Several years ago, I was given a Phantom Gourmet gift certificate that I completely forgot about. I stumbled upon it again shortly before Valentine’s Day last year on the same day the show ran a piece on Sonoma Restaurant in Princeton. I decided it was fate to share a romantic Valentine’s Day dinner with my husband at Sonoma, and I’m so very glad we did! Our romantic evening got off to a great start as we were greeted with complimentary glasses of champagne. A musician unobtrusively circulated the dining room to serenade guests, and a special holiday menu was offered in addition to, rather than in place of, the regular menu (it’s a pet peeve of mine when I dine at favorite restaurants on Valentine’s Day and discover that my usual entrée isn’t available!). Staff were very friendly and attentive, and we learned that each table was reserved for its customers for the entire night; there would be no rushing us through dinner to free the table for the next guests. Clearly, this is a restaurant that goes out of its way to optimize, rather than exploit, the Valentine’s Day dinner experience! I challenge you to look at Sonoma’s menu and wine list and not find your mouth watering. I would describe the food as either Mediterranean/American fusion or simply as “outstanding.” The long-stem rose presented to me as I departed helped to ensure that it was a Valentine’s Day to remember, and I would highly recommend this restaurant for your own romantic celebration. To find other great places for the Holiday, visit globalYP.net, a local online directory.