Nervous young Canadian fellow (Toronto) flying into NYC to propose to my unsuspecting American girlfriend, who lives in Jersey. She has only been living in the area for a bit so she doesn't know NYC very well either. Got any ideas for a great place to propose? Awesome restaurants? Money is no object (have credit cards, will travel). I'm thinking romantic. I'm thinking private (no football stadiums). Any advice? It's got to be special 'cause she's a special gal. Thanks boss.

i brought up a similar post for you to look at

Why not do it in New Jersey - the Manor in West Orange is perfect or their sister restaurant, Highlawn pavilion with a beautiful view of NY.

One if by Land, Two if by Sea in the city is a very popular and romantic place to pop the ?

Dan -- Congratulations! That's so exciting!

A few ideas -- we got engaged at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on the roof garden. It's closed now, but Friday and Saturday evenings they have a nice quintet playing on the mezzanine.

You might think about a fabulous location in Central Park -- maybe at Wohlman Rink? What about the top of the Empire State Building?

For a special restaurant, One if by Land is a favorite or March or Cafe des Artistes. You might also check www.zagat.com -- I think they have a "romantic" category.

Good luck!

Restaurants come and go, so you might consider other alternatives. How about the Temple of Dendur room in the Metropolitan Museum of Art (featured in the movie "When Harry Met Sally")? The top of the Empire State Building would be great. Good luck!

One other thought -- the Box Tree. It is a B&B and also a restaurant in the East 40's or 50's. They have lots of small, private dining rooms. It is probably the MOST romantic place I've ever eaten in NYC -- very private, great service, wonderful food. Plus, you can spend the night!

Congratulations Dan! She is a lucky girl to have a thoughtful fellow like you! Depends if you want it serious romantic or kitschy and offbeat. For example, if you guys love rides and stuff you can propose at the top of the ferris wheel in humungeous Toys R Us in Times Square. If you guys are sports nuts, take the Madison Square Garden backstage access tour and afterwards have a drink/lunch in the super pub there and pop it there. I've only been to NYC once, but I found there was so much variety there that you can probably customize your proposal to something you guys really love. You can always do the fancy restaurant thing that evening to celebrate. Plan it, and have fun, remember that whatever you do, she will probably think it is incredible and it will be a special memory. Good luck!

Dan, Klam is right! She will think your thoughtfulness is incredible and be thrilled that you've planned something special, whatever it is. My husband of 20 years popped the question in a car in a mall parking lot. And later said he was uncreative because I was sad that day and he wanted to cheer me up!!! Geesh... The marriage has been great - and that's what counts - but the proposal still bums me out!

My suggestion is the Bethesda Fountain in Central Park. Restaurants come and restaurants go, but you will be able to bring your grandchildren back to the Bethesda Fountain and say "This is where..."

Big Dan, I agree with all those who have said restaurants come and go, and that you should propose at a landmark. I had a boyfriend who would always kiss me at the fountain near the Plaza Hotel because that's where Redford kissed Streisand in "The Way We Were." I still think of him whenever I pass that fountain.

How about proposing in front of a painting or sculpture that means something to you both? Maybe Van Gogh's Starry Night? You can check out collections at the museum's web sites.

Good luck!

The two times that I've been to the top of the Empire State Building have been incredibly windy. It was uncomfortable to stand out there, not alone try and hold onto a ring that might blow away in the excitement of the moment.

A carriage ride thru Central Park?

I run in the park all the time and those horses really, well... stink. Sorry, but it's true. I know it looks good in the photos and the movies, but that's just my opinion. Yours might differ.

How about the conservatory garden?

http://www.harlemlive.org/community/elbarrio/images/entrance.JPEG

http://www.centralparknyc.org/thingstodo.php?catid=53

I'm afraid I vote no on the New Jersey places. You'll never see them in a movie (probably anyhow). (I am originally from there, so I have this right to veto this.)

I think the outdoor settings proposed are tricky especially as you don't live here and would be having anxiety about even finding the places, in addition to the anxiety about the proposal.

I like Cafe des Artistes as a romantic restaurant.

For a proposal, what about staying at a fancy hotel, getting a champagne and flowers delivery for your room and proposing there after dinner? Or a whole elgant room service dinner in a suite?

Hi, Big Dan!
For our anniversary one year, my husband took me to Nirvana on Central Park South..it is up high so you have a view of the streets and Central Park, the restaurant is Indian and very very pretty.The service is excellent and it is a good place to be private and romantic.

I also agree with One If By Land. Really, really pretty restaurant and it's also not too large. It's in an old carriage house in Greenwich Village very nice and old school inside, lots of wood and flowers. I live in the village and I think it's a really charming spot. I got engaged in a different restaurant in Greenwich Village and it was great. Good luck.

Hi folks!

Thanks for all of your suggestions. I feel like you are all my "girlfriends" now. Well, girlfriend, let me tell you how it went down.

Thursday: Flew in to Newark for Valentine's. Found out week before couldn't bring my special order Ecuadorian roses on the plane, but brought a box of Godiva's and ordered dozen roses online from ProFlowers. Chocolates for roommates and future mother-in-law too (me smart). The ProFlowers roses were ugly, yo. Went to Stony Hill Inn in New Jersey. Food was mediocre, service wasn't great, crowd was much older, but at least it was expensive.

Friday: Eleven Madison. Service was excellent. I told the staff that I was planning to propose and they made sure that we had a great table. The wine was, as the French say, good. The chef came around to greet all of his patrons. Nice touch. The place was bubbling and warm. Tasting menu was in fact tasty.

Saturday: pictures at Rochefellar centre, carriage ride through Central Park (yes, it did smell like a zoo but we didn't mind because love conquers all), Madam Tussaud's Wax Museum (really cool), Haru Sushi (adequate, large sushi), orchestra seats for the Lion King (she loved it), and then back to the NY Hilton where I got down on one knee. Broke (thanks US exchange rate) but smiling happy glad.

Next stop: Honeymoon in... Hawaii?? - any suggestions? It'll probably be an October wedding on the west coast where her family lives. Planning to settle down with three kids, a bad back, and a dog named Joe. Thanks.

Dan -- thanks for updating us. I'm assuming she said yes???? Bummer about the flowers -- NYC has some of the best flowers anywhere.

Best wishes and congratulations!

YEAH~~Dan, Congratulations!!!!
So glad to hear that everything went well (at least the important stuff-she said Yes!)
I thought that the carriage ride would add a touch of romance~glad the horsey aroma didn't put you off
As for honeymoons, lived in Hawaii as a child, have no idea what it is like now (personally) but also like the idea of one of those Fiji kind of honeymoons, which could be done anywhere, "a beach,a hut and thou" kind of thing...
Wishing you much happiness, will you live in CAnada or NJ? Cheers*Kate