For A Date

Note: Restaurants are listed in alphabetical order and not in order of preference.

Drinks

  • Bathtub Gin
  • Bar Americano
  • B’artusi
  • Corkbuzz
  • Dante
  • Death & Co.
  • Employees Only 
  • Her Name Was Carmen
  • Katana Kitten 
  • Oscar Wilde 
  • Terroir
  • The Dead Rabbit
  • The Ivory Peacock
  • Vin Sur Vingt 
  • Weather Up 
  • Wilfie & Nell

Dinner

  • Alice (Italian) – Sophisticated, intimate Italian restaurant in the basement of a historical brownstone
    • Location: Greenwich Village  
    • Atmosphere: Cozy, intimate 
    • Suggestions: Burrata, bucatini al limone 
    • Reservations: Suggested but not difficult to get  
    • A Good Place For: A date, a last-minute dinner reservation 
    • Note: This is a seafood heavy restaurant

  • Balaboosta (Mediterranean)  – Imaginative takes on Middle Eastern home cooking fill the menu at this popular storefront space
    • Location: West Village 
    • Atmosphere: Quaint, contemporary 
    • Suggestions: Hummus, cauliflower, tahdig rice 
    • Reservations: Suggested but not difficult to get 
    • A Good Place For: A small group dinner, a date, a casual dinner

  • Balthazar (French) – Iconic French brasserie with steak frites, brunch and pastries in a classy space with red banquettes
    • Location: Soho
    • Atmosphere: Parisian, “quintessentially Soho”
    • Suggestions: Balthazar salad, onion soup gratinee
    • Reservations: Strongly suggested; note that you can call to make a reservation
    • A Good Place For: People watching, dinner with the girls, dinner with the parents
    • Note: A popular spot for brunch, but I haven’t experienced it myself
    • Sister Restaurants: Pastis, Morandi, Minetta Tavern

  • Bar Pitti (Italian)  – Blackboard specials supplement the small menu at this Italian spot known for its glamorous crowd
    • Location: Greenwich Village
    • Atmosphere: Casual, loud, busy 
    • Suggestions: The menu often changes but any of the pastas are worth trying 
    • Reservations: Walk in only 
    • A Good Place For: Outdoor dining, a date, celebrity sightings 
    • Note: Bar Pitti is cash only

  • Barbuto (Italian) – Revival of an NYC standby serving vibrant Italian plates in a light-filled space with large windows
    • Location: West Village 
    • Atmosphere: Vibrant, simplistic, bright 
    • Suggestions: Polpettone (an absolute must), JW potatoes, JW pollo al forno
    • Reservations: Required; reservations can be made 30 days in advance via Resy. Walk-ins welcome, as a few tables are reserved each night, and the bar is first come, first-serve 
    • A Good Place For: When the parents are in town, a nice date 
    • Note: The menu at Barbuto is seasonal, so the appetizers and salads change frequently. However, all the food was fantastic, so it’s worth trying anything that speaks to you

  • Café Chelsea (French) – French American bistro located within the historic Hotel Chelsea
    • Location: Chelsea
    • Atmosphere: Lively, trendy
    • Suggestions: Panisse, Ravioles du Dauphiné
    • Reservations: Required; Café Chelsea accepts reservations via Resy, up to 2 weeks in advance. The bar is first come, first served and offers the full menu
    • A Good Place For: A small group dinner (2-4 people), a date

  • Charlie Bird (Italian) – Hip, bi-level spot featuring Italian-accented New American fare, wine and art featuring boomboxes
    • Location: Soho
    • Atmosphere: Charming, casual 
    • Suggestions: Farro salad 
    • Reservations: Suggested but not difficult to get 
    • A Good Place For: Lunch, dinner with friends 
    • Sister Restaurants: Pasquale Jones, Bar Pasquale

  • Claudette (French) – Mediterranean-accented French dishes served in a bright corner space with an elegant cottage feel
    • Location: Greenwich Village
    • Atmosphere: Elegant, comfortable
    • Suggestions: Truffle hummus
    • Reservations: Suggested
    • A Good Place For: Dinner with friends, a really good last minute dinner reservation
    • Note: All the food here is outstanding – you really cannot go wrong

  • Ci Siamo (Italian) – Stylish restaurant bridging the traditional with the contemporary, bringing live-fire cooking, homemade pasta, and a robust Italian wine list to the heart of Manhattan
    • Location: Hudson Yards 
    • Atmosphere: Trendy, upscale, energetic 
    • Suggestions: Cast iron focaccia, caramelized onion torta, tagliatelle 
    • Reservations: Strongly suggested but not difficult to get if you reserve in advance 
    • A Good Place For: Dinner when the parents are in town, a celebration, group dinner  
    • Note: The tagliatelle (made with tomato and buffalo butter) might be the best red sauce pasta I’ve ever had. I would strongly suggest it 

  • Cucina Alba (Italian)  – Alba is a destination with the tenor of an urbanite’s holiday in Italy
    • Location: Chelsea 
    • Atmosphere: Polished, grown-up, sceney 
    • Suggestions: Truffle poached burrata, focaccia di recco, tagliarini, agnolotti 
    • Reservations: Required; reservations are made available on a rolling two-week basis at midnight. Bar seats are reserved for walk-ins
    • A Good Place For: Dinner with friends, a date, a special night out

  • Hillstone (American) – Upscale chain eatery serving burgers, steaks, and other American fare
    • Location: Kips Bay 
    • Atmosphere: Stylish, dark, spacious 
    • Suggestions: Any of the sushi rolls, grilled California artichokes, veggie burger, French dip 
    • Reservations: Suggested 
    • A Good Place For: A Sunday night meal, dinner with the parents 

  • I Sodi (Italian) – Tuscan-style fare, wines and cocktails lie in store at this compact, romantic restaurant
    • Location: West Village
    • Atmosphere: Quaint, romantic, charming, cozy, exclusive 
    • Suggestions: Lasagne a sugo, cacio e pepe, pappardelle al limone 
    • Reservations: Required; reservations are released on Resy 2 weeks in advance at midnight. There are 16 bar seats available for walk-ins; I would suggest going at 5pm to get one or put your name in 
    • A Good Place For: A nice date, a romantic dinner, a dinner for 2, a meal to impress someone from out of town 
    • Note: Everything on this menu is outstanding – nothing you order will be “just okay”

  • ilili (Mediterranean) – Creative Lebanese sharing plates, entrees & cocktails served up in a trendy, modern space
    • Location: Nomad 
    • Atmosphere: Warm, romantic, spacious 
    • Suggestions: Mouhamara, hummus, falafel 
    • Reservations: Suggested but not difficult to get 
    • A Good Place For: Dinner with friends, a date

  • La Esquina (Mexican) – Sceney Mexican spot with no-frills taqueria, cafe & exclusive basement brasserie/tequila bar
    • Location: Nolita, Midtown, Upper East Side
    • I strongly suggest visiting the Nolita location, which is hidden under a taqueria in Nolita
    • Atmosphere: Trendy, romantic, exclusive (Nolita location)
    • Suggestions: Tortilla soup, tacos, guacamole, queso fundido
    • Reservations: Strongly suggested; reservations are available up to 21 days in advance. You can book via Resy or by calling the restaurant. If you plan to visit La Esquina to go out, I would suggest getting there before 11pm 
    • A Good Place For: A birthday dinner, dinner with someone from out of town, a date

  • L’Artusi (Italian) – Italian small plates are matched by an extensive wine list at this bi-level restaurant
    • Location: Greenwich Village 
    • Atmosphere: Modern, buzzing, welcoming 
    • Suggestions: Cacio e pepe, bucatini,  little gems, olive oil cake 
    • Reservations: Required; reservations are released on a two-week rolling basis, each day at 9am. The bar is reserved for walk ins
    • A Good Place For: A nice dinner, dinner with the parents, a special occasion 
    • Note: In my opinion, the cacio e pepe at L’Artusi is top 5 in the city. L’Artusi is a good place to set Resy alerts for, as the day before or day of there are usually cancellations

  • Lilia (Italian) – In a redone auto-body shop, this Italian place offers wood-fired Italian fare and  housemade pastas
    • Location: Williamsburg
    • Atmosphere: Trendy, unassuming, casual 
    • Suggestions: Everything on the menu, but specifically the sheeps milk cheese filled agnolotti and the mafaldini
    • Reservations: Required; reservations  drop 28 days in advance at 10am. The restaurant saves the bar and some patio tables, as well as some spots on the outdoor piazza, for walk-in guests
    • A Good Place For: Dinner with a small group of friends, a third date
    • Sister Restaurant: Misi, Misi Pasta

  • Lola Taverna (Mediterranean) – Cozy option specializing in Greek classics including seafood & meat dishes, plus a robust wine list
    • Location: Soho
    • Atmosphere: Warm, welcoming, lively 
    • Suggestions: Hummus, chicken souvlaki 
    • Reservations: Strongly suggested; reservations are available on a rolling 2 week basis exclusively through Resy
    • A Good Place For: A date, a small group dinner

  • Mamo (Italian) – Offshoot of a longtime French restaurant with Italian & Provençal fare in stylish but casual digs
    • Location: Soho
    • Atmosphere: Dark, romantic 
    • Suggestions: Fried artichokes, ricotta, cacio e pepe 
    • Reservations: Suggested but not difficult to get if you book in advance
    • A Good Place For: A date, dinner with friends, when the parents are in town

  • Misi (Italian) – Contemporary-chic Italian dining space dishing up elevated antipasto and  handmade pasta dishes
    • Location: Williamsburg 
    • Atmosphere: Modern, trendy, simplistic 
    • Suggestions: Mezze rigatoni, fettuccine with buffalo butter, whipped ricotta crostini, marinated butter beans 
    • Reservations: Required; reservations are made available 30 days in advance at 10am. Some bar seats are reserved for walk-ins   
    • A Good Place For: A dinner with the parents, a special occasion, a nice date

  • Monkey Bar (American) – Heartbeat of midtown dining with its timeless fare and iconic vibe, including retro murals and swanky furnishings
    • Location: Midtown
    • Atmosphere: Romantic, iconic, old-school
    • Suggestions: Everything on the menu is good, highlights include French dip, any of the steaks, pommes frites, truffle tagliatelle
    • Reservations: Required; reservations can be made up to 14 days in advance at 9am EST on Resy. Note that a $2.50 per person reservation fee is added to all reservations made online. Bar seating is available for walk-in guests.
    • A Good Place For: Friends in town, parents in town, a date you are trying to impress
    • Note: This is a place to see and be seen. The food is wildly overpriced but it’s very good. It’s a place you go once and then go back only on a special occasion because it’s expensive and unhealthy.
    • Sister Restaurants: 4 Charles Prime Rib, Au Cheval

  • Palma (Italian) – Italian classics are crafted from organic ingredients in a sunwashed stucco space with a garden
    • Location: Greenwich Village
    • Atmosphere: Quaint, cozy, welcoming, charming 
    • Suggestions: Arancini, carciofi, melanzane, ravioli cacio e pepe 
    • Reservations: Required; reservations can be made on Open Table 30 days in advance, Reservations are not too difficult to get but need to made at least 2 weeks out
    • A Good Place For: Impressing people from out of town, a special occasion, a small group dinner, private dining

  • RedFarm (Chinese)  – Modern Chinese restaurant serving dim sum, Peking duck, cocktails and more
    • Location: West Village, Upper West Side
    • Atmosphere: Farmhouse, rustic; note that seating at the West Village location is “family style,” meaning there are two large tables, so you will be sitting next to and near strangers
    • Suggestions: Chicken salad, Kowloon filet mignon tarts, five flavor chicken dumplings
    • Reservations: Suggested; can be made through their website or by calling them.
    • A Good Place For: Dinner with friends, small group dinner (1-4 people)

  • The Odeon (French) – Lively bistro with outdoor seating serving French American food, plus brunch and late-night bites
    • Location: Tribeca
    • Atmosphere: Not noteworthy – a standard restaurant feel
    • Suggestions: French onion soup, parmesan fries
    • Reservations: Generally not required, though suggested on a Friday or Saturday
    • A Good Place For: A last minute dinner
    • Note: The Odeon is good but nothing on the menu will blow your mind. In my opinion, it’s overpriced. There are better French spots in the city, but you won’t have a bad meal or a bad experience here
    • Sister Restaurant: Café Cluny

  • Pasquale Jones (Italian) – Italian place by the Charlie Bird team for wood-fired pies, meats and fish from the open kitchen
    • Location: Nolita
    • Atmosphere: Retro, simplistic 
    • Suggestions: Everything on the menu is great; definitely get a pizza to share 
    • Reservations: Required but not difficult to get, though you should book at least 1 week out 
    • A Good Place For: A small group dinner, a date 
    • Sister Restaurant: Charlie Bird, Bar Pasquale

  • Pastis (French)  – Theatrical evocation of Paris featuring bistro food and high-energy atmospherics from a chic crowd
    • Location: Meatpacking
    • Atmosphere: Welcoming, elegant, tasteful
    • Suggestions: French onion soup, chicken paillard, pommes frites, cheeseburger 
    • Reservations: Suggested
    • A Good Place For: Brunch, brunch / dinner when friends / parents are in town
    • Note: Pastis is consistently a great spot in the heart of Meatpacking. You can dress up or go casual. You can sit inside or outside. The food is always good. A bit on the expensive side, but worth it.
    • Sister Restaurants: Balthazar, Morandi, Minetta Tavern

  • Shukette (Mediterranean) – Bustling destination with chef’s tables turning out kebabs & seafood specialties
    • Location: Chelsea 
    • Atmosphere: Loud, energetic, modern 
    • Suggestions: Everything – literally everything was delicious. Hummus, chickpea flaxseed cracker, grilled broccoli, roasted cauliflower 
    • Reservations: Required; reservations open 30 days in advance at 9am on Resy
    • A Good Place For: A date, eating at the bar, group dinner 
    • Sister Restaurants: Shuka, Cookshop, Rosie’s, Vic’s

  • Thai Diner (Thai) – Classic Thai dishes & drinks by a lauded restaurant group in a kitschy-cool, diner-style setting
    • Location: Nolita 
    • Atmosphere: Mashed-up diner with Thai accents, colorful 
    • Suggestions: Phat see ew, kaeng kieow waan
    • Reservations: Thai Diner is primarily a walk-in based restaurant with limited reservations taken up to one week in advance via their website, thaidiner.com, or Resy 
    • A Good Place For: A date, a small group dinner (2-4 people), someone who is visiting NYC

  • Thursday Kitchen (Korean) – Casual spot for Korean cooking with French and Spanish influences, plus playful drinks and desserts
    • Location: East Village  
    • Atmosphere: Dark, intimate, modern
    • Suggestions: Edamame dumplings, Korean popcorn chicken 
    • Reservations: Thursday Kitchen does not take any reservations and operates on a first come, first serve basis
    • A Good Place For: A great meal if you are willing to wait, dinner with a small group (2-4 people)

  • Wayan (French) – Cédric Vongerichten (son of Jean-Georges) serves French-accented Indonesian fare in a sleek setting
    • Location: Nolita
    • Atmosphere: Warm, hip, eclectic
    • Suggestions: Any of the satays, vegetable spring rolls, lobster noodles, roasted cauliflower, corn fritter
    • Reservations: Suggested but not hard to get and you can usually get a last-minute reservation
    • A Good Place For: A last minute really good meal, a dinner date, dinner when friends are in town
    • Note: This is one of my favorite spots in the city. All the food is great. The dishes are unique, and the atmosphere makes you want to stay for hours. Don’t skip out on the cocktails