Before you start lamenting about Valentine’s Day being the hokiest of holidays, let’s face the facts: no matter how much whining and groaning you do, it’s still going to happen, and if you don’t plan accordingly, the only action you’ll be seeing is that of the cab door slamming in your face. Plus, admit it—everyone secretly loves getting all romancey and stuff once in a while. Since love comes in many forms and can be shared in all different ways, here are ten romantic spots to suit every style.
T-Bar Steak & Lounge
1278 3rd Avenue
212.772.0404
Love the nightlife? Then take your nocturnal flame to this Upper East Side steakhouse where for $35, the special late-night Valentine menu starts at 10pm and includes two glasses of champagne and a King Sized dessert to share—choose from strawberry sundae shortcake, banana parfait mille feuilles with coconut and caramel sauce, chocolate sundae molten brownie cake, puffy sugar doughnuts drizzled in raspberry, chocolate and caramel, and lemon cheese cake topped with pineapple and a rum glaze. Just make sure you leave room for, ahem, dessert later on.
Click here for more info on T-Bar Steak and Lounge , New York.
Hotel Gansevoort
18 9th Avenue
877.426.7386
For the modern couple who loves being forward, the Valentine’s Day package (from $505) at this trendy MePa hotel allows you to be that way—with one another. A deluxe room comes equipped with the Kama Sutra book of erotic games, chocolate body frosting, a bottle of chilled Veuve Cliquot champagne and strawberries, access to the rooftop pool, chocolate truffles at turndown, and a complimentary movie (hint: don’t attempt to make your own).
Click here for more info on Plunge at the Hotel Gansevoort, New York.
Your Place
Get Fresh - 370 5th Avenue, Park Slope, Brooklyn
718.360.8469
They say home is where the heart is, so it’s a good thing that Brooklyn-based Get Fresh caters straight to it. For those whose hearts bleed green, consulting chef Sara Jenkins has created a ready-to-cook Valentine’s Day menu of organically sourced dishes like roasted beet, blood orange and arugula salad, spice-crusted rack of lamb with potato gratin, and bittersweet chocolate and caramel terrine, all deliverable straight to your door. Orders for the dinner for two ($70) must be placed by February 8th.
Click here for more info on Get Fresh.
Chikalicious
203 East 10th Street
212.995.9511
Chocolate lovers will be seduced by this intimate 20-seat eatery’s dessert-only offerings, from sorbet floating in sparkling wine to a warm chocolate tart topped with pink peppercorn ice cream and red wine sauce. Each course, prepared at the open kitchen by pastry chef and co-owner Chika Tillman, is paired with a selection of wines, ports, champagne, and organic coffee and teas. Should the line to get in curve down the block, head across the street to the newly opened Chikalicious Puddin’ for one of three prepared desserts (brioche bread pudding, apple pudding, and chocolate pudding) to go.
Click here for more info on Chikalicious.
Tre
173 Ludlow Street
212.353.3353
This cozy, rustic Italian eatery is offering a one hour all you can drink champagne pour for couples dining on V-day; there will also be a specialty drink menu spotlighting Prosecco and Champenoise mixed drinks paired with caviar and appetizers—and with bubbly flowing this freely, what’s not to love?
Click here for more info on Tre New York.
One If By Land, Two if by Sea
17 Barrow Street
212.255.8649
It’s rumored that this uber-romantic restaurant doused in flowers, candle light, and the mellow sounds of the resident pianist set the scene for nearly a half dozen proposals per week. If you’re looking to score major points—and don’t mind ponying up the cash to do so—the $300 prix fixe menu includes such aphrodisiacs as caviar, oysters on the half shell, and every girl loves chocolate “cake” for two, covered in caramel, coffee, and cherries. Even if you don’t plan to pop the question, you’re still guaranteed dinner and a show.
Click here for more info on One of By Land, Two if by Sea.
Comix
353 West 14th Street
212.524.2500
There’s nothing more attractive than a sense of humor, so bring your date to the Sweet Comix Valentine stand-up comedy showcase where Comedy Central comedians Mike Somerville and Dan Naturman perform in a line-up that includes Pete Dominick (host of Raw Dog 104 on Sirius), the Chapelle Show’s Marina Franklin, and Sirius Satellite radio show “Breuer Unleashed” co-host Pete Correale. The $55 entrance fee includes a prix fixe menu, a glass of champagne, a plate of chocolate-covered strawberries, and a rubber take-home gift from the NY Department of Health.
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Cercle Rouge
241 West Broadway
212.226.6252
To get your French fix from the culture that practically invented courtship, this brasserie is serving a four course menu characterized by decadent lobster ravioli with ossetra caviar in a cream sauce, foie gras terrine, rack of lamb, sautéed duck and chocolate raspberry mousse for $85, all set to the backdrop of a live band.
Click here for more info on Cercle Rouge.
Flute
40 East 20th Street
212.529.7870
If you’re still lovin’ the single life, celebrate the freedom to sew your wild oats at this classy champagne bar’s Gramercy location, where the downstairs private space will turn over to a DJ-hosted mixer with passed hors d’oeuvres starting at 7pm. Upstairs, the sexy enclosed red-velvet seating areas will be reserved for VIP tables with a $250 minimum, where you can sip the drink du jour: the Gingerberry Passion Martini.
Click here for more info on Flute Bar.
White Castle
Various Locations
718.899.8404 x300
Yes, the fast food chain. For those times when romance is what you crave, but cupid’s grasp seems firmly placed on your wallet instead of your heart, dining by candlelight in a B-list burger joint will just have to do. Because nothing says ‘I love you’ like a greasy sack of fries.
Click here for more info on White Castle's Valentines Promotion.
