Plan a romantic dinner on Valentine's Day

Looking for cuisine that would do Cupid proud? Keep it simple, flavorful and from the heart.

By Laura Reiley, Times food critic
Published January 31, 2008

Author M. F. K. Fisher wrote about "the almost vascular connection between love and lobster pate, between eating and romance." Amen. Here are some romantic heavy hitters.

Realistic romance

Spoto's Steak Joint (1280 Main St., Dunedin, (727) 734-0008) is offering special dishes such as roasted whole tenderloin carved and paired with a grilled lobster tail wrapped around a jumbo diver scallop, finished with Grand Marnier-orange reduction ($28.95). For dessert, a pouf of chocolate souffle ($6.95).

At Cafe Alma (260 First Ave. S, St. Petersburg, (727) 502-5002), it's open seating from 4:30 to 10 p.m., with a $50 special menu with appetizer choices of ceviche of beef tenderloin or delicate shrimp bisque with tarragon creme. Entrees feature mint and almond pesto-crusted rack of lamb or slow-seared Hudson Valley duck breast. For dessert, try a chocolate orange mousse.

Bare Bones Fish & Steakhouse (3192 Shoal Line Blvd., Hernando, (352) 596-9403) features hand-cut Black Angus steaks and an array of gulf seafood. A special of chateaubriand with bearnaise is $89 per couple including a bottle of Champagne and chocolate seduction.

Curious about the new menu and chef at Bella Brava (515 Central Ave., St. Petersburg, (727) 895-5515)? Feb. 14 is a good excuse to head over there (regular menu plus some extra specials, 5 to 11 p.m.) Long-standing dishes like the frito misto and the pizzas have gotten a few bucks cheaper, so you'll have leeway for a nice bottle of Italian wine.

Pull out all the stops

Nothing says romance like a big bucket of molten chocolate. Still, that's not what the Melting Pot (2221 Fourth St. N, St. Petersburg, (727) 895-6358; 13164 N Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa, (813) 962-6936) has in store for us. They're doing a prix fixe menu ($130 per couple) that begins with cheese fondue, then a more-is-more entree motif: lobster, filet medallion, shrimp, vanilla-rum chicken and balsamic-marinated sirloin.

Savant Fine Dining (2551 Drew St., Suite 107, Clearwater, (727) 421-9975) understands the chocolate-libido connection, offering an eight-course dinner with a single seating at 7 p.m. for $135 per person. Chef David Miller describes it as chocolate-centric (think a tart of white chocolate, prosciutto and mission fig). The grand finale is an array of 15 handmade chocolate desserts.

If a revolving restaurant with a view for miles makes your heart beat louder, check out CK's Rooftop Restaurant (5503 W Spruce St., Tampa, atop the airport Marriott, (813) 878-6500). Chef Debra Desaulniers sends out a sumptuous lobster bisque ($8) and prime Angus New York strip ($38) served with a tangle of wild mushrooms.

Climb aboard while the sunset casts its sherbet hues across Tampa Bay. For $131.55 each, you can enjoy a cruise on the Yacht StarShip (603 Channelside Drive, Tampa, (813) 223-7999) while sampling chef Paul Finocchi's menu selections. Tickets include an open bar and long-stemmed rose.

[Last modified February 4, 2008, 09:27:12]