By Kate Collinson
Despite being forever a below-14th Steet New Yorker, I thought perhaps it was time I listen to my uptown friends about the joys of living uptown, besides being right on the park. Turns out there are a few romantic restaurants to discover!
434 Amsterdam Ave (at 81st St), Upper West Side
A cool yet casual bar and Mediterranean restaurant that is serious about its wine, perfect for sharing a cheese platter and bottle of wine, maybe even stay for dinner and a ricotta cheese cake with chocolate ganache!
1486 2nd Ave (between 77th and 78th Sts), Upper East Side
Yes, another rustic Italian gem, but in the dimly-lit canopied garden out the back, it will surely cast you in your best light. You can’t go past the Gnocchi di Ricotta with creamy truffle sauce.
154 E 79th St (at Lexington Ave), Upper East Side
A real staple on the UES and the perfect spot for the fussy vegetarian date – although everyone seems to love this place! Don’t miss the polenta fries with chive aioli or the peanut butter mousse for dinner.
Recipe
452 Amsterdam Ave (between 81st and 82nd Sts), Upper West Side
A creative, fresh menu and wood-based setting make this small-but-worth-the-wait restaurant a favorite on the Upper West. This place prides itself on using local ingredients. The mac and cheese with bacon and wild mushrooms, while nothing fancy, is the perfect comfort food.
Ouest
2315 Broadway (between 83rd and 84th Sts), Upper West Side
If cozying up to your date in a red leather circular booth is more your style, try this classy French spot. The bread served with almond paste mixed into extra virgin olive oil is a particular favorite. Or try the $28 prix-fixe brunch menu.
