Best place in manhattan to have dinner before proposal

[chris_fl]

I'll be visiting NYC in early September and I plan to propose to my girlfriend while there. I'm looking for a very romantic night in Manhattan to set the mood just right and looking for advice from locals for the most romantic (and good) restaurant to have dinner at. Any suggestions for a final location for the proposal to take place are more then welcome as well.

The restaurant does not have to be super fancy, but at the same time I don't want cost to be a deterrent, so I would say as long as the final bill for two is less then $400 then that would be fine. All I care about is that the food is amazing and the setting is intimate and romantic.

Any help is greatly appreciated!

[sgordon]

I'll vote River Cafe - it's quite good, though admittedly a bit ovepriced for what it is. It's the same Prix Fixe as EMP, as I recall, and of course it's not in EMP's league as far as food goes. Very little is. But you're paying a premium for the setting - and while if I'm just dining I don't much care about ambience, I have to admit the River Cafe is pretty special in that deprtment.

They've had some great chefs in the past and will again in the future, I'm sure. But it's not like you're ever going to have a BAD meal there - there's a certain standard that's upheld, and it'll always be excellent at the very least, even if it's been some time since David Burke wore the chef's jacket.

And as far as romantic atmosphere goes... well, time your table for a little before sunset, and make sure you get a window seat. If you can find any more romantic setting than sunset, under the Brooklyn Bridge, watching the lights of lower Manhattan twinkle on from across the river... let us know. And the little garden out front is perfect for a proposal afterwards, or you can take a walk down the Brooklyn Heights Promenade (although I probably wouldn't pull an expensive ring out late at night there - on second thought, stick to the Cafe's garden...)

EMP would be my second choice - at least you've got Madison Square Park right outside for afterwards. And while the inside is nice, and wonderful, it's not what I'd call "Romantic" really. Certainly not like RC.

Daniel I think has gotten boring and overrated. But this isn't the forum for that subject...

[Littleman]

Chris..........You posted that all you care about is:

(1) Food is Amazing.

(2) Setting is Intimate and

(3) Setting is Romantic.

It seems to me that two of three of your criteria at the very minimum have been met. The setting is intimate and the setting is romantic at The River Cafe. The only criteria left from your post is the food which in this case is above average. When a restaurant meets 80% of your requirements and the other 20% is food the choice should be simple in this particular case. What else can you ask for when the ambiance, atmosphere, beauty of the room, view, service and food is highly rated. Due to such an enormous event I would go with my heart. Good luck.

[gutsofsteel]

The food at River Cafe is most decidedly NOT amazing.

(If the food at River Cafe is "amazing," then what is the food at J-G, Daniel, EMP, Le B: "supercalifragilisticexpialidocious?")

EMP is festive, romantic, beautiful, and the food is excellent.

And you cannot compare the two in terms of service, wine list...

[bookhound]

What did you eat last time you were at River Cafe that was amazing?

[hcbk0702]

Littleman said "the food [at River Café] which in this case is above average." Not sure where you two are getting "amazing" from.

That said, I'd choose Daniel or EMP over River Café every single time, but if the view and setting are really important to you chris_fl, then by all means go for it.

[burgeoningfoodie]

So I have to chime in here because I had thought about the same thing. What about Le Bernadin, Scarpetta, Alto, EMP (Eleven Madison Park), or another Danny Meyers joint Gramercy Tavern.

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Scarpetta
355 West 14th Street, New York, NY 10014

[chris_fl]

Thanks everyone for your help.

It looks like everyone agrees on pretty much the same 3 or four places. River Cafe, Daniel, Babbo & Eleven Madison Park. Right now I'm leaning towards River Cafe just because it looks the most romantic (from online photos) and the food looks equally good. However since I only plan on having this moment once in my life, and I have never been to any of these places, please let me know which of the four you think is the best.

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Eleven Madison Park
11 Madison Ave., New York, NY 10010

Babbo
110 Waverly Pl, New York, NY 10011

[gutsofsteel]

Of all the choices, the food at the River Cafe is the lowest of the options. I think the food at Eleven Madison Park is the best by a wide margin. And the space is just beautiful.

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Eleven Madison Park
11 Madison Ave., New York, NY 10010

[Littleman]

Chris I am not from NYC. I am from the South but I travel to NYC quite often and The River Cafe is one of my favorite restaurants there. I went to The River Cafe in 1983 with my wife for our first anniversary and I go back once or twice every year. My wife and I enjoy the ambiance, service, view and food. The River Cafe will always have a very special place in my heart.

The food at The River Cafe may not be on the same level with Daniel or EMP but it's certainly not far away. And all the positives outweigh the negatives in regards to a romantic evening for your proposal. I live near the Mississippi River and the Gulf Coast is not far from my home. Dining near a waterfront has always been an attraction of mine. I think The River Cafe will be a perfect choice for your proposal. I wish you the best.

For many years Daniel was my favorite restaurant in NYC and it remains one of my top 4 or 5 today. I went to Daniel in 1993 when it was in the original location where Cafe Boulud is today. Actually I went to Le Cirque quite often when Chef Boulud was Ex. Chef there. I have been to Daniel so many times I have recently started going to EMP more often because I think they are both very well run restaurants. I rate Daniel about the same as EMP.

Babbo is also one of my favorite NYC restaurants but it is entirely different from the above. It is fun but it gets crowded and noisy. That doesn't make me dislike it I just think you would be happier proposing at The River Cafe than any place in the city. Someone posted about taking the water taxi there. That would be fun for me as I have spent my life around water often. It's a fairly long drive from Mid Town but not one that's uncomfortable. The view driving down the E side of Manhattan on your way to The Brooklyn Bridge is very nice. I hope you decide on The River Cafe. Ask for a table by the window if possible. The bar is very small but quite comfortable if you must wait for your table. You will not believe the view of lower Manhattan, the E River and the Statue of Liberty. Good luck and best wishes.

[chris_fl]

Thanks for taking the time to post your reply, it really helped. Everyones opinons have helped, but now I feel completely confident in going with the River Cafe.

[bookhound]

If food is secondary than River Club is a fine choice. Congratulations.

[grouchomarx]

Chris_fl, just go with your gut. It's all about what's going to make you happy. And if you think River Cafe is the best choice then go for it! I'm sure you'll have a lovely meal there and let's face it, there are more important things on the table for this occasion than the food!

[bookhound]

Not according to his original post, "All I care about is that the food is amazing and the setting is intimate and romantic".

[pikawicca]

Daniel.

[grouchomarx]

I agree, except the OP said they want to get out for under $400, which can be hard there if you drink alcohol. Otherwise, perfect choice.

[pikawicca]

You can certainly share a bottle of wine and get out under his limit.

[grouchomarx]

Yeah you're right pikawicca. I always have the very bad habit of letting expensive cocktails rack up the bill. But Daniel is sublime, and a truly romantic NY experience. Now I want to go there!

[pikawicca]

Me, too!

[steve h.]

You won't be disappointed.

[ellenost]

Highly recommend either Eleven Madison Park (saw a couple get engaged there last summer) or Bouley (one of the most beautiful restaurants in NYC). Both restaurants have great food and service as well.

[gutsofsteel]

Strongly agree with that recommendation. It's a beautiful, romantic, festive room. And the tables are spaced well so you can have some privacy. I would have dinner there and propose there too.

[jax12479]

I got engaged at Babbo so I'm biased, but I'd highly recommend it. The waitstaff was great - they saw my husband get down on one knee, and within 5 minutes they were pouring us champagne (we didn't even request it, they just did it on their own). Request a table upstairs - quieter and less crowded up there, and the food is amazing. If you do want to go there, make sure you call a full month in advance (ie if you want to go Sept 5th call Aug 5th or you wont get a table).

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Babbo
110 Waverly Pl, New York, NY 10011

[grouchomarx]

One if by Land is soooo romantic, with great food too! Or Asiate at the Mandarin Oriental.

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Asiate
80 Columbus Circle, New York, NY 10023

[bookhound]

I haven't been to One If By Land and I would be going anytime soon based on the reviews

http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/715200
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/2271...

[gutsofsteel]

One if By Land is so overrated....the food is mediocre at best. So is the food at Asiate, and I find the space sterile.

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Asiate
80 Columbus Circle, New York, NY 10023

[grouchomarx]

Wow! I was just at Asiate this month and was charmed by the warm service and ambience. Food was very nice too. To each his own! As for One if by Land, haven' been there in a while but went twice in the past and had a lovely experience both times.

[fm1963]

Babbo.

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Babbo
110 Waverly Pl, New York, NY 10011

[steve h.]

River Cafe.
It's not Manhattan, but the water taxi to the restaurant is pretty cool. You'll be dining under the shadow of the Brooklyn Bridge, watching the lights come on in the Battery. Lady Liberty will be to your left.
Only a churl could cavil.

[Littleman]

I second River Cafe. Where does the water taxi leave from. Do they have a web site. Thanks.

[nooyawka]

I third River Cafe unless the 9/11 anniversary is impending, in which case the tribute in lights will be up, and your moods will be rendered more somber and/or contemplative as a result.

[gutsofsteel]

Babbo often has loud obnoxious music, it can get loud, the tables are too close together, and the service can have quite an attitude. Not the right place for such an occasion.

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Babbo
110 Waverly Pl, New York, NY 10011

[grouchomarx]

totally agree with gutsofsteel, no romance to be found at Babbo!!

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Babbo
110 Waverly Pl, New York, NY 10011

[fm1963]

To each his/her own, but romantic doesn't have to mean quiet or funereal. You can have a lively atmosphere and still have a romantic dinner. Tables are close at Babbo, but so are most restaurants with intimate settings (e.g. La Grenouille).

I've never experienced attitude at Babbo - in fact I've always found the staff to be perfectly charming. And the food, for the most part, is delicious.

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Babbo
110 Waverly Pl, New York, NY 10011

[steve h.]

Staff at Babbo knows their stuff. I like the way they work with you to design a meal with wine.

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Babbo
110 Waverly Pl, New York, NY 10011

[grouchomarx]

don't get me wrong, babbo is one of my most beloved ny restaurants! I guess I don't think of it as romantic because I've eaten there with my parents, often on Sat nights when it's crazy crowded. love babbo though, through and through. esp the wine!

[kathryn]

Babbo isn't necessarily what I think of when I think romantic but the tables on the 2nd floor are a little further apart. The food is great, the wine is good, the service can be so-so in my experience. But perhaps the OP's girlfriend likes that kind of atmosphere?

Though the music can be too quirky for a "date" atmosphere. AC/DC, They Might Be Giants, etc.

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Babbo
110 Waverly Pl, New York, NY 10011

[steve h.]

Daniel.