourmet restaurant in Cancun - a must!

 "The Green Bean" restaurant also opened in the Hotel Zone, but we did not see that one, although it is situated overlooking the lagoon. I'm sure it is as good as the original - featuring Caribbean seasfood and Mexican specialities!

3) Lorenzillo's Live Lobster House & Seafood: Blvd. Kukulcan, Km. 10.5 Zona Hotelera, Cancun, Mexico.    Phone: 883.1254         www.lorenzillos.com

Armando Granados, the Restaurant Captain and Head waiter was really accommodating to us when we visited Lorenzillos. A favorite of mine the past two times I visited Cancun, I wanted Jim to experience this wonderful seafood house on the lagoon. On a prior visit I shared a 4lb lobster with my date, but this time Jim and I had our own and both were tasty. David, our waiter, was very attentive, and we enjoyed our meal from start to finish. and the Key Lime pie was one of the best I've had (and I am a specialist of Key Lime pie!)

After dinner, Armando took us for a tour and called over his favorite pet crocodile- seems there's a family living right in their lagoon, and they are spoiled and well-fed by the staff! Lorenzillos is romantically lit, and when you sit outside by the rail, you see all the amazing fish swimming by beneath you. Still one of my favorite places in Cancun, Lorenzillos has my vote for the Best Lobster dinner!

4) La Palapa Belga: Calle Quetzal #13 Int. Hotel Imperial Laguna Cancun Hotel Zone, Mexico.           Phone: 883-5454       www.palapabelga.com 

Hidden away on the lagoon within the Hotel Imperial, this totally outdoor restaurant with seafood and French specialities was a nice choice. Romantically lit, and very private, we had a fabulous white fish dinner with fresh breads, rice and steamed vegetables.

A nice choice for casual romance, but go on a mild afternoon or evening with not much humidity - as this is located on the water and totally outside. There are fans to help cool, but there is no ac. We will be back!

St. Barths:

1) Do Brazil - Overlooking Shell beach, on St. Barths island; this quante beach restaurant was a real find! The food is delicious, and the view amazing, Shell beach, is all shells, so not the easiest to walk on - but taking the ferry to the island from St. Maartin, it is within walking distance from the main shopping area of St. Barths. So in one day, we had two, 1 hour-Ferry rides (very rocky- not for those prone to sea-sickness!), great shopping, a very romantic, delicious lunch, and a day on the beach. If you get to St. Barth's do check out this great beach restaurant!

United States Favorite Restaurants

Florida:

Miami South Beach -

1) Prime 112: 112 Ocean Avenue, Miami South Beach, FL. Owner: Myles Cheftez, a long-time friend of mine from the NY Hamptons; and owner of the most popular South Beach Restuarants; including Prime 112, Prime Italian, Nemos, and The Big Pink Diner. We had a fabulous meal at Prime 112 - Jim ordered the 8 oz Filet Mignon, and I had the lamb. Both dishes were amazing! Our side dishes were huge and extremely tastey; Sweet potatoes with vanilla bean accents, and asparagrass. Ask for Kyle, my long-time friend for a waiter, he's fabulous! Our meal was perfect, but we had over an hour and a half wait for our table - we asked for an 8 pm reservation, and got seated at 9:40 pm - so be prepared, and have a snack before you go.

2) Samba Sushi - 600 Lincoln Road, South Beach. Excellent food, ambiance, and a local favorite. A beautiful Sushi restaurant - with very cool music. Don't miss this for a fabulous, romantic evening, then stroll down Lincoln and visit the shops after dinner. Enjoy!

Ft. Lauderdale -

1) SoLita Restaurant & Ultra Lounge - 1032 E Las Olas Blvd, Ft Lauderdale, FL Ph: 954-357-2616. This is a never restaurant/lounge on Los Olas, and we thought it was great! They advertise a Power Hour in the bar every Thursday and Friday from 5 - 7 pm. It attracts a more upscale, business crowd, so we like the bar area. We chose to have Christmas Eve dinner there, and it was terrific! Every part of our dinner was wonderful and our server Nelson was very attentive. I highly recommend this very pretty, classy Ft. Lauderdale restaurant!

2) LuLu's Bait Shack - located in the Beach Place Mall, on AIA, in Ft. Lauderdale. Ph: 954-463-7425. Ok, this is NOT a romantic or upscale place, not in the least - but it is a down-to-earth bar and restuarant that serves the best seafood! Go extremely casual, and order the Mussle St. Charles dish - our favorite item on the menu - the bowel of mussles is huge and plenty for two. These yummy mussles are in a white wine creamy garlic sauce, with other "special rescipe" items, as explained by Anna Dolge, the Manager. On weekends, there is music and a fun crowd. I never miss LuLu's on my trips to Ft Lauderdale!

3) Aruba Beach Cafe - One Commercial Blvd, on the beach, Laudderdale By the Sea, FL Ph: 954-776-0001. Lunch and dinner is served daily, there are three bars, and live entertainment offered 7 nights a week - about the only place you can count on getting music in this area no matter the night! A tropical, dressy casual feeling, attire is comfortable for men, and sun-dress, skirts or slacks for ladies. Featuring seafood, steaks, pasta and salads, this is a fun spot to stop for happy hours or a casual dinner and dancing. Happy hour is Fridays, from 4 - 7 pm and there is a Sunday Breakfast Buffet from 9am to noon for $13.99. We always stop here at least once when we travel to FLL. Its a grea spot for the beach too, if you can find parking!

Atlantic City, NJ

1) Chelsea Prime - in the Chelsea Hotel - 111 South Chelsea Ave, 5th Flr, Atlantic City, NJ 08401; (609) 428-4545. Manager Michael King runs the prettiest, most romantic restaurant in town! Decorated in Art Deco Black and white, this very special restuarant features large, semi-circular booths, tiered flooring, a piano player along with 30's style singers (on weekends, call for entertainment schedule), and a large bar area with intimate seating and a high-level view of the Atlantic Ocean. Jim and I went there for my birthday in September, and the food and ambiance was such a special treat! Known for it's succulant steaks and meats, Jim had the Filet Mignon and I had the most wonderful Lamb Chops. Service was amazing - so attentive - just perfect. There is an intimate lounge and dance club also on the 5th floor that we enjoyed after dinner. Come to the Chelsea, and plan to stay awhile --- it's the Best!

2) The Red Square Restaurant - in the Tropicana Quarter - 2801 Pacific Ave, Atlantic City, NJ 08401 (Ph): 609-344-9100  The Red Square offers a very cool bar atmosphere upon entering the restaurant, and off to the side, where no one can see, are the VIP booths - with drawn curtains for privacy - these tables make for a very romantic dining experience with your partner. The food is fabulous, I have never had a bad experience here. Last time we ate there, I had the best lamb, and Jimmy loved his Filet. Call ahead for the private booths, and tell them Riana from Romance International sent you!

3) Annata Wine Bar - 216 Bellevue Ave, Hammonton, NJ 08037 (609) 704-9797

Chef Matthew Brunozzi has made quite an impression with his wonderful cooking at The Annata Wine Bar. I had heard about this restaurant located about 40 minutes outside of Atlantic City, and Jim and I stopped in one night just off the cuff. We had a lovely seat, and there were 2 acoustic guitare players. The restaurant has a romantic yet comfortable ambiance to it featuring large tables with big comfortable chairs. The place was packed, but we were seated right away. Service was impecable. It is best to call for reservations - it's worth taking the trip!

Boston, Mass

1) The Sea Grille - in The Boston Harbor Hotel, 70 Rowe's Wharf, Boston, MA 02110 (617) 856-7744

What a lovely view from the glass enclosed restaurant which sits right on Boston Harbor! We had a fabulous 2 lb. lobster, oysters, and wonderfully baked fresh breads. Everything was delicious, but we were a bit dissappointed in the soups -Jim's lobster bisk contained no lobster, and my clam chowder only had one clam - but it did not deter us from enjoying the entire meal experience. Just outside, was a great dance band located right down on the water. There was a hotel veranda that surrounded the entire marina area, so everyone could enjoy the water views and the band. Outdoor dining was more casual, so we recommend The Sea Grille restaurant for its seafood and romantic wonderful view!