Valentine's Day gets a lot of attention for romantic dining. That's a lot of pressure for one meal.
A 2012 survey by the National Restaurant Association showed that nearly 25 percent of American adults celebrated Feb. 14 in an eatery. In fact, according to agency research, Cupid's day is the second most popular holiday to dine out — after Mother's Day.
All that dining out spreads some love to the bottom line: Consumers spent about $3.5 billion on a romantic evening on the town with their partner in 2012, according to the Retail Advertising and Marketing Association.
Central Florida has many options for romantic dining. But it's clear with the diversity of the dining population, what's romantic to one person gets an "are you kidding me?" from another.
Here are 10 Central Florida restaurant suggestions that cover a range of budgets and definitions of romance.
High-end finesse
The Venetian Room: Caribe Royale Resort, 8101 World Center Drive, Orlando; 407-238-8060; thevenetianroom.com. This is the definition of fine-dining — with prices to match. Start with the fricassee of escargot and choose between the wild-fennel-roasted kurobuta pork chop or the Dover sole. Share the souffle or cream brulee for dessert.
Bull & Bear Steakhouse: Waldorf Astoria Orlando, 14200 Bonnet Creek Resort Lane, Orlando; 407-597-5500; waldorfastoriaorlando.com. The 159-seat restaurant exudes clubby steakhouse. Tall ceilings, dark wood, beveled windows, nicely executed lighting and an assortment of comfortable seating set the tone. Once you are seated the table is yours for the evening. On both visits dinner was well-paced and never rushed. The menu offers hearty portions of steakhouse fare, including the highest-quality grades of meats and fish.
La Luce by Donna Scala: Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek, 14100 Bonnet Creek Resort Lane, Orlando; 407-597-3600; laluceorlando.com. In 2007 Napa Valley chef Donna Scala began helping Hilton develop upscale-casual restaurants for some of its hotels. Orlando was one beneficiary when the Hilton at Bonnet Creek opened in 2009. Scala's menu reflects her French and Italian influences and Napa experience. You can't go wrong with chops and salmon or any of the fresh pastas.
Hometown sizzle
Award-winning independent eateries with an upscale-casual approach to traditional fare are great special-occasion destinations because they are flush with ambience and low on pretentiousness.
Antonio's La Fiamma Ristorante: 611 S. Orlando Ave., Maitland; 407-645-1035; antoniosonline.com. A recent renovation also created an opportunity to expand the bar with more seating and a bar menu with bite. (You can order off the dinner menu as well.) From the main menu, don't miss bruschetta alla romana, Sicilian shrimp, veal chop, fresh pastas, slow-cooked meat sauces and any risotto.
Le Coq au Vin: 4800 S. Orange Ave., Orlando; 407-851-6980; lecoqauvinrestaurant.com. Since 1976 this place has been the spot locals have counted on for unpretentious fine dining. With a menu that celebrates the best of classic French cookery, chef Louis Perrotte and his wife, Magdalena, created the go-to place for special-occasion meals and simple suppers. The restaurant is operated now by chef Reimund Pitz and his wife, Sandy. Start with the onion tart and then choose a duck or seafood entree. Desserts are all good, but the soufflés are legendary.
The Chef's Table at the Edgewater Hotel: 99 W. Plant St., Winter Garden; 407-230-4837; chefstableattheedgewater.com. Owners Kevin and Laurie Tarter are both alumni of Disney's California Grill, and Kevin has cooked at the Grand Floridian Resort & Spa's high-end Victoria & Albert's restaurant, as well as kitchens in his native New Orleans. The prix fixe menu, which changes regularly, offers three courses, each with multiple choices.
Hidden treats
These suggestions are hiding in plain sight. They are set off busy thoroughfares or tucked between buildings in a small town, making them go-to places for locals.
Chatham's Place: 7575 Doctor Phillips Blvd., Orlando; 407-345-2992; chathamsplace.com. Sand Lake Road — aka Orlando's Restaurant Row — is a neon blur of chains and upscale shopping centers. Just one block off the crowded four-lane road is Chatham's, an intimate dining room that beckons diners with little fanfare. Signature dishes include the grouper crowned with pecan butter and the rack of lamb bathed in rosemary au jus.
Enzo's on the Lake: 1130 U.S. Highway 17-92, Longwood; 407-834-9872; enzos.com. First-timers are often surprised at the surroundings as they approach the restaurant on the busy road. A mishmash of businesses surrounds the long stucco wall that separates Enzo's from the congestion. The transformation occurs inside. The "La Terraza" room absorbs the natural light before sunset and then takes a romantic turn as the exterior gardens and walkways are illuminated. Enzo's signatures include bucatini alla Enzo pasta with herbs, peas, prosciutto, mushroom and Parmesan; a lavish antipasto bar; and a rack of lamb to die for.
Goblin Market: 330 Dora Drawdy Way, Mount Dora; 352-735-0059; thegoblinmarketrestaurant.com. Down a narrow alley off Fourth Avenue between Donnelly and Alexander streets, a tall fence encloses a small courtyard of tables; a cozy, narrow walkway is the first hint at the intimacy of the four dining areas to come. Inside, you feel as if you have just walked into someone's home. Bookshelves line the dining-room walls, eclectic art is everywhere and a fireplace is stacked with logs. In the back, you see flickering candles through French doors, revealing another courtyard. Upstairs is another dining room; one step up is a little bar with two tables and comfy chairs and couches. The ambience here is superb, and the kitchen is one of the most consistent in Central Florida. Start with the crab bisque and tempura artichoke hearts. The kitchen deftly handles beef and lamb.
Pull out all the stops
Victoria & Albert's and Queen Victoria's Room, at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort and Spa, are arguably the most romantic, opulent and luxurious dining options in Central Florida. I'd wager tables at both are booked as reservations to 407-939-3862 start streaming up to 180 days in advance. And the prices are not for the faint of heart anytime of the year: Dinner is $135 per person (tax and tip not included), $200 with wine pairing; the chef's table is $210 per person, $315 with wine pairing; Queen Victoria Room is $210 per person, $315 with wine pairing.
I have experienced all three and they are worth every penny. Friendly reminders: Children under 10 are not allowed and jackets are required for men. Menus change nightly but past offerings have included butter-poached Maine lobster salad; wild turbot with toasted capers and preserved lemon; and lamb with Fuji apple and curry dressing. For details, check out victoria-alberts.com.
