A Romantic Rendezvous in Ann Arbor, Michigan

With the University of Michigan campus spread throughout the city, my hometown of Ann Arbor has a large number of charming restaurants in picturesque neighborhoods. These restaurants provide a distinctive dining experience, and serve as an ideal location for a romantic evening. Listed below are some recommendations I've made for people planning a date with someone special.

For a Casual Romantic Evening

The Original Cottage Inn (512 E. William) not only specializes in gourmet pizza, but also offers a fairly large menu, with a variety of Italian and Greek dishes, steaks, seafood, daily specials, full bar, Michigan beers, and an extensive wine list.

In an article published by About.com: Detroit, Laura Sternberg writes that the atmosphere definitely rivals that of a nice Italian restaurant. A two-story construction, housed within a downtown storefront, the interior consists of a dining room on each floor, connected by a winding staircase, and a separate bar area on the ground level. I feel that this restaurant is romantic because of its design, done in warm colors, with an eccentric chandelier in the form of a large bunch of grapes.

According to Metromix Detroit, this is the very first of the more than 70 Cottage Inn take-out locations around the state. Superpages.com contains information that The Original Cottage Inn has been the "Inn" place for authentic Italian cuisine for more than 60 years.

Serving Lunch and Dinner, the price of a meal ranges from $9-$15. Open hours are Mon.-Wed., 11 a.m.-11 p.m., Thu.-Sat., 11 a.m.-midnight, and Sun., noon-10 p.m. To reach by phone, call (734)663-3379.

For a Formal Romantic Evening

Gratzi Ristorante (326 S. Main St.) is an upscale, contemporary Italian restaurant, featuring food and wine prepared mostly in the traditions of the region's northern province. In a description of the establishment by ANN ARBOR.com, "The murals and well appointed surroundings of Gratzi in downtown Ann Arbor offer an experience as luxurious as the menu, which features elegant Italian risotto, antipasto, pasta, seafood, and meat entrees and more."

My interpretation of its romantic appeal originates from the current preservation of the history of the physical structure, seen in the elegant decor and ambiance. Gratzi was formerly known as the Orpheum Theater, which screened many popular films throughout the 1930s. On the About Us page for Mainstreet Ventures-Distinctive Eateries, it is written that a grand sculpture of Orpheus himself, the great poet and musician, overlooks the dining room guests, while a beautifully painted Renaissance-style mural depicting an ancient bacchanal reinforces the indulgent and purely pleasurable atmosphere.

YAHOO! LOCAL evaluates Gratzi's price range between $11.95 and $23.95. The restaurant is open for Lunch: Mon.-Sat., 11:30 a.m.-4 p.m., and Dinner: Mon.-Thu., 4 p.m.-10 p.m.; Fri.-Sat, 4 p.m.-11 p.m.; and Sun., 4 p.m.-11 p.m. To reach by phone, call (734)663-6387. Reservations can be made online here .

For a Special Romantic Evening

Located within the beautifully restored 1886 Michigan Central Depot, The Gandy Dancer (401 Depot St.) is famous for being an architectural landmark, elegant restaurant, and its creative preparations of fine cuisine. A restaurant listing on PURE MICHIGAN boasts, "We specialize in fresh seafood, select meats, house made pastas and house baked desserts."

For me, this place is romantic because of its reputation. Gandy Dancer's page on the website for Muer Seafood Restaurants informs that it is a popular choice for wedding receptions, rehearsal dinners, anniversary parties, and other special events. It has a sophisticated, historical atmosphere, inside an actual railroad station with active train tracks, featuring original cobblestone, red oak ceilings, French tile floors, and window seats.

According to Yelp, the approximate cost per person for a meal including one drink, tax, and tip ranges between $31 and $60. YAHOO! TRAVEL tells readers that this restaurant serves Lunch, Dinner, and Sunday Brunch. It is open every day, 11 a.m.-10 p.m., except on Sunday, when it is open 10 a.m.-9 p.m. To reach by phone, call (734)769-0592. Reservations are made online here.

Romantic Outdoor Dining

Google Maps lists all three restaurants as having outdoor dining, which is used during warmer weather. Wikitravel reports that it's a popular alternative, especially for the locals who have just suffered through six months of winter, and even though you're sitting right by the street, it's more relaxing than you might expect.

Sources

1.)Laura Sternberg,"Cottage Inn Ann Arbor-Review of the Original Cottage Inn Restaurant in Ann Arbor" About.com: Detroit

2.)Metromix Detroit, "The Original Cottage Inn-Downtown Ann Arbor-Ann Arbor, MI 48104|Metromix Detroit" Metromix Detroit

3.)Superpages.com, "The Original Cottage Inn in Ann Arbor, MI 48104|512 E William Street, Ann Arbor, MI 48104" Superpages.com

4.)ANN ARBOR.com, "AnnArbor.com|Gratzi Ristorante" ANN ARBOR.com

5.)Mainstreet Ventures-Distinctive Eateries, "Mainstreet Ventures-Distinctive Eateries" Mainstreet Ventures-Distinctive Eateries

6.)YAHOO! LOCAL, "Gratzi-Ann Arbor, Ann Arbor, MI: Reviews and maps-Yahoo! Local" YAHOO! LOCAL

7.)PURE MICHIGAN, "Gandy Dancer Restaurant-Ann Arbor Fine Dining, Milife-Pure Michigan Travel" PURE MICHIGAN

8.)Muer Seafood Restaurants, "Muer Seafood Restaurants: Charley's Crab, Big Fish, Grand Concourse, Gandy Dancer, River Crab," Muer Seafood Restaurants

9.)Yelp, "Gandy Dancer Restaurant-Ann Arbor, MI" Yelp

10.)YAHOO! TRAVEL, "Gandy Dancer, Ann Arbor, MI-Yahoo! Travel" YAHOO! TRAVEL

11.)Google Maps, "List of Ann Arbor restaurants having outdoor dining-Google Maps" Google Maps

12.)Wikitravel, "Ann Arbor travel guide-Wikitravel" Wikitravel