Peoria, Illinois, is a good spot for romantic dining, and, it isn’t always at a high price so, that makes it attractive for Valentine’s Day.
The first “spot” is the classy Hotel Pere Marquette that houses a very fine restaurant dubbed Carnegies. Typically reservations can be made just a little before the desired date (in fact, at times you can even “walk-in,”) however on a holiday like Valentine’s Day I would recommend a week in advance.
The value of being at the Pere Marquette is that you can always get room service no matter how busy the restaurant is.
The prices at Carnegie’s are moderate. Chicken dishes range in the middle to high teens; fish will be around $20 and steaks will go from mid-twenties to $30. The food is excellent. I have linked to a menu.
Another perk to staying at the Pere Marquette or just going to Carnegie’s is riding the horse-drawn carriage that parks out in front of the hotel.
The Hotel Pere Marquette and Carnegie’s are located at 501 Main Street in Peoria, Illinois and reservations can be made at 1-800-447-1676.
Another unique romantic restaurant in Peoria is Alexander Street Steakhouse. Her you pick your own steak and put in on the grill yourself. It is romantic and there is a cozy environment not only with the couple but with other couples as well.
People go to this restaurant for their steaks but they also offer “all you can eat” sides like baked potatoes and the environment is intimate.
You can expect to pay $50-$60 for a party of two and as with Carnegies I have linked to the menu. The address is 100 Alexander Street off North Adams and reservations can be made at (309)688-0404.
One of the restaurants that my wife and I love is an Italian restaurant called Ponte Vecchio in the Sheridan Village Shopping Center. The food is outstanding and the atmosphere is intimate. You will be inclined to spend a little more here but it’s worth it. I’ve linked to the menu and reservations can be made by calling (309)682-3994.
One of the most elegant and most expensive places is the Weaver Ridge Country Club. You can have most any food with all amenities. As with the other restaurants, I have linked to the menu. Reservations can be made at (309)691-3344.
My final suggestion is another Italian Restaurant and steakhouse. Johnny’s Italian Steakhouse has great food and the atmosphere is wonderful. The only problem is they are very popular and it can be difficult to get in. The reservation number is (309)692-3887. The menu is attached and I heartily recommend this food.
Probably my personal favorites are Johnny’s and Ponte Vecchio but frankly, for Valentine’s Day or any you can’t go wrong with any of these listed.
References:
http://www.hotelperemarquette.com/html/outdoor-dining-illinois.asp
http://www.hotelperemarquette.com/images/pdfs/Carnegies_Dinner_New.pdf
http://www.mercedesrestaurants.com/alexanders.html
http://www.we8there.com/rest_detail.php?busid=7840
http://www.pontevecchio.us/index.html
http://www.weaverridge.com/
http://www.weaverridge.com/dinner.pdf
http://www.johnnysitaliansteakhouse.com/menus/menu_dm_menu_lunch.aspx
