{Guest Post} Where to Dine with Your Valentine in NYC

Before becoming a mom, NYC blogger Lainie Gutterman was a founding partner of a boutique Public Relations firm.  Those who know her describe her as “a natural born publicist who is constantly spreading the word about new products, activities and events.”  In this special guest post – just in time for Valentine’s Day! – this hip, city mom shares her go-to picks for nights on the town with her main man.

Can you be considered a “foodie” if you don’t like to cook?

I always joke that I am very good at making reservations.  Living in New York City, I eat out very frequently and am often questioned about restaurants.

My husband and I prefer to spend Valentine’s Day (as well as New Year’s Eve) in the comfort of our home eating cured meats and cheeses, sipping champagne in front of a roaring fire.  But below are some of my top picks of where to go for both a delicious and romantic dinner with your Valentine.

Il Mulino

According to New York Magazine, “Focusing on the cuisine of the Abruzzi region, Il Mulino is among New York’s very best Italian restaurants. There’s no big secret here, just the best ingredients (veal and shellfish are standouts) prepared with gutsy, garlicky, spicy sauces. Il Mulino is Old World in every way…”  Don’t miss the signature porcini mushroom ravioli with a light cream sauce and champagne.  Bon appetit!

 

Quality Italian

If one of you loves Italian while the other prefers steak, then this is the ideal spot for you.  Regardless of what you’re favorite dishes are, you must get the chicken parmigiana.  (Insider’s tip:  Don’t tell the waiter you didn’t order the “pizza” when it arrives at your table. )

 

Tommy Bahamas Feel like you’re whisked away to the tropics.  There’s a $175 per couple prixe fix Valentine’s Day menu that, unfortunately, does not offer their crab bisque as part of it.  I am unsure if you can order a la carte off the regular menu on February 14th.  

 

Fig & Olive

Scott calls this our “clincher restaurant.”  We had our third date here, which is usually make-or-break in regards to dating.  Well, we returned a year later for our engagement photo shoot!  Check out their Valentine’s Day menu for both their NYC locations. $55 Prix Fixe menu, featuring appetizers like Seared Scallops & Chanterelle and Half Shell Oysters, and main courses like Roasted Rack of Lamb.

Lexington Brass

This is a neighborhood spot for my family where we especially enjoy brunching on the weekends.  It’s part of the same group as Catch located in the Meatpacking district, but much more friendly and not too scene-y.  Bonus if you get “starving waiter” Brent.  You might recognize him from The Good Wife or other parts he’s played on TV.

As the song from Arthur goes, “When you get lost between the moon and New York City, the best that you can do, is fall in love…” and treat yourself to a fine meal.

When she is not working on her blog, Me, Myself & Baby I, Lainie is usually chasing after her kids, watching Nick Junior, reading together or signing and dancing.  She and her family lives in New York City, where they sacrifice living space (but not style) to be in the center of it all in “the city that never sleeps.”  (Fortunately, her children are sound sleepers who usually doesn’t rise until after 7am)  Her family certainly has its fair share of ups and downs.  While life is definitely not always a fairy tale, she is trying our best to “live happily ever after.”

 

 

{The guest contributor and I were not compensated in any way for this post.  All opinions expressed here are those of the guest contributor.}