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Carbones
The Top List of Romantic Restaurants - Hartford, CT
Our top Ten Romantic Pics
by Geoff Elterich
When planning a romantic occasion, the right restaurant can set the tone for the whole evening. There are plenty of restaurants in the Hartford area that are perfect for spending time with your significant other. Here are a few restaurants that can make any occasion memorable.
Hot Tomato’s
1 Union Place, Hartford, CT
860-249-5100
Hours: M-F 11:30-11:00, Sat-Sun 4-12:00
There is something intrinsically romantic about Italian food. The same can be said of Hot Tomato’s at Union Place in Hartford. The food is a mix of terrific traditional and contemporary Italian dishes, and the garlic bread alone will make your night. The restaurant’s casual elegance and delicious assortment of dishes is the perfect atmosphere for almost any occasion. The main dining room is stylish and spacious, opening to a large patio for outdoor dining and a sweeping view of Bushnell Park. For private parties and general seating alike, Hot Tomato's wine room, with its stone walls and fifteenth century French wine-making equipment, offers an unparalleled dining experience amidst a sampling of bottles from the vast wine list.
Estimated cost per person: $30-40
Holiday schedule: New Year’s Eve-Open, New
Year’s Day-Open, Christmas Eve-Open, Christmas Day-Closed, Thanksgiving Day- Closed, Valentine’s Day-Open
Braza
488 Farmington, Avenue, Hartford, CT
860-882-1839
Hours: Lunch: Monday-Friday 11:30-3:00; Dinner: Sun-Wed 4-10, Thurs 4-11, Fri-Sat 4-12
If a true feast is what sparks the flames of romance for you and your significant other, Braza is the place to go. For starters, the Brazilian restaurant offers one of the most eclectic and extensive salad bars in the state. Next, you are served a vast selection of side dishes, from cheesy Brazilian bread to salsa and creamed spinach. Finally, a selection of 14 different meats is sliced to order at your tableside; salmon, chicken, pork, lamb, steak, anything you desire. The meat is cooked rotisserie style and loaded with flavor, sure to satisfy the heartiest of appetites.
Fixed price is $28.95 for dinner, $14.95 for lunch. This includes everything except beverages, desserts, tax and gratuity.
Holiday schedule: New Year’s Eve-Open, New Year’s Day-Open, Christmas Eve-Open, Christmas Day-Closed, Thanksgiving Day- Closed, Valentine’s Day-Open
Wood-N-Tap
12 Town Line Rd.,Rocky Hill, CT
860-571-9444
Monday-Thursday, 11:30 am to 1 am; Friday-Saturday, 11:30 am to 2 am; Sunday, 3pm-1am
For a straight-up, no frills good meal and good time, Wood-N-Tap is the place to go. Excellent for a romantic dinner or any other occasion, Wood-N-Tap offers delicious food in a casual, friendly environment. The crowd at the newest location in Rocky Hill is testament to the fact that Wood-N-Tap’s tried and true formula still works. The food is some of the best and most creative American cuisine around. Everyone knows and loves the Burger Bites, but the Turkey Bites will soon be on the map. Wood-N-Tap offers a great meal and a laid back atmosphere that all types of people are sure to enjoy.
Estimated cost per person: $25-35
Holiday schedule: New Year’s Eve-Open, New Year’s Day-Open, Christmas Eve-Open, Christmas Day-Closed, Thanksgiving Evening-Open, Valentine’s Day-Open
Costa Del Sol
901 Wethersfield Ave, Hartford, CT
860-296-1714
Tuesday – Friday, 11:30 AM - 2:00 PM and 5:30 PM - 10:00 PM, Saturday, 5:00 PM - 10:00 PM; Sunday, 4:00 PM - 9:00 PM, Closed Mondays
For a relaxing evening with your date, unwind to Spanish guitar music and an Old-World ambience at this neighborhood restaurant. A feeling of being transported to Spain is familiar to any visitor of the restaurant, with its sand-colored stucco walls, tall, small-paned windows, and a mural of beaches, palms, and fancifully colored boats.
Delicious appetizers are exemplified by the artfully arranged piquillo peppers, stuffed with chunky codfish and spinach, then drizzled with smooth, salty red pepper sauce. The entrees are just as mouthwatering; however, try to save room for the house-made desserts, including a dense cheesecake in a puddle of sweet orange liquor sauce.
Estimated cost per person: $40-50
Holiday schedule: New Year’s Eve-Open, Christmas Eve-Open, Christmas Day-Closed, Thanksgiving Day-Closed, Valentine’s Day-Open
Max’s Oyster Bar
964 Farmington Ave., West Hartford, CT
860-236-6299
Hours: Lunch: Monday - Saturday: 11:30am - 2:30pm
Dinner: Sunday: 4:00pm - 9:00pm; Monday - Thursday: 5:00pm - 10:00pm, Friday - Saturday: 5:00pm - 11:00pm
Well-known for its tantalizing seafood and large crowds, Max’s Oyster Bar lives up to its reputation. The atmosphere is retro, and tables along the far side of the room are at stage-level, offering good people-watching, a large factor in the popularity of this West Hartford hotspot. The oyster selection is worldwide and varies from day to day, as does the fresh fish catch. Oysters Rockefeller are particularly excellent. There are plenty of inventive touches, such as the papaya cucumber salsa and creamy polenta that accompany juicy blackened swordfish.
Estimated cost per person: $45-55
Holiday schedule: New Year’s Eve-Open, New Year’s Day-Open, Christmas Eve-Open, Christmas Day-Closed, Thanksgiving Day-Closed, Valentine’s Day-Open
J. Gilberts
185 Glastonbury Blvd, Glastonbury, CT
860-659-0409
Hours: Sun-Mon, 4:00pm-9:00pm; Tues-Sat, 4:00pm-10:00pm
Known as one of the best steakhouses in the state, J. Gilbert’s is also one of the most romantic. The ambiance is dark, dark wood, dim lighting: a perfect place for a quiet conversation. In the winter, fireplaces add another level of beauty. Along with an excellent wine selection, J. Gilbert’s offers an assortment of unique dishes, like the smoked Gouda blackened chicken penne pasta. The wedge is a delightful quarter of iceberg lettuce smothered in blue cheese, bacon bits, tomatoes and more. The service is always excellent and the all-around experience is always remarkable.
Estimated cost per person: $40-50
Holiday schedule: New Year’s Eve-Open, New Year’s Day-Open, Christmas Eve-Open, Christmas Day-Closed, Thanksgiving Day- Closed, Valentine’s Day-Open
Shish Kebab House of Afghanistan
36 La Salle Road, West Hartford, CT
860-231-8400
Hours: M-Thurs, 11am-10pm; Friday-Sat, 11am-11pm; Sunday, 2pm-9pm
Those familiar with the Shish Kebab House in Hartford will be delighted with the restaurant’s new location in West Hartford. Those not familiar with Afghan cuisine will be pleasantly surprised with the exotic seasonings and variety of dishes. The dishes rely heavily on meats, freshwater fish, vegetables, and rice. Shish Kebab uses only the finest ingredients and offers a very casual setting. The first level contains the popular bar area, and a flight of stairs takes you to the dining room, where the food and the service is always excellent.
Estimated cost per person: $30-40
Holiday schedule: New Year’s Eve-Open, New Year’s Day-Open, Christmas Eve-Open, Christmas Day-Closed, Thanksgiving Day-Closed, Valentine’s Day-Open
O’Porto
2074 Park Rd, Hartford, CT
860-233-3184
Hours: Lunch: Tues-Friday,12-2:30; Dinner, Tues-Sat. 5pm-10pm; Sun12-8
Portuguese food doesn’t always come to mind when thinking of great cuisine, but after dinner at O’Porto, it just might change people’s minds. The new restaurant is situated in a retrofitted factory, with a high wrought iron fence that cordons off an area for outdoor dining. The dining room and bar area are very spacious and the décor is subtly romantic. The menu heavily favors the country's famous regional seafood dishes. Of course, you must begin every meal here with the delicious, fresh Portuguese bread, served in individual loaves hot from the oven.
Estimated cost per person: $30-45
Holiday schedule: New Year’s Eve-Open, New Year’s Day-Open, Christmas Eve-Open, Christmas Day-Closed, Thanksgiving Day-Closed, Valentine’s Day-Open
Mill on the River
989 Ellington Road, South Windsor, CT
860-289-7929
Hours: Monday – Thursday, Lunch 11:30 - 2:00, Dinner 5:00 - 9:30; Friday, Lunch 11:30-2:00, Dinner 5:00-10:00; Saturday, Dinner 5:00pm - 10:00pm; Sunday, Brunch 11:00 - 2:00, Dinner 3:00-8:30
Mill on the River is a perennial favorite for couples, and just about everyone else. Flowerbeds dot the lush green lawns of this old gristmill on the bank of the Podunk River. The 30-foot fountain, waterfall and covered bridge have served as the background for innumerable wedding pictures. Inside, cozy dining areas, including two glass sunrooms, offer a warm escape from the cold. The seafood preparation is flawless, and there are a variety of other scrumptious specialties. Any time is a good time to visit, but Sunday brunch is particularly delightful. A buffet of muffins, fruit and desserts accompanies orders from the breakfast menu of egg, seafood and meat dishes.
Estimated cost per person: $50-60
Holiday schedule: New Year’s Eve-Open, New Year’s Day-Open, Christmas Eve-Open, Christmas Day-Closed, Thanksgiving Day- Closed, Valentine’s Day-Open
Carbone’s Ristorante
588 Franklin Ave
Hartford, CT
860-296-9646
Hours: Monday - Friday 11:30 - 9:30, Saturday 5:00 - 10:00, Sunday Closed
In an area known as Little Italy, any Italian restaurant must earn its keep. After a meal at Carbone’s, you’ll understand why the restaurant has maintained such an excellent reputation for over 60 years. Carbone’s earns its distinction with impeccable culinary execution and top notch service in a classic atmosphere. Priding itself on offering tableside preparation of appetizers, salads and desserts, Carbone’s serves some of the area’s most impressive meals alongside an extensive wine list. The traditional northern Italian cuisine is almost incomparable, but don’t forget to save room for the infamous Bachi Ball: chocolate covered vanilla ice cream flambéed with Triple sec at your table side.
Estimated cost per person: $45-60
Holiday schedule: New Year’s Eve-Open, New Year’s Day-Open, Christmas Eve-Open, Christmas Day-Closed, Thanksgiving Day- Closed, Valentine’s Day-Open
Estimated cost per person for dinner is based upon one entrée, one appetizer, one beverage, and 20% gratuity, unless otherwise specified.
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