Ah, Valentine’s Day. That romantic holiday, brought to us by Hallmark, for commercial gains. The holiday of romance. Love. And, hopefully getting lucky..It comes around once a year, and once a year you are faced with that dreaded dilemma. “Where do I take my date?” Well, The Foodie Magician is here to give you a few suggestions. I’m single, but know about almost every restaurant in NYC..So, these are just a few, but all are from the heart.
1. Recette- Jesse Schenker’s unique dishes, with great flavor and texture, set in a romantic space in the West Village, will get your date excited. Christina Lee’s desserts will close the deal. (order the Smores dessert!) www.recettenyc.com
2. The Little Owl- Another West Village restaurant, quaint and homey, romantic, perfect for a date. Joey Campanaro’s cooking will warm you up.www.thelittleowlnyc.com
3. Daniel – nothing says romance like 4-star French restaurants. Daniel Boulud’s namesake restaurant is upscale, 4-star all the way, from the food, to the room, to the service. It doesn’t come cheap, but neither does love. www.danielnyc.com
4. Peasant – woodburning oven Italian cooking in Nolita will have your date crooning for you all night long. www.peasantnyc.com
5. Marea- Michael White’s Northern Italian seafood on Central Park South is fabulous. The sea urchin crostini with lardo is an orgasm in your mouth. www.marea-nyc.com
6. Gramercy Tavern – A true Danny Meyer winner. An always solid restaurant.www.gramercytavern.com
7. Torrisi Italian Specialties – Another gem in Nolita, the inspired Italian cooking, in a charming space, will have your date smiling all night long. www.piginahat.com
8. Casa Mono – have some fabulous Spanish tapas in Gramercy. The open kitchen will excite your date. The wine will put them at ease, the fideos with chorizo and clams will haver her/him moaning. www.casamononyc.com
9. Sushi Azabu – sublime sushi at this sushi treasure within another restaurant. It’s hidden, its romantic, it’s great. www.greenwichgrill.com
10. Wd-50- why not take your date to NYC’s most experimental restaurant. Wylie Dufresne’s ingenious dishes are creative, unique, and out of this world. It’s not dinner, it’s an experience. Your date will be forever grateful for this true culinary adventure. www.wd-50.com
Cocktail Lounges
Nothing says romance and love like drinking. Here are my suggestions of where to take your Valentine to drink wine, or to just get plain old drunk.
Wine Bars
1. Anfora - fabulous and perfect. www.anforanyc.com
2. Terroir – passionate about wine. www.restauranthearth.com/terroir/terrior.html
3. Bar Jamon – Spanish wine heaven. www.casamononyc.com
Cocktail Lounges
1. Apotheke – hidden in Chinatown this cocktail lounge serves amazing drinks, in a great setting. www.apothekenyc.com
2. Mayahuel – the way to anyone’s heart is tequila. This tequila and mescal haven will get your date drunk, in a good way. www.mayahuelny.com
3. The Pegu Club – expert cocktails in Soho. www.peguclub.com
4. Lani Kai – you might not get lei’d at this Hawaiian themed cocktail den, but hopefully after a few delicious cocktails, you’ll get laid. www.lanikainy.com
5. Raines Law Room – a hidden cocktail den on 17th street that surely hits all the spots. www.raineslawroom.com
6. Death and Co. – mixology done right in the east village.www.deathandcompany.com
7. Cienfuegos – if your date loves rum, this is the lounge you bring her too. It’s all they serve. But the drinks are fabulous. www.cienfuegosny.com
8. The Summit Bar – an awesome cocktail lounge in the way east village. If your date loves red bell pepper, order the “Ground to Glass” cocktail, it’s mindblowing.www.thesummitbar.net
And for dessert..
1. Jacques Torres Chocolates – nothing says Valentines Day like chocolate. Take your date to the “King” of Chocolate, Jacques Torres, his chocolates will treat you just right. www.mrchocolate.com
2. Chickalicious – this dessert bar in the East Village will inspire your date.www.chickalicious.com
3. The Doughnut Plant – the peanut butter and jelly donut from The Donut Plant is the best thing I’ve ever put in my mouth. Your date should put it in their mouth too. Trust me. www.doughnutplant.com
4. Payard – Francois Payard is a pastry wizard. The best. www.payard.com
BON APPETIT!!!