Date Night - Upper West Side, NYC
Cocktail lounges and restaurants that will make your evening unforgettable.
Tourists and locals have long flocked to Manhattan's hip Upper West Side neighborhood because of its cultural institutions and attractions including Lincoln Center, the Museum of Natural History, Central Park, Riverside Drive and the Beacon Theater, home to legendary rock and pop performers from Bob Dylan and the Allman Brothers to the late and great David Bowie. A bit more under the radar, though, is the amazing foodie scene that is going on here. There are many intriguing restaurant, bar and lounge options for you to explore, any one of which is guaranteed to make your night out on the town very special, indeed.
Dahlia - Upper West Side
The lighting is intimate; the surroundings, are so very sleek and stylish. Meet Dahlia, a relative newcomer to the New York City cocktail scene that is already generating lots of buzz and positive reviews on Yelp, Time Out and other platforms. The team behind this magnificent cocktail lounge has one very familiar face at the helm, especially if you're a fan of shows like The Sopranos and White Lotus. We're talking about none other than celebrated actor MICHAEL IMPERIOLI. Michael has joined forces with his wife Victoria, (who designed the space, by the way) and noted restaurateur Jeremy Wladis to create a very special lounge. This is "impress your date" territory to be sure.
Michael, Victoria and Jeremy have gone out of their way to make everyone who walks through the door feel as though they are sipping a cocktail among friends at their apartment. The thing is, though, that very few typical Big Apple apartments look anything like Dahlia. This upscale cocktail lounge offers a feeling of luxury without guilt. Hey, it's your night out with that special someone, so why not get spoiled a little? The warm feeling that envelops customers at Dahlia starts with the down-to-earth bartenders. They are genuinely happy that you've chosen to spend some time at Dahlia and it shows in their attitude. The barkeeps are also quite adept at making you an excellent cocktail. Which, after all, is really why you're here!
It's fair to say that the colorful and delicious concoctions that are created behind the bar will dazzle you. Yes, Dahlia is a wee bit pricey. But, the cocktails you will imbibe are so much more than just a drink to pass the time of day with. These libations are a total sensory experience that is meant to be savored one sip at a time.
One of the strongest and most noteworthy libations on the menu is "Venusian Nectar", a blend of just the right amount of Grey Goose vodka, Dolin Blanc vermouth, Method dry vermouth and Tanqueray Gin. You get the picture. Regulars at Dahlia rave about the "Corleone" and you will too! This knock-your-socks-off drink is made with Adriatico Amaretto, Lustau Amontillado Sherry, and Angostura bitters together with Templeton Rye and Zaya Rum. Another must-try cocktail is the Sabellian Tonic " whose ingredients are Grey Whale gin, Method dry vermouth, Ginger juice, cucumber and celery juice, lime juice, kale syrup and a splash or two of tonic water. So very, very refreshing. The very sexy "Between the Sheets " will light your fire with a blend of Combier liqueur, Hennessy Vsop cognac, Flor De Cana rum, lemon juice and simple syrup. And, let us not forget the house's signature elixir, The Dahlia with hibiscus-infused Grey Goose vodka, Dolin Blanc Vermouth, lime juice and raspberry syrup.
There's no need to follow up your cocktail experience here with a search for a nearby restaurant. Michael and his co-owners have paid as much attention to the small plates menu as they have to their cocktails and an enticing line-up of premium spirits, wine and beer.
Carnivores will have their taste buds tempted by the mini lamb gyros served with a healthy tomato and cucumber salad and, what else but homemade tzatziki sauce? Do not sleep on the Three Little Pigs option, either. Those hot Italian sausages wrapped in puff pastry will satisfy any appetite. The chef also turns out an outrageous Honey Truffle Fontina grilled cheese sandwich. What better way to celebrate an anniversary or engagement than by sharing a plate of Osetra Caviar, accompanied by chopped yellow and white eggs, chives, red onions, creme fraiche and the chef's to-die-for tater tots?
Location & Hours:
269 Columbus Avenue
New York N.Y. 10023
www.dahlialoungenyc.com
Hours:
Sunday to Thursday: 5 PM to 12 AM
Friday and Saturday: 5 PM to 2 AM
The Milling Room - Upper West Side
This spectacular dining space opened its doors in 2014 and occupies the ground floor of a building that was built in 1890. During its heyday, the Endicott Hotel was one of the most luxurious establishments on the Upper West Side. The Milling Room is proud to continue the Endicott's tradition of serving guests in a most extraordinary manner. Designed by Edward Angell, the Endicott was crafted out of genuine Pompeian brick and terracotta. Many of these architectural masterpieces can still be seen, to this day, within the environs of The Milling Room which was originally the location of the Palm Room where New York high society would dine and mingle. Today, this space is as stunning as ever, with a skylight-style glass roof. The walls on one side of the restaurant are lined with shelves that display a variety of greenery, flowers and potted plants. It's just a joyful ambiance to be in; one that calls for a celebration, whether it's with the love of your life, family, or your very best friend.
Off to one side of the restaurant is the bar area aka The Tavern. Here you can enjoy a pre-dinner drink or indulge in the specially priced food and beverage options that are available during Happy Hour which runs from 4:30 PM until 6:30 PM seven days of the week. Select glasses of wine can be had for only $8, while imported quality beers are priced at $7. Also available are some of the Tavern's finest craft cocktails at ten dollars. Their bar menu is one of Happy Hours highlights. However, the selections on the menu change from time to time depending on the availability of seasonal ingredients, so check with your barkeep to see what dishes are being featured that day.
One thing is for certain. Executive chef Florian Hugo's penchant for creative cooking and visually spectacular plating is sure to make your evening a night to remember. When it comes to appetizers, rave reviews are always in store for chef Hugo's Tarte Flambee with heritage bacon, sour cream, chives and Comte' cheese. A plate that is meant for sharing is the Trio of Dips ( eggplant & olive, whipped ricotta, spicy tomato jam and artisanal bread).
The menu's emphasis is on modern American cooking with the odd European accent thrown in. Come hungry if you intend to order the gigantic Vande Rose Farm Pork Chop, which is sided up with a mound of sauteed escarole, northern beans and a one of a one-of-a-kind mustard sauce. Also in the better-be-famished category is the chef's Prime Bone-In Ribeye. Juicy and succulent this slab of meat is accompanied by seasonal greens and potatoes dauphinoise. See, we told you that there would be some European touches to be found on the menu. Not feeling in the meat mode? No worries, there's a ton of variety on Chef Hugo's menu including his divine Truffle lasagna, ( hand-crafted green spinach pasta, baby spinach, shiitake mushrooms, truffle-infused mascarpone cheese and a dusting of parmesan on top of the lasagna. You'll also adore the Grilled Branzino with a confit of heirloom tomatoes, toasted Marcona almonds and "sauce verte".
Location & Hours:
446 Columbus Avenue
New York N.Y. 10024
(212) 595-0380
www.the-milling-room.com
Hours:
Dinner:
Monday to Thursday: 4:30 PM to 9:30 PM
Friday and Saturday: 4:30 PM to 10:30 PM
Sunday: 4:30 PM to 9 PM
Brunch:
Saturday & Sunday: 11 AM to 3 PM
The Shell - Upper West Side
Brought to you by long-time friends and business partners, Val Crovetto and Rangu Miah, The Shell is a Mediterranean-inspired restaurant that focuses on sustainably-sourced and expertly prepared seafood. The owners, Val and Rangu, have a great deal of experience in the restaurant industry so they know exactly what needs to be done to satisfy their customers. The dining space has a hip, snazzy contemporary aesthetic. You also, in the warmer weather, have the option of dining in their cute sidewalk cafe area.
The founders of The Shell know the importance of giving their customers their money's worth and that includes some extremely attractive deals and special offers. If you're coming here on a date then you should look into the Paella for Two offer, which includes a bottle of wine. And you can't beat the price of $64! Be advised that the chef doesn't skimp on the portion size. The platter contains more than enough food for two people and the perfectly cooked yellow rice is chock full of seafood. Also available for your dining pleasure is a $49 per person Pre-Fixe three-course menu.
Happy Hour takes place every day from 4 until 6 PM. Oysters on the half-shell come in at only $1.99 each and a mere $12 will buy you half a dozen Littleneck clams. Select cocktails can be had for nine bucks and you may quench your thirst with an ice-cold draft beer for just six dollars. For $8 order a mood-changing glass of red, white, or rose'. The barkeeps have got you covered. Many seafood-centric places, for some reason, don't pay that much attention to their cocktail offerings. That is NOT the case here at The Shell.
The knowledgeable bartenders will answer any and all questions that you may have as to which wines, beers or cocktails pair with the type of fish that you are planning to order. Both you and your date will most certainly be impressed by Empress Me, a very fruit and botanical-forward libation that features Empress 1908 gin, Pomegranate juice, pink grapefruit juice and elderflower. The Pear Dream is made with Absolut pear vodka, fresh pear juice, lemon juice and elderflower.
The Shell's entree menu definitely has something for everyone. The chef's signature creation is Maine lobster-stuffed ravioli, which is served in a bowl with lobster broth, roasted shallots and garlic, a touch of cream and extra virgin olive oil. You won't go wrong ordering the roasted swordfish which is accompanied by fingerling potatoes, sauteed spinach and enveloped in a luscious lemon and caper butter sauce. One doesn't normally see Chilean sea bass paired up with both Portobello mushrooms and roasted tomatoes, but the blend of flavors on your palate really does work. The chef's yellowfin tuna also comes with an unusual side for a fish dish; eggplant caponata.
For the sweetest of endings to your meal try ordering the raspberry creme brulee topped with caramel sauce or the pear tartlet which consists of an almond-crusted poached pear and vanilla bean ice cream.
Location and Hours:
635 Amsterdam Avenue
New York N.Y. 10025
(646) 669-7628
www.theshellrestaurant.com
Hours:
Monday to Thursday: 4 PM to 10 PM
Friday: 4 PM to 11 PM
Saturday: 3 PM to 11 PM
Sunday: 3 PM to 10 PM
Tasca - Upper West Side
With an emphasis on Spanish-Caribbean cuisine, Tasca has filled a void on the UWS's culinary scene. It is also one of the prettiest restaurants that you will ever dine in. The ambiance calls for intimacy and romance. As soon as you walk in, you'll be greeted by a hostess who is actually very glad to see you. That's an important part of the Hispanic-Caribbean experience; the warm hospitality that the people of the islands are known for. Yes, this might be your first time dining at Tasca, but you won't feel like a stranger for long.
There are two amazing areas in which to dine. You may ask to be seated at the front of the establishment, a cute and cozy area centered around the bar, complete with oh-so-comfy banquette seating and candles on the tables. Alternatively, stroll up a few steps at the end of the bar and you will find yourself inside a spacious alcove-style dining room. You cannot miss either way.
The founders are long-time NYC restaurateurs, the husband and wife team of Jay and Norisa Espinol. This hard-working duo had a fifteen-year run as the owners of Don Pedro on the Upper East Side. Tasca is their most recent labor of love. The kitchen, which is carefully supervised by the Espinol family, pays homage to the traditional recipes and flavors of Spain, Puerto Rico, Cuba and the Dominican Republic. Rum is the " national " drink of the Caribbean and Tasca offers over 100 different varieties of rum. The wine cellar here is a sight to behold, containing three hundred bottles with options from Spain, the Napa Valley and the exotic Canary Islands.
The bar staff are also quite adept at mixing a GREAT cocktail, bringing the flavors of the Islands straight to your lips and palate. Hibiscus lends just the right note to Isle of Flowers, whose other ingredients are vodka, Spanish vermouth and curacao. Playa Passion will certainly stir up your emotions with ingredients like aged rum, passion fruit, coconut, orange and bitters. Special Issue Armada has just three ingredients but they do pack a punch: Spanish rum, amaro and raspberry juice.
The culinary team at Tasca knows what authentic tapas should look and taste like. You will be more than pleased when you savor every last morsel of the grilled pulpo (octopus), which is served with Peruvian potatoes and mojo Gallego. One of their most innovative dishes is the plantain croquettes accompanied by sundried tomato coleslaw and dressed to kill with lime zest and grated Manchego cheese. Love empanadas? They've got 'em, with a truly superb plate of chicken, brisket and veggie with cheese empanadas, dressed with otherworldly smoked paprika aioli.
Entrees range from fish and meat dishes to some outstanding paellas. The Lomo de Cerdo features grilled pork tenderloin, a black bean puree and a not as spicy as it sounds jalapeno salad. But there IS a little kick to it. The Camarones dish consists of some very good-sized shrimp, a delicious wine reduction, yuca and pomegranate cabbage. On weekends, Tasca offers a very appealing brunch; two courses for $28 with a bottomless red sangria option ( ninety minutes ) available for only twenty dollars. The signature brunch dish here is the Huevos Gitanos. You won't be hungry for the rest of the day after you polish off this platter of baked eggs, potatoes, spinach, chorizo, Serrano ham, peppers and onions as well as a tomato sofrito.
Location and Hours:
505 Columbus Avenue
New York NY 10024
(212) 362-2211
www.tasca-nyc.com
Hours:
Monday to Thursday: 4:30 to 11 PM
Friday: 4:30 to 11:30 PM
Saturday: 11:30 AM to 11:30 PM
Sunday: 11:30 AM to 10:30 PM
Comments