1st Date: Drinks + Appetizers nr. Astor Place

[fishermb]

Casual first date, meeting near Astor Place as it's a midpoint from where we both live. Would like a place with nice drinks and good appetizers/small plates, where if the date vibe is good, we can stay for dinner. Would like to stay south of Union Square, north of Canal, and anywhere east/west in between. Was thinking a place like Lure would work, but want to try something new.

[emarkman]

Angle's Share for drinks...but not sure about dinner/food

[jmsnyc]

I ended up going to N 33 at 33 Crosby off Broome. The N has a tilde above it. Tapas are cheap but small. Drinks are about $10 a pop but you can get a huge pitcher of sangria for I think only $20 - unfortunately my date wanted wine instead so I couldnt get away with the cheap sangria. Probably would be too crowded on weekends - didnt realize there was a back room with cute little tables - would have been very good for date, so we sat at the bar. So 4 drinks, 3 apps, plus olves (which I thought were complementary but werent) came out to $63 plus $10 tip so $73.

Cafe Fuego looks interesting. Will have to try it.

Anyone hear of Pamplona on e. 28th?

[kcijones001]

There's also a cuban place on Astor...Cafe Fuego.
I would also hit up Pommes Frites for dessert. :)

[jmsnyc]

Is Bar Jamon a good date place? I read that it has communal tables?

Also was Five Points expensive? Is it comfortable to sit in the front bar area or are the dinner tables better

[fishermb]

We sat at the bar area (Five Points), had 2 appetizers and 2 drinks each and I think it came out to about $55 with tax/tip, not sure if you consider that expensive. We were plenty comfortable at the bar, it was pretty quiet, not too cramped, and the bartender was very friendly.

[funkymonkey]

what about five points? you can sit at the bar or at one of the tables near the front for wine or cocktails and nibbles. it's on great jones, between lafayette and the bowery.

funkymonkey
thebestbite.blogspot.com

[LeahBaila]

GREAT call on Five Points...I second that

[AK21]

bar jamon if you're willing to head up to union sq

[fishermb]

Thanks for the Five Points suggestion, looks like a winner to me so long as my date doesnt object, will report back in the morning.

[fishermb]

OK we did go to Five Points, and it was a great call indeed. We sat at the bar, bartender was very nice and friendly. We had the duck prosciutto and the mussels,service was timely and food was tasty. Medium-size but quality beer and wine selections, and the ambiance was exactly what I was looking for - not too quiet that it felt like other people were listening, and not too loud that I had to scream. For what I was looking for, this hit the spot, thanks all.

[JungMann]

Try Indochine. It has good drinks, small plates and a sleek atmosphere that's good for a date.

[fishermb]

While I do admit it's a slick atmosphere, I went there for dinner a few weeks ago and was not impressed with the food at all.

I'm thinking of a place maybe like Resto, Lure or Markt, maybe a nice raw bar and quality selection of beer/wine. BTW as mentioned I am willing to go down to SoHo, and however far east/west up to Union Square.

[clashfan]

What about Mermaid Inn?

[Katherine H]

How about Aroma on E. 4th? I've never actually been there, but it's on my list of places to try.

[princeofpork]

Try SEA on 2nd anf 4th for some good Thai. Also OG between A and B has excellent Asian food.

[fishermb]

I went on a date last summer to Sea based on a recommendation from a friend, thought it to be way too loud, but I do remember the food being pretty solid.Will look into OG.

[princeofpork]

I could see that. Try Il Baggatto , good food but you may have to wait past your reservation.