Off the beaten path dinner tonight?

[simkhele]

Recommendations for a not-too-fancy but special-in-some-way joint for dinner? We live in Chelsea and eat there a lot and feel like doing something sort of fun and off our usual round of places. Sitting outside would be nice. Veggie options a must. I guess I'm looking for a good, fun first-date sort of place (though we've been together for 20 years.) Moustache would be perfect (except we go there all the time.)

[simkhele]

Thanks, everyone. I've made a reservation at Alta -- and am looking forward to trying it!

[jdream]

Please report back how it is-- I'm planning to go Friday and would love to hear a really recent review.

[RGR]

While it's certainly not off the beaten path, I Coppi, on 9th St., b/t Av. A & 1st Av., has delicious Italian food and a very nice outdoor (but protected) back garden.

http://www.icoppinyc.com

[lfjacob]

Malatesta Trattoria in the village. Wonderful Italian food and an off the beaten path kind of feel. Also, Il Buco is a favorite of mine. Really authenic Italian but you may need a reservation. I also second Perilla...I went about a month ago and it was fabulous from start to finish, just a perfect meal.

[erin07nyc]

yes, I found Malatesta a very pleasant surprise the first time I ate there... definitely the place to go if you feel like rustic Italian.

[erin07nyc]

Have you been to Perilla yet? It's still pretty popular so you should try calling asap for a reservation tonight. It has an "off-the-beaten-path" feel on Jones, between Bleecker and w 4th.

I've also been recommending Alta a lot lately. Very delicious shared-plates-style place, but not really tapas. Service is great and it's a very cozy townhouse atmosphere. You won't have trouble getting a seat on a Weds night. I believe there is one table outside.

[simkhele]

Thanks for these suggestions so far. Alta sounds perfect. (Would love to try Perilla, but it doesn't look like a vegetarian could be very happy there.)

[erin07nyc]

Alta's menu changes regularly, so you could call to be sure the one on their website is up-to-date. But, I'm pretty sure there will be enough at Alta for you both, since I was a vegetarian when I first moved here, and still pay attention to that stuff.

Perilla probably has one veggie entree and one or two appetizers.

[JungMann]

Second the recommendation for Alta. Terrific food and great atmosphere. And slightly off the beaten path since it took me 30 minutes to find it!

[Elyssa]

Does Perilla have a menu up somewhere? I just went to the website and couldn't find any options besides email addresses. I don't live in NYC but am curious to see the menu since there is the whole Top Chef connection. I'm interested to see what Harold is doing.

[jdream]

go to nymag.com or menupages.com and you can see the menu. just know that it is seasonal and doesn't always reflect exactly what is being offered.

[simkhele]

You can get a sense of the menu from the reviews here:

http://www.yelp.com/biz/aeQqmL9H14sS7...

[RGR]

For what it's worth, Bruni in the "NY Times" gives it a one-star review today.

http://events.nytimes.com/2007/07/25/...

[JennS]

I was there last weekend and has the summer truffle ravioli (more details on menupages.com). It was delicious but also the only vegetarian entree on the menu.

[JungMann]

Perhaps try The Park. You can sit on the deck and soak some sun while soaking in some gin with your dinner!