Sometimes we all need a little help when it comes time to impress a date. Certain restaurants may please the tongue and fill the belly but don't tug on our emotions. The selections we have gathered here have that certain something—perhaps a light-speckled patio, or a roving musician, or inspirational garden—that can wow a date, and put them in the mood to satisfy other appetites. Presented in alphabetical order, here are the top ten romantic restaurants in Greenwich.
Sometimes we all need a little help when it comes time to impress a date. Certain restaurants may please the tongue and fill the belly but don't tug on our e... more
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1
Gaia
253 Greenwich Ave., Greenwich, CT 06830 / 203-661-3443
U.K.-based restaurateur Marion Abela’s ambitious premier U.S. venture pays homage to its namesake, the Greek goddess of the earth, by putting the purest and finest ingredients in service of innovative French cuisine. Chef Frederic Kieffer prepares his macaroni and truffles sous vide to give the cheese a creaminess that balances well the intense fungal aroma. With its fragrant saffron pan jus, the flaky-tender silver snapper filet is a nicely subtle follow-up to the pasta. And a comprehensive wine list doesn’t just trot the globe, it truly explores it. Meanwhile, as much meticulous attention is paid to Gaia’s décor. Vaulted, ochre-tiled ceilings and pillars recall Guastavino’s in New York City; an elevated alcove, fireplace and floor-length windows evoke the rustic elegance of a country manor; and Tony Chi’s warm cream-and-wood color scheme and soft, intimate approach to lighting is at once modern and classic.
2
Le Figaro Bistro
372 Greenwich Ave. Greenwich, CT 06830 / 203-622-0018
One would be hard pressed to find a more authentic re-creation of an upscale Parisian bistro than this 92-seat gem complete with a noise level and attitude that would make any true Francophile proud. But hey, isn't it supposed to be Paris in the burbs, albeit on toney Greenwich Avenue, a far cry from the Left Bank? Somehow, they've pulled it off---and with panache, even to folding doors which expose the front lounge area to the street in warm weather, and a cozy courtyard-dining terrace to the rear of the main dining room with its impressive circular pedestal in the center. The tables are close, and swathed in sparkling, crisp white tablecloths. The waiters, all with heavy French accents, wear typical French black tuxedos and black bow ties. And yes, there's the omnipresent escargots, steak frites and onion soup on the menu along with other traditional French favorites, the big difference being that the meat and poultry comes from the good old U.S. of A. You'll find an enticing selection of fine French wine by the glass. If you can't get to Paris this weekend, or into New York to Balthazar, head for Le Figaro.
3
L'Escale
Delamar, 500 Steamboat Rd., Greenwich, CT 06830 / 203-661-4600
Remember the old adage One if by land, two if by sea? Well add three if by train as a way to reach L'Escale, the tres Provençal restaurant located in Greenwich's waterfront Delamar hotel. Regardless of how you arrive, you'll immediately be transported to the pseudo-shores of Southern France ensconced in a setting that actually originated across the ocean and was meticulously reassembled stateside. Obviously restaurateurs Rick Wahlstedt and Jean Denoyer, creators of Manhattan's popular Le Colonial, knew what they were doing in putting together L'Escale, which literally means stopover. Suffice it to say that the locale and décor have become catnip for true Francophiles from near and far. Add to this an eclectic and well-conceived menu of such Provençal specialties as bouillabaisse, beef tartare, or crispy duckling with roasted pineapple. Certainly not your typical French cuisine, but then again, you're paying dearly for the experience, and it's a lot cheaper than a plane ticket to Nice. Having said that, splurge and spend the night at the Delamar after a romantic evening.
4
Nuage Restaurant & Bar
203 E. Putnam Ave., Cos Cob, CT 06807 / 203-869-2339
The appellation is French, the cuisine predominantly Japanese with French influences, and the results are no less than inspired at the quiet, elegant Nuage, whose blend of Eastern and Western traditions doesn’t compromise but rather highlights the assets of each. Chef-owner Kane Xu's sizeable and eclectic menu showcases his range; among the many appetizers, we especially like to share the delicately broiled miso black cod and the salmon tartare, made tangy with mustard soy and caviar. Entrées such as Maine lobster with champagne butter and the tamarind-glazed, sunflower seed-encrusted big eye tuna represent the yin-yang of richness and lightness at which Xu's kitchen excels.
5
Restaurant Jean-Louis
61 Lewis St., Greenwich, CT 06830 / 203-622-8450
The aura of France exists in this tiny spot on a side street just steps from Greenwich Avenue, and a simple sign is the only clue there is a restaurant in the all-but-unnoticeable building. The room exudes the warmth and calm one feels as a guest of a private residence, rather than as a patron of one of Connecticut's finest dining establishments. Since it opened in 1985, chef-owner Jean-Louis Gerin, together with his wife, Linda, have developed a cuisine that they refer to as being la nouvelle classique, an apt description for the unique ambience and superior quality of the cuisine, with a daily tasting menu, weekly dinner specials, and a regular menu which is changed on a seasonal basis. Gerin offers such specialties as soft-shell crab with roasted garlic and parsley over arugula and baby spinach, and braised medallions of day-boat monkfish with layers of baby arugula, potatoes Maxime's and a red wine-lobster sauce. Dessert includes a super thin warm green apple tart with green apple sorbet. The acclaimed wine list is comprehensive and suitable for all dishes. Restaurant Jean-Louis dictates no dress code except for collared shirts and trousers, yet an evening here invites us to dress for the occasion, just as one might if dining at Guy Savoy in Paris, to which it bears a striking resemblance.
6
Terra Ristorante Italiano
156 Greenwich Ave., Greenwich, CT 06830 / 203-629-5222
Terra has all the ingredients necessary to be one of lower Fairfield County's top Italian bistros---an attractive, be it somewhat crowded main dining room with soft lighting, a commodious bar and an inviting outdoor dining patio. It even has a generous and fairly priced menu. However, the sometimes inattentive and often curt staff seriously impairs its image, detracting from what otherwise should be a pleasant experience. Having alluded to these definite faults, it's hard to criticize the food or its presentation. But like its counterparts on Capri and the Amalfi Coast, people come to Terra more to be seen and see the celebs who frequent it, rather than to dine. The noise level is so high anyhow that it won't make any difference. Chances are you'll get what you ordered the first time. Our favorites are the pizzas prepared in the wood-burning oven and the pastas.
7
Thomas Henkelmann
Homestead Inn, 420 Field Point Rd., Greenwich, CT 06830 / 203-869-7500
Experience dining at its best at Thomas Henkelmann in Greenwich's posh Belle Haven. The fruit of Thomas and Theresa Henkelmann's labor, this charming, completely renovated eighteenth-century farmhouse boasts eighteen luxurious suites and rooms in three separate buildings. Incorporating some of the farmhouse’s original design, the dining room is as rustic as it is opulent. From the setting to the cuisine, not one minute detail goes overlooked. Enter via the front porch and proceed to the intimate bar-lounge for a cocktail before dinner. The dining room itself, with its half-timbered ceilings and fireplace, is divided into cozy booths and private rooms, all situated around the main tables. Service is invariably attentive, yet unobtrusive. And as for the cuisine---Henkelmann’s training under some of Europe's pre-eminent chefs (Paul Haeberlin, Eckart Witzigmann, etc.) ensures this German-born chef can deliver. His classic French cuisine is flawless. Examples include the cannelloni of Maryland crab meat in a tarragon-scented broth and the trio of Hudson Valley duck foie gras, followed by the almost-too-luscious poached Dover sole filled with saffron mousse and accompanied by lobster medallions in Champagne sauce. Henkelmann himself coordinates the comprehensive wine list dominated by fine French vintages. If all this somehow doesn’t impress, the desserts certainly will, being one of the kitchen’s specialties. And if you happen to stay the night, one taste of the croissants the next morning will make you a believer all over again.
8
Valbella
1309 E. Putnam Ave., Old Greenwich, CT 06870 / 203-637-1155
Valbella's reputation as the Greenwich area's premier Italian restaurant is well-deserved. Since 1992, this has been the place to head for on special occasions. But do bring lira, and lots of it, as its unexcelled ambience, service, outstanding northern Italian cuisine and mind-boggling wine list all warrant a hefty price. And while there's an extensive menu offering a wide selection of fish, poultry and meat dishes, regulars know to ask for such signature selections as sea bass wrapped in a potato crust or a thick and juicy veal chop stuffed with prosciutto and mozzarella. However, even many of the legion of loyal devotees to this emporium dedicated to feasting à la the Caesars don't know about the wine cellar, a cavernous room lined with some 11,000 bottles of vino, where private parties can dine around a radiantly heated, massive granite table, retiring to the nearby fireplace for an after dinner drink.
9
Versailles
315 Greenwich Ave., Greenwich, CT 06830 / 203-661-6634
The décor is classic as is the French fare at this combination pâtisserie-bistro-restaurant with its authentic Gallic ambience. The baked goods, ranging from baguettes and croissants to decadent tarts, are all made on the premises, as is everything else, including the wide assortment of quiches, traditional escargots and pâtés. However, perhaps what best attests to the charm of this French bistro is the broad spectrum of its clientele who range from corporate executives holding breakfast meetings to ladies who lunch and lovers who couldn't find their way to Paris for dinner.
10
Winfield's Restaurant
Hyatt Regency Greenwich, 1800 E. Putnam Ave., Old Greenwich, CT 06870 / 203-409-4400
The only thing that separates this from most other hotel restaurants is its dramatic setting in a soaring atrium with a bevy of fish-filled pools, trickling streams and verdant plant life. Otherwise, you've been there, done that. When this long awaited and much needed Hyatt opened more than 20 years ago, it had a highly touted gourmet restaurant, Condés, which for a myriad of reasons, didn't make it. As a result, Winfield's, which served as the breakfast and light meal eatery, was upgraded and now serves its Contemporary fare to all people, including the throngs of hotel guests attending various meetings in the plethora of adjacent meeting rooms. If you're into typical, unimaginative, pricey institutional cooking, you're in the right place.
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