Best of the Northland

Va Bene

Va Bene’s is good a place for romance because it sets the mood. That is, it has so many moods compressed into one location. The outside patio facing Superior Street might be good for a first date. It’s out in public and perhaps your friends might pass and help you out a little. Or, it might be a fun way to experience European-style street cafe. Inside, the main dining area feels like a happy home in the Mediterranean. It’s the sort of place to sit close and comfortable and talk for a long time over some wine. The open deck is great in the summer. If it’s windy you can’t hear quite as well as the main area. But, the view is great. You can both be awed by the vast lake and talk about how maybe you could cruise the Greek Isles someday. If the sun gets to you, it doesn’t have to be over. You can retreat to the indoor section and have some coffee at the bar. The solarium is an all season climate-controlled version of the open deck. The grotto is like a back porch…that is, if you were rich enough to have Lake Superior in your backyard. It is a good place to sit and watch a rain storm together. I don’t know if they would like it, but bringing a blanket to the grotto seems like fun.