Northern Florida
Travelers in Northern Florida will find that Jacksonville and the surrounding area is alive with restaurants offering settings for a romantic meal. Crush is a wine bar that presents traditional French cuisine and has a raw bar and an extensive wine list. Prices are moderate at under $100, as of 2009. All prices reflect dinner for two including appetizer, entree, dessert, coffee, tax and tip. Those in the mood for contemporary cuisine with an upscale European atmosphere should try the slightly more expensive Matthew's for under $150. Mediterranean- and North African-inspired French cuisine is the star at Pastiche where diners will find country-chic décor for less than $100. Moving south to St. Augustine, the setting is the star at the Casa Monica Hotel's 95 Cordova restaurant where Asian-inspired Italian, American and French dishes will satisfy romantic diners. Yet another extensive wine list is available here, as well as desserts such as Zen tiramisu, with prices totaling less than $150. At the sparsely furnished Opus 39, the walls serve as a changing art gallery that frames the three- and five-course prix-fixe dinners offered by owner-chef Michael McMillan--prices are under $100. La Cena is an intimate, 14-table Italian bistro that offers more than 30 types of home-made pastas as well as traditional offerings such as veal saltimbocca. Dinner should cost less than $150.
Crush
3630 Park St.
Jacksonville, Florida 32205
904 381-0909
Matthew's
2107 Hendricks Ave.
Jacksonville, Florida 32207
904 396-9922
Pastiche
4260 Herschel St.
Jacksonville, Florida 32210
904 387-6213
95 Cordova
Casa Monica Hotel
95 Cordova St.
St. Augustine, Florida 32084
904 810-6810
Opus 39
39 Cordova St.
St. Augustine, Florida 32084
904 824-0402
La Cena
211 N. Laura St.
Jacksonville, Florida 32202
904 633-9255
Orlando and Central Florida
When in Rome do as the Romans do, so when in Orlando do the same and surrender yourself to a little of what Disney World has to offer. The California Grill is a romantic restaurant that features classic American dishes, spectacular views and treats diners to a nightly fireworks display over the Magic Kingdom. As of 2009, dinner averages under $100. More down to earth although no less special, The Boheme features an extensive wine cellar and classic dishes that include roasted seafood and bisques, with total prices coming in under $150. As the name suggests, Le Coq au Vin offers country-French cuisine in a cozy atmosphere that's headed by chef Reimund Pitz, with dinner totals under $100. In Thornton Park, Hue offers diners a wide range of Asian inspired dishes for dinner totals under $150. New American cuisine is on the menu at Luma on Park, which also offers an extensive wine cellar and total dinner prices under $150 as well. A contemporary wood and stone interior and seasonally inspired menus featuring health-conscious items inform the experience at Seasons 52. At less than $75 the price is right as well. American cuisine and live late night music are the main attraction at Circa 1926. A harpist also plays for diners in the quiet back room--total prices under $150.
Disney's California Grill
Walt Disney World Resort
Disney's Contemporary Resort
4600 N. World Dr., 15th Fl.
Lake Buena Vista, Florida 32830
The Boheme
Westin Grand Bohemian
325 S. Orange Ave.
Orlando, Florida 32801
407 581-4700
Le Coq au Vin
4800 S. Orange Ave.
Orlando, Florida 32806
407 851-6980
Luma on Park
Bank of America Building
290 Park Ave. S.
Winter Park, Florida 32789
Hue
629 E. Central Blvd.
Orlando, Florida 32801
407 849-1800
Seasons 52
463 E. Altamonte Dr.
Altamonte Springs, Florida 32701
407 767-1252
Circa 1926
359 Park Ave. N.
Winter Park, Florida 32789
321 972-3926
Miami and South Florida
1 Bleu offers not only contemporary and new world cuisine, but a beautiful water view to remind travelers that they've arrived in south Florida--all costs for less than $150. Offering ocean views as well, South Beach in Miami is where diners will find La Marea Restaurant. Featuring Italian and Mediterranean seafood, the prices fall under $150. At Eos, famed restaurateur Donatella Arpaia offers diners Mediterranean and Nuevo Latino food in a space defined by warm yet glamorous décor, with prices totaling under $100. A wine list composed of boutique offerings and an emphasis on local produce and products drives the contemporary menu at Himmarshee Bar & Grille, with prices totaling less than $100. Seafood is also the focus of The Oceanaire Seafood Room which offers diners an art-deco atmosphere with prices totaling under $150. Pacific Rim influences are on the menu at Miami's Pacific Time restaurant, where an inexpensive wine menu compliments the Asian inspired food, with prices totaling less than $100. Finally, if you're in the mood for global pan-Asian inspired cuisine, executive chef Jonathan Wright's The Restaurant at The Setai is a unique setting where diners may choose from any of the three open Thai, Indian and Chinese kitchens. At over $150 though, it is the priciest of all the romantic restaurants chosen here.
1 Bleu
The Regent Bal Harbour
10295 Collins Ave.
Bal Harbour, Florida 33154
305 455-5460
Eos
Viceroy Miami
485 Brickell Ave.
Miami, Florida 33131
305 503-0373
Himmarshee Bar & Grille
210 SW Second St.
Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33301
954 524-1818
La Marea Restaurant
The Tides South Beach
1220 Ocean Dr.
Miami Beach, Florida 33139
The Oceanaire Seafood Room
900 S. Miami Ave.
Miami, Florida 33130
305 372-8862
Pacific Time
35 NE 40th St.
Miami, Florida 33137
305 722-7369
The Restaurant at The Setai
The Setai
2001 Collins Ave.
Miami Beach, Florida 33139
305 520-6000
