The Hoosier State is more than just race cars and cornfields. Indiana is diverse, from the rolling hills of the southern portion to the vast fields of the central region to the sand dunes along the beaches of Lake Michigan along the northern border. "Hoosier Hospitality" is obvious in the friendly, down-home people, with food being a great source of state pride. Treat your special someone to a meal at one of the many romantic restaurants across the state.
Home to the iconic University of Notre Dame campus, South Bend attracts thousands of visitors each year just for visiting the campus and catching football games. The town is home to several romantic restaurants, perfect for taking your sweetie out before or after the big game. Bistro 933 is located inside the Hilton Garden Inn. Specializing in modern American cuisine, this restaurant is open seven days a week, serving breakfast and dinner, with the bar open later. Bistro 933 offers daily specials, so check their website to see if any interest you. The menu is billed as "A culinary road trip," as evidenced by the different state and regional ingredients. Start your dinner with the Chicago mini filet sandwiches, topped with Dijon mustard mayo, or the California grilled pesto pizza, topped with pesto sauce, caramelized onions, mozzarella cheese and prosciutto crisp. Follow your appetizer with the Washington Granny Smith blue cheese salad or the Georgia Vidalia onion soup. Feed a piece of the New England crab cake or Alaskan king salmon to your sweetie, and let them give you a taste of their New York pesto gnocchi or Ohio Lake Erie walleye. With a tantalizing dessert menu, full bar and wine list including Dom Perignon, there are plenty of temptations and libations to help spark the romantic mood.
Bistro 933
53995 Indiana 933
South Bend, IN 46637
574-323-2471
bistro933.com
Perched atop the Hyatt Regency Indianapolis hotel, the Eagle's Nest is often the first place that comes to mind when one thinks of romantic restaurants in Indianapolis. The only revolving restaurant in Indy, this 22nd floor eatery offers as much entertainment as it does fine food. Nowhere else do you get a 360 degree-view of the downtown skyline and beyond, west to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and the Pyramids complex to the north. Take your sweetheart for a romantic evening at the place deemed "Most romantic restaurant in Indianapolis." Start with a cocktail and either the goat cheese crostini with olives and roasted tomatoes or the Mediterranean lamb kebobs with tzatiki sauce and grilled flat bread. The lobster bisque and onion soup are not to be missed, and the spring mix salad with cabernet dressing and dried blueberries is a unique take on the traditional salad. The half roasted Indiana duck is a local favorite, or choose to splurge on the surf and turf, comprised of a nine-ounce filet mignon and an eight-ounce cold water lobster with boursin cheese mashed potato and peppercorn demi glace. Finish with one of their changing dessert temptations and an after-dinner cocktail to complete the experience. As of October 2010, Eagle's Nest is open daily 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. for dinner only, with valet parking available.
Eagle's Nest
1 South Capitol Ave.
Indianapolis, IN 46204
317-616-6170
indianapolis.hyatt.com
After a romantic stroll through the beautiful Indiana University campus, take your loved one for an Italian treat along the 4th Street row of one-of-a-kind restaurants. Charming and romantic, Puccini's La Dolce Vita has been voted one of Bloomington's most romantic places. Wine and dine your sweetie on the Italian garden-style patio, if the weather permits. Start with a glass of wine, many of the selections of which from the local Bloomington wineries, such as the beloved Oliver Winery just north of town. Whet your appetite with a plate of crab cakes, brie al forno or garlic bread. Ask your server for the soup of the day, or opt for a Caesar or Mediterranean salad. The entrée list is extensive, with choices such as gnocchi gorgonzola, lasagna Italiana, three cheese manicotti, pollo alla parmigiana and salmon con rafano. There are plenty of selections for both herbivores and carnivores alike. The food is rich and authentic, the atmosphere inspires romance and the location is ideal for students, with plenty of parking in the area for everyone. Carry-out is available as well, for a romantic evening at home.
Puccini's La Dolce Vita
420 E. 4th St.
Bloomington, IN 47401
812-333-5522
puccinisladolcevita.com
