A taste of Romance

Amidst the hustle and bustle of college life at IU, in between those hours of sleeping in, lying out and cabbing it to Nick's and The Bird, students need to find some time to enjoy the more sophisticated and idyllic spots here in Bloomington. For the romantically challenged, here's your cheat sheet. Hopefully these insights will compel you to put something on other than your Indiana sweatshirt and jeans and take your significant other out for something more than wings and a Bud.\nScholars Inn Gourmet Café & Wine Bar, 717 N. College Ave.\nSegments from notable pieces of literature, gigantic windows and French doors provide a backdrop for French- and Italian-inspired cuisine at this romantic hot spot. While the cooking might not be worth four stars, elegant presentations along with an atmosphere that takes diners away from the normality of every other day is what this café is all about. Starters range from elegant house salads to crispy crawfish tails. Being the "foodie" that I am I could not turn down the suggestion from my boyfriend to try the crispy crawfish. This appetizer is anything but a small portion -- there will be plenty left to take home. Don't worry about having to look into any eyes and sucking here, all of the work is done for you, and a lemon caper sauce comes along with the little critters. Entrees include pastas, steaks and seafood. The duck breast with currant orange sauce is something for the diner who enjoys chicken, but if you're ordering this dish for the "wild rice risotto" it comes with, don't. You will be very surprised to get a small portion of wild rice and no grain of risotto on your plate. The mushroom ravioli with artichokes and sun-dried tomatoes is a suggestion for the vegetarian diner. Be sure to save room for dessert here, the menu is large and the chocolate patè is a winner for the sweet toothed. An extensive wine and martini list is also a plus. If you\'re looking for a quiet outdoor dining experience, this is not your place at the moment. The noise from the construction on College Ave., though, might be a turn-off while sneaking in for that love bite. \nThe Limestone Grille, 2920 Covenanter Dr.\nThe best and most romantic spot in Bloomington. The Limestone Grille offers diners a quiet and dark indoor restaurant; but for the summer, the quiet outdoor area is a major plus. Tables are lined with elegant white linens, and candles light up the face of your lover. The outdoor patio is also very pleasing to the eye. The designers of this restaurant took the time to design their outdoor area, too. There are elegant umbrellas and artistic stone carvings to look at, but the best part is the herb garden. Right next to my table were the very aromatic herbs and spices used to cook my meal; the scent was pleasing. Starters include the specials of the month, a lobster salad with tomatoes, roasted peppers, corn and cilantro for June, crab cakes and caponata. The generously priced house salad also includes greens from the garden and the homemade dressings are a wonderful accompaniment -- try the citrus olive oil vinaigrette. Entrees include pastas, steaks and seafood; but be sure to hear the daily specials before ordering. I chose the filet with a Merlot, shallot and shitake mushroom sauce -- mouth-watering! My companion had the New York, also a wonderful dish. All entrees also include fresh roasted vegetables and a wonderful piece of potato layer cake with cream, garlic and cheese. After the wonderful portions of your meal, dessert is a must! Rosemary\'s Chocolate Sin and the Chocolate Truffle Cake are great for the chocolate lover, but there are many more, including fresh fruit sorbets! If you\'re looking for a quiet, private, romantic, well-priced gourmet dinner or lunch, The Limestone Grille is the place to go.\nCafé Django, 116 N. Grant St.\nThis romantic jazz bar might be located near busy Kirkwood, but it is far from noisy. If you are the plan-ahead type, be sure to make your visit on a weekend night from 9:30-11:00; there is great live jazz. Eclectic fare makes up this very extensive menu, and prices are the most reasonable yet for romantic summer dining. Appetizers here range from mozzarella sticks to shumai to many Café Django originals. Presentation is very pleasing, as is the distinctive flavor of the many fresh salads, couscous, sesame noodles and much more! Entrees range from very light fruit salads to hearty chicken dishes. Before deciding on any food, be sure to take a look at the drink list, there is a fully stocked bar, but for the non-alcoholic, there are many wonderful drinks also. Try the mello-orange julius, or, my favorite, the slushy lime lemonade. Of course, dessert is always a must. The menu here is not the most extensive, but cheesecake, ice cream and biscotti are all wonderful. Café Django is a wonderful choice for the jazzy romantic.\nPuccini's, 420 E. Fourth St. \nMore elegant than the other Kirkwood locales, Puccini's is anything but common. Wonderful home-cooked gravy, bread and herbs scent the entire old house, and diners feel far from college life in here. The outdoor tables aren't that numerous, but if you can snag one, it's a must for romance. Old Italian classics and some Godfather tunes play in the background and are a great accompaniment to gazing into your lover's eyes. Fresh bread and olive oil are starters for everyone, and a great wine list is a must for diners. A calimari starter is great, as are many of the other antipasti. The entree menu is very extensive, ranging from wonderful pasta dishes to chicken to great steaks. Diners also have the chance to pick a pasta, including ravioli or gnocchi, and any sauce they would like to accompany it. Try tortellini with a creamy, spicy tomato sauce; a little salt is needed, but the addition is worth it. Desserts include Tiramisu and a great spumoni. The dark, candle-lit tables outside are a very romantic summer spot and the foliage surrounding the tables makes it a very private area also.