L'Opera has perfect dating atmosphere

L'Opera Ristorante has filled a distinctive niche in the three weeks it has been in Bloomington. Located at the corner of 7th and Walnut across from Scotty's Brewhouse as well as near several bars, the classy, new Italian restaurant brings a polished corner to Bloomington's restored downtown.\nDining in L'Opera was relaxing for both of us. We were greeted by a friendly host who offered to take our coats and we were immediately seated. Unlike the hustle and bustle of many restaurants in Bloomington, the atmospher of L'Opera is very comforting. We never felt rushed and our waiters took the time to discuss the food and wine selection with us. \nThe spinach and wild mushroom appetizer was absolutely delicious. In fact, every dish we ordered was superb. We did notice, however, that while we were lavished with bread and wine, the costly meals surprisingly lacked pre-entrée salads. \nSpeaking of the wine, we highly recommend the Reisling Covey Run Wine. Their selection was an extensive list of premium wines ranging from sweet to dry, as explained to us by our knowledgeable waitress. \nL'Opera is decorated in an Italian style using the colors cream and green. It had the feel of a modern and classy restaurant. The dining area is very open but did not take away from our ability to have personal conversation. Floor-to-ceiling windows facing 7th and Walnut streets open L'Opera up to its Bloomington surroundings. \nOur 8 p.m. reservations on Saturday night did not keep us from a forty-five minute wait for our entrées. Except for this lengthy delay, our service was timely as it should have been, considering the restaurant was only about two-thirds full. \nThe main courses range from $15 to $24, but the price is not indicative of the size of the meal. While the Linguini with Clam and the Caprizi Chicken were delicious, the portions were not as large as we would have liked. \nL'Opera is not just a catchy name. The most distinctive feature of the restaurant is the actual opera singing and piano accompaniment. It appeared that the restaurant's hosts did most of the beautiful singing. The piano performance was excellent as well. The live music complemented the tastefulness of the restaurant.\nEven though the prices are a little high, the dining experience was fabulous. L'Opera successfully provides Bloomington with an upscale restaurant, and given the occasion, we would definitely return.