Special night out recommendations?

[amyleechen]

My husband and I are going to line up a sitter next Saturday and celebrate the anniversary of our first date. We'd like to get out of our UWS neighborhood and it's are rare night out, so, I thought I'd ask here for recommendations. Some place with wonderful food, cozy, warm, intimate. Perhaps the LES (though not essential), special -- but not feeling the need to blow the budget on a visit to Per Se. We're open to different kinds of cuisine. We've been to Babbo, the Modern, Nougatine, Le Gigot (our usual go-to place) and would like something new. We're all ears! Thanks in advance.

[OutinNYC]

How about a place like Hearth, Blue Hill, Peasant, August....incredible.

[idia]

My mate and I consider Giovanni Venti Cinque on the UES a very romantic little Italian walk-down like what you might find right off the streets of Verona or a scene from a Mario Lanza movie. It is pricey but the Dover sole was excellent and worth the price.
Just another thought...

[theonly]

Hearth, you can even sit at the kitchen bar and watch them cook your dinner which will be fabulous! And the wine list is top notch to go with the food.

[amyleechen]

I'm lovin' the suggestions! Thanks all! I forgot to include a voce to the list of places we've already visited. Little Owl is in keeping with what we had in mind -- but no reservations to be had, alas. I'm going to look into the others you've recommended. Keep 'em coming. The research is half the fun...

[Lucia]

If you like Little Owl, you might try Market Table.

[cricri7]

In the east village, I love Jules. It has live jazz and low lighting so I find it romantic, especially when you have a glass of champagne at the end of the meal!

[kathryn]

It might be romantic, but the jazz is often so loud, that I can't hear what my companion is saying to me!

[picklesister]

It's a no-brainer: Il Buco. It's romantic, transporting, and delicious. Hint: I would stick to a lot of starters and tastings, instead of the entrees.

[samiam123]

Agree! Great call! Very romantic and delicious.

[pattinyc]

I second (or third) Il Buco. Savoy on Prince is also really nice and you can have a conversation without yelling. All their food is delicious and very good service.

[goodhealthgourmet]

ooh, i forgot about il buco and i used to live right around the corner!

good call...cozy, romantic...perfect ambience.

[samiam123]

My husband and I have small children and also live on the UWS-we went to David Burke and Donatella several weeks ago for an anniversary dinner-DO NOT GO! While I will say the food was very good we had to wait and hour for our table and it was such a scene. It was not romantic at all. We just went to Tocqueville and that was lovely...warm, great food and a wonderful night. Also, I love the Little Owl. That is very cozy!

[artfuldestruct]

how about a voce?

[goodhealthgourmet]

another vote for a voce.

[RGR]

A Voce is one of the least cozy and romantic restaurants I can think of. And then, there's the insanely high noise level!

My first thought was Fleur de Sel. Tocqueville is also a good option. For Italian, I'd recomment L'Impero.

http://www.fleurdeselnyc.com
http://www.tocquevillerestaurant.com
http://www.limpero.com

[goodhealthgourmet]

sorry, i was so focused on the food i didn't think about the noise. retract that vote...go to il buco instead.

[idia]

Romantic, good menu, davidburke & donatella on the UES.
Ditto Gotham Bar & Grill.

[aimeezing1]

I absolutely love Gotham but don't think that it is romantic at all in the traditional sense. We did a recent birthday at Fleur du Sel which was just lovely.