Romantic Manhattan Dinner
 

My first NYC trip, his 3rd or 4th. We are looking for the stereotypical romantic dining experience, preferably Italian, with the low lighting, bend-over-backwards service, beautiful ambiance, and wonderful food. Prefer around the $$$ range ($$$$ not an option here). We know there have to be hundreds of places, but prefer to go off of referals. Any ideas? Thanks!

What does "$$$ range" mean to you in actual dollars? $150-200 per person?

If so, look no further than the "new" Picholine. The cuisine & ambiance are amazing, but the service is what makes Picholine transcend its competitors.

Le Cirque is also extraordinary, but the large open room is not the most romantic.

How about Daniel? Although it's getting a bit long in the tooth in my opinion, it's still an exemplary dining experience.

I second PICHOLINE, and would choose it over Le Bernardin any day! Don't miss the cheese course.

I'm going off of the Fodor's "$$$" key, $28 - $35 for entree. A little higher is ok. We've already got one "$$$$" booked, so looking for something more moderate. Thanks!

Suggest you check menupages.com for actual meus before reserving anyplace - since I'm not sure that Fodor's key is valid for Manhattan.

My most romantic and not outrageous is River Cafe - which has incrdible view of Manhattan - esp if you get window talbe. Fodd is excellent, but not THE best in nthe city. Prix fixe dinner is about $85.

Not sure the "Fodor's key" is applicable in the city.

If "$$$$" is the "most expensive," then in Manhattan that would mean places like Masa & Per Se, at about $400 per person.

"$$$" to me would mean top restaurants like Picholine, the Four Seasons, etc.

"$$" is what I'd call a normal night out, $60-150 per person depending on wine choice(s).

"$" .. less than $60 per person total (alcohol, tip, tax).

But that's just one New Yorker's opinion.

I'd suggest you read these reviews of Picholine.
http://menupages.com/restaurantdetai...mp;cuisineid=0

I don't know you'll find bend over backwards service for $$$. ViceVersa is nice and romantic with good food, low lighting and a prix fixe dinner.
http://menupages.com/restaurantdetai...mp;cuisineid=0

I just love the River Cafe. I know there are newer, more expensive, trendier restaurants in NY, but the River Cafe always seems like a classic to me. As for a table at the window and you'll have the best view of Manhattan ever.

Those reviews of the "new" Picholine are interesting. It was before the renovation we last ate there and we had a spectacular meal -- but I must say, although we're both seniors we felt like the youngsters in the place. The only ones younger were a couple of "trophy wives" or were they "escorts" for a couple of very elderly retired exec. types?

I don't know your age, but frankly as good as the meal was at Picholine, I'd take Le Bernardin for the same cost any day.

How about Asiate in the Mandarin Oriental?

All very good info (re teh "$$$$"). We're there for 2 nights, so we want to do one fun "$ or $$" one, and one "$$$ to $$$$" one. Picholine is my favorite so far.

Has anyone heard of Il Bastardo or 21 Club or Tribeca Grille? Someone recommended those to us, too.

Thanks for the great advice! Let me know when you're in Atlanta - I can help out there. :)

PS - We're mid 30s.

Ok I will stop after this! Just re-read my last post. We're more looking for $$ to the $$$ range Gekko mentioned. All this time, I was thinking the prices were without wine/alcohol; was just thinking entree only. Sorry. Thanks!

I wouldn't call 21 romantic. A NYC institution but not romantic.

Actual dollar amounts would be more helpful than the dollar signs; they are confusing!

I like I Coppi for Italian or Gnocci Cafe.

Tribeca Grille is good - not sure I'd label it as super romantic, although it's really nice.

One if by Land, Two if by Sea is probably the most "romantic" place we've eaten at in the city. The food was amazing and we really enjoyed it.

21 Club has been around isnce the ice age and is primarily a meeting place for businesss types during the day. Food is not bad, not really good - and atmosphere not at all romantic. There are much better choices in that areas for those $.

Anyone been to Candela lately? I don't remember how the food was as it was ages ago, but the decor stayed with me.

I agree that Tribeca Grill is not romantic - good food but not romantic.

Not sure when you are coming, but I was always partial to garden seating at Barolo in Soho.

I suggest that you look up
Bouley (www.bouley.net),
Eleven Madison Park (http://www.elevenmadisonpark.com/) or Hearth (www.restauranthearth.com).

nycgirl1 I think hit it on the head. One if by Land is wonderful. We went there last year for our anniversary and loved it. Food, atmosphere, everything was just excellent. The only one of your parameters that it misses is that it isn't Italian.

You've got quite a diverse set of suggestions here. For me a dinner that is upto $100 pp is expensive enough. i.e. for a special dinner, I'd spend around that much and for a very special dinner (once a year etc) I'll got up to $150-200.
Try Po on Cornelia Street for excellent romantic italian that's reasonably priced. Very small & cozy (tables are close to each other like almost all other places in the city, big or small) and bling factor's absent. You can easily eat there for less than $75 pp.
A Voce is more expensive ($100 or little more pp), tables are more spacious in a modern-ish setting. Service is good & food is amazing.

Two thoughts...the Tribeca Grill is great, but not super romantic or hugely memorable. The most memorable meal I've had in New York is at Blue Hill. The service, food, atmosphere, etc. were phenomenal. Their website is www.bluehillnyc.com. And my mother-in-law really likes the River Cafe, but I haven't been.

Good call on Blue Hill.

Not Italian, but if you want to experience the most romantic NYC restaurant, go to One if By Land, Two if by Sea. It expensive, but not insane. You can probably spend less than $100 per person if you don't have booze or an appetizer or something. I think they have a Prixe Fix for $75 or less. But for your first trip to NY, it is something you should experience. The food is amazing, the ambiance is beyond romantic.

I have to agree on One If
By Land. It's been a couple of years since I was there, but we really enjoyed it for a romantic birthday dinner.

The River Cafe. The New York skyline and bridge offer fabulous, romantic views with wonderful dining.

Check some of the reviews of OIBL. I've never gone because of the mixed reviews I always hear. The people I know who have been there are split 50/50. They either love it or really, really hate it. The reviews on Citysearch are the same. Read some of the bad ones and if the worst is stuff that won't bother you, go for it. http://tinyurl.com/39z6ma

Well, I did just read through those CitySearch reviews and I sure wouldn't call them 50/50. More like 95/5 with the 95 being the raves. The only two really negative overall reviews were from posters who have never posted any other ones (always kind of "suspicious" in my mind). After reading all those reviews with a tiny grain of salt, I'd rush to the place. The only consistent thing I saw was that if you are under 30 and looking for the "in crowd" this isn't it.

Thanks for that info, Patrick. We personally found the ambience, staff and food to be superb, yet I see OIBL dissed by some here on Fodors at times, so those statistics are interesting.

I suppose some people might catch it on an off night or have different expectations, as well. Different strokes for different folks, as they say. :)

Well, the real bottom line is -- just try to find any restaurant that isn't dissed by some. I read a couple reviews on LeBernardin once which indicated the food was just plain "lousy", and another that said it was noisy and crowded (could the people have possibly even been there to say that?)-- sorry, I'd just have to ignore such claims. And frankly "overpriced" is such a meaningless term. If lots of people love to go there and return, then it really can't be called "overpriced". Granted some don't appreciate paying more for the ambiance, or the music, or the fresh flowers, or the extra service personel, so it isn't worth the price to them, but for others it is all part of the "deal".

Meanwhile I have no stake in this and have never even been to One if by Land. I'm just pointing out that the reviews surely wouldn't keep me away. In fact, they'd encourage me to go.

When is your trip? You'll want to make reservations as soon as possible. Check out opentable.com. Quite a few restaurants have online reservations.

Where will you be staying? That would help determine restaurant recommendations.

A meal at Picholine would be excellent, however, it is a bit of an older crowd and isn't in the most interesting area of the city.

Some of the best restaurants for romantic but not ridiculously expensive don't take reservations or are difficult to get into. Po, Lupa, Babbo are all excellent.

If you like French, Jean Georges was one of my favorite meals. The tasting menu is a pretty good deal by New York standards.

For trendier and more fun options, maybe check out restaurants in Soho, West Village or Meatpacking. 5 Ninth is excellent and you'll love the Meatpacking District. It's also an interesting space - an entire brownstone formerly owned by RuPaul of all people. We've never been disappointed by the food there - always interesting and always good.

As stated, the 50/50 split was people I know personally. The people who were not happy were unhappy for the same reasons given on Citysearch. I've no stake in it either.

L'Impero might fit what you're looking for - it's Italian and on the higher end of your range. The ambience and food sound like what you're looking for. Tudor City is an area you might not visit otherwise, but interesting to see in that it's almost its own quiet little village, but right there in Midtown by the UN.
You can view the menu (with prices) here:
http://www.limpero.com/htm/menu.htm#

L'Impero is an excellent recommendation. I also love River Cafe. If you're up to more information check out chowhound.com and select the "Manhattan" option.

Another winner here with L'Impero.
Definitely fits the romantic Italian, good food to boot, restaurant.

Gilt has a new chef and the food and atmosphere are wonderful.Dinner will cost close to or more than 200 per couple.The other restaurants of this calibur will cost the same.Picholine,Daniel,Bouley,etc.

I am compelled to chime in with my thoughts on a few of the places recommended above. So many options in NYC!

For a romantic Italian restaurant - L'Impero is first on my list. You will not be disappointed with the food or ambiance. Has superb food, elegant decor, roomy tables and stellar service. I'm sure it will be a memorable experience.

I also vote for Blue Hill which is opposite Washington Square Park. It's a smaller place in a brownstone, a little bit more chic and fantastic (american) food. Limitted menu (in case you're picky).

One if By Land is in a much livelier location in Greenwich Village and has been there for many, many years. It is located in an old carriage house and is dripping with romance. Would not qualify as an Italian restaurant though and perhaps a little staid. A good choice, nevertheless.

Another very romantic choice is Bouley in Tribeca for French food. Gorgeous and memorable place. The food will also blow you away (as will the prices).

I happen to love Po (also in the Village), but it's quaint, not romantic, in my opinion. Excellent food too. But small and has bland decor.

I wouldn't recommend Tribeca Grill if you're looking for romantic atomosphere, although the food (American) is generally pretty good.

In my opinion, Candela is NOT the right place if you have one night for romantic dinner in NYC. They have lots of candles, but sorry - so does Pier One...

Babbo is probably one of - if not the - best Italian restaurants in NYC. But impossible to get in. Suppose you could give it a try.

You may also want to consider Del Posto, which is a Lidia Bastianich place. A beatuiful space with excellent Italian food. Not as good as L'Impero though.

Plenty of other options, but not enough space here!

"In my opinion, Candela is NOT the right place if you have one night for romantic dinner in NYC. They have lots of candles, but sorry - so does Pier One.."

My vote for best line of this thread!!!

Babbo, Bouley or Cafe Boulud are my recs

good luck!

I still think the most romantic restaurant in NYC is Erminia. www.erminiarestaurant.com
There are only 12 tables in the place, very intimate, candle lit, quiet, just adorable. You must make a reservation.
Food is great, but they only serve wine, no hard liquor.
visit menupages.com to see what they have to offer.

bugswife, Erminia looks wonderful. I think that's one of the first pasta menus I've seen that I would go for every one of. It's really a great sounding menu.