Hi New Yorkers,
My wife turns 29 on Sunday, and I am taking her to see 'CONTACT' at the Vivian Beaumont Theatre. Is there a nice romantic (not awfully expensive) restaurant within 10-15 minutes by feet from the theatre? We are from the Philadelphia area, so we don't know NYC too well. Thank you.

Cafe de Artistes is nearby and I would say it's a romantic place. It's been a couple years since I've been there, so I can't comment on current prices.

If you would like to eat well, instead of merely look at the surroundings, I would suggest Picholine more than Cafe des Artistes. But both restaurants are expensive, though I wouldn't consider them overly so (like Jean-Georges). There's also Gabriel's and Shun Lee in the Lincoln Center area, and they're also both in the same price range. For something more casual, I like Nick & Toni's, though it doesn't have a special evening feel.

Hi Stan,
Cafe des artistes is kind of pricey. You could look up places on Zagat.com or citysearch.com - if I think of any I will post! Do you have any specific type of cuisine in mind?
-ADF

Any cuisine is fine. Thank you.

Picholine is the place to go. Not too expensive but on the high side. Food is great. Save room for the cheese course. Cafe Des Artiste is romantic but the food is so-so.
Contact is wonderful.

Picholine is a great choice. So is Cafe Luxembourg. You can look up info on both (including approximate cost) at www.zagat.com.

There is a great little Indian restaurant, Sapphire, that has the prettiest dining room. The ceiling is painted blue with gold stars and the service is wonderful.
A new place, Compass, at 70th and Amsterdam, is very chic and has a younger feel than some of the typically 'romantic' places like Cafe des Artistes, which I think can be a little stuffy. The food is divine and the service fabulous. Because it is new it is relatively quiet and calm. Also, they have tall red suede booths that surround you and make you feel like the only diners, which I, as a young woman, found to be very romantic.

Are you sure the place with the tall red booths isn't OUEST ? on 84th St(I think)?? If not,I recommend them also, tall red booths that wrap around you so you are private wherever you sit.Great food!

Positive it isn't Ouest--I live down the street. I ate at Compass last weekend. You could NEVER confuse it with Ouest--far too sleek, with an airy, bottle green and black interior. Oesut is nice, but getting a little far away from LC and the service tends to be a little harried IMHO.

I like an Italian place called Arte Cafe on 73rd and Columbus(formerly Arte Pasta). Not sure how romantic it is, but the decor is nice and the food is great.

Is Cafe de Artistes the place with the sculptured body parts on the wall?

I kind of liked Merlot. Very good food, striking decor.

My idea of a perfect romantic evening: 'Contact' and Picholine. I've been to both although not the same night - and I've frequently said here that Picholine is among my top five lifetime dining experiences! Are you planning dinner before or after the show? (I only ask because I HATE having to rush through an exquisite dinner to get to theatre and then try to enjoy the show while I'm still thinking about the dinner; that's probably why we went to Contact & Picholine on different nights!)

Have fun!

I just wondered about Ouest because they have the red wrap- around booths.
Compass has a write up in this months Bon Appetit,just got it today!

Last year we had tix to the Philharmonic at Lincoln center, and we also ate at Picholine before the show. It ranks as one of the best NY restaurants I've ever eaten in. Service & Food were all top notch - But it was hard to get a reservation.
JK