Still looking for a good date spot for Valentine’s Day? Or maybe you’re even seeking to change your plans? Well Eat Like a Lady blogger Jillian Nadell, in collaboration with Quiet Lunch, has some recommendations for you! Whether you’re just “hanging out,” just started dating, or in it for the long haul, here are some spots that will leave you and your date happy you decided to go out after all.
Nashish Scott/Quiet Lunch Magazine
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We’re Just “Hanging Out”.
For a relationship that’s so new you can only consider it “just hanging out,” or a friendship that might be heading in a more serious direction, Miss Lily’s is the place to be. It’s a Jamaican restaurant just south of the village on Houston with a real “cool” factor and food that is amazing across the board. While good food is obviously important, this is the stage in a relationship when you and your date are probably just looking to get a little drunk and have a casual good time. Miss Lily’s has a fun and interesting list of cocktails, some of which have names that even match up with the special day – “Tempted to Touch” and “Genius of Love.” And be sure to order Miss Lily’s special shot, as well! Miss Lily’s is a vibrant spot that will convince any date you’re actually cool and fun.
Nashish Scott/Quiet Lunch Magazine
*Miss Lily’s will be using their regular menu, though some Valentine’s Day specials will be available.*
Cocktail Highlight:
• Genius of Love: Soju, mint and passion fruit
Food Highlights:
• Jaquitos – Curried Lobster: These are amazing – super refreshing with just the right amount of mayo and flavor. On the side, you get a perfectly spicy “salsa” that adds a really nice heat to the jaquitos. I found myself scraping the small bowl that it came in just to ensure that I got every last bite.
• Jerk Grilled Corn: The corn is covered in jerk spices and toasted coconut and is really freaking good. It might even be the best corn you can order in the city. This should most definitely be on the table.
Miss Lily’s: 132 W Houston Street New York, New York ($$-$$$)
Check out Eat Like a Lady’s full past review → here. ←
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We Just Started Dating More Seriously.
So you and your special someone are calling it dating. It’s a new(ish) relationship and this is the stage when you might want to be a bit romantic and effortlessly impress, without having to spend too much to do it. The perfect spot for this is Rubirosa, a cool and trendy Italian restaurant in the heart of Nolita. Rubirosa attracts a young, well-dressed crowd with a front/bar area that has all the allure of a small, packed house. The place is actually deceivingly large by New York standards, and the area to the back is quieter, suited for a more intimate evening.
What is particularly great about Rubirosa for this kind of date is that the dishes work best when shared family-style. Get an appetizer or salad, a small pie and a small pasta (they’re both way bigger than you’d expect), and you should be set to go. The wine list is nice too. If you want to keep it cheap, then their house red is one of the best and cheapest around. With all that said, this is a great place to share good food and wine and partake in an intimate and memorable Valentine’s Day evening.
Nashish Scott/Quiet Lunch Magazine
Nashish Scott/Quiet Lunch Magazine
*Rubirosa will be using their regular menu.*
Food Highlights:
• Cavatelli: I’ve tried most of the pastas at Rubirosa and they’re all very good, but this one might be my favorite. It comes with broccoli rabe, sausage, garlic and oil, and on any ordinary night you might even find yourself licking the bowl clean… perhaps not on Valentine’s Day though. The sauce tastes thick and creamy, the sausage is fresh and nicely spiced and the broccoli rabe is cooked just right.
• Vodka Pizza: This is one of the best pies in the city. The vodka sauce that they use is delicious and prominent amidst some fresh mozzarella. And that crust (oh that crust)… it’s perfectly thin and crispy. If you’re going to order one pizza on the menu, then you better be sure you order this one!
♦ Bonus Recommendations: Rubirosa is located near two great cocktail bars, if you’re looking to grab a couple more drinks after dinner. Both on the pricier end, but the drinks are good. And at Mulberry Project they’ll customize the drinks to your preference.
• Mother’s Ruin: 18 Spring Street, New York, NY
• Mulberry Project: 149 Mulberry Street, New York, NY
Rubirosa: 235 Mulberry Street New York, NY ($$-$$$)
Check out Eat Like a Lady’s full past review → here. ←
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We’ve Been Together Forever.
So you’ve been together long enough that you can’t decide if you even want to go out for Valentine’s Day this year. At this point, if you’re going to leave the apartment and splurge, you want some exceptional food. My first instinct is Red Farm, which is one of my favorite restaurants in the city. The food is outstanding without being pretentious, and the layout and décor of the restaurant is perfect for a couple that’s been together awhile. The small space is minimalist and earthy with communal style tables. So it’s intimate in size, but not overtly romantic in any way. As for the food, I cannot emphasize enough how delicious every dish I’ve had from Red Farm has been – showcasing an impressive level of spice and flavor.
I have to note that unlike my other two recommendations, Red Farm is doing things a little different. They’re only offering up a special 4-course Valentine’s Day pre-fixe menu, which is $70/person. A bit pricey, but if you’ve been dating long enough, Red Farm, and that special someone, are worth it. Red Farm is also taking reservations, a policy they don’t normally hold. Though I can’t provide any specific recommendations off the special menu, I can tell you there are few restaurants I would feel so confident blindly recommending their pre-fixe menu. No matter what you choose from what they have to offer, it’s going to be good.
Nashish Scott/Quiet Lunch Magazine
Red Farm: 529 Hudson Street New York, NY ($$$)
Check out Eat Like a Lady’s full past review → here. ←
Written by Jillian Nadell.↓
Jillian Nadell (n.): Star of Eat Like A Lady NYC; restaurant connoisseur.
Quiet Lunch is a grassroot online publication that seeks to promote various aspects of life and culture with a loving, but brute, educational tinge. When we say, “Creative Sustenance Daily,” we mean it.