What would be your ideal romantic date in Fort Lauderdale? It would begin with delicious drinks and fantastic food, but it could be so much more. You can choose to eat upscale Italian food or tapas. Do you prefer white linen tablecloths, or do you want a lively scene with people dancing and clearing the tables?
Giovanni Rocchio, the chef and owner of Valentino Cucina Italiana & One Door East, created these two ideals as he designed his restaurant concept. You can choose either one or both and enjoy a romantic evening. Valentino’s or One Door East are great for Valentine’s Day, anniversary dinners, date nights, or just to enjoy a romantic evening with someone special.
Valentino’s Bar: Romantic Opening Cocktail
Our night began at Valentino’s. We were immediately drawn to the specialty cocktails. We played with the idea of getting a Born Sinner With Ron Zacapa 23 coconut milk, vanilla bean, lime juice, and bitter chocolate. Blake, the bartender recommended a drink for our sweet taste. Blake explained that he designed the drink menu to ensure balanced flavors from the tip of the tongue all the way down your throat. He said he would rebalance the drink to our taste. We accepted his hospitality, and ordered a A Remedy to a Broken Heart A Purple Rain As we imagined, saving the Born Sinner HTML0 for dessert. The Remedy begins with a base made of Glenlivet Founders Reserve Mezcal Del Maguey Vida, lemon juice, agave and ginger syrup. Purple Rain is Bombay Sapphire with creme de violette and orange liqueur. Blake created his magic as we settled in to talk. What did they taste like? Fabulous! Blake balanced the flavors to give a delicious first taste, and a smooth end. The drinks cost about $16, which was reasonable given the amount of premium liquor used in each cocktail. We were not overwhelmed by the alcohol, but felt good when we ordered our appetisers. What is a romantic dinner date without a warm, fuzzy cocktail?
Front Row Dining At Valentino’s For Appetizers
Valentino’s is a great example of how to bring the back of the home into the spotlight. You can see the kitchen in the middle of your dining area. The dining area was dotted with tables covered in white linen, but we chose a seat near the counter that surrounded the open kitchen. Chef Giovanni Rocchio was preparing for dinner rush. Fresh, homemade sheets of pasta were waiting to be transformed into something delicious. Giovanni was preparing a delicious looking sauce while we ordered our appetizer. We chose grouper cheeks In an artichoke and cream sauce Slow cooked pork belly We were perched atop that magical boundary between the dining room and the kitchen. As a child, I remember watching the family cook Thanksgiving dinner together. In the kitchen, I was surrounded by activity and creativity. If I was fortunate, I might get a taste of the stuffing every now and then. Valentino’s was a place where we didn’t need any luck. Our waiter served us samples of Caprese Salad made with heirloom tomato, buffalo mozzarella and homemade pesto. We felt very lucky and special.
Giovanni told us about his early days in New York City, and how he opened up his first restaurant near Ft Lauderdale. It is now a gourmet pizzeria. Chef Albert Diaz created our culinary masterpiece, and we were blown away by his delicacy. Our meal was not just food but art. We felt part of the process. It was almost too beautiful to eat the grouper with its purple potatoes interwoven with flowers and strings on top. The pork belly paired well with it. It was as delicious as it looked. The Butternut Tortellini, and Ricotta Cavatelli were the first items we chose from the dinner menu. It was hard to leave Valentino’s. We were curious, so we went to One Door East for a romantic dinner experience.
One Door East Experience
Valentino’s is a restaurant that offers innovative cuisine in an elegant atmosphere. One Door East is a tapas restaurant that offers a variety of flavors from around the world. It has a hipster, almost upbeat vibe that is very different from Valentino’s.
You can wear jeans here and have a good time with your friends. White linens have been replaced by black walls, dark wooden floors, and colorful murals. Local bands such as VINYL BLVD, Weedline and DJ Fabian Giannattasio mix dance beats at a Saturday dance party. This is a casual, upscale place where friends can meet and lovers can get together. It’s a romantic restaurant that has a new twist.
One Door East Dinner and Drinks
Two handcrafted cocktails began our romantic culinary world tour. Sage Guru You can also find out more about the following: Monkeys in Paradise . The Sage Guru was a scotch blend of coconut, cherry liquor, and Angostura bitters. The Monkey in Paradise is a scotch mix of coconut, cherry liquor and Angostura Bitters. Although we are a sweet-toothed bunch, there were many other options.
We had heard so much about the burnt end that we just had to give them a try. The Kansas City BBQ is known for its burnt ends, which are flavorful meat pieces cut from the “pointed” half of a smoke brisket. One Door East slow cooks them for 18-hours to create a rich, salted, smoked masterpiece. Pickled red onions are accompanied by aged cheddar cheese and dill-pickles. To enjoy this dish, you should combine all of the flavors in every bite. We also tried their shimeji mushroom with truffle ponzu. The steak was cooked perfectly and melted in our mouths. They serve sashimi and sushi every Friday and Saturday. Chef Albert Diaz, who was a member of the Zuma Team at the time, brought Asian influences with him. We had to eat dessert because we were so full.
Desserts at One Door East
Both the banana bread pudding Then, there is the chocolate mousse . The banana bread pudding began with banana bread that was baked into a warm, bread pudding. It was then topped with ice cream flavored with peanut butter. The texture was well balanced and sweet. It was decadent and presented in a beautiful way. The mousse had a delicious blend of sweet and salty. Each bite revealed a different taste and texture. The deserts were not necessary, but each bite was savored. The best romantic dinner dates always end with some sweetness.
How to Wrap Up a Romantic Dinner Date
We were guests at Valentino Cucina and One Door East but we can say that the experience was excellent for a romantic evening of different flavors. We can’t wait to return to the restaurant to taste the dishes that we didn’t have room to eat, including the Born Sinner. This is a dining experience that will make you want to return again and again. It is the kind of dining experience that can anchor your romantic getaway in Fort Lauderdale, and enhance your Florida holiday.
One Door East also has a large, private dining area for groups of six people or more. It is rumored that they will host some Dining in the Dark Events in the near future. We will definitely be back for this unique culinary experience.
Valentino’s website sums it up perfectly – “Instead of serving only the most delectable dishes, Chef Giovanni Rocchio is committed to providing guests with exceptional hospitality and respect, both vital elements in a luxury restaurant operation.” This is more than a great meal, it is a wonderful experience.