Niquein99

Hello all! I am planning a romantic weekend for two in NYC for November and truly need some advice and suggestions! I already have a place to stay; we will be staying at The Roosevelt Hotel, which I understand is very much centrally located. But this will be a romantic weekend, as well as a get-to-know each other weekend. We've never met in person, and are meeting in NY for the first 'date', so to speak. I need help on the following things:

1. Late night restaurant for a Friday night. We won't be arriving in NY till at least 11pm

2. Bargain shopping on Saturday! Where to go, which shops to visit (men's and women's clothing).

3. Nice lunch spot for Saturday afternoon - preferably near shopping area. I've heard of Little Italy and China town -- are these good spots for lunch and shopping?

4. Quaint coffe shops for drinks and pastries -- late afternoon

5. Romantic dinner restaurant for Saturday evening. We'd like either Cuban/Spanish, Italian or Seafood. Reasonably priced -- we don't want to break the bank!

6. Any suggestions on what do to/see for Saturday evening. He's interested in a comedy show; I'm interested in a play or something showing at Lincoln Center. Any suggestions?

7. Late night/after-hours spot for drinks and dancing after the show on Saturday night. A nice jazz club/lounge would be perfect!

8. We will be in NYC all day Sunday, to at least 8pm. Prefer someplace we can walk around, sight-see, and still be able to have a conversation.

Please feel free to make any other suggestions you may see fit, as we're both novices at this! Your help is so much appreciated! Thank you in advance Fodorites!

Mo

Gekko

My first suggestion is to read the many many New York posts on this forum -- most of your questions have been discussed at length. From the dropdown menu of states, select "New York" and most of the relevant threads will appear.

Regarding shopping, what are you looking for? Age range? Budget? Chinatown & Madison Avenue are both great shopping areas, but they're worlds apart -- incomparable.

Based on the info you provide, it sounds like Saturday would be best spent in Little Italy/Chinatown/SoHo. Start on Mulberry Street for lunch in Little Italy. Walk south to Canal Street (the heart of Chinatown), and turn east (right). You'll be amazed by Canal Street. Then you can turn north again on either Broadway (SoHo) or West Broadway (also SoHo), depending on what you're looking for in terms of clothes. Broadway is less expensive (with the exception of the flagship Prada store), younger, and much more of-the-moment. West Broadway is more expensive. In SoHo you'll find plenty of places to stop and rest for coffee or whatever.

For dinner, head down to Paladar on the Lower East Side. Very cool. Great food. Many after-dinner options in the immediate area.

First date? Good luck.

Leona

If the Roosevelt has a concierge, you might enlist his/her help, especially with show tickets.

HowardR

"But this will be a romantic wseekend, as well as a get-to-know each other weekend. We've never met in person, and are meeting in NY for the first 'date'...."
"....we're both novices at this!"

Is this for real? If so, the only advice I can give is that you can't schedule romance!

Elizabeth

This sounds great to me, good for you for going full-out on this, whatever it is or may turn out to be!!

Sunday - what about the Metropolitan Museum and wandering in the park if the weather suits you (the museum is in the park)? The Museum is huge and there are so many nice environments in it -- a Chinese garden, an Egyptian temple; and you can eat there too.

Friday night late dinner - I think this is not easy, to find the right kind of place after 11 pm. If it were I, for a first date I'd want a low-key, not too brightly lit neighborhood kind of place rather than a popping "destination" spot.

If you're young in spirit -- well actually you are, aren't you!! -- you might like to get in a taxi and go downtown to Florent in the meat-packing district, which is quite French, open 24 hours, pseudo-louche and fun.

Nearer your hotel you could find out if P.J. Clarke's still serves dinner late, it used to. It's a place for a whiskey sour and a hamburger, if you ask me. Used to be an adman/editor/newsman's bar, but I don't know how it is now. But anyhow there's history there to be absorbed, and you'll know you're in Manhattan.

enjoylife

Filene's Basement almost across from Zabar's has some good shopping deals. Also, you could get some food at Zabar's and have a romantic picnic in the park (weather permitting).

So, you two have never met, but are going to spend a weekend together? Is this the result of internet dating?

Patrick

Sorry, but I'm rolling on the floor laughing at the idea of a romantic weekend with someone you've never met. Do you plan the romance to start at 8:17 or 8:43? Have you allowed for the possibility that the two of you will be repulsed at the first meeting? You need help!!

CalgirlSusan

Meeting someone you've never met at a New York hotel for a weekend sounds pretty romantic to me. Are you certain you will have time to venture outside the room?
Victor's Cafe could be great for that dinner you mention.
Go to the Supper Club for dining, dancing, and entertainment. It has it all.

missjanna

Niquein99, don't listen to all the knockers, although I have to laugh because I have been there and done that. Someone I knew online for 4 years and lived in Miami never saw NYC and actually flew in for 4 days to meet me and for us to explore the city together. (a few months later I travelled to Miami for the same reason)

As for a restaurant on Friday, take your pick. Almost all are open late on a Friday, it's just a matter of how far you want to go and what you want to have.
Saturday for shopping check Canal Street, check 6th Avenue from 21st Street up to 35th Streets. There is an Old Navy, Macy's, Burlington Coat Factory, and various other small shops.
For your drink and pastry shop you can check maybe Serendipity.
For jazz and blues there is alsways B.B. Kings in Times Square, but there are also great places in Greenwich Village.
I would say check out Time Out NY online and the Village Voice online for nightlife options.

Niquein99

Thank you so much for those that have replied to me (and stayed on the real topic)! Your suggestions sound great, now I just need to compile everything and devise an itinerary. How's the weather in NY in November? I'm in the South and its still in the 70's during the day here. I'm sure NY will be chilly and/or cold. Can you recommend a good comedy club in the City? We're both in our mid 30's. And is there a website to find out what plays are currently playing on Broadway and their reviews? Thanks again!!

BuzzyJ

I hope you will let us know how this all turns out; frankly it sounds pretty scary to me...

Loki

Playbill.com should have a lot of Broadway info.

As for comedy, Caroline's in Times Square is the "big one", I've also been to the Comic Strip on the UES. Comedy Cellar is in the Village and a bit cheaper, never made it there, though. I would decide based on which comic is where and who you like best. I've found all of these places to be generally the same. If you want something more unique to NYC, go to Upright Citizens Brigade, it's improv not standup and has some very talented performers. http://www.uprightcitizens.org/

GoTravel

If you want to impress your date, take them to Blue Ribbon Bakery for dinner on Friday. They serve until one or two AM and it is where you will find a lot of chefs that have already closed up their own restaurants.

Romantic things; Staten Island Ferry at dusk, drinks at the Rainbow Room at dusk and watch the city light up, tea at The Pierre, drinks at The Oak Bar in The Plaza Hotel.

Cerlaurie

I just saw The Producers and thought it was great. It is a musical but very funny - maybe what you are both looking for. We purchased tickets from telecharge.com. We went to Angus McIndoe (which is right next door to the theater) afterwards for dinner and it was very good. Have fun and good luck! BTW - I hope you are letting him make some of the plans. If it was me, I would be curious to see what he would plan.

Elizabeth

Weather question: pack for the worst, hope for the best.

What you want is the famous layers. I'd include a silk undershirt and/or camisole, and cashmere sweaters; warm scarf, hat, and gloves important.
And an umbrella!!

Feet -- some kind of short leather boots sprayed to be rainproof, or nice shoes with square-ish toes and thick rubber soles (I like kind of wedge-y looking ones) -- this are for walking around in daytime though will actually do you fine at nite too unless you go to very fancy midtown restaurants, then you'll want to wear "real" shoes & step in and out of taxis.

Statia

A few romantic things that my hubby and I have enjoyed in NYC are:

-Drinks at the revolving "View Lounge" atop the Mariott Marquis hotel on Times Square.

-Dinner at One if by Land, Two if by Sea.

-Riding the carousel in Central Park, as well as strolling.

-Being on the top of the Empire State Building near closing time on a beautiful moonlit night.

-Strolling thru, and having lunch in, Little Italy and China Town.

Good luck with your plans!