Romantic, but not too expensive?

[Little Cupcake]

Hi,

Looking for some nice, romantic restaurants that won't break the bank.

Thanks!

[redearth329]

I agree with giorgio's for dinner (the fall-back now that March is closed), but also keep lunch in mind. Many of the most romantic restaurants offer great pre fixe lunches at prices that are veritable steals. Fleur de Sel comes to mind. Make a day of it!

[veeelchop]

FRANK restaurant on 1st ave in the east village. its really small, the food is inexpensive, all the pasta is home made, the recipies are from somebodies grandma, and you can wash all that good food down with a selection from their excellent wine list.

[ballulah]

I recommend Basilica on 9th Ave around 46th/47th. It's a home-l little Italian spot, with a very welcoming, neighborhood feel. The food is very good, and it's very inexpensive. It's one of those tiny little places you pass in the street with excellent, garlicky smells wafting on to the sidewalk.

http://www.menupages.com/restaurantde...

[bobby06877]

I would second Giorgio's of Gramercy. Very good food, service and a nice subtle ambience. Prices are very reasonable.

[rking]

I would offer Giorgio's on E 21st

[hps]

I would recommend Gascogne. Also love Le Gigot. Candela is has a really lovely atmosphere!

[280 Ninth]

Romantic and affordable...the eternal quest, no?

Different ways to think about it...some would place a premium on cozy, like Le Gigot on Cornelia, though it feels suffocatingly cozy to moi. Others would think more about food, too, and someplace like La Luncheonette (mentioned above) would work. I've always thought if that a romantic place should allow you the chance to dawdle and get intorspective with your s.o., and I think of Lucien's in the EV, or Knife and Fork, also EV. Restaurants like the Terrace, view notwithstanding, are just overpriced tired haunts.

Here's my hands-down favorite, though: Garden Cafe in Bklyn.

[Todd]

The place (that's the name) in the W Village is a comfy, romantic spot with great food

[jdmetz]

I was not at all impressed by The Place when I ate there. I would recommend A.O.C. Bedford on Bedford in the West Village. Also good is Antica Venezia at 10th & West. While a restaurant on the West Side Highway might not sound romantic, the inside is completely insulated from the noise outside, the atmosphere is very dark and sexy, and the windows are frosted so all you see is the view across the Hudson.

[Blumie]

La Lunchonette on 10th Ave and 18th Street. Although it's in a once-industrial area, walk through the door and it's like walking into a farmhouse in the French countryside. The food is solid, if basic, French bistro fare at very reasonable prices.