Romantic restaurants in Connecticut offer intimate dining experience

Gleaming wood, comfortable chairs, imaginative menus and award-winning wine lists make dining at the lovely Griswold Inn in equally picturesque Essex Village a romantic experience you will want to repeat. From the historic dining room to the award-winning bar at the Tap Room to the elegant Wine Bar, dining venues at “The Gris” are designed so you will feel you are stepping back in time (the inn began operating in 1776, after all). The menus showcase fresh seafood, aged beef – and house-made desserts that make you want to linger just a bit. The wine list at the Wine Bar, where tapas are served, is regularly given Wine Spectator’s Award of Excellence. (Check the website for updates on openings and health regulations.)

Planning a romantic dinner? Here’s an idea: At Essex Steam Train & Riverboat, you and your significant other can board a first-class 1920s-era Pullman dining car, pulled by a Vintage diesel locomotive, to enjoy an elegant four-course meal as featured in the “Memorable Meals” section of USA Today. Relax and reconnect as the train rolls through the picturesque Connecticut River Valley while you are served prime rib, grilled salmon or other delicious entrees. The atmosphere is cozy and nostalgic, the service impeccable. To really up your romance game, take the train to the Mississippi-style riverboat Becky Thatcher for an evening cruise. Enjoy a cocktail on the open deck as you watch the sun set and the stars come out over the river. Please check our website for our dining menus & schedule.