Birthday dinner - romantic, excellent food, budget-ish?
Hi all. Want to plan a birthday dinner for my significant other. I'm looking for a romantic place with excellent food - in manhattan or brooklyn - but I've recently been downsized, so it needs to be budget-ish (20 entrees are fine).
Thanks!
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15 Comments:
for a real romantic dinner, how about cooking something really special for him? I can guarantee most guys would love a special dinner prepared with your loving hands, than a meal at a resteraunt when things are tight financially.
huneybumper at 8:53AM on 06/12/09
hi!
sorry this is not going to be super helpful, but there is a great turkish restaurant near the university campus and it has awesome atmosphere and great food. in general, you can find some great and budget friendly ethnic restaurants near colleges.
also, are you from Tel Aviv? I visited Israel twice and loved that city!
orchidgirl at 9:44AM on 06/12/09
Al di La in Park Slope; Little Giant on the Lower East Side; Tournesol in Long Island City, Qns; Table d'Hote on the Upper East Side.
eleeb at 11:18AM on 06/12/09
if you like japanase, zenkichi in brooklyn is extremely romantic.
jaf at 1:48PM on 06/12/09
You can go to Lucali, the most romantic pizzeria in America.
Ciao,
Paulie Gee
pauliegee at 2:19PM on 06/12/09
If I may suggest a great dessert for this occasion would be a Gourmet Caramel Apple. Our company specializes in these beautiful creations and for about $12 you can get a unique, romantic, gift that can be shared and it will be a treat to remember for the both of you. One apple typically slices into 12-15 pieces and with all the generious toppings you will be amazed! Try us sometime, www.alysapples.com.
baseballstud at 4:33PM on 06/12/09
To get more bang for your buck.... Make a lasting impression, pull out all the stops, and spoil them with a romantic, Aphrodisiac Infused Picnic at Home.
Listen to me now, thank me later. : )
Cheers,
~ Paula
Paula Maack at 4:34PM on 06/12/09
beyoglu on the upper east side is really romantic, although probably out of your way. the food is turkish mezzes and really good, great for sharing obviously.
allot at 4:35PM on 06/12/09
I went to "Hecho en Dumbo" a pretty good Mexican restaurant in Dumbo with a decent wine list, and a "Vicky Christina Barcelona" vibe. Cash only, however.
I also reccomend Alta Restaurant, which is a free-wheeling tapas place in a West Village townhouse. Excellent food. Great lighting. American Express, Cash only.
Ortolan at 5:20PM on 06/12/09
we just had dinner for my husband's birthday at suenos, in chelsea. it was amazing (mexican-inspired food). entrees are like 17-27 per person, but the portions are pretty large, so if you got an appetizer and an entree to split, it would probably be enough food for two people, although i have to admit we got greedy and each ate our own entree...and then we were soooo full it hurt. but the food was amazing. and they seated us in the little sunroom area right next to the backyard, which is kind of cute, and the service was really nice.
billyburgwife at 4:25AM on 06/14/09
Alma on Columbia Street in Brooklyn is a great upscale Mexican restaurant with an amazing rooftop garden that is beautiful in the evenings.
avryan at 5:21AM on 06/14/09
I disagree with almost all of the above recs (and the self-promotion). Except for Suenos, the rest either have 1) mediocre food, 2) decidedly NOT romantic/intimate atmosphere, 3) no reservations. Pretty sure you don't wait to wait 1.5 hours for a table at Al Di La or Lucali.
I recommend either Saul or Chestnut on Smith St in Brooklyn. The Grocery is great, too, but it's a little over your budget of $20 entrees.
charm city cupcake at 6:56AM on 06/15/09
casa is a sweet little brazilian place in the west village that might be nice to try. they take reservations so you won't have to wait.
perbacco in the east village would be good as well. it's small and intimate and the food is really good, but i dont think they take reservations for parties of two.
kristin314 at 9:17AM on 06/15/09
I recently had a lovely meal at James in Prospect Heights. The atmosphere was great--simple yet innovative decor, nice lighting, definitely on the romantic side, and the food was really good. I highly recommend the oysters, which were some of the freshest I've ever had (the app is kinda pricey, though, at $16.) Most of the entrees were priced between $19 and $24. We walked in on a Friday at around 8:45 and only had to wait about 5 minutes; I don't think they take reservations for two.
Also, both Frankies Spuntinos (in LES and Carroll Gardens) are always a good bet if you're in the mood for fresh, deceptively simple Italian. Nice decor, though a tad tight and really reasonable prices. Their gnocchi is divine. Alas, no reservations!
And finally: have only been for brunch, but Back Forty in the East Village was delicious and very reasonable (most everything under $20). I believe they have a back garden, which could be fun. Not sure of their reservation policy.
sweetsandcarbs at 1:21PM on 06/15/09
Thanks so much for all the recs! Much appreciated :)
Telaviv at 11:39AM on 06/16/09