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Not sure where to take that special someone this Valentine’s Day? New York City has a huge number of dining options, but sometimes the amount of choices can be overwhelming. To help you find the perfect dining spot for the most romantic holiday of the year, here are our top three restaurants for Valentine’s Day in New York City. Budget, location, ambience and cuisine were all kept in mind when narrowing down the list. Take a look and impress your date with your dining expertise.
Nom Wah Tea Parlor, Chinatown. 13 Doyers St.
Located in Chinatown, Nom Wah Tea Parlor is a perfect Valentine’s Day spot for anyone on a budget. With their delicious dumplings coming in at $4 each and their $1.95 must-have roast pork buns, Nom Wah is equally affordable and appetizing. Established in the 1920s, Nom Wah holds the impressive title of the first dim sum parlor in Chinatown. The restaurant’s long history shows with its ’20s-style vintage decor and autographed celebrity headshots hanging on the walls.
“The dim sum was delicious, and the restaurant itself is very cute with its vintage diner-style decor,” CAS junior Mika Caruncho said. Head over to Chinatown to enjoy a piece of dining history and some excellent dim sum — your Valentine will love it.
The Place, West Village. 310 W. Fourth St.
If you are looking for a more traditional and romantic dining location, try The Place. The restaurant is known to be one of the most romantic dining spots in the city. Located in the West Village, The Place offers fresh and flavorful Mediterranean-style dishes in a cozy atmosphere. With two fireplaces and beautiful wood-beamed walls, this restaurant is great for an intimate dining experience. The only drawback is the pricing, with their entrees running at around $20. With market fresh ingredients, the food is definitely worth the price. We recommend the char-roasted salmon filet, priced at $24. Save up and be sure to book a reservation for a deliciously charming meal at The Place.
Zenkichi, Williamsburg. 77 N. Sixth St., Brooklyn
Located in Williamsburg, Zenkichi is worth the subway trip if you want the ultimate romantic dining experience. A hidden gem of Brooklyn, this Japanese restaurant has an exciting modern ambiance and dependable service. With dark mahogany walls, three floors of ample dining space and private curtained booths for each table, Zenkichi provides an intimate dining spot. After a waiter walks you along the maze-like pebbled pathways to a secluded booth, he or she disappears, but can easily be summoned by a discreet button underneath the table — one of the many features that makes Zenkichi a perfect option for a Valentine’s Day dinner.
Additionally, the quality of the food will leave you wanting more. We recommend the pork kakuni which costs $12.95, and if you are looking for a taste of everything, try the Omakase (the chef’s tasting menu), priced at $65 per person. Although pricey and a bit out of the way, Zenkichi has everything you need to truly woo your Valentine.
A version of this article appeared in the Feb. 11 print edition. Helen Owolabi is a staff writer. Email her at [email protected].