My wife and I are going out for a combo of both our birthday’s and Valentine’s day on Saturday. We need a good restaurant we can get out of for less than $ 200 including drinks. My friend’s Italian place is great, but it’s on the east side, the hotel we’ve booked is in Time’s Square, and I just ate his food last night at a party he catered. So Italian will work but it’s not ideal. She doesn’t love Chinese food and we get Sushi all the time.
So throw some idea out there. Preferrably on the west side, from Soho to the Upper West. If you absolutely adore a restaurant we’d have to cab to I guess we could.
Also, we want to see a show, a movie might be possible. Darren Aronofsky is my favorite director and she loves him but ‘The Wrestler’ might not be good for the purpose. What’s good off-Broadway? I hate Musicals, so please no Musicals. Comedy clubs are also a possibility.
Last year when we did this we went to see Satyagraha opening night at the Met, that was great. Ate dinner at Fiorello’s which was a good time also.
We’re seeing a show on Saturday night, too, though I kind of doubt it is your bag.
For restaurants, I like Aquavit on E 55th, just east of Madison. Firebird on W 46th is also a fun treat. Wacky Russian decor and a tasty menu.
Prices are a little hard to predict just because it is Valentine’s day. There are almost always seatings, the menu might be strictly prix fixe, and the prix is going to plow you in the ass with your pants on. Even our local places can get away with charging much more for less.
We’re definitely going to this show, but I might just cook naked instead of going out.
Jean-Georges is one of the top restaurants in the city–it’s right around Columbus circle. I don’t know what their prices are like for dinner off hand, but they’ve got a very reasonable prix fixee for lunch. If you’re looking for Italian and willing to go down to the Village, you might try Babbo. Again, pricey–I think a friend and I spent $150 each on a meal. That was a very full meal, however–five courses, incl. cheese, dessert, and wine. You could do less if you wished. Reservations are difficult to come by, and for V-day, you might well have no more than a snowball’s chance. Finally, if you’re interested in sushi, check out Sushi Yasuda, in midtown east. Try to sit at the bar, at Yasuda-san’s station. Order some variety of sampler and let him choose–he is an artist.
No real ideas for shows–if you want something lowbrow and free, you could try the Upright Citizens Brigade, but get there early to get in the free-tix line.
Refresh my memory on how long you have been in New York – are you looking for new restaurants because you have been here so long you are jaded about all the old ones … or are you relatively new and want suggestions for NYC classics?
msmith I live in Manhattan. I’m looking for a good place. Can people please describe the places they are recommending? As far as the list you gave I know a lot of those places and have eaten there. Love the Strip House but want to go somewhere different, not into City Crab, had plenty of seafood in New Orleans and I have Italian all the time and she’s not into Chinese.
My favorite new-ish place is The New French, on 10th Street and Hudson. It’s style is French bistro, the menu is all over the place in terms of cuisine. It’s somewhat casual and I think it would come in well under your budget but still be a good “nice evening” choice.
I have only been to Shorty’s 32 for lunch, but I think it’s very good. The menu is what I call “snooty American,” like dressed up American food. I’ve always enjoyed the food, but sometimes the atmosphere annoys me if I’m cranky. That doesn’t sound like a rousing endorsement, does it? Anyway, I like the food.
I used to avoid Butter because it was so yuckily trendy, but you know, their food is very good, and they have an excellent wine list. It’s not on the west side, but it’s not very far east either, on Lafayette just south of Astor Place. Not related to your date needs, but just information in general – it’s not at all crowded at midday so it’s an excellent lunch spot if you’re in the area and looking for the leisurely kind of lunch with a good bottle of wine.
So Italian will work but it’s not ideal. She doesn’t love Chinese food and we get Sushi all the time.