Your Guide to Valentine’s Day in NYC
Written by: Jenna Bartikofsky for nycdatenite
pink and red roses | unsplash.com
Whether you want a fancy night out or a cozy night in, this guide takes care of the planning for you so you can enjoy Valentine’s Day in the city however you wish. A ‘choose your own adventure’, if you will.
For the Valentine’s Day enthusiast:
No judgment here. You want the roses, the white tablecloth dinner, and the pink and red outfit – a riveting venture outside of your all-black NYC uniform.
Check out some of these spots around the city where you can’t go wrong with dinner and drinks for a special occasion:
Upper West Side
The Consulate: In a prime location right on Columbus, The Consulate is offering a special Valentine’s Day menu for $125pp. Starting with a complimentary glass of sparkling wine, their prix fixe menu includes a choice of appetizer, main, and dessert. Less than a one-minute walk is Prohibition: The perfect spot for an after-dinner cocktail and live music surrounded by Jazz Age decor; try to make a reservation if you can.
The Milling Room: A very cool bar area with great cocktails and a main dining room with huge skylights. Their Valentine’s Day menu is live on their website, offering a four-course dinner for $125 pp. Spoiler alert: the appetizer is cheese puffs with truffle-parm cream dip. Walk off dinner by heading over to The Owl’s Tail where they have an incredible espresso martini (and one made with Guinness!).
Osteria Accademia: An Upper West Side gem with homemade pasta dishes, notably great service, and a cozy, intimate setting with bookshelves lining their walls. For a nightcap, hop in a cab and ride less than five minutes up to Nobody Told Me (though I’m telling you now).
Upper East Side
Chez Fifi: If you can’t be in Paris for Valentine’s Day, Chez Fifi might be the next best thing. A new restaurant on the Upper East Side, Chez Fifi serves elevated Parisian classics out of a historic UES townhouse. They also have their Salon de Fifi a l’Étage: a signature cocktail bar located upstairs, tended by a master mixologist. After dinner, head to Bemelmans Bar or Café Carlyle: two live-music spots located in The Carlyle Hotel. You can also check out Melody’s Piano Bar (a two-minute walk from dinner).
Campagnola: If Italian food is what you’re after on Valentine’s Day, check out this old-school Italian spot where live piano music sets the ambiance. Vanguard Wine Bar is on the same block as dinner if you want to keep your Italian evening going with a glass of red.
Caviar Kaspia (at The Mark): With beautiful velvet seating (and waitstaff in velvet jackets to match), this spot, located at the The Mark Hotel, is perfect for seafood fanatics. They’re known for - you guessed it - exceptional caviar and other seafood specialities. If you’re not quite ready for the night to end, you won’t have to travel far to get to The Mark Bar.
Greenwich Village/SoHo/West Village
Sartiano’s: Sartiano’s makes the list for its caviar cannoli alone. If you’re spending $48 on an app, it better be caviar in a cannoli on Valentine’s Day. This upscale Italian spot is located at The Mercer Hotel, making it a great spot for both dinner and drinks.
One if by Land, Two if by Sea: This historic restaurant is housed in a former carriage house and seats guests in their candlelit dining room. It has often been named the most romantic restaurant in New York City, making it a perfect choice for Valentine’s Day. Their Chef’s Tasting menu is $185 pp and includes seven courses – including their famous Beef Wellington. If you’re not quite ready to head home after dinner, Angel’s Share is a three-minute walk, for speakeasy-esque cocktail vibes.
Palma: Based around fresh, organic produce, Palma offers everything from homemade sourdough focaccia to handmade pastas. Their Valentine’s Day menu is a four-course meal with your choice of an antipasti, primi, secondi, and dolce. Aside from delicious food, their interior is beautifully decorated with vibrant greenery and flowers. For plans after dinner, see if you can snag tickets to the Comedy Cellar right around the corner.
East Village/Lower East Side
Claud: Focused on seasonal, market-driven cuisine, Claud has a variety of shareable plates and a notorious Devil’s food cake for two (which, sounds like they’re underestimating how much cake a person can eat). For an after-dinner espresso martini, check out Juke Bar nearby.
Il Posto Accanto: A cute and cozy spot for Italian food. Ceiling lanterns set the scene for an intimate dinner, with menu highlights of calamari and oxtail tortelloni (a bigger version of its cousin, tortellini). Parmesan lovers beware - many of their dishes don’t allow it, which they boldly mark on their menu. For after-dinner drinks head to Pineapple Club where they have great cocktails and colorful, eclectic decor.
Peasant: A rustic Italian spot with classics like rigatoni alla vodka and bucatini carbonara. Triple dates can go in on the ‘Whole Pig Dinner’ if that’s your thing (but let them know four days in advance…I guess entire pigs are harder to come by in NYC). If you’re looking for a nightcap, head to Attaboy: a trendy first-come first-serve cocktail bar.
Estela: A modern, Michelin-starred American restaurant for fancy small plates. Think: oysters, beef tartare, foie gras, and ricotta dumplings. After dinner, see if you can get some seats at the ritzy Balthazar bar!
Midtown/Chelsea:
Le Pavillon: An upscale French restaurant with aesthetic wood paneling and greenery. This is on the pricier side for Valentine’s Day dinners, at $245pp for their special five-course menu based around seasonal and local ingredients. If you’ve been wanting to try this place, Valentine’s Day would be the perfect occasion.
Sushi by Scratch: Another fancier, treat-yourself date night spot. Book your seats early for this 10-person omakase experience. They offer a ‘pre-dinner experience’ 30 minutes before your reservation with a complimentary cocktail and canapé (which I just learned means small bread or pastry with a savory topping. And now you know too).
Cafe Carmellini: Located in The Fifth Avenue Hotel, this upscale dinner spot has beautiful velvet booths and a unique ambiance for a special date night; by unique I mean there are trees inside. Their menu includes plates like quail and figs, rabbit cacciatore, and ‘duck-duck-duck tortellini’ (which you’ll remember from above is the little cousin of tortelloni). The highlight of their menu is a Chicken ‘Gran Sasso’ dish for two ($45pp) which arrives at your table in two separate services: one for light meat and one for dark. Read more about the dining experience in this New Yorker article. After dinner, check out The Portrait Bar located right in the hotel.
Tribeca/Chinatown:
Au Cheval: It’s a right of passage as a New Yorker to dine at Au Cheval. While you might not consider burgers the daintiest Valentine’s Day food, a sign of a good date is the willingness to look past that and indulge in their prized burger, topped with a perfectly cooked fried egg. Their sides are just as noteworthy, with some of the best mashed potatoes and broccoli around; yes, I’m recommending broccoli. Before or after dinner, head to Saint Tuesday or Roxy Bar for live music.
The Tyger: A stylish restaurant with vibrant greenery, colorful decor, and a Southeast Asian-inspired menu. If you happen to be double-dating, their ‘Feast’ menu is $85/pp for 10 courses. They also have a cocktail that comes in a Tiger mug, making quite the date night conversation piece.
One White Street: An upscale dining experience in a historic Tribeca townhouse. With a five-course chef’s tasting menu ($178 pp) or a-la-carte options, you’re promised a fresh, thoughtfully curated meal from local farms. After dinner, head to The Django in the Roxy Hotel for jazz music with sets starting at 7:30, 9, 10:30, and 12. Check out their Valentine’s Day lineup here.
Financial District/Seaport:
il Brigante: A hidden gem in the quaint, cobblestone Seaport, this small Italian restaurant has some of the best Carbonara you’ll have, maybe ever. The ambiance is great for a Valentine’s Day date, with exposed brick walls, candle lighting, and a very friendly waitstaff. For a drink before/after dinner, pop into Fresh Salt right around the corner.
Delmonico's: With high ceilings, chandeliers, and old-time charm, Valentine’s Day is the perfect time to try one of New York City’s most well-known steakhouses. Their Valentine’s Day menu is a four-course meal for $205 pp. You also have the option to add on seafood and caviar service for an extra charge. For a nightcap, head over to The Bar Room, located in the Beekman Hotel.
Fraunces Tavern: What’s meant by ‘an oldie but a goodie’. In fact, it’s the oldest & most historic bar in the city, once lucky enough to host George Washington and his officers! This date night spot is perfect for both dinner and drinks, with five rooms to choose from, each with a different type of vibe. Because of the different areas within the Tavern, you can spend all night here for a taste of everything – from charcuterie boards to cocktails and live music.
For the ‘no shot I’m leaving my apartment tonight’-er:
Whether you’re spending the evening in your apartment alone, with a date, or with some friends, a night-in has a special something that you just can’t get when you’re out in (brace yourself…) jeans.
Keep your sweats on and order in from one of these restaurants:
Bondi Sushi: I don’t know what I love more, their sushi or their delivery box.
Via Carota: Couch-io e pepe? Yes please.
Parm: Their Rigatoni is the same as Carbone! Is this old news?
Jacob’s Pickles: Because you should always be wearing sweatpants for their portions.
Pizza collective: Where one pizza that can have six - yes, six!- different flavors per square; an indecisive eater’s dream. Also, their website is pink.
Bob White’s counter: There are no calories on Valentine’s Day. Remember, we’re taking full advantage of being in sweatpants.
Soothr: Thai noodles are the ultimate cozy couch food. I don’t make the rules.
For the Galentines:
Valentine’s Day is also just a great excuse to get your closest friends together. Below are a few ideas:
Potluck & movie marathon: Good food and back-to-back rom-coms? Say no more.
Spa day: Stay in with face masks and robes or make a group booking at a trendy Spa like Great Jones Spa (NoHo) or Aire Ancient Baths (Tribeca).
Cocktail/mocktail making class: Order cocktail kits and ingredients to make at home, or book some spots at Apotheke or Liquid Lab to learn from the professionals.
Board party: Straight out of Pinterest, everyone brings their own tasting ‘board’ and is scored on taste, presentation, and creativity.
Shopping challenge: Head to SoHo, split up, and have everyone purchase the cutest/coolest/weirdest thing they can find for $20. Meet up at a restaurant or someone’s apartment and exchange/steal ‘White Elephant’ style.
DIY craft night: Order some food and spend the night making personalized tote bags, painted wine glasses, or scented candles.
Game night: Set up games at home or head to a board game cafe like The Uncommons or Hex & Company.
Attend a live event: Get together and head to a concert, broadway show, movie, or comedy show. West Side Comedy Club is located underneath Playa Betty’s, where you can fuel up on margaritas and queso.
Dress-up dinner party: Go all out, "Old Hollywood Glam" style with dresses and heels. Get a fancy dinner and then see where the night takes you - maybe a jazz bar, karaoke, or one of your OG NYC bars. Bet you’ve never stepped foot in One and One or Hair of the Dog wearing a cocktail dress and fur coat…
Whatever your plans are for Valentine’s Day, remember not to put too much pressure on the day. Spend it with people who make you happy (which could very well be just yourself) and take comfort in knowing that come February 15th, all chocolate will probably be on major sale <3