5 Romantic Places to Dine Like Star-Crossed Lovers - Curated Travel
Let’s face it, sometimes we all need a little inspiration to bring the romance back into life. It’s so easy to let day-to-day stresses zap the life blood out of a relationship. If you are needing a few ideas to enhance a date night, a couple of these romantic places to dine that might just set the stage.
5 Romantic Places to Dine
Let's face it, sometimes we all need a little inspiration to bring the romance back into life. It's so easy to let day-to-day stresses zap the life blood out of a relationship. If you are needing a few ideas to enhance a date night, a couple of these romantic places to dine that might just set the stage.
By the Water
Whether you find a seafront restaurant like this one at Seven Seas Los Cabos, Mexico, or one of your favorite lake view or river view spots, the glow of the sunset over the water will make you dine like starry-eyed lovers. You won't be able to help yourselves!
On a Beach
It may be a beach cabana to celebrate a birthday on vacation, like this one at Secrets Maroma Beach in Riviera Maya, Mexico, or a simple picnic basket at the beach. Having a beach walk after dinner, or even during dinner, adds to the romantic quality of beachside dining.
High on a Mountain Top with an Expansive View
For us, it was this unique family style dining experience high above Positano, at La Tagliata, on the Amalfi Coast of Italy. The views, the ambiance, the family vibe and the FOOD, made this evening unforgettable. That sunset view of Positano was magical and a view always enhances the mood.
On the Rooftop
Take it to the rooftops! I've sung the praises of a rooftop moment several times on this blog. We have found a few favorites over the years, including the Water Club in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Hudson Hotel in NYC and hotel rooftops in Seville, Barcelona and Lisbon.
Pack a Picnic (or pick one up on the way)
A picnic works equally well for daytime or nighttime. On a sunny Sunday last spring Scott and I headed out for Table Mountain, near our home in Chico. We packed a couple of items and picked up a few things at our favorite healthy takeout place for an easy picnic lunch. We spent the afternoon enjoying the natural beauty of the sunshine, fresh air and springtime blossoms.
At Home
You don't need to go far, your most romantic place to dine could be at home. I know it was for us last Valentine's Day. Rather than fight the crowds and expense of local restaurants, Scott had the idea to order a gourmet dinner from our favorite local caterer, Bacio Catering. Amanda and crew created a swoon-worthy Valentine's Day menu. My only task was to make the table look pretty while Scott plated and presented the multiple courses of our delicious dinner. Dining at home, with such deliciousness, made it a truly relaxed and intimate dining experience. I noticed that Bacio is offering their Valentine's Day Dinner for 2 again this year. Check out the drool-worthy menu. If you live in the north state area, I highly recommend this experience for an utterly romantic Valentine's Day dinner that will have you two acting like star-crossed lovers at home!
Do you have any places that you find especially romantic for dining or date night?
The Story of How We Met (+ a walk down memory lane in San Francisco)
The last thing I wanted to do that breezy fall day, back in 1997, was attend an early mental health conference in South San Francisco. I was going through a difficult time in life, a drawn out divorce, and I barely had the energy to make it to work as a school psychologist, much less pull off the professional thing at a conference an hour away. I remember getting stuck in traffic and feeling like a hot mess when I finally arrived at the San Francisco Airport Marriott Waterfront in South San Francisco. I thought I could finally relax, then I learned a colleague was intent on introducing me to the chairman of the conference before the session began. UGH!!!! I protested and started to walk away, until he caught my eye. His smile, and that twinkle in his eyes, were electric. I must have lit up, too, though it had been awhile since I had felt lit up in any way.
The last thing I wanted to do that breezy fall day, back in 1997, was attend an early mental health conference in South San Francisco. I was going through a difficult time in life, a drawn out divorce, and I barely had the energy to make it to work as a school psychologist, much less pull off the professional thing at a conference an hour away. I remember getting stuck in traffic and feeling like a hot mess when I finally arrived at the San Francisco Airport Marriott Waterfront in South San Francisco. I thought I could finally relax, then I learned a colleague was intent on introducing me to the chairman of the conference before the session began. UGH!!!! I protested and started to walk away, until he caught my eye. His smile, and that twinkle in his eyes, were electric. I must have lit up, too, though it had been awhile since I had felt lit up in any way.
That evening a group of us walked down the waterfront to dinner at the Elephant Bar. Halfway through my chopped salad, I spotted the chairman, his name was Scott. He made a beeline to our table, with that bright smile, and didn't break eye contact with me--not even once. He warmly greeted the entire group, some who he already knew from previous conferences, but he made me feel like I was the only one there. As the evening faded, the two of us ended up in the hotel lounge, talking late into the night. I remember it being the most authentic conversation I had ever had with a man. We shared some 'jagged edge' feelings of our individual lives but also hopes for satisfying relationships in the future. We had a connection, it was undeniable... and that's where it ended. We said goodbye and didn't speak again, for an entire year.
The following October, I again made my way to the conference. I assumed Scott would attend, but I was unsure if we would even recognize each other. Thinking I had been too open, maybe shared too much (I know, me?) or perhaps he had, too. I was feeling a little nervous, but also excited. As it turns out, he did remember me and I remembered him....that smile, that twinkle in his eye, captured me all over again.
This time, we stayed in touch and started seeing each other shortly after. In the end, we were both grateful that we didn't rush it, that we let time bring us back together when we were more ready for this kind of love.
My Editor, Scott, wanted to add his memory of that time in our lives:
From Scott: my recollections are very similar. I was running ragged with the pain of going through divorce and the sadness of the loss. I was also running high on the excitement of being in my element with the incredibly committed people who attended this conference in the name of making life better for kids. This would be a conference of 600 friends. One of these long-time friends and colleagues introduced me to a beautiful woman with... you guessed it... a radiant smile! I remember extended conversation in the pain zone, and a quick recognition of her heart, intellect, and ability to hear me and understand. She was going through it, too, and was one who felt deeply the pain and the desire to create a stronger, more intimate relationship in the future. But I was nowhere near ready to consider new relationships...
Like Heather, I didn't know if I would recognize her the following year, but there was that lovely blond with the crazy-bright smile. I yanked her on to the dance floor during the "hospitality" event, and the rest is... his-story and her-story.)
Heather: #lovethat
Flash forward to the year 2000, when Scott and I again stayed at the Marriott Waterfront, the night before our flight to Zihuatanejo, Mexico for our honeymoon.
The gracious staff sent the most delicious chocolate covered strawberries and a bottle of champagne to our room!
We visited this favorite spot again earlier this month, 15 years post honeymoon, as we started our 15th anniversary trip to Riviera Maya. Once again, the Marriott staff treated us like old friends. As we checked in to the modern, spacious suite (newly updated) we felt sentimental...returning to the "scene of the crime" we joked, but, more honestly, where our lives changed forever.
We visited the waterfront walkway, outdoor dining, lounge area and even the conference room where we first laid eyes on each other...This was a walk down memory lane for sure!
And yes, Marriott remembered...
We celebrated with bubbly and those amazing chocolate covered strawberries--
15 years later!!
And with that, a night down memory lane, we were off to catch a plane to Riviera Maya!
I often tell friends, who are feeling discouraged or lonely, you just never know who you might meet, and how your life may change, around that next corner--or at that conference. ;)
Cheers to the romance of travel!
Thank you to Marriott and Lenna in PR for the upgraded suite, prosecco and chocolate covered strawberries.
Marriott is clearly a brand with a heart!
Breathless...Miscarriage and a Loss Remembered
It was just a flash, out of the corner of my eye,
as they walked passed the end of the aisle of the Target store yesterday.
A mother and daughter, arms casually entwined, sharing a laugh.
A beat and then a flood of recognition.....
I knew that mother ten years ago.
Breathless....a loss remembered
It was just a flash, out of the corner of my eye,
as they walked passed the end of the aisle of the Target store yesterday.
A mother and daughter, arms casually entwined, sharing a laugh.
A beat and then a flood of recognition.....
I knew that mother ten years ago.
A group of girlfriends, a shopping trip out of town,
and we were both 10 weeks pregnant.
We spent an hour trying on clothing for our expanding waistlines that day at the galleria.
It was my first pregnancy and her second.
Her marriage was shaky and she had mixed emotions.
I was 41, my husband's vasectomy reversal was successful,
and I was finally pregnant for the first time.
I was beyond thrilled!
For me,
deliriously happy.....
sparkling days.......
Breathless......
We agreed to meet up for lunch at Nordstrom on that shopping day.
Paper shopping bags were unwrapped on command and new fashions--for the new chapter of life--
were shared with happy and congratulatory girlfriends.
A quick trip to the restroom before the drive home.
Spotting.........
"It's normal right? "
"Don't worry....it happened to a friend and her baby was fine."
Worry......
Hope and pray......
a tiny tear shed in the dark,
on the drive back home.
"Drink all the water you are able."
A shadowy examination room and the
kind technician smooths cool gel on my belly.
Watching her smile,
for any flickering sign of concern.....
I was 10 1/2 weeks pregnant.
"No heartbeat........I'm so sorry."
I can't get my breath......
Breathless
Ten years later, seeing the lovely mother and her daughter, laughing together,
I'm sure she is certain this was her path.
I believe I heard that her marriage survived the rocky times.
I am reminded of the hopefulness, and joy, of that chapter of life.
I remember the life that was lost, the dreams that died,
and the different path my life has taken by not becoming the mother I always dreamed of being.
New dreams have been created out of necessity.
New paths have been carved to enrich life in different ways.
It's the only way....but there are moments when we remember.
In bed last night, he pulls me close.
I don't want him to feel my falling tears.....
but he does.
Somehow he just knows...... like he always does.
Breathless...
