If being in New York isn’t enough of a romantic scene, than dining in New York definitely is. With the abundance of venues for all types of taste buds, New York can also embody the kind of evening you want to share with your date. Whether looking for something loungy, wanting to impress your artistic date, or trying to rev up your relationship with fine dining and exquisite atmosphere, New York has it all. Many areas of Manhattan, and innovative dining choices can last through the longest relationships. Here are a few restaurants that your romance endeavors can begin with.
THE RED CAT 227 Tenth Avenue, New York, NY 10011 212-242-1122 If you want to impress your date with a solid and splendid menu, along with ambiance, The Red Cat is the way to go. Located in the Chelsea district of NYC, the artistic vibes and funky décor add spice to any first, second or third date. New wave American dishes with a Mediterranean accent make each selection as innovative as the Art district itself. Any date that isn’t doomed can flourish over this attractive setting.
Holiday Schedule: New Years Day-Open, Easter-Open, Thanksgiving-Open, Christmas Eve-Closed, Christmas-Closed, New Years Eve-Open
Estimated price per person $10-$30
MARCH 405 East 58th Street (between 1st Ave. and Sutton Place) 212 754 6272 Hours: Sun-Sat: 6 pm - 10 pm Located a bit off the beaten track (unless the area around Sutton Place is one of your hangouts) in an exquisitely renovated East Side Townhouse, March is romance of the "if you have to ask you can't afford it" variety -- which, for some, adds to the aphrodisiacal quality of the intimate atmosphere, work-of-art New American food and magical service. If the weather is right, try to reserve a table in the charming garden. Food selections off the prix fixe menu are of the freshest and most rare -- amuse geule in the form of ironically named "beggar's purses" are filled with lobster and black truffles, Russian golden osetra caviar and crème fraiche or foie gras and smoked salmon (and require a $20 supplement.) Entrées include Quail and Sweetbreads with onion marmalade and matchstick potatoes or slow cooked Canadian salmon with 30 year old Bowmore single malt whiskey cream. For dessert, there's a rasberry panna cotta napoleon or try the warm chocolate mouse cake with black peppermint ice cream. Suffice it to say that there's a great deal more to choose from and, while portions are by no means large, just about everything is a once in a lifetime experience for your taste buds. In fact, perhaps the most romantic evening you could have at March would be one spent after a three day fast with a brand new American Express Black Card, dining completely alone.
Estimated Cost Per Person For Dinner: $75+
Holiday Schedule: New Year's Day - Closed, Valentines Day - Open, Easter - Open, Thanksgiving - Closed, Christmas Eve - Closed, Christmas Day, Closed, New Year's Eve - Open
TAVERN ON THE GREEN Central Park at West 67th Street, New York, NY 10023 (212) 873-3200 Take it from Regis Philbin who says, "Tavern on the Green, which if you come to New York at Christmas time, you must see. It really is a lighting spectacular." That being said, you may have to be a millionaire to afford the $1000 per couple, 6-course meal, and open bar from 9:00 pm to 2:00 am. The Crystal Room is New York's top celebration spot (The NY Yankees make it there after their perennial World Series victories) and for one night, it can be yours, too.
Estimated cost per person for dinner = $75 - $100
Holiday Schedule: New Years Day-Closed, Valentines Day-Open, Easter-Closed, Thanksgiving-Open, Christmas Eve-Open, Christmas Day-Closed, New Years Eve-Open
ONE IF BY LAND, TWO IF BY SEA 17 Barrow Street, New York, NY 10014 (212) 228-0822 This place has seen more proposals than Elizabeth Taylor. Consistently referred to as New York's most romantic venue, One If By Land TIBS always satisfies the local gentry. Beef Wellington, soft music and class are the house specialty here. The tables are all adorned with fresh flowers and the neighborhood lends itself to contented post dinner strolls.
Estimated cost per person for dinner = $75 - $85
Holiday Schedule: Set by discretion of management
FISH 280 Bleecker Street, New York, NY 10014 (212) 727-2879 New York, for all of its goodness and variety has surprisingly few raw bars. Fish is not only an exceptional raw bar (it typically features 6 or more varieties of Oysters plus Littleneck clams, Cherrystone clams and the best steamed shrimp in Manhattan) it is also a top-flight restaurant. Popular Chef Sebastian draws rave reviews as someone who knows how to make a menu. Like the name would suggest, his Fish dishes are consistently fresh and creative. The staff and the managers make sure that everybody is taken care of and although you will find many celebrities making the trip down, there isn't that snooty feeling one is accustomed to in other restaurants. The decor is pure Greenwich Village -- dark, classic and warm. The music is Jazz. If food is an aphrodisiac, Fish is a winner.
Estimated cost per person for dinner = $35 - $45
Holiday Schedule: Set by discretion of management
PO' 31 Cornelia Street, New York, NY 10014 (212) 645-2189 Po' is one of New York's most popular and most romantic restaurants. Made famous due to Chef Mario Batali's involvement (of "Food Channel" fame) the incredibly professional staff and wonderful tastes of Po' keep you coming back for more. The place is small but so is every restaurant on Cornelia Street. Notorious for long waits and impossible to get reservations, Po' will definitely impress your date.
Estimated cost per person for dinner = $35 - $45
Holiday Schedule: New Years Day-Closed, Valentines Day-Open, Easter-Closed, Thanksgiving-Open, Christmas Eve-Closed, Christmas Day-Closed, New Years Eve-Open
GASCOGNE 158 Eighth Avenue, New York, NY 10011 (212) 675-6564 This romantic Chelsea eatery is famous for its intimate garden setting. The French food and charismatic servers always make you feel as if you just stepped back into the France you've always read about.
Estimated cost per person for dinner = $45 - $55
Holiday Schedule: New Years Day-Closed, Valentines Day-Open, Easter-Closed, Thanksgiving-Open, Christmas Eve-Open, Christmas Day-Closed, New Years Eve-Open
IL BAGATTO 192 East Second Street, New York, NY 10009 (212) 228-0977 This is an excellent Roman trattoria with dim lighting and a sexy cave-like lounge downstairs. The Pasta here is as fresh as can be and although it gets crowded, you still feel happy that you came. Italian food lends itself to that contented feeling anyways.
Estimated cost per person for dinner = $25 - $35
Holiday Schedule: New Years Day-Closed, Valentines Day-Open, Easter-Closed, Thanksgiving-Open, Christmas Eve-Open, Christmas Day-Closed, New Years Eve-Open
PENELOPE
159 Lexington Ave New York, NY 10016-8154 (212) 481-3800
Hours: (Mon-Sun) 8am-11pm.
Blink and you will miss this cozy neighborhood eatery. For Sunday brunch, I was not patient enough to wait in line; instead, I visited Penelope’s one week day morning and was pleasantly surprised. The inviting room plastered in pastel colors gives an immediate feeling of charm and hospitality. Shortly, the waiter filled my cup with strong, but not bitter, coffee. Pancakes or waffles were my dilemma; he recommended the latter. It arrived hot, tasty and crisp (my wish was granted), generously covered with fresh seasonal berries. Penelope's is known not only as a bar and a café, but also for its freshly baked goods. Immersing in the morning paper, a regular patron was indulging in a slice of pie. My still hot coffee, along with the mildly sweet delicious peach pie empowered me for the day. The brunch selection looked especially appetizing: spicy chicken meatball sandwich, mac & cheese with a breaded top or a curried chicken salad on a bed of green sprinkled with sweet curry dressing. No room left for a pastry? Take home their homemade cupcakes – a great choice for breakfast the next morning. Hearty and heartfull!
Estimated cost per person: $15-$25
Holiday schedule: call for info.
YE WAVERLY INN 16 Bank Street, New York, NY 10014 (212) 929-4377 If this list looks heavy on Greenwich Village eateries, it is with good reason and merit. The Village has retained its pre-revolutionary charm, both disdaining and outlawing the garish high rises that dominate the rest of Manhattan. Ye Waverly Inn is another reason to come on down and hide in one of the deep and dark booths. Folklore and legend says that Edna St. Vincent Millay and Robert Frost frequented, as well as Jackie Gleason and Audrey Meadows when celebrating particularly romantic "Honeymooner" episodes. This place is truly warm, and it isn't just because of the three fireplaces and brownstone exterior.
Estimated cost per person for dinner = $45 - $55
Holiday Schedule: New Years Day-Closed, Valentines Day-Open, Easter-Closed, Thanksgiving-Open, Christmas Eve-Open, Christmas Day-Closed, New Years Eve-Open
Estimated cost per person for dinner is based upon one entrée, one beverage, and 20% gratuity.
The Top List of Romantic Restaurants - New York, NY