Hi my husband and I are travelling to New York for our anniversary next week. This is my husband's first trip to the city and the last time I visited was 10 years ago when I was still in my teens! I was hoping someone could recommend a nice, romantic, but not prohibitively expensive restaurant in Manhattan for our anniversary. Any tips would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Sam

Sam - a few quick questions to help us answer you:

What do you consider prohibitively expensive per person (incl tax and tip)?
What kind of food do you like?
Is there a particular neighborhood you'd like to have dinner in?

www.joeallenrestaurant.com/newyork/janymenu.htm

www.angusmcindoe.com/

Both close to the Theatre District (Angus is next to The Producers)

Joe Allen more traditional, Angus more mixed - lots and lots of theatre people and broadway folks including stars until late, fairly lively downstairs in front but quieter upstairs or in the back.

There is nothing romantic about Joe Allen or Angus McIndoe although they are popular, reasonably priced restaurants in the theater district.

Capsouto Freres is very hard to find and all the way downtown, but a really lovely spot with exposed brick walls, lots of flowers, very nice food at very good prices. They even have a prix fixe for $35
http://capsoutofreres.com/

Candela is a reasonably priced place with some romance.
http://candelarestaurant.com/

Il Buco is a charming Italian, not cheap, but not outrageous
http://www.ilbuco.com/history.html

Without knowing what you consider pricey, I haven't included any of the more typical destination places like River Cafe, One if By Land etc. b/c they will be closer to $100/person. Another very romantic but pricey option is the dinner cruise on Bateaux NY.

As a resident of the theater district area in NYC and a couple in our 30s, some of the area restaurants that we think are really romantic but not prohibitively expensive are: Marseille or Nocello (. Both are restaurants locals go to for a romantic evening out. They are not well known in the touristy circles, but also aren't "big" name chefs. One of my most favorite restaurants for an expensive but wonderful meal is Gramercy Tavern. It would knock your socks off. I'm not sure if Candela is there anymore but the food was mediocre at best when it was, although it was kind of gothic inside - i'm fairly certain it close though. Angus McIndoe or Joe Allen are not appropriate for a romantic dinner - but if for some reason you wanted to choose one, Angus would be it. Feel free to email me with any other questions, and enjoy new york!!! (TIP: a great way to see prices on some, not nearly all, but a good number of restaurants is by going to www.menupages.com and looking there. The menus posted aren't always the newest, but gives you a good idea.)

Thanks for the tips! For our budget $100pp is very expensive - we were hoping for $100-140 (or thereabouts) all up. We're coming from London so really looking for places that are quintessential New York, which you wouldnt find around here. Nothing too stuffy with white tablecloths or anything, just a chilled candle-lit place with good food. As for food, we're happy to eat anything! We'll be staying in a rented apartment between mid-town and the meatpacking district if that helps?
Thanks again! Sam

Sam, most places that we'd think of as romantic would have table cloths, whether white or another color. And when you say something that could only be in NYC, that makes me think of views. Most of those places are expensive.

Pastis in the meatpacking district is a French brasserie. I still think the 3 places I mentioned above could fit the bill. Blue Water Grill is in a former bank building and is a fun restaurant with a jazz club downstairs. Not what I would normally consider romantic, but may be what you'd like. Knickerbocker Bar and Grill in the village has good steaks, casual, with great jazz on weekends.

I think you'd really like The Red Cat or Landmarc. Neither are stuffy, both have great food and a nice atmosphere. You could comfortably get out of either restaurant for $140 total if you don't go crazy on the wine. My BF and I always celebrate our anniversary at Red Cat.