Our intrepid critics go with their hearts.
Top 10 Romantic Dining Places: Our unconventional listThere is surely something for everyone, if you take the time to consider what the night calls for. Sarasotans will agree that there is no shortage of Here is a very short, carefully curated list of area restaurants begging for intimate moments. (Check out the reader comments telling us what we got right -- and what we missed. Add your own thoughts, too.)
The Cottage is a jewel in Siesta Village
Romantic Dining No. 1: The Cottage153 Avenida Messina, Siesta Key, 312-9300, cottagesiestakey.com ($$$) Tucked between The Hub and Blu Smoke, The Cottage might be the best kept secret in the Siesta Village. The menu was developed by Selva’s Darwin Santa Maria, before he went on to his new venture (see below). The back patio is as intimate as it gets, perfect for a few cocktails and some ceviche before seeing where the night takes you. They have live music most nights, it’s easy walking distance from one of the most beautiful little stretches of Siesta Beach (a perfect proposal spot), and should the date require post-meal debauchery, there are plenty of bars within striking distance (and hotels, as well). (Sarasota Herald-Tribune photo by Dan Wagner)
Indigenous is drawing rave reviews from patrons
Romantic Dining No. 2: Indigenous239 S. Links Ave., Sarasota, 706-4740, indigenoussarasota.com ($$$$) For weeks following Chef Steve Phelps’ opening of his new venture, Indigenous, it seemed people couldn’t talk about anything else. Phelps did a hell of a job renovating the place, his menu is tiny, well-curated, and sourced from almost entirely local, seasonal produce and meat. The service and presentation is unparalleled, the Parmesan beignets are Bucket List material, the daily seafood specials are always on point, they have an extensive craft beer and wine list, the housemade ice cream—as well as the weekly desert specials—are truly inspired, and the Towles Court location is about as quiet and confidential as they come. (Herald-Tribune staff photo by Dan Wagner)
OK, you did not expect this old style Florida roadhouse to make a romantic dining list. But if you love nature, you will understand.
Romnatic Dining No. 3: Snook Haven5000 E. Venice Ave., Venice, 485-7221 ($) Snuggled in amongst ancient oaks dripping with Spanish moss, right on the Myakka riverfront, Snook Haven is a great spot to see what people are made of. Its true Southern charm might be lost on a few, but others will be quick to drink a cold beer, eat come catfish and hit the dance floor. Live bluegrass, country, folk, and blues bands play most nights, and during the cool nights (mosquito-free!) you can step out onto the patio and stare out across the Myakka, a million stars presiding, before dropping to one knee, or going in for a first kiss.
Chef Sean Murphy knows how to create intimate dining, where the service matches the food.
Romantic Dining No. 4: Eat Here1888 Main St., Sarasota, 365-8700, eatheresarasota.com ($$) Sean Murphy’s newest addition to the Beach Bistro (see below) extended family might be the easiest dinner date choice in Sarasota. The space is beautiful, all high modern lighting, with sunflowers on every table. There are dishes for the pickiest of eaters, and sharing is encouraged. I can’t stress how good the Better Than Any Frenchman’s Soup is; same goes for the lobster tacos and the bruschetta. The service is impeccable, friendly but not overdone. Head upstairs and see Fred Sully, one of the most charming dudes you’ll ever meet, for a post- or pre-meal for a cocktail, or a Dogfish Head 90-minute IPA. (Courtesy photo)
Two words sum up what makes this place so romantic: The view
Romantic Dining No. 5: Sharky's On The Pier205 Base Ave. E., Venice, 488-1456, sharkysonthepier.com ($) In recent year’s Venice’s only Gulf-front restaurant has stepped up their game. The food has improved exponentially, the service is top-notch, and, of course, the view remains the best around. Start with cocktails and some coconut shrimp, then make sure to try the famous grouper sliders, and finish with a stroll out to the end of the pier for some stargazing, people watching, yadda, yadda, yadda. (STAFF PHOTO / JENNA ISAACSON)
Treviso may be located in a museum, but the food is completely modern
Romantic dining No. 6: Treviso5401 Bay Shore Road, Sarasota, 360-7390, trevisorestaurant.com ($$$) Stroll through the John and Mable Ringling Museum Grounds before heading into Treviso for some modern American takes on Italian classics. And if occasion calls for a proposal, be one of the first of what are sure to be many to propose under the new James Turrell Skyspace, the newest, largest—and in this writer’s opinion, the most brilliant—addition to the Museum’s permanent collection. (Sarasota Herald-Tribune staff photo by Thomas Bender)
Chef Sean Murphy's crown jewel
Romantic Dining No. 7: Beach Bistro6600 Gulf Dr., Holmes Beach, 778-6444, beachbistro.com ($$$$) This Anna Maria restaurant has earned more awards — everything from James Beard recognition to the highest Zagat rating available — over the last 25 years than any other in the area. Long-stemmed roses, impeccable service, one of the most exquisite wine lists I’ve ever seen, a top-shelf liquor selection, the most delicious bouillabaisse you’ll ever have, tons of decadent, artfully prepared meals, as well as one of the most stunning waterfront views around – the sand stretches straight from lapping waves to the restaurant’s floor-to-ceiling windows – make Beach Bistro a perfect big-year anniversary spot. Pricey, but worth every penny
This is a place for music lovers. It helps if you liked the 1960s.
Romantic Dining No. 8: JR's Old Packinghouse Cafe987 S. Packinghouse Dr., Sarasota, 371-9358, oldpackinghouse.com ($) OPC is one of those date spots that work damn well if the person you’re taking has never been. The food is great, the soulful warmth of the place is contagious, the live music is usually fun and, when you’re done drinking, dining, and dancing you can head across the street to the Cock and Bull for a few pints. (Photo by Michael Barrientos, Sarasota Herald-Tribune)
Not cheap, but the food, service and incredible view make this one of the area's best -- and most romantic -- restaurants.
Romantic Dining No. 9: Ophelia's9105 Midnight Pass Road, Siesta Key, 349-2212, opheliasonthebay.net ($$$) Through the decades, Ophelia’s has been a standard bearer for intimate and isolated fine-dining thanks to its location on the Intracoastal Waterway on the extreme southern end of Siesta Key. The food is elegant and the desserts are divine, but the restaurant’s biggest selling point is some of the best outdoor dining in the area. An expansive patio out the back of the converted house overlooks a placid section of waterway, replete with tangles of mangroves and a bounty of bird life, with some romantic tables hidden from view on a dock mere feet from swimming fish.
Is there a finer restaurant matron locally than Nella Valenti? She not only oversees the family's newest restaurant, Allegro Bistro, she bakes thousand of cookies each week and she occasionally takes the microphone to croon an Italian love song on music nights.
Romantic Dining No. 10: Allegro BistroAllegro Bistro, 1740 E Venice Ave, (941) 484-1889
It is tempting to avoid mentioning this relatively new restaurant run by the Valenti family, whose much beloved other Italian restaurant, Valenti's, a couple miles west on Venice Avenue still gets most of the attention. Indeed, those who have discovered the Allegro Bistro tend to keep it to themselves, afraid perhaps that crowds will ruin what has become a consistently excellent, uncommonly intimate dining experience. The marble decor, soft lighting and tremendous acoustics all show the care that went into construction and design, under the thumb of matron Nella Valenti and her family. Even the restrooms are just this side of the Ritz Carlton. Recently, Allegro Bistro expanded, adding a luxurious bar and lounge, flanked by a piano and small music stage. The food is very good, if not quite as adventurous as the ambience would suggest. But for a romantic night over a good bottle of wine, Allegro Bistro is hard to beat.
10 Don’t Miss Restaurants for Romance
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I’m surprised Lavanda (Towles Court) didn’t make the list. My partner and I go there for our most romantic of dinners; the owners are simply delightful.
This list is sketchy at best.
The fact that Treviso was included makes me question whether we should try out the rest of them. The menu is boring and expensive, the restaurant is plain…of all that Sarasota has to offer I can’t believe this is one of the top romantic choices. Where is Euphemia Haye?
My Romantic Favorites —- Mediterraneos, Bijou, Mozaic, Cafe Amici, Cafe Americano, Drunken Poet, Sarasota Vineyard, Salute, Selva, Utamaro, Europa, Crab and Fin, Tommy Bahamas, the list is wonderful and endless!
agree that Euphemia Haye should definately be on there. Beach Bistro yes, food excellent, view and decor very romantic. Sharky’s? not at all romantic and the food is nothing special. I liked the food at Eat Here, but not exactly romantic. Where is Andrea’s?
Buy an ad in Ticket. Get mentioned in their articles. It’s journalism $101.
I pitched these restaurants, actually, and have no idea who advertises and who doesn’t. Maison Blanche should totally have been on the list, though. I’ll give you that.
Sharkey’s? C’mon, romantic? (Read the inspection reports linked from the HT front page.) I’d put dozens of restaurants above it or Snook Haven on the 1 – 10 romantic scale. What do exhibits at Ringling Museum have to do with the restaurant there? J.R.’s over Michael’s on East? Or any of the restaurants Ray listed. What’s romantic about Eat Here? What’s intimate or romantic about The Cottage? Ever been to Cafe L’Europe or Euphemia Haye? Have you ever been to any of the restaurants Ray mentioned?
Sharkey’s & Snook Haven? Romantic? Tourist traps for red necks.
Euphemia Haye… X-O-LENT!!
Maison Blanche (very good) and Lavanda (never been) don’t advertise enough (or at all) to make the list. As I said, Euphemia Haye is excellent. My all time favorite, although not romantic, is Philippi Creek Oyster Bar.
I think they were mistaken in the article and meant “The 10 restaurants you were likely to be able to get into on Valentine’s day”. Who makes this list?
This list is a joke..
Sharky’s: tourist trap and lousy food
Ophelia’s: too many tables cramped inside to really enjoy an intimate dinner. outside is good during nice weather.
JR’s Packing House: old and dirty, makes you wonder what crawing around in the kichen
Treviso: museum cafeteria
Am I missing something, or is there only 9 restaurants listed?
Packinghouse? LOL, Yeah that’s where you go to impress a date. You could have at least said Walt’s Fish Market for the delicious oysters.
In terms of food and atmosphere. Vizen is hands down the best Japanese food in SRQ, Andrea’s has some amazing Italian, Maison Blanche for French and Selva for the food and atmosphere. Whenever Ray’s finds a new spot they are simply the best food in Sarasota with a great intimate atmosphere.
Keep the comments coming — next week I’ll put together a list with all the picks from readers (or, at least, the ones that make sense). Remember, however, that not all couples want a classic fine-dining environment for their romantic evening out. Thanks!
JR’s Packinghouse is a genius choice…great music…great catfish…Old FLorida…if you can’t recognize that you should head back to wherever you slithered in from
Where is Bijiou…or Derek’s…or Lan…actually…nevermind…those places are packed enough with people who truly appreciate good food (although you can’t argue with some of the names on this list…and at least they didn’t include Caragiulo’s)
For non-fine dining, Knicks and Lucias in the Hillview area are good spots. I’d even say Knick’s chipotle sauce burger with bacon and cheddar cheese is the best in town (sorry Shakespeare’s, although they have the good beer). If you stop in with the black bean and lime soup on the chalk board, do yourself a favor and order one to eat there and one to put in the fridge for tomorrow. All of the desserts and pies are just stop you in mid sentence good and homemade.
Then, Walt’s has some of the freshest and flakiest fish served on a paper plate, the blackened Hog fish (if available) with seaweed salad and crinkles fries is better than what 99% of the fine dining restaurants can put together. It’s simplicity at it’s best.
Then for one of my favorite low-key Friday’s, Go hit El Toro Bravo for the closest thing Sarasota has to offer in the way of top notch New Mexican cuisine, get the Vera Cruz and follow that up with some frozen custard from Sweet Berries. My recommendation is banana and chocolate chip concrete in vanilla custard.
If you want to get have a great lunch try the fish tacos at the Hyatt! That is no typo, the friggin Hyatt! Being lunch, it’s not going to set you back and then enjoy the nice view. The desserts are nothing to write about though.
Got to agree that Snook Haven and Sharkey’s do not belong on this list, or any “fine” restaurant list for that matter. Snook Haven is a dive and Sharkey’s is loud and touristy. I live in Venice so have some knowledge of these places.!!
What. you’re on a $20 budget? WOW, I could have picked at least 20 places better than this list!
At least half of this list is a joke, perhaps compiled by someone who eats too many peanut butter sandwiches with kids
The Table at Phillippi Creek? Sharkeys? ur kidding….JR’s/ Eat Here? Huh? Someone is gettin’ paid off here…no doubt
Several of the restaurants listed have very good food, but romantic? Most would get laughed off my list.
Makes me believe that the author’s idea of a romantic after-dinner drink spot is a bowling alley, and the Valentine gift that best says “I love you” is a vacuum cleaner.
JR’s PACKINGHOUSE?????? ROFL! The 2nd list is better. What a joke…
How bout Ruth’s Chris? We go there every year for our anniversary
Its really upsetting to see how quickly people will shred a list of romantic restaurants. Maybe you guys should spend more time exploring this topic yourselves, and you’ll find that you won’t have so much time to hate.
Lynn & Thomas are right on. How about Miguels??? Can’t agree with Maison Blanche. I find the decor boring. Service haughty and food good but not great.
We had our Valentine’s dinner on Sunday night at the Bijou. It was a bit loud (too many old people talking really loud) otherwise, it was perfect. I happen to love the Old Packing House but not for romance.
We were very disappointed with The Cottage (went there on New Year’s Eve)…. Nothing turns off more than wine glasses with someone else’s lipstick on it and dirty bread plates…. Hope it was just a moment on being overwhelmed on the busy night, but still unacceptable.
The list is weak. Sharky’s,Snook Haven……romantic? And people wonder why Florida residents get so much crap. What about The Table Creekside. It is the new incarnation of the od Table that used to be on Hillview. Two stellar chefs that are always pushing the culinary envelope to say the least. They have outdoor dining with tikki torches and a fire pit. It is now located by Philippi Creek Oyster Bar. Check it out and you will not be disappointed.
How you can leave off Maison Blanche on Longboat Key is puzzling to say the least.