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What makes a great romantic restaurant?

- By Albie Yuravich

This year, when compiling Connecticu­t Magazine‘s annual Best Restaurant­s awards, we asked our experts to take an especially close look at the most romantic places to share a meal with someone special. Because, with apologies to the lads from Liverpool, sometimes you need a little more than love. The little details matter, and everything should fall into place so that the restaurant enhances, not intrudes upon, your evening. Here are the qualities to look for in a romantic restaurant.

Intimacy: A romance-filled dinner is one in which you and your partner are on something of a private island. Your table or booth should be separate enough from others so you don’t have a front-row seat to some other couple’s conversati­on. And being seated close enough to hear each other clearly without shouting, but far enough so that touching only comes with intention, is the optimal balance.

Ambiance: When dining out with your special someone, you want the surroundin­gs to fade into the background so you can focus on what’s truly important — your loved one (and the delicious meal). Soft colors, lights dimmed to give off a warm and inviting glow, a mellow noise level, and lovely decor all go a long way to offering a pleasing dining envelope. Other details like a roaring fireplace and elegant table linens and stemware convey the sense that this isn’t any old night out, it’s a special night out.

Views: An epic backdrop takes any meal to the next level, and a great view counts double for a romantic dinner. Whether a sunset over the water or twinkling city lights, you want your masterpiec­e of a meal to be framed by a masterpiec­e of a view.

Shareable dishes: You share a wonderful relationsh­ip with your loved one, so shouldn’t you share some tasty dishes? Restaurant­s with plenty of delectable shareable options allow couples to amplify their enjoyment of the moment together. Charcuteri­e boards (or anything you can pick up and tempt your partner with) are ideal. And don’t forget about dessert — your sweetie deserves some sweetness.

Service: Balance is key here. A server should be there to provide food and drink, as well as informatio­n and warmth, when needed, but allow enough space for a couple to get lost in each other’s company. A proper server takes care of your needs so you can tend to your partner.

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