The Pants regularly get asked for dining suggestions from friends and family, and we are happy to share our thoughts in hopes that it might help get people out of a pickle. Our latest request for help came from a good friend, looking to score a pickle of his own, if you know what we mean. Specifically, he was looking for a place for a dinner date, with the following criteria:
-Place he hasn’t been (translation: pretty new and/or trendy)
-Great ambience and romantic
-Good Food
-Along the lines of Indochine/Freeman’s/Waverly (translation: underlying coolness to back up any hype from being new and/or trendy)
We suggested the following:
Tertulia- the brand new Spanish place from Seamus Mullen; The only set backs are the presence of some communal seating, but the food and ambience are on point; no reservations, but it is a cute place to stroll in and grab a seat at a table or the bar
La Promenade Des Anglais- cheaper than a ticket to Nice, this restaurant from Alain Allegretti is new and sure to be hot hot hot; the food is delicious and the menu is broad enough to please even if your date is a picky eater; only drawback is the noise and the small bar area
The Crown- John DeLucie’s newest place is the hottest ticket in town; it is definitely impressive to take a date here, but we can’t say for sure because we haven’t been yet…it is a hard reservation to get, so this is a spot to plan ahead for, unless you are connected, in which case we like to go on dinner dates as well, hint hint…
Mas (Farmhouse)- more of a traditional pick, but not trite like One if By Land…charming, romantic setting and delicious food
Balaboosta-small, good scene, and amazing food; this is a place is a gem that will make your date take notice and make you seem effortlessly cool
Blue Ribbon- my personal favorite place, it is cozy and unpretentious with amazing food; there can some times be a bit of a wait, but what a good way to get to know your date, over a drink or 7…
L’Artusi-intimate and neighborhoody, this is another no-brainer; it gets a little loud, but its a great way to make your date lean in a little closer; definitely not a place for an illicit affair, the tables are pretty close together
Frankie’s 570 Spuntino-new and hot, this place will definitely make you wait, but it is still cozy in that datey way; nothing says “foreplay” like “do you want to try the meatballs?”…kidding…
Tertulia (646) 559-9909
La Promenade: (212)255-7400
Mas (Farmhouse) (212)255-1790
Balaboosta: (212) 966-7366
Blue Ribbon (Soho) (212) 274-0404
L’Artusi-(212) 255-5757
Crown (646) 559-4880
Frankies 570 (212) 924-0818
Strongly suggest adding a “google+” button for the blog!