Love is in the air, along with the aromas of fine cuisines wafting through candlelit dining rooms. Couples are making reservations to gaze into one another's eyes across tables while clinking champagne flutes of bubbly in a toast to l’amour and to St. Valentine’s Day. Since Paris, Rome and Venice have held their ranks among the top cities in the world for romance, French and Italian restaurants here on Long Island are sure to be bustling for Valentine's Day. Luckily, there are plenty of such elegant eateries available to accommodate all of those who have fallen under Cupid’s spell.
French fare and elegant, intimate ambience set the stage for a romantic dinner at Le Soir in Bayport. The food is delectable and authentic, from classic steak au poivre or sole meuniere to exotic sweetbreads with mushroom and Calvados sauce or indulgent lobster with beurre blanc whiskey sauce. Le Soir is located on Montauk Highway in Bayport. Visit www.lesoirbayport.com for directions and their regular menu.
Another highly rated locale for French cuisine is Sage Bistro Moderne in Woodbury. The menu features French classics as well as fusion, offering an eclectic array of flavors to appeal to every palate. There are plenty of red, white and sparkling wines on the wine list, and a few wine tasting flights to choose from are also offered. Beverages also include an impressive selection of craft beers and a list of tempting martinis to sip while you wait at the bar. You can view all of their menus at www.sagebistrogroup.com Sage Bistro Moderne is located on Jericho Turnpike in Woodbury
French chef Guy Ruege has planned an exquisite Valentine’s Day dinner menu at Mirabelle Restaurant and Tavern, located at the Three Village Inn in Stony Brook. A choice of lobster gratin, warm goat cheese salad, wild mushroom soup with truffles and brioche croutons or four other options are only the first course. Seven entrées, including the duck Mirabelle, and five tantalizing dessert selections such as dark chocolate pot de crème or milk chocolate bergamot mousse will make the choice difficult for those who are decision challenged. The Three Village Inn is located on Main Street in Stony Brook.
If Italian food speaks romance to your taste buds and your hearts, consider the innovative creations at Pasta Pasta in Port Jefferson. From traditional Italian to fusion dishes, the chef conjures the perfect potion for your Valentine celebration. The menu features a variety of excellent entrée options. However, the pasta choices, such as the tortelloni stuffed with six cheeses and blanketed with succulent chunks of lobster, roasted cremini mushrooms and a sublime chardonnay cream sauce, are what keep diners coming back. The intimate dining room and warm glow will keep the two of you lingering over those final sips of espresso. Pasta Pasta is located on East Main Street in Port Jefferson. Visit www.pastapasta.net for hours and directions, and to make your reservation and browse the menus.
Another stellar Italian option is called Piccolo in Huntington. The menu here is spectacular, featuring all of the best flavors of fine Italian cuisine, and the extensive wine menu boasts over 500 listings. A complete Valentine’s Day menu will be available at this award-winning, exclusive and romantic venue. Choose from a lengthy list of entrees that include heart-shaped ravioli, swordfish steak with Tuscan white beans and broccoli rabe, short rib cannelloni with truffle creams sauce and peas and several other options. Visit www.piccolorestaurant.net to browse the full menu and to schedule your romantic evening. Piccolo is located on Wall Street in Huntington.
Casa Rustica in Smithtown is yet another highly rated Italian restaurant where excellent service and superb cuisine promise to make your Valentine’s Day date special. Each magnificent dish is an authentic epicurean journey through Italy, and the attentive staff makes every diner feel like an honored guest. Casa Rustica is located on West Main Street in Smithtown, and you browse their mouthwatering menu at www.casarustica.net
These six restaurants are among Long Island’s top rated French and Italian dining scenes, so don’t delay in making your reservations. Valentine’s Day weekend is one of their busiest affairs. No matter where you and your someone special sit down to dinner, the celebratory theme will make your evening special. Whether you’re on a first date, about to pop the big question, celebrating an anniversary or simply out to stoke the flame of an enduring relationship, all you need is each other, wonderful wine and fabulous food. Now that’s amore!
French fare and elegant, intimate ambience set the stage for a romantic dinner at Le Soir in Bayport. The food is delectable and authentic, from classic steak au poivre or sole meuniere to exotic sweetbreads with mushroom and Calvados sauce or indulgent lobster with beurre blanc whiskey sauce. Le Soir is located on Montauk Highway in Bayport. Visit www.lesoirbayport.com for directions and their regular menu.
Another highly rated locale for French cuisine is Sage Bistro Moderne in Woodbury. The menu features French classics as well as fusion, offering an eclectic array of flavors to appeal to every palate. There are plenty of red, white and sparkling wines on the wine list, and a few wine tasting flights to choose from are also offered. Beverages also include an impressive selection of craft beers and a list of tempting martinis to sip while you wait at the bar. You can view all of their menus at www.sagebistrogroup.com Sage Bistro Moderne is located on Jericho Turnpike in Woodbury
French chef Guy Ruege has planned an exquisite Valentine’s Day dinner menu at Mirabelle Restaurant and Tavern, located at the Three Village Inn in Stony Brook. A choice of lobster gratin, warm goat cheese salad, wild mushroom soup with truffles and brioche croutons or four other options are only the first course. Seven entrées, including the duck Mirabelle, and five tantalizing dessert selections such as dark chocolate pot de crème or milk chocolate bergamot mousse will make the choice difficult for those who are decision challenged. The Three Village Inn is located on Main Street in Stony Brook.
If Italian food speaks romance to your taste buds and your hearts, consider the innovative creations at Pasta Pasta in Port Jefferson. From traditional Italian to fusion dishes, the chef conjures the perfect potion for your Valentine celebration. The menu features a variety of excellent entrée options. However, the pasta choices, such as the tortelloni stuffed with six cheeses and blanketed with succulent chunks of lobster, roasted cremini mushrooms and a sublime chardonnay cream sauce, are what keep diners coming back. The intimate dining room and warm glow will keep the two of you lingering over those final sips of espresso. Pasta Pasta is located on East Main Street in Port Jefferson. Visit www.pastapasta.net for hours and directions, and to make your reservation and browse the menus.
Another stellar Italian option is called Piccolo in Huntington. The menu here is spectacular, featuring all of the best flavors of fine Italian cuisine, and the extensive wine menu boasts over 500 listings. A complete Valentine’s Day menu will be available at this award-winning, exclusive and romantic venue. Choose from a lengthy list of entrees that include heart-shaped ravioli, swordfish steak with Tuscan white beans and broccoli rabe, short rib cannelloni with truffle creams sauce and peas and several other options. Visit www.piccolorestaurant.net to browse the full menu and to schedule your romantic evening. Piccolo is located on Wall Street in Huntington.
Casa Rustica in Smithtown is yet another highly rated Italian restaurant where excellent service and superb cuisine promise to make your Valentine’s Day date special. Each magnificent dish is an authentic epicurean journey through Italy, and the attentive staff makes every diner feel like an honored guest. Casa Rustica is located on West Main Street in Smithtown, and you browse their mouthwatering menu at www.casarustica.net
These six restaurants are among Long Island’s top rated French and Italian dining scenes, so don’t delay in making your reservations. Valentine’s Day weekend is one of their busiest affairs. No matter where you and your someone special sit down to dinner, the celebratory theme will make your evening special. Whether you’re on a first date, about to pop the big question, celebrating an anniversary or simply out to stoke the flame of an enduring relationship, all you need is each other, wonderful wine and fabulous food. Now that’s amore!