Romantic Rendezvous in Lake Nona

Romantic endezvous IN LAKE NONA

BY SAMANTHA MONTGOMERY

Looking for cozy, quaint or romantic for Valentine’s Day? We’ve got you covered in Lake Nona. Check out these settings to take your family or your sweetheart out to eat for the holiday.

BREAKFAST OR BRUNCH:

First Watch at Nona Place is the perfect place to start the day. The menu upgrade now includes cocktails! The Pomegranate Sunrise is a beautiful burgundy concoction of Camarena tequila, pomegranate, fresh lime, agave and nectar. You won’t regret this one. The Floridian French Toast is as pretty as it is deli-

Oreo Nutella Mocha Latte at Vanessa's Coffee Shop

First Watch

cious. The fluffy texture comes from the brioche bread, which makes a great platform for the kiwi, bananas and fresh berries. Top it all off with a light sprinkle of cinnamon sugar and voila — breakfast is served! First Watch will be open on Valentine’s Day from 7am to 2:30pm. The weekends are busy, so make sure to download the First Watch app to “get in line” before you leave the house.

Vanessa’s Coffee Shop is one of those hidden gems of Lake Nona. Start off the holiday morning with some specialty drinks like the Oreo Nutella Mocha Latte or the S’mores Nutty Hot Chocolate. They will warm you and your sweetie up while poring over their fabulous brunch specials. You don’t want to miss the Strawberry Shortcake French Toast piled high with whipped cream and topped with fresh strawberries and a light dusting of powdered sugar — give yourself permission to indulge in this one. They will be open from 8am to 4pm on Valentine’s Day. Seating reservations are currently not available, so make sure to get there early!

LUNCH OR DINNER:

310 Nona is the place for a romantic setting. Whether you are seated on the patio with a lush scene or in a cozy dim-lit booth perfect for conversation, you simply cannot go wrong. The House Wines’ List fea-

tures some very elegant reds and whites that can pair easily with any item on the menu. The linguini with hard-shell clams is a gorgeous-looking dish worthy of a nod from Martha Stewart. If you have any room left for dessert, the Italian Cream Cake is a confection featuring pecan and coconut cake with real cream cheese frosting. 310 Nona will be open from 10am to 12am on Valentine’s Day, and you can reserve a table ahead through the OpenTable app or on the restaurant website at www.310restaurant.com.

Piazza Italia is a family-owned establishment that proudly features homemade Italian dishes. With a brick wood-fired oven, they are known for their specialty pizzas that take center stage on the menu. All pastas are made fresh in-house, and all of them are delicious. The desserts are as delightful to look at as they are delectable. You can choose from tiramisu, cheesecake, profiteroles, cannoli, sorbetto al limone, tartufo al cioccolato and Nutella pizza. They will be open on Valentine’s Day from 11am to 10pm. There are three ways to make a reservation: On the OpenTable app, by calling ahead at 407.413.5200 or by going online at www.piazzaitalianona.com.

DINNER:

Durian Durian Thai Fusion Cuisine

is one of those charming neighborhood finds that you will go back to often. Their specialty is true Southeast Asian fare, while only using the freshest ingredients. The décor can simply be described as soothing and sophisticated. Go straight for the Chef Creations’ section of the menu, and there you will find a variety of fun things to try. They are all sumptuous. The Ginger Stir Fry with Grilled Salmon is a fabulous dish accompanied by fresh mixed vegetables and a healthy ginger brown sauce. Don’t close out the night without trying the Fresh Mango with Sweet Sticky Rice. This is a true Thai treat. You can call ahead for seating at 407.282.2992.

Canvas Restaurant and Market will celebrate Valentine’s Day in style with a stunning four-course meal that begins with an appetizer of Lobster Beignets, a deep-fried pastry stuffed with fresh lobster meat. Next up, is a corn bisque soup that is sure to please the palate, followed by a 24 oz. Bone-in Rib Eye Steak cooked to juicy perfection. Save room for the grand finale, which is a Chocolate Dome cake that will

please the most discerning of dessert aficionados. This four-course meal is $80 per person, and Canvas will be open for dinner from 3pm to 9pm on Valentine’s Day; it is strongly recommended that you make reservations through the OpenTable app or by calling ahead at 407.313.7800.

Chroma Modern Bar and Kitchen is a great place to share Valentine’s Day with a group of friends. Head straight for the Social Plates section of the menu and have everyone pick a plate or two and pass it around for a sampling. The Grilled Ciabatta and Meatballs, Lobster Pad Thai and Fish and Chips are all fantastic and a great way to sample some international dishes. With cocktails to go, you can bring the party back to your place. The Strawberry Rosé Spritzer and Red Apple Sangria serve about three drinks per person and are conveniently packaged to take home. They will be open from 11am to 10pm on Valentine’s Day and reservations can be made through the OpenTable app ahead of time.

Bosphorus Turkish Cuisine is the place to dine if you are in the mood to try something unique. The Mixed Grill for Two offers a sampling of some of the more popular dishes like Doner

Kebap, Chicken and Lamb Adana Kebap, Chicken and Lamb Sis Kebap, Chicken and Lamb Kofte, and is served over rice pilaf with a side of cacik, which is yogurt with cucumbers and herbs. You can substitute all lamb for a modest upcharge. For dessert, give the Unefe a try. This exceptional dessert consists of sweet Turkish cheese and shredded filo dough that is baked with a citrus syrup and topped with pistachios. The generous portion is large enough to share with your special someone. They will be open from 11am to 10pm on Valentine’s Day and you can make reservations on the OpenTable app or by calling the restaurant ahead of time at 407.313.2506. l

Bosphorus Turkish Cuisine