Looking for a Bar / Restaurant on the UWS for First Date

[Devi]

Hi, I'm seeking a nice, laid back place that serves food at the bar, not too loud, good atmosphere.....maybe in the 70's, 80's, 90's......not looking for Italian food, but pretty much anything else would be fine. Not overly expensive either, with a good wine list. Thanks!!

[AssociEat]

If you don't mind answering, how old are you?

[Devi]

I'm 36 and female.......

[dolinja]

If the girl is adventurous, you could take her up to Awash on 106th/Amsterdam for Ethiopian food, amazing stuff. (And you can teach her how to eat it by scooping it up with pieces of the bread, you'll seem very worldly). It was the start of my second date with my girlfriend, and we are going 1.5 years strong now! But she's cool in that way, this wouldn't work for other girls.

[Michele4466]

What about Loft on Columbus and 84th/85th?

I had martinis and appetizers in the very comfy bar area a few months back. They have low tables and soft red couches and it is pretty dark and cozy...food was good and the drinks were well made.

http://www.loftnyc.net/ Check out the pics.

I think it is pretty hip for the UWS.

[JoeM]

Pair of 8's (Amsterdam & 88th) has a good wine list and would be good on a first date. There's a new wine bar/small plate restaurant that opened in Symphony Space (Broadway & 95th) that just opened. I haven't heard anything about it yet but plan to check it out before the new year...

Aix (Broadway & 88/89thish) also has a nice bar area with good cocktails.

[comidaqueen]

I would agree with a few of the posts above: Nice Matin, Compass, and I would add Bin71--it's a great wine bar with good food, though it is really small and could get quite crowded.

[JoLi]

Yeah, I like Bin as well, but can never find space... I miss the early days when they weren't popular.

[harrison]

Compass. They have a great comfy bar area where you can drink and nibble.

I may be biased though, my wife and I had our 1st date there!

[jenniebnyc]

Don't know if they have a good wine list as i always get margartias here, but Citrus is a good date spot.

[theannerska]

Haven't looked at the wine list, but Bistro Citron is a nice, cozy spot (83rd and Columbus, I think?) - good food and ambience.

[JoLi]

Here are a few choices:

- Nice Matin, 79th and Amsterdam - Great wine list, good food, moderate prices, but can be a little loud.

- Cafe Ronda, 72nd and Columbs - Intimate atmosphere, fantastic parrillada to share, moderate prices

- Ouest - 84 & Broadway - A little pricier, but wine and food are fantastic

[nychowgirl]

I second Cafe Ronda and will add its sister restaurant Cafe Frida at 77th and Columbus. Ronda is South American and Frida is Mexican. I think the energy in the rooms at both of these places would be perfect for a first date. I noticed others suggested Bin 71. While the food is excellent and the atmosphere cozy for a date, it's usually really crowded and you probably don't want to deal with the possibility of not getting a seat on a first date.