They say the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach.
Well, I don’t know about most girls, but give me a filet mignon topped with foie gras and served with truffle sauce over a bunch of crappy flowers any day. And if said meal is being served within close proximity of sand and the Caribbean Sea – winner, winner, chicken dinner. Here are five romantic restaurants for a meal your salivary glands long for.
With their impressive wine list and ambrosial fare, it’s not difficult to get over the sticker shock. The prix fixe menu for two courses is $125 per person, and $130 for the three-course spread.
It’s hard to pick a favorite, though the Seared Tuna with crushed new potatoes, saffron with caper sauce, pesto vinaigrette and tomato coulis; or the Valrhona Chocolate Mousse with a crisp almond basket, toasted almonds and orange flavored crème anglaise might be contenders.
Servers are attentive without being intrusive. For a prime view, book a table at the front of the terrace – but do so well in advance (a month or so ahead would not be overkill here).
Tucked away beside historic Fort Christiansvaern in Christiansted, Savant is easy to miss. You don’t want to miss a meal here, believe me. Fish is purchased fresh daily from local fishermen, and they integrate local produce from island farmers into many of their dishes.
You can dine inside – it’s cozy and has sort of a hipster vibe. However, if you seek a romantic meal, reserve a table in the courtyard. Here, cement walls flickering with candlelight encircle you. Tables are set among lush, tropical plants, and starlight twinkles above.
Try the Grilled Calamari appetizer and the Filet Mignon stuffed with goat cheese and Portobello mushrooms.
Situated along Maundays Bay, Cap Juluca exudes Caribbean romance and tranquility. Quite a fitting place to experience a meal of fairytale proportions. Honestly, though, they had me at the coffee menu.
The end result of the chef’s fusion of European and Caribbean cuisine is tantalizing. The Black Angus Beef Tenderloin served with roasted Cipollini onions, garlic chard and horseradish mash is ridiculous. Seafood lovers, opt for the Pan Roasted Island Lobster. It’s out of the shell, so there’s no awkward “Pretty Woman” moment (yes, I realize that was escargot, but you get the picture). It’s also served with Basmati rice “Paella style” and a basil butter sauce.
For a truly memorable dining experience, you can reserve the private Wine Room, which includes a five-course menu paired with the perfect wine for each dish.
Unparalleled panoramas of the Caribbean Sea below, and a unique and contemporary French West Indian menu make Cliff at Cap an easy pick for this top five.
The restaurant is located within Cap Estate, a former sugar plantation, and won Wine Spectator’s Award for Excellence last year.
Cuisine at the Cliff is created from fresh local produce and fish readily available from the waters off the island. The Open Ravioli of Caramelized Cepes and Soya Beans, Cepe Cappuccino is a good bet for vegetarian diners. Or, try the Five Spice Duck Breast with seared foie gras, creamed corn, and star anise jus.
Brandywine Estate Restaurant – Tortola, BVI
If you’re tooling around Tortola and you ask your cabbie where you should eat, chances are, he’ll direct you here. And with good reason.
As with the above-mentioned restaurants, the views are pretty remarkable. Show up between 5 and 6 to make sure you see the sunset. Oh, and there’s that awesome Happy Hour thing – half price bottle of wine? Yes, thank you!
Start off with the delectable Escargot in puff pastry with a wild mushroom and truffle sauce, then try the Mahi Mahi and Salmon Braid (two fish are braided together and served with a saffron sauce, new potatoes and vegetables) – your taste buds will thank you.
Great article on the 5 romantic restaurants …. I showed a few of those places to my wife , and I think we just found 2 or 3 places to travel to one day.
Thanks! The Caribbean is an ideal option for a romantic getaway, for sure. So many islands to choose from, too! 🙂