My husband and I are visiting NY in December for our anniversary. A friend of mine recommended One if By Land, Two if By Sea, but based on previous comments on this forum this looks like a bad choice! Can anyone recommend a great, romantic place to dine? Also, Babbo was also recommended, any comments?

Joy,
Read the thread "Info on River Cafe"

My foodie friends and with-it son raved about the unusual cuisine at Babbo. But I'd dine with a view--River Cafe or Windows on the World perhaps. That spells romance, for me at least. The new Russian Tea Room or Bouley's new middle-European restaurant are also fantastical, with great food.

Joy, I'd also recommend "River Cafe". It is a beautiful, romantic place located right under the Brooklyn Bridge on the Brooklyn side. The view is spectacular, so is food and service.

there is an excellent restaurant in Long Island City called The Waters Edge. They are on the other side of the river from NYC, so you have a great view, and they runs a ferry from the east side, not exactly sure where, but the restaurant will be able to give you specifics.

Babbo's has some of the best food in NYC (and, being a native New Yorker, I've been to a lot of restaurants), and has a lovely decor--if you decide to go there, make a reservation at least 2 months in advance to insure that you get your date (esp. if it's a weekend night). Another very romantic spot is The Terrace restaurant, near Columbia University (119th Street). I believe they've just reopened after being redone. Very romantic, overlooking the city (atop a tall apartment building), good food, good service, very few tables, expensive. (212) 666-9490. I was at the River Cafe shortly after it first opened--it's very romantic as well, and the food is still said to be great. Another one of my favorites is I Trulli (garden in the summer, fireplace in the winter) (212) 481-7372 on E. 27th Street--food and wine are superb, very Italian.
The Water's Edge is pretty, too. I've not eaten there, but they also do weddings and things quite a bit ,so I don't know how that will impact on your dinner, if at all. New York had lots of terrific restaurants--enjoy!

Actually I'm surprised to hear any negative comments about One if by Land. I loved it. Zagats says that it sets "such a hopelessly romantic mood that you could fall in love with Saddam Hussein"..."get engaged" and is excellent but pricy.

Don't go to a place like the Terrace. It's fine if you're a New Yorker and want to venture up to upper Manhattan. River Cafe is good but I don't know if it is as romantic (but you will be treated well).

If you can tolerate French, my best friend went to the Box Tree, a primo romantic place. Zagats describes it as a "lover's hideaway", "very special, romantic, unhurried meal". It is very expensive but its an anniversary and the River Cafe and the Terrace aint cheap.