TarheelsInNj

Hello! My husband is taking the LSAT in December, and as a treat for surviving it I've booked a surprise stay at the Millenium Hilton. We live in NYC, but I'm not as familiar with the Battery Park area, so I need help with a restaurant or activity for Saturday evening.

The catch is, budget is tight (he'll be going back to school soon, after all!). If we go out to dinner, it would need to be around $30 each for food- nothing fancy, but romantic/cozy would be nice. Or perhaps an evening cruise around the city? Any other suggestions are welcome!

ekscrunchy

Nam on Reade Street is not romantic but it might qualify as cozy and fit your budget. Roc has good food but might be a little more costly. It is not romantic, either, though. Landmarc is cozy in a crowded kind of way and has really good food...but you have to get there early since they do not take reservations. They have a really good deal on wine, very low markups. Those are the best value I can think of, with good food, in the area.

lizziea06

I would second EK's recommendation for Landmarc. If you're budget doesn't include tip or tax, you could probably get close to $30-$40 person.

mclaurie

Capsouto Freres has a $35 prix fixe. Really nice.
http://www.capsoutofreres.com/

emd

You might benefit from this great site since you've chosen downtown:

http://www.downtownny.com/

Under "LIVE", there is a "Maps and Guides" area and there you will find a lower manhattan restaurant guide and map you can order (free).
Also there is a restaurant listing w/descriptions online at that site under "DISCOVER." Lots of good info on shopping, sites, parks, etc. It is a very useful site.

TarheelsInNj

Thanks so much! These are great suggestions, and I look forward to researching them. I've really only spent time downtown at the Seaport, and for free summer events, so I'm a bit at a loss!

Dohlice

If you like Irish places I was just in the Full Shilling. It's an old place (in a good way) with lots of dark wood and Irish hospitality. Some very cozy tables. We weren't eating, but the food was making my mouth water. It's on Pearl Street.

TarheelsInNj

Dohlice, thanks for the suggestion! We actually just went to Ireland for the first time last spring, so this may be a great idea. I'll look into it!

GoTravel

Stone Street has wonderful little pubs and restaurants and it is a very quaint street.

For free guides and a fantastic website:

www.DowntownNYC.com

TarheelsInNj

GoTravel, that link unfortunately isn't working...but thanks for the heads up on Stone Street! That sounds great for wandering, and perhaps an after-dinner drink.

Getting very excited about my little surprise!

GoTravel

Oops! My bad. Here is the right link:

www.DowntownNY.com

wantsomesun

For a nice dinner with ambiance and a little history go to Fraunces Tavern, I think it is the oldest restaurant in the country, and there is a small museum upstairs. This is where Washington said goodbye to his troops and he took the oath of office right up the street at Federal Hall.

There is a mall over in Battery Park and there is a DSW there as well and a large movie theatre.

Dohlice

PUB CRAWL!!! Fraunces Tavern is also on Pearl Street and those great places on Stone Street also have entrances on ... Pearl Street. This walk leads to the Full Shilling. I prefer the Stone Street places in the summer though when the beer gardens are out. I need to go out after work more often : )

TarheelsInNj

Sad news- Full Shilling is closed on Saturdays! I will definitely remember it for another time, however, because it looked fantastic.

HCart

As a downtown resident, I would second Fraunce's Tavern or suggest Adrienne's on Stone Street. Fraunce's is full of history and neat in a colonial sort of way. Adrienne's is Italian and more cozy in my opinion. It is warm and inviting with decently priced food. Menupages.com is a good place to check out all of the recommendations.
Also, the "mall" wantsomesun recommended is in Battery Park City at World Financial (across the street from Ground Zero). There are a few stores here (Gap, Banana Rep, Ann Taylor, etc) but the shops are geared for the business crowd and close around 5:30 on the weekends.
While I consider the Seaport to be a tourist destination, there will be holiday decorations and the caroling tree that you could wander over to after dinner.

emd

GoT gave you the same link I gave you above. It is a great resource. They'll send you a restaurant guide.

mdn

I second the recommendations for Landmarc and Nam for dinner.
You're better off doing Stone Street as a pub crawl / lunch. Adrienne's is a great little pizza place. Ulysses is a really nice pub next door and there are a few other spots on Stone Street. Financier is one of my favorite coffee shops which is also on Stone street.
If you're in Tribeca, stop by Bouley Bakery & Market (This is not "Bouley" the restaurant, but across the street from there. Same owner. Go upstairs) for a quick bite for lunch.

TarheelsInNj

Thanks all! We ended up having dinner at Moran's Tavern on Washington Street, which was nice and cozy (they even have a fireplace). I don't eat meat, but my husband loved his Irish sausages.

We wandered around Stone Street, which was adorable- we'll definitely have to go back for an after-work meal or drink sometime.

Also, we were very pleased with the Millenium Hilton, and I would recommend it to anyone looking to stay downtown.

Thanks again for your help!

Dohlice

Wow, when I saw that Full Shilling was closed I was going to tell MORAN's. I'm glad you had a good time. If you like Moran's you'll really like the Full Shilling.

Try do Stone Street in the warm weather when all of the tables are out. I guess I've seen some of you at the Financier!! Have you tried the gelto...