I journeyed to the opposite side of town and entered an older fine dining restaurant famous for its cuisine: The Ripe Tomato. With Parisian charm, muted color palates and dimmed lighting, the restaurant creates a perfect atmosphere for a romantic meal.

The rustic brick walls on the exterior, along with the beautiful water fountain with peaceful trickling water, made me eager to eat at the restaurant. Yet as I entered through the antique wooden door, I was a little surprised to find a quaint pink room.

The Ripe Tomato, located in the Fig Garden Village shopping center, is a high-end restaurant with a reputation for great food and pricey plates. However, the restaurant’s decor is unlike the modern sophistication I originally imagined.

As we waited for someone to take our order, the bread was served. The homemade, thinly-sliced white bread was delicious.

The buffed pink walls and tablecloths flowed throughout the restaurant, giving the restaurant an innocent, romantic feel. A quaint room with long wall mirrors and a chandelier hanging from the center of the ceiling added an extra touch of class.

Owner and chef Rudy Liebel has kept The Ripe Tomato open for 30 years. In the past six months, because of the economic recession, the restaurant has lost a lot of business, he said.

The server took down our appetizers and orders, including some of the most popular entr