The Florida Foodie
Valentine’s Day Pick: Wine Dive on Clematis
The Wine Dive – 319 Clematis St – 561-318-8821
By Saucy Sarah
If you are looking for a fun and romantic place to take your sweetheart for Valentine’s Day this year I am giving Wine Dive my two thumbs up! Located on Clematis, Wine Dive is a dreamy place to lose a couple of hours with the one you love. Exposed brick walls and rich dark woods bathed in lots of candlelight give the dining room a decadent yet modern feel. The chandeliers, made from wine goblets, are whimsical, letting you know this place is not pretentious though the wine and beer list are extensive and refined. It is defiantly a linger-worthy restaurant. I spied several love-locked couples cozied up to each other in the dark booths.
The food is also fit to share as Wine Dive offers an array of Tapas, or small plates, and fine cheese and Charcuterie boards. The night my dining companions and I visited we tried several selections from the extensive menu of tasty tidbits. The cheese board should not be missed. Select your own three cheeses and/or cured meats ($17) or have the chef choose for you. The cheeses we chose were: the mozzarella roulade- with prosciutto, sun dried tomato, and basil & cracked pepper, The St. Andre – a triple cream brie, and the HACIENDA ZORITA – an organic hard sheep’s milk cheese from Spain. The board comes with lots of plump bits of fruit, hot, crusty baguettes, and truffle infused honey. It is a carnival for the taste buds! Some of our dinning guests paired their cheese selections with some of the fabulous cured meats which made a fine meal on its own. We added the Skillet Brie ($11) to our mix – a small round of brie warmed in a mini skillet and topped with Marsala wine and mushrooms, served with pretzel bread and crisp apple slices. Over the top delicious.
Some other highlights of our night were the Carpaccio Salad ($11) –thin, tender slices of prime beef, quick seared and served on a bed of arugula with a drizzle of lemon vinaigrette. The Scallops ($11) were sweet and perfectly seared to retain their succulent texture and served on a bed of slightly spicy vegetable compote. The Truffle Mac & Cheese ($11) was heady with the scent of truffles and very creamy. For the diner who may want something a little heartier, Wine Dive does offer several American inspired “large plates” such a roasted chicken and gourmet burgers.
Unfortunately, we were too sated to go near the dessert menu, but Wine Dive does not disappoint. From cupcakes ($10) to homemade doughnuts ($8), there is something to delight everyone and bring a sweet ending to your Valentine’s Day dinner.
You cannot go wrong making your “V-day” reservations at Wine Dive this year. With a wine tasting menu cleverly named “The Make Out List” offering a dizzying array of 2oz tasting selections, you have to admit, this place screams romance! If you can’t get a table for Valentine’s Day, I suggest you also consider their fabulous never-ending mimosa or bloody Mary Sunday brunches. With so many dazzling ways to enjoy a meal at Wine Dive, in a way, Wine Dive makes every day, Valentine’s Day!