2 NJ Restaurants Among Most Romantic In America: Study

NEW JERSEY — Love is in the air, and two New Jersey restaurants have been named among the most romantic spots in the United States.

Dining reservation site OpenTable recently released a list of the 100 most romantic restaurants in the United States ahead of Valentine's Day, as eating out is one of the most popular things to do to celebrate. Two of these restaurants were in New Jersey.

A study by Monmouth University showed that more Americans plan to go out this year, though the number of people dining out has declined during the pandemic.

618 in Freehold and The Washington Inn in Cape May are the Garden State's two representatives on the list.

OpenTable examined more than 12.4 million customer reviews from 2021 to come up with the list, including diner rating, reviews, and which restaurants were denoted "romantic" by diners.

The Washington Inn was first built in 1846 in the style of Mount Vernon, the plantation house where George Washington lived. In 1940, the building became an inn and became known for its service and food, according to the restaurant history. Operation moved to just the restaurant around 1981.

"Often described as romantic, our easy-going elegance will satisfy anyones craving for fine dining," the restaurant's OpenTable page says. "Our enticing menu offers the best of American cuisine, but with an inventive, upscale edge."

OpenTable describes 618 as "a modern rustic restaurant, bar and banquet facility, that offers a menu that reflects seasonal availability with a creative style that appeals to a variety of palates."

"We strive for excellence for our guests, every single visit," Liz Borowski, a representative for 618, told Patch. "Whether it is our delicious food, creative cocktails or our incredible service, we want you to have the same experience (or better) each time you come in."