New York City Restaurants
 

Hi all. My DH and I are going in December to NYC for our first year anniversary. I'd like a recommendation for a nice, romantic, intimate restaurant that won't cost us more than 175 for two with drinks dessert and entrees. Maybe something Old World not too trendy? We'd like French or Italian. Thanks!!!!

One of my favorite NYC hidden gems is a really great French place on the West Side at 8th and 51st called Rene Pujol. The food is usually quite good and the price is about half of what you'd pay at better known, East Side locations.

A place that is a bit more intimate down in the Village is Chez Michallet. It's about 10 tables and on a nice quiet side street.

I might suggest you do a search on this board for NYC restaurants as this question does come up frequently.

I'd recommend Le Madeleine on West 43st Street, between 9th & 10th Avenues. It fills the bill as intimate and has a definite French bistro charm and feel about it, especially if you ask for a table in the Garden Room when making reservations. And, it is well within your budget.

One if By Land, Two if By Sea might fit the bill, as well. Very romantic, great food, wonderful service, fireplace, piano, etc. My DH took me there for my birthday a couple of years ago and it was a night to remember. You can check them out online at their website.

Good luck in your decision and happy anniversary.

Do a search at chowhound.com

While I agree with Statia's recommendation in general, I believe the budget is a bit more then you intended. The Prix Fixe menu is about $63 per person, which means with tax and tip that you're looking at $160ish before drinks or wine. Add that then you're easily north of $200 as drinks in most NYC restaurants will run between $10-$15 per and the lowest priced wine will not be much less then $45 to $50.

The Prix Fixe dinner at Rene Pujol, by contrast is about $44 (as of last month.)

I believe many NYC restuarants now have websites so you can certainly check out the menus beforehand.

menupages.com has lots of menus, and reviews. You can also do a restaurant search on NYTimes.com in the food nad wine section. You have to register, but it's free.

La Mangeoire is a very pretty place I've visited twice, once with a group of people (many from Fodors) and again with a business colleague, but it was so personal that I can also see it serving romantic purposes.

The decor is bright, flowery and you almost feel like you are in a painting. The service is friendly and enthusiastic. The food is simply divine. There is a fixed price menu, as well as many luscious choices off the menu. With the large party (11?) -- everything was timed beautifully. It was a splendid social occasion. When I later took a co-worker there for lunch it was as wonderful as I'd remembered. Really good service and terrific food.

For example, Mussels in pernot with fennel, basil and tomato...crispy red snapper...grilled baby lamb chops....oh! and believe it or not, there was a side order of green beans several of us sampled. They were extraordinary! The desserts were also heavenly. I think I had a pear tarte with some rum flavored ice cream? (we did a lot of tasting each other's food...it was that kind of casual group.

The address is 1008 2nd Ave (between 53rd & 54th Streets) and their website:
www.lamangeoire.com

We all have our favorites and the city has no shortage of places in all locations. I agree with some of the places already mentioned, but somehow I always find going out of midtown, either uptown or down seems a bit more romantic and intimate. Capsouto Freres is a lovely French bistro downtown in Tribeca with exposed brick walls, lots of flowers and a solicitous staff. They have a prix fixe dinner as well as a la carte. It's hard to find so take a cab.

Erminia uptown for Italian is very romantic.

Provence on MacDougal/Prince Sts. is a very intimate French bistro and is within your budget.

Happy anniversary!

I found a new restaurant last week in midtown called The Flute and the website is www.flutebar.com They have some wonderful champagne, my favorite, and a nice menu of tastings and full entres. We're going there again for my birthday the end of Oct.