I am probably the last person who should be touting Valentine’s Day – even when I was in a relationship I despised this holiday – but I realize some of you happy couples out there might be interested in it and still need some options for where to go. I have comprised a little list of a few places that have good prix-fixe deals and/or free champagne at the very least. When you think about it, you’re essentially buying an expensive dinner in exchange for getting laid – even THAT isn’t free anymore. So here’s my list if you still need a reservation somewhere. I will be spending Valentine’s Day with a bunch of girlfriends…probably fighting over the bottle of vodka. Happy V-Day!
Taralucci e Vino – one of my favorite spots for wine! Love the atmosphere
Address: 15 East 18th St btwn Broadway and 5th
Price: 4-Course tasting menu, $68 pp and complimentary glass of prosecco
Available: Tuesday, February 14th
Website: http://taralluccievino.net/
Pampano – Richard Sandoval’s coastal Mexican cuisine in a beautiful space
Address: 209 East 49th St, btw 2nd & 3rd Ave
Price: 5-Course tasting menu, $65 pp and $25 for wine/tequila pairings
Available: Tuesday, February 14th
Website: http://www.richardsandoval.com/pampano/index.php
Maya – Richard Sandoval’s top-rated Mexican restaurant – warm & cozy
Address: 1191 First Ave, btw 64th & 65th St
Price: 3-Course tasting menu, $60 pp
Available: Friday-Tuesday, February 10-14
Website: http://www.richardsandoval.com/mayany/index.php
Zengo – Richard Sandoval’s Latin-Asian cuisine with a sexy atmosphere
Address: 622 Third Ave at 40th St
Price: 3-Course Prix Fix menu, $65 pp
Available: Tuesday, February 14th
Website: http://www.richardsandoval.com/zengony/index.php
DohYO at Yotel – Richard Sandoval’s Latin-Asian concept in Hell’s Kitchen
Address: 570 10th Avenue on FOUR
Price: Prix Fixe for Two, $65 per couple
Available: Friday-Tuesday, February 10-14
Website: http://www.richardsandoval.com/dohyo/index.php
Highpoint Bistro & Bar – Popular Chelsea neighborhood restaurant
Address: 216 7th Ave btw 22nd & 23d St
Price: 4-Course prix fix menu, $50 pp
Available: Tuesday, February 14th
Website: http://www.highpointbb.com/
508 GastroBrewery – Rustic Mediterranean/American & one of NYC’s ONLY in-house breweries
Address: 508 Greenwich St at Spring
Price: 4-Course menu, $75 pp, includes complimentary cocktail, 508 draught beer, or glass of wine
Available: Tuesday, February 14th
Website: http://www.508nyc.com/
Mamajuana Cafe – Two new locations of very popular uptown Dominican – cozy red banquettes
Addresses: 570 Amsterdam Avenue and 134 East 48th St
Price: 5-Course menu, $45 pp, including a glass of Rose Champagne and Mamajuana shots
Available: Tuesday, February 14th
Website: http://www.mamajuana-cafe.com/
Gravy – First ‘New Southern’ restaurant in NYC – trendy and fun
Addresses: 32 East 21st St btwn Park Ave South and Broadway
Price: 4-Course menu, $75 pp, complimentary glass of champagne
Available: Tuesday, February 14th
Website: http://www.gravyny.com/
Perilla – Harold Dieterle’s awesome New American restaurant – great atmosphere for Vday
Addresses: 9 Jones Street nr West 4th
Price: 3-Course menu, $65 pp
Available: Tuesday, February 14th
Website: http://perillanyc.com/
Spina – Fresh pasta house where all pasta is made by hand right in front of you
Addresses: 175 Avenue B at 11th Street
Price: 4-Course menu, $65 pp, (additional wine pairings, $30) includes a complimentary glass of Prosecc0
Available: Tuesday, February 14th
Website: http://www.spinarestaurant.com/
Alfama – one of New York’s few Portuguese restaurants
Addresses: 214 East 52nd Street, nr 3rd Ave
Price: 4-Course menu, $75 pp, (additional wine pairings, $45)
Available: Tuesday, February 14th
Website: http://www.alfamanyc.com/
Saravanaa Bhavan– North and South Indian cuisine – perfect for Vegetarians
Addresses: 413 Amsterdam Avenue, btwn 79th and 80th sts
Price: 3-Course menu, $40 pp
Available: Tuesday, February 14th
Website: http://www.saravanabhavan.com/
Ayza Wine & Chocolate Bar West Village – pretty self explanatory, no?
Addresses: One Seventh Ave South at Carmine Street
Price: 3-Course menu, $74 pp
Available: Monday, February 13th and Tuesday, February 14th
Website: http://www.ayzanyc.com/west-village/
Oficina Latina – Pan American cuisine in Soho, cool white tiles and trendy atmosphere
Addresses: 24 Prince Street, nr Mott st
Price: 4-Course menu, $50 pp
Available: Tuesday, February 14th
Website: http://oficinalatinanyc.com/
Bistro Lamazou – Unique French, Moroccan, Mediterranean fusion
Addresses: 344 Third Avenue, btwn 25th and 26th sts
Price: 3-Course menu, $59 pp, bottles of champagne are half-off
Available: Tuesday, February 14th
Website: http://www.bistrolamazou.com/
Balade – Mediterranean spot in the East Village – cozy and intimate
Addresses: 208 1st avenue, btwn 12th and 13th sts
Price: 3-Course menu, $50 pp, complimentary glass of wine or sparkling
Available: Tuesday, February 14th
Website: http://baladerestaurants.com/
Also check out Opentable.com for more – they have a pretty comprehensive list too. 🙂