Gleaming wood, comfortable chairs, imaginative menus and award-winning wine lists make dining at the lovely Griswold Inn in equally picturesque Essex Village a romantic experience you will want to repeat. From the historic dining room to the award-winning bar at the Tap Room to the elegant Wine Bar, dining venues at “The Gris” are designed so you will feel you are stepping back in time (the inn began operating in 1776, after all). The menus showcase fresh seafood, aged beef – and house-made desserts that make you want to linger just a bit. The wine list at the Wine Bar, where tapas are served, is regularly given Wine Spectator’s Award of Excellence. (Check the website for updates on openings and health regulations.)

A romantic meal is equal parts atmosphere and cuisine, and couples will find plenty of both at the Essex Steam Train & Riverboat. The Essex Clipper Dinner Train offers a four-course meal served in a. Lovingly restored 1920s Pullman diner. With comfortable seating, elegant table settings and attentive service, the atmosphere is almost cinematic. And the food is just as memorable. Seasonal menus, prepared during your scenic trip down the Connecticut River Valley, might start with a selection of cheeses and a salad, followed by entrees that range from prime rib to grilled salmon or mushroom ravioli, followed by a luscious dessert. With a full bar, you can sip your cocktails as you travel past woods, water and charming towns, feeling like you are in a completely different, romantic world. Please check our website for our dining menus & schedule.