Some say it with flowers. Others with chocolate-filled hearts. And for some, it wouldn’t be Valentine’s Day without an intimate dinner out. Across the region, many wonderful restaurants are perfect for celebrations. But some stand out just a little more when it comes to romance. Maybe it’s the well-appointed dining room. Perhaps it’s the scenic views. It could be the richly written menu. You may have your own favorite from a first date or for another sentimental reason. But if not, we’ve picked six of our favorites of the moment.
Four Eleven York
A tiny, tidy shotgun dining room opens up with large windows flooding in the street life of the Freemason District at Four Eleven York. The simple space is comfortable with an understated elegance. Tables line one wall, and a small bar curves from the kitchen along an exposed brick wall. The menu changes often, but the dishes are typically upscale American regional. A constant is the Four Eleven York Caviar Experience, a romantic notion indeed. Spooned into a glass cone atop a vessel holding ice is 30 grams of osetra caviar. With a bubalus horn spoon, my husband and I piled the roe high on the accoutrements: deviled eggs, Tater Tots and Route 11 kettle chips, accented with smoked French onion dip. An elongated vial of chilled vodka, also served in a vessel of ice, was enjoyed alongside. A small entree offering included pasta, risotto, seafood, chicken and steak. We enjoyed a succulent Atlantic salmon filet atop sweet potato puree and roasted Brussels sprouts topped with apple slaw and in a ginger, coconut and lemongrass broth. The lemon and thyme chicken breast was also delicious. Bubbles were an always-fabulous sparkling from Virginia’s Thibaut-Janisson Winery. A lovely cakey brownie atop chocolate drizzle and adorned with vanilla ice cream was a simple, sweet ending.
Four Eleven York is at 411 W. York St., Norfolk. Call 757-963-7000 or visit fourelevenyork.com . Isle of Capri
A true legacy restaurant, Isle of Capri has delighted with Italian favorites for almost three-quarters of a century. Some years ago, it moved atop the Holiday Inn & Suites Virginia Beach North Beach, and the expansive view of sand and surf only enhances the experience. The elevator ride six floors up builds the anticipation. The dining room is well appointed and classic. It’s comfortable, and the views out across the beach are timeless. A meal at Isle of Capri is not complete without its signature tableside Caesar salad service. Harkening back to another time, there is something inherently romantic about having food prepared right in front of you and just for you. The server rolls out a cart laden with the ingredients needed to create the classic: coddled egg, garlic, anchovy paste, red wine vinegar, olive oil, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, Parmesan cheese. They fill the large bowl and are mixed. Whole leaves of crisp romaine lettuce are dropped in, and they’re tossed to coat perfectly before being portioned out to waiting plates. The entree offerings are pure old-school, including the veal parmesan. Tender cutlets are lightly breaded and fried, then topped in an addictively rich, robust tomato sauce and melting cheese. Each bite was wonderful, and true to the classic form. The fra diavolo offers a sassy seafood dish of fresh shrimp sautéed in a spicy sauce with clams and served over linguine. Zonin Prosecco, an Italian sparkling, is delightful and a perfect foil for substantial dishes.
Isle of Capri is at 3900 Atlantic Ave., Virginia Beach. Call 757-428-2411 or visit isleofcaprivb.com . Le Yaca French Restaurant
The elegant Le Yaca is one of the most romantic restaurants in the region. It’s been a favorite destination of mine for more than 30 years, providing me with many wonderful meals and memories. Le Yaca served its first meal in 1964 in the small French Alps village of Le Praz before opening in the French resort town of Saint-Tropez and later establishing itself in Williamsburg in 1980. The dining room is open and airy, decorated in a simple and elegant French contemporary style. The well-written menu supports its surroundings. The Abid family, owners and operators, supply the authenticity to this culinary gem. Do not be intimidated by a French menu or French words. Relax and enjoy one of the world’s great cuisines and let your server guide you. Also, don’t be turned off by escargot. Yes, they are snails, but the way they are prepared here is remarkable. The meat is served in a bubbling hot mixture of butter, garlic and herbs. Pluck them out and savor, then mop up the broth with bread. The menu varies, with chicken, seafood and steak entrees as well as vegetarian offerings. A classic French dish always pleases: steak frites. While steak with fries may sound simple, it’s the preparation that elevates the dish here. The salmon is another selection that pleases. The wine list is exceptional, particularly for the French offerings. We always love a good chablis. End with a real treat: the ethereal Marquise au Chocolat.
Le Yaca is at 1430 High St., Williamsburg. Call 757-220-3616 or visit leyacawilliamsburg.org . Mermaid Winery
Mermaid Winery, in the stately Beaux Arts style building at the corner of Granby and Main streets in downtown Norfolk, stands as a reminder of another time. The exterior entrance greets visitors with grand columns, and heavy doors open into a well-appointed dining room. Inside it is airy and open, with gorgeous touches throughout. The age of the building, built in 1909, and the quality craftsmanship show through in the woodwork, and a number of sea-inspired hues of blue and green adorn walls and accents. A large mermaid mural greets diners. It’s pure romance. On our visit, we shared an order of blackened tuna tacos, and both of us tucked into an entree of The Gentleman’s Cut Pork Tenderloin. The cut is glazed in an addictive boozy berry sauce and sliced on the bias to show off the pink interior. It’s stacked on top of a creamy, savory mound of truffle mashed potatoes and tender grilled carrots, also cut on the bias. There were a number of wonderful wines to pick from, including options from Mermaid Winery owner/winemaker Jennifer Eichert. Ending the meal, the white chocolate cheesecake was a most decadent dessert.
Mermaid Winery is at 101 Granby St., Norfolk. Call 757-233-4155 or visit mermaidwinery.com . Opus 9 Steakhouse
There’s a clubby feeling at Opus 9, a premium steakhouse tucked in New Town near Williamsburg. Inside, compartmentalized dining rooms provide intimacy. The space is accented with dark wood and muted colors and filled with generous-sized tables and cozy booths. It all provides a comfortable but upscale feel. On a visit, my husband and I started by sharing the ahi tuna appetizer. Here sesame-coated tuna is seared rare and sliced thin, served with wakame (seaweed) salad and a delightful ginger ponzu sauce for dipping. The tuna was a great way to begin our meal. Always a favorite of mine, the New York strip au poivre, a 14-ounce steak, was encrusted with crushed black, red and white peppercorns and pan-seared to a medium-rare deliciousness. Brandy peppercorn cream sauce accompanied. Garlic mashed potatoes and seasonal vegetables came alongside. Broiled lump crab cakes are always a good entree bet, as is a classic creme brulee as dessert. Opus 9 has a well-curated wine list. A lemon drop martini was a fun way to round out the meal.
Opus 9 is at 5143 Main St., near Williamsburg. Call 757-645-4779 or visit opus9steakhouse.com . Zoes Steak & Seafood
Originally opened in 2003 and reopened under new ownership in 2009, award-winning Zoes offers a relaxing but upscale atmosphere and matching menu. Dim lighting, plush seats, dark wood accents and an open kitchen provide the backdrop for options ranging from steaks, including Certified Angus, USDA Prime and the highly sought-after Miyazaki Wagyu, to fresh local seafood. From Chef Paul Benton’s kitchen comes high-end eats that impress. Start with the Zoes Rockefeller: Laughing King oysters topped with braised kale, pimento cheese, chicharron and bacon, and broiled to bubbly perfection. A recent delight was the pan-seared Atlantic halibut, cooked until flaky and moist. The freshness of the fish shined through the simple but effective preparation. A juicy, tender 14-ounce Meyer prime grade New York strip was cooked textbook medium-rare perfect. Addictive Boursin cheese-spiked mashed potatoes came alongside seasonal vegetables. Splurge on the steak and order a side of truffled béarnaise. The mile-high carrot cake is splendid, and big enough to share. A good gin martini is a great way to start a meal, but treat yourself and your someone special with a bottle of wine from the extensive offerings here. Sommelier/owner Marc Sauter oversees more than 40 wines by the glass and more than 600 by the bottle; ask for his recommendation.
Zoes is at 713 19th St., Virginia Beach. Call 757-437-3636 or visit zoesvb.com .
