Quality Dinner Date: Downtown

You’re always looking for the quintessential dinner date spot, that place where you know you might spend a little more than usual, but the experience is worth it. Whether you’re trying to impress someone, take the relationship to the next level or just go out for a nice dinner with your AIT*, the following spots should do the trick.

Reservations are highly recommended (if taken), so expect a wait if you take a shot at a walk-in. That shouldn’t be a problem, just have a drink at the bar or give your name and cell number to the host/ess and go for a drink nearby while you wait. If you want to continue the night after dinner, grab a nightcap at one of the spots listed below for drinks before/after.

*AIT (All-Inclusive Title) includes everything from girl/boyfriend, wife/husband, partner, hookup, friend, etc.

Note: Prices given are ranges for typical dinner menu items.

Dell’anima (West Village)
Restaurant, Italian
38 Eighth Ave (btwn W 12th St & Jane St), East side of street near Jane; 212.366.6633
Prices: Apps: Low-Mid $10’s; Pastas: Upper $10’s – Low $20’s; Entrees: Low-Upper $20’s
OpenTable Reservation
Notes: Cool, small-ish Italian spot in West Village with solid food and ambiance, very popular and often tough to get a prime reservation, several outdoor tables available during the warm months, try calling for a reservation in advance or expect to have a wait if you walk in.

Drinks Before/After
Hudson Bar & Books
Bar / Lounge, Cigar Bar
636 Hudson St (btwn Jane St & Horatio St), East side of street near Horatio; 212.229.2642
Notes: Masculine-type lounge and bar with specialty cocktails and focus on whiskey, scotch and cigars, bar seating, small tables, leather banquettes and outdoor seating, if cigar smoke might be an issue head elsewhere. Mondays: women get a free cigar; Tuesdays: all whiskey prices rounded down (i.e. $10, 20, 30); Tobacco Charge: $4 for those who smoke.

Zampa Winebar + Kitchen
Wine Bar / Restaurant
306 W 13th St (btwn 8th Ave & Hudson St), North side of street near 8th Ave; 212.206.0601
Notes: More for food, this sophisticated but laid-back wine bar and restaurant provides a cool setting for a drink at the bar or small plates and some wine at one of the tables, ask staff for suggestions.

Art Bar
Bar
52 Eighth Ave (btwn Horatio St & W 4th St), East side of street; 212.727.0244
Notes: Large bar, front room with booths and bar seating, can get relatively loud and crowded, mellow and intimate back room with couches and cool art on the walls.

Il Buco (NoHo)
Restaurant, Italian / Mediterranean
47 Bond St (btwn Bowery & Lafayette St), South side of street; 212.533.1932
Prices: Apps: Low-Mid $10’s; Pastas: Upper $10’s – Low $20’s; Entrees: Upper $20’s – Mid $30’s
OpenTable Reservation
Notes: If you’re willing to drop a bit of money, this spot is always a lady-pleaser, rustic, candle-lit, romantic, solid food, seasonal menus offer variety throughout the year, excellent wine list.

Drinks Before/After
Lobby Bar / The Terrace at the Bowery Hotel
Hotel Bar / Lounge, Outdoor Patio
335 Bowery (btwn 2nd St & 3rd St), East side of street; 212.505.9100
Notes: Spacious, refined hotel lobby lounge with pricey cocktails, ornate couches, chairs and tables situated throughout the space, animal heads on the walls, a fire place and other elaborate decorations. Head to the bar area in the back for drinks or try to grab some seats and have a server take your order. The Terrace (in the back) provides a beautiful outdoor patio that is perfect for a drink on a nice night; however, it can sometimes be tough to gain access since it technically is reserved for hotel guests only.

Madam Geneva at Double Crown
Bar / Lounge, Gin
4 Bleecker St (at Bowery), Southwest corner; 212.254.0350
Notes: Cool, hidden, gin-driven cocktail lounge, good unique beer selection, long bar with couches, chairs and small candle-lit tables, décor resembles colonial southeast Asia, weekends get very crowded so go during the week.
How to find it: Enter Double Crown (restaurant) and walk to the back for the door (entrance) to Madam Geneva.

Temple Bar
Bar / Lounge
332 Lafayette St (btwn Houston St & Bleecker St), West side of street; 212.925.4242
Notes: Romantic cocktail spot with pricey drinks, plush seating and small tables, solid service, has been around for awhile but still decent alternative.

Bobo (West Village)
Restaurant / Lounge, French
181 W 10th St (at 7th Ave S), Northwest corner; 212.488.2626
Prices: Apps: Low-Mid $10’s; Entrees: Mid-Upper $20’s; The Den (Lounge): Less than $10 – Mid $10’s
OpenTable Reservation
Notes: Set in an ultra-romantic townhouse, lounge/bar on the semi-subterranean main floor, restaurant (and small bar) on 2nd floor and outdoor garden area (request to sit here if the weather is nice), feels like you’re a guest at an exclusive dinner party in the main dining room, candles, a fireplace, chandeliers, bookcases and exposed brick all add to the ambiance, food has improved over the years.
How to find it: Unmarked entrance, look for bushes near northwest corner of 7th Ave & 10th St (on 10th) and walk down stairs where you’ll see the bar/lounge area.

Drinks Before/After
Bobo (Lounge Area)
Restaurant Lounge / Bar
181 W 10th St (at 7th Ave S), Northwest corner; 212.488.2626
Notes: Sleek, sophisticated lounge / bar area on the semi-subterranean main floor of Bobo restaurant, full bar with good specialty cocktails and bar menu, good for pre/post-dinner drinks, make sure to take a peek at the 2nd floor restaurant and garden and check out the small upstairs bar area if you’re looking for a more intimate setting.

Wilfie & Nell
Bar / Restaurant
228 W 4th St (btwn Christopher St & W 10th St), West side of street; 212.242.2990
Notes: Very cool pub-like spot, generally a good crowd, bar seating as well as large communal picnic tables and several smaller tables dispersed throughout, cheap bites available, good beer selection and a full bar, gets crowded regularly so don’t expect to have a quiet drink or find seating easily.

Kingswood (Bar Area)
Restaurant / Gastropub / Bar / Lounge, Australian / Eclectic
121 W 10th St (btwn 6th Ave & Greenwich Ave), North side of street; 212.645.0018
Notes: Aussie and eclectic restaurant with large, sleek, front rectangular bar area, always a good crowd, seating all along the bar as well as several small tables looking out onto the street, popular scene but laid-back. If you’re looking for more of a lounge, check out Baddies (http://nymag.com/listings/bar/baddies) underneath Kingswood, entrance located around the corner at 20 Greenwich Ave (east side) btwn W 10th St & Charles St, a bouncer stands in front on popular nights, enter and walk down stairs to your right.

Allen & Delancey (Lower East Side) (*Closed*)
Restaurant, American Nouveau
115 Allen St (at Delancey St), Northwest corner; 212.253.5400
Prices: Apps: Mid-Upper $10’s; Entrees: Mid $20’s – Mid $30’s
OpenTable Reservation
Notes: Romantic, low-lit, décor and ambiance are a crowd-pleaser with exposed brick, old books, art pieces along the walls, drapes separating the two dining rooms, intimate bar upfront with great specialty cocktails menu, revolving list of chefs, on the pricier side, go elsewhere for dessert.

Drinks Before/After
Jadis
Wine Bar, French
42 Rivington St (btwn Eldridge St & Forsyth St), North side of street; 212.254.1675
Hours: Mon-Thu: 5pm-Midnight, Fri-Sat: 5pm-2am, Sun: Closed
Notes: Cozy, intimate, dimly lit wine bar with dark wood, exposed brick, primarily focused on French wines with some other European and South American ones available, limited but very good selection of small plates, great prices for a wine bar, small tables, high communal tables and bar seating in the front with couches and an open space in the back lounge.

Ten Bells
Wine Bar
247 Broome St (btwn Ludlow St & Orchard St), South side; 212.228.4450
Notes: Cool all-natural, organic wine bar with u-shaped bar and high table communal seating in the back, serves wines from Europe, Oregon and Morocco, cheeses from Essex Market, unique cold cuts and small dishes.

Lolita Bar
Bar
266 Broome St (at Allen St), Northeast corner; 212.966.7223
Cash and American Express Only
Notes: Chill spot for drinks, full bar with both bar seating and individual tables, gets crowded on weekends.

Degustation (East Village)
Restaurant, French / Spanish / Tapas
239 E 5th St (btwn 2nd Ave & Bowery), North side of street; 212.979.1012
Prices: Small Plates: Less than $10 – Mid $10’s; Chef’s Five Course Tasting Menu: $50 per person
Reservations: 212.979.1012
Notes: A dining experience, at-the-bar exclusive seating (16 seats side-by-side) at this small chef’s station on the side of Jewel Bako, all tapas, expect small portions but a lot of flavor, intimate space, solid attentive service, recommend going with the $50 5-course tasting menu for best value ($75 10-course tasting menu available as well).

Drinks Before/After
Mayahuel
Bar, Tequila
304 E 6th St (btwn 1st Ave & 2nd Ave), South side of street; 212.253.5888
Notes: Tequila and mezcal-focused specialty cocktails spot by the same owners as Death & Co, Mexican monastery décor, low-lit, main floor with small booths, seating at the bar and a ledge, upstairs loungey space with wrap-around couch seating and small ottomans, red-lit and can get a little noisy, crowded on busy nights, do some research on tequila/mezcal beforehand or ask your server for recommendations, drinks menu can be a bit overwhelming.
How to find it: No sign, so look for Cherin Sushi at 306 E 6th St and you’ll find Mayahuel (juts out onto the sidewalk a bit) directly west of it (closer to 2nd Ave), open the door, tell the host the number in your party (give your name and number if there is a wait for seating).

Death & Co.
Bar / Lounge, Specialty Cocktails
433 E 6th St (btwn Ave A and 1st Ave), North side of street; 212.388.0882
Notes: One of the best and most popular specialty drinks spots in the city, small lounge with bar and table seating (try not to get seated at the stools with the ledge), always popular, cool vibe, great to impress a date, good small plates, look for a wood-paneled façade to find it, expect a potential wait for a table but give the doorman your name and number and come back when you are notified that space is available.

The Cooper Square Hotel Bars & Outdoor Terrace
Hotel Bar / Lounge, Outdoor Terrace
25 Cooper Sq (Bowery/3rd Ave), 1st Floor, 2nd Floor & Terrace (btwn 5th St & 6th St), East side of street; 212.475.5700
Notes: Sleek, dark upstairs and downstairs spaces with ample bar seating, couches, two-person tables and expensive drinks, check out the terrace on nice nights.

Bacaro (Chinatown)
Restaurant / Wine Bar, Italian
136 Division St (btwn Ludlow St & Orchard St), North side of street; 212.941.5060
Prices: Small to Medium-Sized Plates: Less than $10 – Upper $10’s
No Reservations Accepted
Notes: Intimate, dark, rustic wine bar and restaurant down in LES/Chinatown, excellent décor and ambiance, solid food and wine list, try to sit in the basement with its various nooks.

Drinks Before/After
White Star
Bar / Speakeasy, Absinthe
21 Essex St (btwn Canal St & Hester St), West side of street; 212.995.5464
Notes: Cool, tiny absinthe-focused bar by Sasha Petraske, specialty cocktails, beer and wine available, get your drinks at the bar and try to snag seating at one of the leather booths in the back or at the bar in front.
How to find it: Look for 23 Essex sign and it should be the next spot directly south towards Canal.

Clandestino
Bar
35 Canal St (btwn Division St & Ludlow St), North side of street; 212.475.5505
Notes: Off-the-beaten-path bar that feels like a great neighborhood spot, decent selection of beer and wine, a few small tables in the front and back with a bunch of bar and ledge seating, low-key music and comfortable ambiance.

BEast
Restaurant / Bar / Lounge
171 E Broadway (btwn Canal St & Rutgers St), South side of street; 212.228.3100
Notes: Small, subterranean bar hidden behind Broadway East restaurant, several tables with a few chairs scattered throughout the space, try to grab seats at the bar, dj music and generally a hipster scene.
How to find it: The cooler way – go up to the bouncer (if there is one) on the side door near the entrance to Broadway East or ring the buzzer, walk through the dark long hallways and eventually you’ll get to your destination. The easier way – enter Broadway East, walk through the front bar and the dining room, in the far back there will be a flight of steep stairs leading down to BEast.

August (West Village)
Restaurant / Bistro, Mediterranean / Eastern European
359 Bleecker St (btwn W 10th St & Charles St), East side of street; 212.929.8727
Prices: Apps: Low-Mid $10’s; Entrees: Mid $20’s
Reservations: 212.929.8727
Notes: Mediterranean-style, rustic décor with small, intimate dining area and backyard glass-enclosed (during non-summer months) atrium open year-long, features seasonal and regional European fare with menus focused on European feasts from different countries, mixed reviews on food but ambiance is top-notch.

Drinks Before/After
Employees Only
Bar / Restaurant
510 Hudson St (btwn Christopher St & W 10th St), East side of street; 212.242.3021
Notes: Slick, sophisticated, always popular spot for good cocktails, long bar with plenty of seating and a few small tables in the front area, great scene and solid atmosphere. Also check out Macao Trading Co. down in TriBeCa by the same owners.
How to find it: Look for “Psychic sign” in the window and 510 number on the awning since no real signage out front (just the sideways EO logo), good to call before and get name of person you speak to since there will most likely be a bouncer at the door asking if you have a reservation. Say you spoke to [name] and he/she said it wouldn’t be a problem if you came by for drinks at the bar.

The Otheroom
Bar, Wine & Beer
143 Perry St (btwn Greenwich St & Washington St), North side of street near Washington; 212.645.9758
Cash Only
Notes: Small, very intimate spot with low lighting, serves a nice variety of wines and beers, seats at the bar, couch seating in the front and a good back room with wrap-around seating and small tables (go for these), order and pay for your drinks at the bar.

Wilfie & Nell
Bar / Restaurant
228 W 4th St (btwn Christopher St & W 10th St), West side of street; 212.242.2990
Notes: Very cool pub-like spot, generally a good crowd, bar seating as well as large communal picnic tables and several smaller tables dispersed throughout, cheap bites available, good beer selection and a full bar, gets crowded regularly so don’t expect to have a quiet drink or find seating easily.

Peasant (NoLita)
Restaurant, Italian
194 Elizabeth St (btwn Spring St & Prince St), East side of street; 212.965.9511
Prices: Apps: Low-Mid $10’s; Pizzas: $12; Entrees: Low-Upper $20’s
OpenTable Reservation
Notes: Excellent dining experience, great ambiance, rustic décor and delicious food, professional service, solid wine list, relatively large room with exposed brick walls, open kitchen and fire place in the back.

Drinks Before/After
Peasant Wine Bar
Wine Bar, Italian
194 Elizabeth St (btwn Spring St & Prince St), East side of street; 212.965.9511
Notes: Located beneath Peasant (enter down stairs next to Peasant main entrance), laid-back wine bar, communal tables, candle-lit, better for quiet drinks before dinner, go elsewhere after dinner.

The Monday Room (Public) / Public (Bar Area)
Wine Bar / Restaurant, Eclectic / Australian
210 Elizabeth St (btwn Spring St & Prince St), East side of street; 212.343.7011
Notes: The Monday Room: Great intimate spot with educated staff (personal wine steward) and stellar wine selection, choose from by the half glass (tasting), glass, half bottle, bottle or flights of wine for a varied experience, changing menu of small and larger plates available with food and wine pairing recommendations, ability to make OpenTable reservations.
The Bar at Public: Loungey bar with bar seating, small tables and cool décor (Public designed by AvroKo), great ambiance and usually a quiet but good scene, if you like beer, order from the available Aussie selection.
How to find it: Both spots are accessible through Public’s main entrance. Ask the host/ess if the Monday Room is open (or check beforehand) since private parties are occasionally held there, it will be directly to your left when you enter. If you prefer a full bar, say that you’re there for drinks at the bar, turn right and keep walking until you see it at the end.

Madam Geneva at Double Crown
Bar / Lounge, Gin
4 Bleecker St (at Bowery), Southwest corner; 212.254.0350
Notes: Cool, hidden, gin-driven cocktail lounge, good unique beer selection, long bar with couches, chairs and small candle-lit tables, décor resembles colonial southeast Asia, weekends get very crowded so go during the week.
How to find it: Enter Double Crown (restaurant) and walk to the back for the door (entrance) to Madam Geneva.

Blue Ribbon Brasserie (SoHo)
Restaurant, American Nouveau
97 Sullivan St (btwn Spring St & Prince St), East side of street; 212.274.0404
Prices: Apps: Low-Mid $10’s; Entrees: Low $20’s – Mid $30’s
Only Reservations for Parties of 5+: 212.274.0404
Notes: Classic spot in SoHo with delicious eclectic menu, solid raw bar and comfortable scene, usually a wait (can be extensive) for a table so put your name down and grab a drink at the bar or nearby, great for late night dining.

Drinks Before/After
A60 / Thom Bar / Kittichai at 60 Thompson Hotel
Rooftop Lounge / Lounge / Restaurant
60 Thompson St (btwn Broome St & Spring St), East side of street; 212.219.2000
Notes: A60 – Outdoor rooftop lounge at top (13th floor) of 60 Thompson Hotel, exclusive, impressive spot for a date, nice patio furniture spread across a narrow terrace, great views of midtown and lower Manhattan, thai apps and exotic cocktails, tough to get access unless you are a hotel guest, have a room/access card or know someone who works there.
Thom Bar – plush, trendy spot with expensive drinks but cool atmosphere, bar seating as well as a bunch of couches and low tables for lounging. How to find it: located on the 2nd floor, walk in to the hotel to the right, walk up the stairs and turn right.
Kittichai – Restaurant with bar seating or outdoor tables in front of hotel, if late enough at night, you can sit for drinks at one of the tables.

The Room
Bar, Wine & Beer
144 Sullivan St (btwn Prince St & Houston St), West side of street; 212.477.2102
Notes: Mood lighting, on the darker side, wide selection of beers with approx two dozen wines available, first room with bar seating, second room with couches and small tables, brick walls, music levels vary on the night and feature rock and alternative rock.

Tailor
Restaurant / Lounge, Molecular Gastronomy / American Nouveau / Specialty Cocktails
525 Broome St (btwn Thompson St & Sullivan St), South side of street; 212.334.5182
Notes: Downstairs lounge below Tailor restaurant (enter the restaurant and walk downstairs), great specialty cocktails but primary “mixologist” Eben Freeman recently left, good for quiet conversation. Restaurant is closed indefinitely, but lounge still open for drinks and extended bar menu.

Extra Virgin (West Village)
Restaurant, Mediterranean
259 W 4th St (btwn Charles St & Perry St), East side of street; 212.691.9359
Prices: Apps: Low $10’s; Entrees: Low-Mid $20’s
Only Reservations for Parties of 6+: 212.691.9359
Notes: A favorite of many women, this West Village spot spills out onto west 4th St with sidewalk tables in front (try to get one of these if the wait isn’t too long and the weather’s nice), always seems to have a wait, doesn’t accept reservations for small parties, good ambiance and lively atmosphere inside, bar usually fills up with patrons drinking wine while waiting for a table, good for brunch as well.

Drinks Before/After
Bobo (Lounge Area)
Restaurant Lounge / Bar
181 W 10th St (at 7th Ave S), Northwest corner; 212.488.2626
Notes: Sleek, sophisticated lounge / bar area on the semi-subterranean main floor of Bobo restaurant, full bar with good specialty cocktails and bar menu, good for pre/post-dinner drinks, make sure to take a peek at the 2nd floor restaurant and garden and check out the small upstairs bar area if you’re looking for a more intimate setting.
How to find it: Unmarked entrance, look for bushes near northwest corner of 7th Ave & 10th St (on 10th) and walk down stairs where you’ll see the bar/lounge area.

Wilfie & Nell
Bar / Restaurant
228 W 4th St (btwn Christopher St & W 10th St), West side of street; 212.242.2990
Notes: Very cool pub-like spot, generally a good crowd, bar seating as well as large communal picnic tables and several smaller tables dispersed throughout, cheap bites available, good beer selection and a full bar, gets crowded regularly so don’t expect to have a quiet drink or find seating easily.

Employees Only
Bar / Restaurant
510 Hudson St (btwn Christopher St & W 10th St), East side of street; 212.242.3021
Notes: Slick, sophisticated, always popular spot for good cocktails, long bar with plenty of seating and a few small tables in the front area, great scene and solid atmosphere. Also check out Macao Trading Co. down in TriBeCa by the same owners.
How to find it: Look for “Psychic sign” in the window and 510 number on the awning since no real signage out front (just the sideways EO logo), good to call before and get name of person you speak to since there will most likely be a bouncer at the door asking if you have a reservation. Say you spoke to [name] and he/she said it wouldn’t be a problem if you came by for drinks at the bar.

BONDST (NoHo)
Restaurant, Japanese / Sushi
6 Bond St (btwn Lafayette St & Broadway), North side of street; 212.777.2500
Prices: Apps: Low-Upper $10’s; Entrees: Mid $20’s – Low $30’s; Sushi/Sashimi/Rolls: Less than $10 – Mid $20’s
OpenTable Reservation
Notes: Trendy yet intimate, low-lit sushi and Japanese spot set in a NoHo townhouse, quality food and service, good ambiance, slick décor, dining room for dinner, lounge for more casual drinks and apps/sushi.

Drinks Before/After
Lobby Bar / The Terrace at the Bowery Hotel
Hotel Bar / Lounge, Outdoor Patio
335 Bowery (btwn 2nd St & 3rd St), East side of street; 212.505.9100
Notes: Spacious, refined hotel lobby lounge with pricey cocktails, ornate couches, chairs and tables situated throughout the space, animal heads on the walls, a fire place and other elaborate decorations. Head to the bar area in the back for drinks or try to grab some seats and have a server take your order. The Terrace (in the back) provides a beautiful outdoor patio that is perfect for a drink on a nice night; however, it can sometimes be tough to gain access since it technically is reserved for hotel guests only.

Madam Geneva at Double Crown
Bar / Lounge, Gin
4 Bleecker St (at Bowery), Southwest corner; 212.254.0350
Notes: Cool, hidden, gin-driven cocktail lounge, good unique beer selection, long bar with couches, chairs and small candle-lit tables, décor resembles colonial southeast Asia, weekends get very crowded so go during the week.
How to find it: Enter Double Crown (restaurant) and walk to the back for the door (entrance) to Madam Geneva.

Temple Bar
Bar / Lounge
332 Lafayette St (btwn Houston St & Bleecker St), West side of street; 212.925.4242
Notes: Romantic cocktail spot with pricey drinks, plush seating and small tables, solid service, has been around for awhile but still decent alternative.

Mas (farmhouse) (West Village)
Restaurant, American Nouveau / French / Organic
39 Downing St (btwn Bedford St & Varick St), North side of street; 212.255.1790
Prices: Apps: Low-Upper $10’s; Entrees: Low-Mid $30’s; Prix Fixe Menu: Upper $60’s+
Reservations: 212.255.1790
Notes: Upscale date-pleaser with sophisticated “farmhouse” décor, ultra-organic menu with strong wine list, excellent service, pricey but good for special occasion, more of an older scene.

Drinks Before/After
Blue Ribbon Downing Street Bar
Bar
34 Downing St (btwn Bedford St & Varick St), South side; 212.691.0404
Notes: Tiny bar with bar stool seating and standing room, classy but casual spot, good for waiting for a table at a restaurant nearby and having small bites, variety of wines, beers and hard liquors available.

Little Branch
Bar / Lounge / Speakeasy, Specialty Cocktails
20 Seventh Ave S (at Leroy St), Southwest corner; 212.929.4360
Cash Only, Open Daily 7pm-3am
Notes: One of Sasha Petraske’s popular drink havens, cool subterranean spot for specialty cocktails, drinks can be expensive, but are worth it, try to grab a booth or sit at the bar, live jazz Sun-Wed around 10:30pm.
How to find it: Look for brown door jutting out on southwest corner with doorman standing in front (usually). Small lines tend to form semi-regularly on popular nights.

Sweet Revenge
Bakery / Bar, Dessert / Cupcakes
62 Carmine St (btwn Bedford St & 7th Ave), South side of street; 212.242.2240
Hours: Mon-Thu: 8am-11pm, Fri: 8am-12:30am, Sat: 11am-12:30am, Sun: 11am-9pm
Notes: A bakery with a liquor license and happy hour that stays open late, offers cupcakes with beer/wine pairings, unique sit-down or carry-out spot, selection of cupcakes, gelato, an ice cream sandwich (cupcake or 2 cookies with layer of gelato) and other baked goods with wine and beer list.
Happy hour (4-8pm): $10 for a glass of sangria or wine and a cupcake (selection of the day), $15 sangria carafe, $5 select beers.

Hearth (East Village)
Restaurant, American Nouveau / Italian
403 E 12th St (at 1st Ave), Northeast corner; 646.602.1300
Prices: Apps: Low-Mid $10’s; Entrees: Mid-Upper $20’s
OpenTable Reservation
Notes: Inviting, dimly lit spot with extensive wine list (sister wine bar Terroir down the street), solid food, warm ambiance and good for a date, can get pricey, try to sit in the seats facing or near the open kitchen to watch the food preparation process.
Deals: Cucina Povera Menu – $35 3-course prix fixe set menu with $15 wine pairings (worth it), Tuesday Pig Roasts – $42 3-course prix fixe set menu with $18 wine/beer pairings (reservations required), Summer Salads at the Bar – Selection of five for $5 each and wine/beer pairings for $10 total.

Drinks Before/After
Terroir
Wine Bar, Italian / Eclectic
413 E 12th St (btwn Ave A & 1st Ave), North side of street; No Phone
Notes: Small, always crowded, quality spot down the street from Hearth (same owners), very extensive wine list (notebook menu) with promotion of Rieslings, helpful and knowledgeable staff that actually explain to you what you’re drinking, communal table and bar seating, good wine-lovers scene, not good for intimate conversation, more of a lively casual atmosphere.

Bar Veloce
Wine Bar, Italian
175 Second Ave (btwn 11th St & 12th St), West side of street; 212.260.3200
Notes: Great date spot, narrow, cool décor, good mix of sophistication and casual atmosphere, Italian wines and influences, try to grab seats at the bar.

Bar Carrera
Wine Bar, Spanish
175 Second Ave (btwn 11th St & 12th St), West side of street; 212.375.1555
Notes: Next door to Bar Veloce, Spanish wines and influences, sangria, good selection of tapas to accompany your drinks, sit at the bar for drinks or at tables in the back room for food.

Woo Lae Oak (SoHo)
Restaurant, Korean / BBQ
148 Mercer St (btwn Prince St & Houston St), East side of street; 212.925.8200
Prices: Apps: Low-Mid $10’s; Soups, Stews & Rice: Mid-Upper $10’s; Entrees: Low-Upper $20’s
Reservations: 212.925.8200
Notes: Very slick Korean bbq spot, cool scene and ambiance, great food and drinks, order from the chef-prepared menu (better for an early date, 2nd or 3rd) or cook your own on the grill in front of you (better for couples or if you want a conversation starter on an early date), sleek bar upfront for drinks.

Drinks Before/After
Pegu Club
Bar / Lounge, Specialty Cocktails
77 W Houston St, 2nd Floor (btwn Wooster St & West Broadway), South side of street; 212.473.7348
Notes: Solid mainstay lounge, great cocktails, cool décor and atmosphere, many two-person small table setups along with a bunch of bar seating, less crowded during the week, cocktails are a little pricey but typical of similar spots around the city.

MercBar
Bar
151 Mercer St (btwn Prince St & Houston St), West side of street; 212.966.2727
Notes: Eclectic bar with cowboy ranch / native American influenced décor, full bar, try to grab couches in front looking out onto the street, other tables and bar seating (with a canoe hanging over you) available as well, been around for awhile but still gets relatively crowded on weekends.

Veloce Club
Lounge, Wine / Cocktails
17 Cleveland Pl (btwn Kenmare St & Spring St), East side of street; 212.966.7334
Notes: Sleek, long, narrow lounge-type spot, intimate leather booths with small tables and ample bar seating, cool wall of lit up wines characteristic of Bar Veloce brand, good selection of wines and focus on Italian cocktails including house grappa-based liqueur.

The Little Owl (West Village)
Restaurant, American Nouveau / Mediterranean
90 Bedford St (at Grove St), Southeast corner; 212.741.4695
Prices: Apps: Less than $10 – Mid $10’s; Entrees: Low-Mid $20’s
OpenTable Reservation
BYO – No Corkage Fee On 1st Bottle ($25 Each Additional Bottle)
Notes: Small, always popular, neighborhood spot with a great corner location and quality food, comfortable setting, wines offered by the glass, half bottle and bottle, reservations during normal hours are hard to get (try calling, don’t use OpenTable), try for walk-in but expect a potentially extensive wait (give your name and cell number and get a drink nearby).

Drinks Before/After
Employees Only
Bar / Restaurant
510 Hudson St (btwn Christopher St & W 10th St), East side of street; 212.242.3021
Notes: Slick, sophisticated, always popular spot for good cocktails, long bar with plenty of seating and a few small tables in the front area, great scene and solid atmosphere. Also check out Macao Trading Co. down in TriBeCa by the same owners.
How to find it: Look for “Psychic sign” in the window and 510 number on the awning since no real signage out front (just the sideways EO logo), good to call before and get name of person you speak to since there will most likely be a bouncer at the door asking if you have a reservation. Say you spoke to [name] and he/she said it wouldn’t be a problem if you came by for drinks at the bar.

Little Branch
Bar / Lounge / Speakeasy, Specialty Cocktails
20 Seventh Ave S (at Leroy St), Southwest corner; 212.929.4360
Cash Only, Open Daily 7pm-3am
Notes: One of Sasha Petraske’s popular drink havens, cool subterranean spot for specialty cocktails, drinks can be expensive, but are worth it, try to grab a booth or sit at the bar, live jazz Sun-Wed around 10:30pm.
How to find it: Look for brown door jutting out on southwest corner with doorman standing in front (usually). Small lines tend to form semi-regularly on popular nights.

Lelabar
Wine Bar
422 Hudson St (btwn Leroy St & Morton St), East side of street; 212.206.0594
Notes: Sophisticated but relaxed spot with majority of seating (stools) at a large oval bar, helpful staff offer suggestions and can tailor a wine flight from an extensive list, not usually over-crowded, selection of small chocolates to enjoy with your wine, Wednesdays and Saturdays offer $1 oysters.

Image Source: Susan NYC

FM:What are your go-to dinner date spots?

This entry was posted on Monday, February 22nd, 2010 at 3:32 pm and is filed under FreshSpots and tagged with dinner, downtown, impressive, quality, romantic. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.