The Ultimate Valentine’s Day Restaurant Handbook

It’s hard to believe that Valentine’s Day is less than a week away. But fear not! Whether you are celebrating Valentine’s or Galentine’s day, here’s an assortment of date night restaurants for different occasions.

For the Romantics

Are you excited to bring your dream Valentine’s Day dates to reality? These restaurants will provide you the experience you’ve been longing for.

Ai Fiori

Located in Langham Place Hotel, Ai Fiori serves a mixture of Italian and French Riviera cuisine crafted by acclaimed Chef Michael White’s and the Altamarea Group. Elegantly designed with comfortable seating arrangements, this restaurant has the perfect degree of formality. One thing to look out particularly about Ai Fiori are the desserts delicately prepared by the pastry chef, Alina Martell.

Ai Fiori was also ranked among Zagat’s Best Italian in NYC, and awarded Michelin Star recognition, three stars recognition from The New York Times and four stars recognition from the Forbes Travel Guide. This restaurant is definitely the go-to place if you’re seeking a high-class, romantic Valentine’s Day dinner. You can make reservations here.

Tocqueville

This conveniently located French restaurant is just steps away from Union Square. The Tocqueville team insists on using the freshest ingredients, most of them locally grown, to prepare the finest French cuisine with a creative American twist. One of their key goals is to provide personalized service to each customer. In other words, this spot is the perfect restaurant if you’re planning an elegant surprise for your SO on Valentine’s day.

Tocqueville was ranked as Zagat’s NYC’s Best American Restaurants, and as Opentable’s Top 10 Diner’s choice. This restaurant is definitely what you’re looking for if you’re seeking a classy yet conveniently located restaurant for an exceptional Valentine’s Day night. You can make reservations here.

Gabriel Kreuther

Chef Gabriel Kreuther was originally the chef at the Modern, but in 2014 he left and opened his own restaurant, named after himself, across from Bryant Park. Gabriel Kreuther serves Alsatian and French-inspired dishes with unique New York touches, all curated by Gabriel Kreuther himself.

These lovely and aesthetic dishes are, sorry not sorry, perfect to be posted on Instagram. Not to mention, after your meal you can spend some quality time taking a romantic stroll in Bryant Park. You can make reservations here.

For Busy Bees

Unfortunately, this year’s Valentine’s Day falls on a Tuesday, meaning that many of you will be debating and choosing between your pile of homework and your perfect date. However, you don’t have to sacrifice either. NYU is luckily situated near some really amazing restaurants that could definitely give you a quick yet high quality Valentine’s Day.

Claudette

You have probably walked by Claudette multiple times, yet many do not know how great this Mediterranean-infused French restaurant really is. Claudette was opened by two friends who valued the comfortable and cozy ambience of a restaurant. However, don’t be deceived by the casual setting of this restaurant because the food here is far beyond casual.

This restaurant is for you if you prefer your meals light but satisfying. Have a bite at this cozy eaterie and enjoy nutritious meals together. You can make reservations here.

The Smith

The Smith is a local brasserie with three locations in New York City, with one right next to NYU. The philosophy of the founders of this restaurant is to guarantee each and every customer happiness. They really make an effort in supporting local businesses by using as many local sources as possible. They also want their restaurants to be a place where communities are formed.

This restaurant is for you if you are not a fan of formal setting meals. The Smith has a very casual atmosphere where you can talk freely and experience a comfortable and relaxed meal. A lot of jokes can be cracked and embarrassing stories can be shared for some priceless laughs here. You can make reservations here.  

For Those Running Low on Cash 

Here are some restaurants that will be pleasing for both your date and your wallet.

Oficina 1M

Oficina 1M is a rather new Italian restaurant where fresh market-to-place dishes are served. The fresh local ingredients are combined and prepared into appetizing menu items that have rich Italian culture yet hints of the taste of New York. This is a restaurant with just the right amount of creativity, tradition and variety.

If you’re seeking a creative and unique food experience with affordable prices, you’ll be thoroughly pleased. The menu offers quite a lot of choices, and you will definitely not be disappointed by what this small restaurant offers in all aspects.

Les Enfants de Bohème

This casual French bistro was opened by Stéfan Jonot following the close of the Afro-Brazilian restaurant, Les Enfants Terribles. Vastly different from Les Enfants Terribles, Les Enfants Boheme reminisces Jonot’s hometown, Paris. All dishes are prepared using local and seasonal ingredients. This new restaurant is designed to give a cozy ambiance with a modern space of black-and-white mural, created by Jeanne Verdoux and John Gibson, two Brooklyn artists. Although at lunchtime the restaurant has a casual vibe, at dinner time it is romantic and chic enough for a perfect Valentine’s day restaurant.

Here, you don’t have to sit perfectly and be afraid to get breadcrumbs on your favorite dress. You can enjoy an authentic French meal as if you are home. Bon Appetit! You can make reservations here.

For our lovers of Oriental Cuisine

If you’re someone who’s not a fan of Western styled Valentine’s Day meals, we’ve got some restaurants serving delicious Asian food that will make your tastebuds fall in love.

The Buddakan

This upscale restaurant unpredictably serves Asian fusion cuisine which is  highly Chinese-based. Contrary to the usual Chinese take out dishes like General Tso’s Chicken and sweet and sour pork, Buddakan will break the cheap stereotype of Chinese food. High quality with a matching high price, this restaurant will give you an elegant and classy Valentine’s Day experience.

This restaurant is the perfect match for you if you’re seeking some high-class experience, but not in the mood for a traditional European candlelight dinner. A restaurant where culture and religion is explicitly shown in its food and interior design, this restaurant will definitely spark some cultural and religious conversations–a great opportunity to get to know your partner a little bit more. You can make reservations here.

Sakagura

This Japanese restaurant located in Midtown is the go-to place for the office worker. They offer a vast collection of sake and tasty authentic Japanese food–a great place to let off some steam with your partner and enjoy a travel-like experience right in Manhattan. The small tables and chairs allow you and your partner to have the most intimate conversations. It’s definitely a great place if you don’t want your Valentine’s Day to ruin your weight-loss plans, as Japanese cuisine is known to be light and healthy.

The small portions at Sakagura will allow you to taste a little of everything. It’s most definitely a great place for you and your partner to enjoy a special and memorable night together. You can make reservations here.

For our Vegans

If you’re vegan and you’ve been stressing out, trying to find the right restaurant to spend a memorable night with your significant other, fear not! Have a look at these two wonderful vegan restaurants that will give you a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Dirt Candy

Dirt Candy focuses on the food preparation and the creativity of the dishes most delicately. Amanda Cohen, the Chef of Dirt Candy, claimed to be a vegetarian when she was in middle school, and had a soft spot for “raw oysters and fried sweetbreads”. This restaurant allows you to have a fancy dinner experience with food prepared with care. The effort and time Amanda Cohen puts into each and every dish is entirely for offering the best experience for her customers.

Dirt Candy is perfect for you if you’re interested in exploring the art behind food. Here, you and your significant other will enjoy personalized service and a healthy meal. An exceptional experience for a special day. You can make reservations here.

Kajitsu

This minimalistic Japanese restaurant serves vegan Shojin-ryori cuisine (traditional animal-free cuisine of Japan) in a kaiseki (tasting menu) style. This restaurant has a simple and comfortable atmosphere where you can focus entirely on the food and its rich taste. Each and every course is carefully crafted by the chefs. The food here is representative of the classic small portion, big flavor.

If you’re seeking a restaurant where you can treat your tastebuds with some detail, head on over to Kajitsu. This place is great if you and your partner are minimalistics yet perfectionists. Also, on a side note, the restaurant is quite small, so make your reservations early.

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