By Heather Turk
With its turquoise waters and stunning sunsets, setting the mood for romance in Clearwater, Florida, isn’t very hard. This picturesque area is perfect for a grown-up getaway and boasts several romantic restaurants ideal for a delectable dinner with the one you love.
BOB HEILMAN’S BEACHCOMBER
Known for its Prime beef and fresh seafood, this family-owned Clearwater Beach restaurant has been the site of countless weddings and anniversary celebrations. Couples can either dine in a dimly lit, secluded booth tucked away inside the restaurant, or soak up the sights on the romantic outdoor patio while sipping a selection from the award-winning wine list. Menu options include such sharable starter dishes as Escargot and Oysters Florentine, while dinner entrées range from Fresh Florida Everglades Frog Legs to Char-Broiled Genuine American Loin Lamb Chops. A lunch menu, featuring an assortment of salads and sandwiches, is available as well. heilmansbeachcomber.com
SEA-GUINI
This Clearwater Beach restaurant inside Opal Sands Resort offers spectacular views of the property’s pool and the Gulf of Mexico. Serving a menu of fresh local seafood, Italian handmade pastas and Neapolitan pizzas, couples can dine inside the contemporary restaurant and enjoy the views through floor-to-ceiling windows, or eat on an outdoor terrace that allows guests to fully revel in the vistas and warm, tropical breezes. Must-try dinner dishes include the Pan Seared Hogfish, served with roasted Florida corn broth, sweet Gulf shrimp, smokehouse bacon and potato hash and roasted cauliflower, and the Penne alla Vodka. For dessert, the house-made Budino is a chocolate lover’s dream! seaguini.com
SALT N PEPPER BISTRO
The perfect place for a “date night,” this family-owned restaurant in Clearwater lets guests feast upon fabulous French cuisine while dining in a quaint atmosphere. The chef and his family (who run the restaurant) are all from France and it’s not uncommon to see chef Jean Claude outside of the kitchen speaking with guests. Savory dinner selections include the Duck Breast à l’Orange—pan-roasted duck breast served with a fresh orange and honey sauce—and the fresh-made De la Mer pasta: shrimp, mussels and scallops in a paprika, white wine and shallot cream sauce. When it comes time for dessert, be sure to split one of the tasty dessert crepes with your sweet. The Apple Bistro—fresh apples sautéed in butter and sugar topped with a dark chocolate sauce and flambéed with rum—is delightful. saltnpepperbistro.com
Ready to try these spectacular spots? Book your Clearwater getaway today at www.allegiant.com!
