Take your sweetheart somewhere special this Valentine's Day! The tri-state area is full of charming and romantic restaurants for every taste and budget. Here are just a few of our romantic dining suggestions, for Valentine's Day or any special occasion:

• Make your Valentine's Day into a romantic weekend at Alexander's Inn in Cape May, NJ (609-884-2555) where you will be served masterful French cuisine in an elegant 1883 dining room and solarium porch. This stunning Victorian bed and breakfast in historic Cape May is a sure bet for true romance! The menu changes daily, but among their offerings you may find Beluga Caviar, Baked Escargot, Filet Mignon Bernaise or Roast Half Duckling with Blackberry-Concord Grape Glaze. A sweet finish of Brandy Alexander Pie or Profiteroles with Homemade Ice Cream will make you swoon!
• Andre's in Newton, NJ (973-300-4192) beckons romance seekers with their lovely lace-covered windows and candlelight dining. Chef Andre de Waal will delight you with European/American food from start to finish! The menu changes twice a month but recent menu items included Fried Brie with Roasted Apples and Lingon Berry Vinaigrette, Sauteed Sea Scallops with a Shrimp & Sage Risotto, and Pan Roasted Quail with Duck Leg Confit and Butternut Squash.
• Baladi in Montclair, NJ (973-509-6544) is perfect for those looking for an unusual but intimate setting. Reserve a private tent table and experience the pleasures of exotic Egyptian cuisine in your own private dining haven! Sample the tasty Muhammara, roasted red pepper & walnut puree, or the Shish Tawouk, coconut yogurt marinated chicken kebob with sweet potato and couscous. Then try the Firahk Mashwaya, roasted apricot stuffed baby chicken with preserved lemons and olives, or the Tajine Samek, roasted red snapper fillet with caramelized onion, potatoes & tomatoes, as part of your Eqyptian feast!
• European flare at Brianna'a in Scotch Plains, NJ (908-322-9050) will charm you at this cozy spot, as will the French/Italian cuisine. Among their signature dishes you will find: Dover Sole Princess, sole stuffed with crabmeat and spinach, served with a vin blanc wine sauce, cream, herbs and lemon, Swordfish Marechiare, fresh atlantic swordfish sautéed with shrimp, clams, mussels, wine, fresh herbs over angel hair pasta, and Osso Bucco, tender veal shank served with wild mushrooms, red bliss potatoes, peas and vegetable risotto.
• Café Matisse in Rutherford, NJ (201-935-2995) is an extraordinary dining experience for any occasion. The Matisse reproductions throughout the restaurant will charm you, as will the exciting and innovative menu. Try their tempting starters of Goat Cheese Ravioli with Basil and Grape Confit or Hudson Valley Foie Gras with Oven Dried Apples, Almond Toast and Pomegranate Coulis. Entrées of Escalope of Atlantic Salmon with Lump Crab and Dill Hollandaise and Portabella Wellington with Goat Cheese and Spinach Roasted Pepper Sauce are among their many offerings.
• Corso 98 in Montclair, NJ (973-746-0789) brings romance to innovative Italian cuisine. White woodwork, exposed brick, and antique furnishings set the tone for a lovely meal. Delight your tastebuds with Pan Roasted Prince Edward Island Mussles in a Pinot Grigio Butter Sauce or the Rock Shrimp Risotto Cake with Oven Roasted Tomato Cream Sauce. Other savory choices include Osso Buco with Creamy Polenta, Wilted Spinach and Crispy Artichokes, and Giant Ravioli Stuffed with Ragu Lamb, Pecorino Cheese and Carmelized Onions.
• Daniel's on Broadway in West Cape May, NJ (609-898-8770) provides a charming Victorian setting for elegant gourmet food with a wide array of seafood specials. Some of the delectable menu selections include Grouper Charleston, sautéed grouper, lobster meat, sweet corn, leeks and plum tomatoes in a lobster sherry sauce, Grilled Striped Bass Vera Cruz, mediterranean style, jumbo lump crab in a tomato, caper & olive broth over saffron risotto and Filet Mignon, stuffed with Stilton bleu cheese on garlic herb mashed potatoes with shittake red wine sauce
• For a truly unique dining experience, try the Green Gables Inn in Beach Haven, NJ (609-492-3553) on Long Beach Island. Advise the restaurant of your dining preferences in advance and then enjoy three or five course gourmet meals in a quaint Victorian inn where a delicious surprise will be served at each course! The Italian-influenced cuisine is certain to please and, with no set menu, will be full of unexpected delights!
• Il Mondo Vecchio in Madison, NJ (973-301-0024) has a timeless look, with wood floors, tin ceilings, and antiques. Beautiful presentation and excellent service complement the delectable Italian fare at this memorable restaurant. You will be delighted with the Potato Encrusted Sea Bass with Barolo Sauce, Filet Mignon in a White Wine Sauce with Cherry Peppers, Wild Mushrooms and Capers, or the Sea Scallops in a Light Citrus Sauce with Porcini Mushrooms.
• Jocelyne's of Maplewood, NJ (973-763-4460) is a warm French bistro with a small fireplace that will transport you to the Old World. The well-prepared food will make it truly romantic evening! You may sample the Carpaccio of Tun with Wild Mushrooms and Thai Dressing or the tempting Foie Gras to start. Choose among wonderful entrees including Sauteed Red Snapper with Wild Mushroom and Vegetable Mashed Potatoes served with a Red Vergus Sauce or the Marinated Duck Breast with Leg Confit in a Cassis Sauce.
• If all things French woo your sweetheart, then take a trip to La Campagne in Cherry Hill, NJ (856-429-7647) for a real treat! Polished hardwood floors, fireplaces, and candlelit tables with fresh flowers will set the mood for a truly festive experience for any food connoisseur. Start with such delectables as Bisque of Wild and Cultivated Fall Mushrooms with Black Truffle Oil and Chives or House Cured Atlantic Salmon on a bed of Mache with Grilled Asparagus, Focaccia Crouton and Dijon Vinaigrette. Then move on to Lavender Honey Glazed Salmon Fillet Atop Potato Tartine, Haricots Verts and Sauce Natural or Demi-Cured Boneless Pork Loin atop Potato Tartine, Watercress and Red Pepper, Mustard Demi-Glace, which are among the many menu items.
• La Scala Ristorante of Hoboken, NJ (201-963-0884) is like a trip to Italy in New Jersey! The warm painted walls, exposed brick and gold drapery are warm and inviting, accompanied by Italian arias in a celebration of the romance of the opera. From antipasti to main course, the menu spans the Italian peninsula and includes treats for every taste. You might try the Petto di Pollo alla Panna, Sauteed Chicken Cutlet in a light Cream Sauce, Rosemary, Garlic and Black Pepper, or the Scaloppine al vino Bianco, Tender Veal Cutlet, Sauteed in White Wine With Lemon. Or perhaps you can linger over the Penne Boheme, with a Very Light Pink Sauce, Garlic, Fresh Parsley, Herbs, Italian Chopped Prosciutto and Parmigiano Cheese or the Fusilli La Scala with Smoked Salmon in a Light Cream Sauce, Garlic, Fresh Parsley and Herbs.
• The Saddle River Inn of Saddle River, NJ (201-825-4016), considered one of NJ's finest restaurants, has a romantic ambiance that's hard to beat! The restaurant is housed in a renovated 150-year barn, replete with antiques, lace curtains and cozy tables for intimate dining. For a truly romantic seating, try the restaurant's balcony dining area. The classic American food with French accents is exceptional and is sure to make for a very memorable evening! Among their unique temptations are Julienne Smoked Duck with Apples and Pecans over Salad Greens, Filet of Veal with Wild Mushrooms in a Light Cream Sauce, and Rack of Lamb Encrusted with Parsley Crumbs.
• Scalini Fedeli of Chatham, NJ (973-701-9200), an upscale Italian restaurant, is an icon of NJ dining. The ambiance and décor are both charming and romantic, with vaulted ceilings and plush dining settings. The excellent menu offers an extensive array of choices and the special dessert menus should not be missed! Sample their Squid Ink Papparadelle with Mussels and Clams in a Light Saffron Tomato Broth, Duck Breast with a Sweet Port and Truffle Reduction, or the Filets of Young Snapper served over Provencal Vegetables. The special chocolate menu will delight your sweetheart!
• Venture over to 75 South in Freehold, NJ (732-780-4441) to dine in a lovely, restored Victorian mansion accentuated by candlelight and soft music. Enjoy the creative continental cuisine of this popular and remarkable area restaurant. Begin your meal with such temptations as Foie Gras, Portobello Napoleon, or a Toasted Goat Cheese Salad and then move on to their tempting entrees including their Osso Buco over almond wild rice in a Roquefort Port sauce or Miso Glazed Tuna served with red & green Swiss chard drizzled with wasabi aoli.

  Bon Appetit!