Category: Romantic

When you’ve been dating someone for a long time, and especially if you live together, it can be hard to remember to keep the romance alive. Between work and friends and Facebook, it seems like date night is the first thing to fall by the wayside. I am no more evolved in this department than anyone else; I’m ashamed to admit that more than a couple of Friday nights have seen me and my boyfriend choosing Netflix over braving the bar scene. But when we do go out, I’m prepared. There’s nothing worse than being stuck wandering the avenue looking for a place that isn’t so empty it’s awkward, doesn’t have garish lighting or loud/awful music playing, is informal enough that you can be comfortable and talk loudly after you’ve had a few, but is just a shade nicer than a pizza joint. Without a plan, this kind of hellish restaurant searching can go on for hours, and nothing kills the mood more than this kind of frustration. That’s why it’s good to know a handful of surefire date-friendly restaurants, so that whether you’re eating out with your husband of twenty years or out on a first date, you can appear both knowledgeable and spontaneous as you suggest a delightful little place you know right around the corner.

One of these standbys for me is Park Slope’s Sotto Voce. You can usually get a seat, they serve Brunch, and they serve perfectly decent Italian comfort food in a modern, casual-elegant setting. The restaurant escapes the usual pitfalls of date restaurants, i.e. being overly pricey, embarrassingly quiet and intimate, or being so trendy and overexposed that only obnoxious yuppies go there. That said, the restaurant has its share of problems. The waiters, though friendly, are often neglectful of their tables in my experience, and this really becomes a problem during Brunch, when endless refills of mimosas become one refill if you’re lucky. The problem may be under-staffing or poor management, but they should get it under control. I take the words “All You Can Drink” very seriously.

On a romantic night out, however, lax service doesn’t really bother me. Frankly, I’m more annoyed by the vulture-like hovering a lot of Manhattan waiters do, most likely in an effort to get you out the door faster and keep the tips coming. And the food at Sotto Voce is good enough to compensate, for the most part. Many of the Italian restaurants I’ve been to in New York suffer from a general blandness in their menu items, but with the exception of a handful of crowd pleasing dishes that could stand to be kicked up a notch, Sotto Voce manages to escape this fate. I like to start by sharing one of their gourmet salads, like the Insalata Tre Colori (arugula, endive and radicchio with grilled Portobello mushroom, served with toasted goat cheese bruschetta), with my beau, as an alternative to a boring dinner salad.

I usually stick to pasta for dinner, though the meat and fish dishes look divine. The Rigatoni Montanaro,
with Shitake mushrooms, onions and arugula in a Brandy Cream Sauce, is a rich and satisfying meatless option, while some of the best carnivorous pasta dishes include the decadent Fettuccine con Pollo e Funghi (homemade fettuccini with chicken, mushrooms and fresh rosemary in a cream sauce) and the Fettuccine al Sugo di Anatra(homemade fettuccine in a country duck ragu with black olives and tomatoes). You’ll leave with leftovers, but pasta is one of the best next-day foods there is, so no worries.

After a date at Sotto Voce, I always leave feeling a little bit lighter than air. Maybe it’s the red wine or the old-world smells of the kitchen, but Italian restaurants always do this to me, and perhaps you know the feeling. You become Lady and the Tramp for a second, and all the world is singing you a love song. Then, inevitably, a bum will flash you or something and the moment will be ruined, but it’s those little moments that make love happen, and if there’s one thing the world needs more of, it’s love.

The air is turning cooler, and the wind begins to bite your cheeks and nose. Fall is definitely in the air, and with it comes the thrill of romance.

Romantic date ideas are plentiful in New York, and fall is the perfect season to begin taking advantage of them. Take your date on a stroll through the changing leaves or dress up for a night on Broadway. The possibilities, and romance, are endless.

Central Park

Central Park is huge and simply full of romantic date ideas. The most notable of all of these would be a carriage ride. Snuggle up under a blanket with your sweetie, perhaps with a hot cup of coffee or cocoa, and relax as you take in the sights of the park. After the ride, take a leisurely walk together to kick up some fall leaves on your way to Belvedere Castle. Climb up to the observatory, and enjoy the views of New York from one of the highest elevations in the park.

It is also nice to simply find a spot to sit and visit together quietly. Women find nothing more romantic than a chance to be open and have a meaningful conversation with a man who cares about what she is saying. Find a scenic bench or bring a picnic and simply enjoy getting to know each other better.

Broadway

One of the most well-known aspects of New York, Broadway, is ideal for generating romantic date ideas. Buy tickets for one of the most respected theater productions in the world, and treat her to the magic of the live stage. There is always a wide variety of plays and musicals available, so even the most reluctant theatre arts connoisseur can find something appealing.

To truly impress your date, offer to take her shopping during the day for an ensemble worthy of your evening plans. Let her pick out a new gown during the day, then arrive to pick her up, rose in hand, for the evening and admire her finery. Together you can appreciate the greatness of the New York theater.

Restaurants

Regardless of other evening plans, dinner arrangements set the tone for the rest of the night. New York is full of eating establishments offering quiet, serene settings. Even the best romantic date ideas can be spoiled by a bad dinner experience, so be sure to find a restaurant that suits your personal style and budget.

Looking for a good time? New York abounds with fun date ideas, and it is about time you took your date out for a little laughter and excitement.

Karaoke

Nothing is funnier than attempting to carry a tune while trying not to laugh at yourself. Relax and have a ball singing cheesy love songs to each other or try a duet at any of New York’s karaoke clubs. Tinga Tinga Karaoke in Midtown is a great place to start, and even if you just enjoy just enjoy the vocal styling of others, it is among the most amusing of the fun date ideas for the city.

Comedy Clubs

New York is home to some of the finest comedy clubs in the nation. Many of the comedy theaters are nationally recognized, and are the launching points for many of the young rising comedic stars. Drop in at Caroline’s on Broadway or the Comedy Cellar for an entertaining evening, and always be on the lookout for main-stream comedians dropping in to try out a new act. Unless you and your date enjoy the spotlight, be sure to sit away from the stage however, as those closest to the stage tend to be easy targets for “joining” the act.

Street Fairs and Festivals

Almost every weekend there is a street fair or festival somewhere on the streets of New York, and these offer fantastically fun date ideas. Put on comfortable shoes and stroll through the fairs looking at the outrageous items for sale block after block. Stop for a funnel cake or cotton candy, and peruse the giant bins of wares. Many festivals have live entertainment and ethnic treats, so there is always something to learn and do. And who knows, the gaudy animal you bought for her could become one of her most prized possessions.

Metropolitan Museum of Art

The Metropolitan Museum of Art occupies almost 1.4 million square feet making it almost impossible to cover in a single day. The Met is well-known not only for the fantastic artwork, but also for the expanse of street performers and local artisans outside its doors. If your feet are weary from the long walk through the museum, stop and rest on the famous steps of the Met while you conjure up other fun date ideas for the following weekend.