Anniversary dinner - cozy but excellent food recommendations?

[khana]

So my boyfriend and I are celebrating our 5 year anniversary in a couple of weeks. I know there have been a lot of posts about romantic spots, but we're looking for something around $150 total for the two of us (including a glass of wine or so each) but we're willing to spend a little more if its worth it, unpretentious place, with solid, good food and really some soul, not just the newest trendy place. Cuisine preferences: anything other than Japanese/Chinese/Thai. Currently considering Blue Hill (too expensive?), Degustation (expensive but is it worth it?), Graffiti (does the shared seating kill privacy?) I havent been to any of these places yet, but they all seem to be very popular for this kind of occasion. Any other recommendations for something perhaps a bit more cozy?

Thanks!

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Blue Hill
75 Washington Place, New York, NY 10011

[khana]

Thank you all for the suggestions. I'm going to discuss with the boyfriend first, since I want to go to all these places and cant pick one!

[Simon]

-- i like the idea of Peasant

-- i also like Malatesta...some hounds here have found the food pedestrian, but i've always had great meals there...you could get starters like grilled calamari salad, a couple pastas, and maybe an order of lamb chops, a bottle of wine, a tiramisu, and still be under 150...rustic and fun...

-- another option is the tavern room at Gramercy Tavern...

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Gramercy Tavern
42 E 20th St, New York, NY 10003

[RCC]

Malatesta? I like it for its VERY casual atmosphere and, frankly, not for an important-milestone-meal restaurant, plus, agree that the OP will probably only need to spend less half of their budget. But for an anniversary celebration, with the given budget? Not this one.

I'd go with Peasant. The food's better, the Italian wine list is robust and friendly enough to present somehting within the budget and the atmosphere is relatively more romantic.

[Simon]

yeah, like i said, i know that a lot of hounds here find Malatesta ho-hum in terms of the food, and it's not a classic choice for a special occassion dinner...but i've gone there for birthdays and assorted celebrations where it's been much loved for it's casual rustic charm...it's also, fwiw, the absolute favorite NY restaurant of a shockingly high number of women in the city(perhaps it's the Italian waiters?, but i think it's also the comfy food and comfy vibe and setting so close to the river)...just my two cents :)

i agree Peasant is much more refined in terms of food...cheers...

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Malatesta
649 Washington St, New York, NY 10014

[kathryn]

$150 all in for two people, including a single glass of wine, would be about $60 per person. Yes?

Some ideas:
Po
Perilla
Hearth (though it's the least cozy of the bunch)
Peasant

http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/690958
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/721554

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Perilla
9 Jones Street, New York, NY 10014

[RCC]

Degustation cozy? Nope. You;ll be sitting on a bar like environment rubbing elbows with the guys next to you. If a couple of them happen to speak a loude thna everybody else, then your anniversary dinner is spent talking over the annoying noisy ones. Wine list sucks too.

[daffyduck]

agreed. I love the food at Degustation. but it's not a cozy spot. I think 15 East is comfortable and quiet.

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15 East
15 East 15th Street, New York, NY 10003

[princeofpork]

5 year anniversary? How about getting married instead of dinner. Try appiz, dark, cozy and excellent food.

[dewi]

I'm on the UWS I like Ouest for a quiet romantic dinner.
The booths are wonderful and i like sitting next to each other in a booth always sexy and romantic. That's me :)
www.ouestny.com
And the food is good.

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Ouest
2315 Broadway, New York, NY 10024

[Pan]

Degustation is worth it but will bust your budget. The 10-course tasting menu is now $80/person, unless I'm very much mistaken, and that's before adding the cost of wine. You could get the 5-course tasting, but if you're going there, I would think 10 courses would be the right way to go. I would think Blue Hill would also bust your budget, but look at their menu online if you haven't already done so.

I think you should consider Apiary. They have a $35 prix fixe Monday-Thursday plus Sundays if you want to save money. See what you think: http://www.apiarynyc.com/