Romance Across the Globe

What makes a restaurant romantic? The question alone can ignite hour long debates depending on your definition of the word and concept. At Bon Vivant, we’ve done some dining and drinking for you and have came up with some simple criteria to help ignite the flames of passion.

Here’s what fuels our fire: the restaurant must have ambience, preferably off-the- beaten path so you’re not sardine crammed with every self-proclaimed Casa Nova, the food and drink must be delicious-not necessarily in a 5 star sense, speak to its locale, and the service must be attentive without being rigid or stuffy. Most would agree this makes for a special evening, no matter what time of year.

So we’ve taken our wish list and looked around the globe for some highlights- by no means exhaustive- to whet your appetites and get you in the mood to share a sensual meal with your loved one. Buen Provecho to you all!

Pan Latin Love at Cucharamama- Hoboken, NJYes, New Jersey! I said slightly off-the-beaten-path- and Chef Maricel Presilla’s ode to pan Latin specialties is worth the twelve minute ferry ride from downtown Manhattan. The wood burning oven casts diners in a golden glow- or is that the Guarapita de Aragua working its mojo? This is one of Venezuela’s most delicious drinks, made with Santa Teresa Ron Antiguo de Solera and passion fruit juice. From spicy Peruvian fare spiked with panca peppers to Argentinean churrasco, the continent is literally your oyster. With Chef Presilla at the helm (she has studied the food ways of Latin America for over 20 years), you are in expert hands.

Moyo Restaurant on the Spier Wine Estate, Stellenbosch, South AfricaReserve a table in the “tree tops” (like your own tree house) and enjoy the a cappella choir gently serende you in Zulu as warm water pours over a basin so you can wash your hands. If the night’s chilly, wrap up in wooly blankets slung behind your chair and head over to the generous, South African buffet where potjies (cast iron pots) full of savoury stews and other specialties await. Don’t miss the malva pudding with a ladle or two of Cape Velvet liquor. Lekker! And you’re in wine country after all, so there’s no shortage of fabulous offerings and South African Ruby Ports to finish dinner with.

Wine Region North- Ravine Vineyard, St. Davids, OntarioRemoved from the bustle of Niagara-on-the-Lake, this is undoubtedly one of the Niagara region’s best dining destinations. Family owned and operated, this vineyard takes wine making seriously, and now that prodigal son Paul Harber is back from his culinary stage in Germany, the food does the wine proud. Check their website often for special events where wine-paired, seasonal tasting menus are beautifully prepared by Chef Harber (who staged under Canada’s legendary Michael Stadtlander). Don’t miss the vineyard’s 2007 Redcoat- a food friendly Merlot redolent with plums and spice or Ravine’s Rieslings- the 2007 is sold out, but good things are expected for future vintages (see above picture for some Ravine wines). You’ll likely dine in a recreation of the original 1920s fruit packing shed where wood fired oven breads that are made on-site begin to tempt the palate for what’s to follow. Canadian terroir at its best!

A Dash of La Dolce Vita at La Petraia- Chianti Classico, Tuscany, ItalyIf the weather’s warm, dine al fresco on the spacious stone-lined patio off the kitchen of La Petraia where Susan McKenna-Grant will be helming the stoves using her farm’s organic, pristine products. You’ll settle in with a Prosecco and a dash of blackberry syrup, some artisanal bread made in-house, dips and a captivating vista of Tuscany’s gently rolling hills. As course after course of carefully curated dishes regales the senses, you look out over nectarine-hued sky and the majestic Cyprus trees and wonder how you got so lucky. McKenna Grant’s agriturismo is high-end without any pretense or stuffiness, and her food is flawless. Prepare to be enchanted, Italian style. That’s amore!