Ten years married, a Saturday in March, and a table for two at 7:30. That is how most anniversary plans downtown begin. The romantic restaurants St Pete couples book for these nights are mostly on Central Avenue and Beach Drive, and most of them fill their weekend evening slots days ahead.
Picking the Time
Fortu serves dinner from 5 to 10 on Fridays and Saturdays and from 5 to 9 the rest of the week. Its booking form lists half-hour slots. A 7:30 or 8:00 table lands after sunset for much of the year, when the dining room lights are already down.
The Notes Line
Below the time and party size, the form has space for a note. Couples often type “anniversary” there. Hosts read these notes before service starts, and servers see them at the table.
What Makes a Room Quiet?
Sound bounces off tile, glass and bare plaster. Upholstered booths and wood absorb it. A room built with more of the second group stays calm even when every table is full, and two people can talk at a normal volume. Fortu describes its own space as sleek and intimate.
A Slower Meal
Shared plates change the pace of the night. The couple orders two dishes, finishes them and orders again. There is no fixed point where the entrée arrives and the meal starts winding down. Add a cocktail from the bar program, and the evening easily stretches past two hours.
Inside the historic Ponce de Leon Hotel at 97 Central Ave, Fortu serves a Michelin-recommended, Japanese-inspired menu built for sharing, and reservations open in half-hour slots.
