Romantic Restaurants in Manhattan, NYC

Treat the love of your life to dinner or brunch and enjoy a romantic rendezvous while making memories that will last a lifetime. Love is in the air.

Aperibar - Times Square

Intimately tucked away inside the ultra-trendy Luma Hotel, Aperibar is the work of master chef and entrepreneur, the renowned Charlie Parker. A chic restaurant and cocktail bar, Aperibar is inspired by the Italian tradition of aperitivo, which is similar to our Happy Hour, but with a bit more style and panache. The word aperitivo refers to a pre-meal drink to "open up" the tummy, as it were. In Italy, the tradition of meeting friends or family for a drink and light snacks between the hours of work and dinnertime has been going on for centuries. An aperitivo can be a glass of wine, Campari or vermouth. This social tradition goes all the way back, in its most basic form, to ancient Greek and Roman times. Back then, the evening meal was usually preceded by a honey-flavored wine.

The decor here is totally cool with a snazzy and contemporary vibe. Aperibar is the perfect spot in which to wine and dine someone special or impress on a first date. The WOW factor is a part of Aperibar's DNA. Their fantastic Aperitivo Happy Hour takes place in the bar and lounge area and runs Sunday to Thursday from three until six PM and Friday and Saturday, from two to six. Some really tasty cocktails can be had for only ten dollars. Foremost among them is the superb Sicilian Sunrise, composed of vodka, blood orange liqueur, lemon juice and club soda. Then there's Charlie's Negroni, whose ingredients are gin, sweet vermouth, Campari and Aperol. You'll adore the fabulous and very colorful Purple Tulip, a heady blend of tequila, black currant liqueur, club soda and lime juice. The signature elixir here is the Aperi Spritz, which mixes Aperol, club soda and grapefruit juice with a nice pour of Prosecco. Other beverage specials include select imported ( Peroni ) and domestic beers for just seven bucks and a refreshing glass of red, white wine, or rose' for the unheard-of Midtown Manhattan price of only nine dollars.

Priced at just nine dollars, the Happy Hour bar bites are not only a bargain, they are delicious. The Calamari Croccanti consists of crispy fried calamari adorned with Calabrian chili and a touch of citrus aioli. Affettati is a light antipasto dish with Formaggio ( the cheese of the day ) paired with sliced salami and Rosemary crackers. The Polpettine Di Carni are succulent beef and pork blend meatballs inside of a slightly spicy Arrabbiata sauce.

Better come hungry on date night because Chef Charlie Parker has some very inviting entrees lined up to tempt you. The Pollo Cacio E Pepe offers pieces of heritage chicken seasoned with pepper and Pecorino Romano cheese. It's served with a polenta cake and mushrooms. The kitchen turns out a magnificent Branzino which is accompanied by salsa verde and an unusual but flavorful and healthy Castelvetrano olive salad. If you're a red meat lover, then look into the Bisteca Di Manzo, a juicy ten-ounce Long Island strip steak accompanied by caramelized Cipollini onions. The meat is seasoned with EVOO and a dash of smoked sea salt. Vegetarians will rejoice when they spot the superb Lasagna Carciofi on the menu. A tantalizing bevy of artichokes, spinach and leeks can be found between layers of pasta sheets, ricotta and mozzarella.

Location and Hours:
120 West 41st Street
New York N.Y. 10036
(212) 730-8900
www.aperibar.com

Hours:
Dinner:
Monday to Sunday: 5 to 11 PM
Bar & Lounge:
Sunday to Wednesday: 3 PM to 11 PM
Thursday: 3 PM to 12 AM
Friday & Saturday: 2 PM to 12 AM

La Grande Boucherie - Midtown West

One of the most beautiful restaurants you will ever dine in, La Grande Boucherie conjures up visions of turn-of-the-century Paris. This authentic brasserie is inspired by the carefree spirit and artistic creativity of La Belle Epoque. As envisioned by founder Emil Stefkov, the restaurant's eye-catching design expresses a reverence for tradition and elegant artisanal craftsmanship. The decor is in the Art Nouveau style with a contemporary touch here and there. A magnificent grand staircase transports guests from the spacious main dining room to the more intimate mezzanine. You and your date may also choose to dine inside the absolutely incredible atrium. Open at each end, the long atrium area features a soaring, arched skylight and a fully heated floor, so you will be comfy no matter what the temps may be like. La Grande Boucherie is all about celebrating joie de vivre or the joy of life. And, the team here are experts at transforming your evening into the most special of occasions.

Set the mood with a cocktail such as the bar's signature elixir La Vie En Rose. This tribute to the legendary singer Edith Piaf consists of Absolut, Lillet Blanc, lychee, sparkling water and a luscious and refreshing cranberry puree. The Boucherie Manhattan has three simple yet powerful ingredients: Basil Hayden's, Remy Martin's 1738 and Cinzano. You will also enjoy the barkeep's Cote D'Azur Spritz, made with Amante Aperitivo liqueur, sparkling Rose' and Malfy Lemon Gin.

Plats Principaux ( main dishes ) include the all-time French classic Coq Au Vin. A fall-off-the-bone braised chicken is cooked in a red wine reduction and enveloped with bacon, carrots and mushrooms. The Cassoulet Toulousain is a surprisingly hearty white bean casserole with duck confit, pork belly for added flavor, Toulouse sausages and topped with bread crumbs for a little crunch. Vegetarians will fall in love with the Eggplant Gateau, which is a Provencal-style Ratatouille. Now, French cuisine is not really celebrated for making hamburgers. But, the chef here turns this All-American standard into a dish with a distinct Gallic accent. A succulent blend of dry-aged beef is cooked in red wine butter and topped with Brie cheese and a red onion marmalade. Your burger is accompanied by smashed potato chips.

The menu offers quite a few intriguing garnitures or sides for you to drool over ranging from Celery Root Gratin and Haricot Verts Almondine to Smoked Gouda Macaroni Au Gratin. By the way, if you started the night off with a cocktail, why not finish up with a flourish by having a glass of imported champagne?

Location and Hours:
145 West 53rd Street
New York N.Y. 10019
(212) 510-7714
www.boucherieus.com

Hours:
Monday to Friday: 8 AM to 12 AM
Saturday & Sunday: 9 AM to 12 AM

Osteria La Baia - Midtown West

From the moment that you are greeted at the door by general manager Janos Paliko or one of his trusted staff, you will feel like an honored guest. The folks at Osteria La Baia are all about hospitality and creating an unforgettable experience; one that you will always treasure. And, you don't have to be a movie star or Wall Street tycoon to receive the red carpet treatment.

A vital part of the overall experience here is the beautiful and tasty creations of executive chef Adrian Ramirez. This gentleman knows how to tempt the taste buds while also painting a captivating " picture " on your plate. " Cooking is my way of bringing people together. At Osteria La Baia I want every dish to tell a story." Those simple but meaningful words from chef Ramirez sum up the team's mission at this beautifully appointed restaurant. The ambiance is decidedly elegant and upscale. It is a dress-to-impress night for sure. But, don't feel intimidated in any way. Just allow yourself to be wrapped up in the Italian way of life. Wood-paneled walls are graced with different paintings while cute miniature lamps cast the soft glow of candlelight on your table. There is also stylish and cozy banquette seating available.

An ideal way in which to kick off the festivities is with one of the bar's delectable cocktails. Worthy of a toast to your special someone is the Empire Garibaldi, a drink and then some with a mix of Campari, Benedictine, Rocky's Liqueur and a splash of orange juice. Not A Hollywood Movie blends Ketel One vodka, vanilla syrup, almond orgeat and lime juice with passion fruit juice. Yes, the name of the cocktail is memorable but it's not totally accurate. Here, amidst these magnificent and slightly theatrical surroundings, you WILL feel as though you're in a flick. The bartender also concocts a nifty Midtown Manhattan with Bulleit Rye, Italian vermouth, Amaro and cherry liqueur.

The chefs at Osteria La Baia weave magic spells in the kitchen. And rest assured that both you and your date will be thoroughly seduced by the intoxicating aromas coming from their expertly seasoned pasta, fish and meat dishes. One such example is the divine Gnocchi Caprese which sees fluffy potato gnocchi enveloped with fresh burrata and a tasty basil-pesto sauce. The fettuccine Al' artici has a generous portion of al dente pasta tossed with chunks of lobster, fresh tomatoes, a splash of Amalfi lemon and breadcrumbs. The chef's Risotto is creamy but not at all watery like one gets at some places that haven't yet perfected the fine touch of cooking this lovely Piedmontese rice dish. At Osteria, your plate of saffron-seasoned rice is cooked with Porcini mushrooms, shaved truffles, chicken stock and served with a dusting of Parmesan cheese. The Salmone ( pan-seared salmon ) is nicely portioned and served with garlic-butter dressed escarole and velvety mashed potatoes.

Location and Hours:
129 West 52nd Street
New York N.Y. 10019
(917) 671-9898
www.labaianyc.com

Hours:
Monday to Saturday: 11:30 AM to 11 PM
Sunday: 11:30 AM to 10 PM

Kellari - MIdtown West

Our tour of romantic Mediterranean restaurants would not be complete without a stop at the cradle of civilization, Greece. Hellenic vibes abound at Kellari Taverna, which is known for its genuine hospitality, fantastic food and delightful ambiance. It might just be better than a Sunday visit to your Ya-Ya's house. As far as date night is concerned, it certainly would be. After all, who needs the incessant comments from the well-meaning elders saying;" You're such a cute couple. But WHEN are you going to get married? "

The decor is contemporary and rustic but in a very stylish way. Large windows let in a lot of sunlight, which is great if you're here for lunch. Once dusk falls, though, the streets of the city are aglow with lamplight and Kellari takes on an enthralling ambiance all of its own. For over twenty years Kellari has been the go-to spot for couples on a date or celebrating their anniversary. And, lest we forget to mention, the Theater District is but a short stroll away.

When you dine here, please take advantage of the fact that Kellari has an enticing wine and cocktail list. Be adventurous and take a break from the usual California, Italian, or French wines that you enjoy. Sample what Greece's small-batch, family-owned vineyards have to offer. You will be glad that you did. The artisan wine-makers know exactly what they are doing. After all, Greece is one of the world's oldest wine-producing regions, dating back some 6,000 years.

Make plans to enjoy Kellari's welcoming Happy Hour which takes place every day, from 3 PM until 7 PM. House wines and select cocktails are on offer for just $11 while house beers come in at only six bucks. Oysters have been known to do their part in encouraging romance. During Happy Hour you can up the ante and treat your date ( and yourself ) to oysters for $1.99 apiece. Does your date night include going to a Broadway show? If so, Kellari has you covered with a three-course $65 pp Pre-Theater Menu Special that is served daily from 4 until 6:30 pm. Your first course includes a choice of meze such as Soupa Imeras ( soup of the day ), Kale with Graviera cheese and tuna tartare. Second Course options include Paidakia ( grilled lamb chops with lemon potatoes ), or discover Mushrooms Hilopites, a Greek traditional dish that consists of wild mushrooms,and special Greek pasta all in a Graviera cheese and truffle sauce. Dessert choices range from almond milk pudding and gelato of the day to an outrageous walnut baklava. You KNOW you want this !!!

Should you just wish to order a la carte, there's a tremendous amount of variety on Kellari's menu including Halibut accompanied by a cauliflower puree and Brussels sprouts as well as a stew-like dish of shrimp, clams and calamari blended with orzo in an aromatic sauce of herbs, feta and tomatoes. Recently added to the menu is a lovely Vegan Moussaka made with eggplant, zucchini, thinly sliced potatoes, vegan beef, almond milk and an incredible bechamel sauce. One of the many dishes that is unique to Kellari is the Lobster Fricassee. The centerpiece of your plate is a juicy lobster tail enveloped with artichokes, garden greens and a dill-lemon sauce that will have you requesting more. You'll have to book a flight to Greece to eat anything this good.

Location and Hours:
19 West 44th Street
New York N.Y. 10036
(212) 221-0144
www.kellariny.com

Hours:
Monday to Saturday: 11:30 AM to 11 PM
Sunday: 11:30 AM to 10PM