What's a good date location near Union Square in NYC?

Question

What's a good, quiet place to take a date for drinks/appetizers/conversation around Union Square in NYC?

Answer 1

A wonderful, very reasonably priced Italian restaurant with unusual dishes is Via Emilia on East 21st Street between Broadway and Park. Two appetizers that are not served in many restaurants in New York are tigelle (hot biscuits that you split and put in cheese and proscuito) - sort of a fresh, hot ham and cheese sandwich (filling - you can split an order). Another appetizer that I like is gnocco fritto - delicious puffy pastry served with a generous platter of various cold cuts. Pastas here are delicious - again, split an order. The desserts are very good, too. Look their menu over - see if it appeals to you (I'd be impressed with a date that introduced me to this place)
http://www.viaemilianyc.net/

Answer 2

Union Square Park is safe at all hours during the day or night. There are as many people there skateboarding or light watching at night and during the day. As far as a date location, I assume you mean a restaurant: Their is a very trendy Thai-Asian Fusion restaurant called Republic at the North West Edge of the park (On Union Square West just north of McDonald's). Just a bit south of that restaurant in the same relative location is the Heartland Brewery. Again in the same area there is a place called the Coffee Shop. And finally on 17th street but over to the west side on 7th Ave (which technically makes it Chelsea) is Cafeteria.

Each has it's own setting and ambience. For an up-scale barish type place Republic is the way to go. Loud music and cafeteria style seating, however, make it difficult for small-talk. Good choice if you want to impress a chic date. Quality drinks and Asian noodle bowls are the big braggers. Try the chicken skewer for an appetizer.

Cafeteria is a bit more of the same as Republic; however, it's way more scaled-down for a less noisy environment though talking is just as tough. The bar/restaurant is frequented by the local Fashion institute of Technology students who think the place is definitely cool. The food however is great. Try almost anything and you are sure to love it. The mac and cheese and burger is just as good as the fish and steak meals.

Heartland Brewery is a slightly more upscale Fridays. Good for drinks and satisfactory on the foods. Try the Pu Pu Plattar as a starter and you will get to sample a bit of everything that's good for the appetizers. The meatloaf is good as an entree. Lends itself a bit more for conversation, but still borders on the crowded.

The coffee shop is a hyper trendy eatery with aspiring actors and actresses as the waitstaff and bar-keeps. The food is relatively good with nothing extraordinary that jumps off the menu. But the ambience is great for a date that wants to see conversation. It also converts itself organically into your after dinner spot where you can chat over coffee or stroll the park. Have fun

Answer 3

Angel's Share 8 Stuyvesant St Angel's Share is a fantastic, sexy cocktail lounge about six blocks from Union Square. To gain entrance, you have to walk through an unmarked door in a japanese restaurant. The inside of the bar is sexy and romantic, but not too pretentious. Perfect for sitting down and having a quiet conversation - getting to know your new squeeze. Trust me, she will be VERY impressed that you knew where this little hidden bar is. Cocktails are around 12-15 bucks a piece, but very potent. You may want to find something a little more laid back than this for the first date, and save this for the closer ;) Trust me Good luck!

Answer 4

There's a beautiful upscale raw place called Pure Food and Wine on Irving Place between 17th and 18th Streets. It's not all that quiet, but the ambience is very luxe, the food is delicious and beautifully presented, and you go away feeling refreshed, energetic and not too full. Get the tasting menu--you get five courses, plus an amuse and a palate cleanser.

When my boyfriend and I went there in October, we got to sit in the patio area. Sadly, it's probably a little cold for that now.

Answer 5

If you want to impress her, Take her to the Mesa Grill. It is owned and operated by Bobby Flay, the dude from Food Network and Iron Chef America. Girls really dig that fame thing, and the food is amazing, not to mention the ambiance. If you sit upstairs, you can look into the kitchen and watch them prepare or just hang out withthe two of you. This is one of my favorite resteraunts in all of New York and is right near Union Square.

Answer 6

Union Square Cafe is excellent and one of my favorite restaurants in the city.

Answer 7

Okay some one loves typing alot. I think they just earned a best answer and 10 points.

Answer 8

the park, just dont go there at night. they still sell drugs