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Valentine's Day Date Ideas in New York City

Whose significant other wouldn't love dinner at a romantic spot? Many New York City restaurants have special Valentine’s Day menus that often carry hefty price tags; others are more reasonable. Of course food is only the beginning in New York: read on for some great 2017 Valentine's Day date ideas.

La Lanterna di Vittorio is a cozy boîte with a lantern-filled garden and roaring fireplace, the perfect spot to cuddle up in while enjoying a delicious meal. A huge wine and beer list, all manner of specialty coffees, lasagna, excellent pizzas and more make this spot a winner. 129 MacDougal St. lalanternacaffe.com.

Raves abound for the cast iron chicken and other delights from Vinegar Hill House, 17 Hudson Avenue, Brooklyn, a relaxed restaurant in an historical part of the Brooklyn waterfront. Food here centers on sustainably farmed ingredients and there’s a wood-fired oven where artful eats are composed. vinegarhillhouse.com.

By Chloe

By Chloe is a good choice especially if either or both or you are vegan. There are locations in Soho, West Village and the Flatiron district with a Rockefeller Center spot coming soon. Mac-and-cheese boasts a sweet potato/cashew cheese crust and shitake bacon; the whiskey BBQ brings smoky Portobello's, seitan, sautéed kale and onion marmelade. The Soho spot is at 185 Bleecker Street. eatbychloe.com

Work up an appetite at the Cupid’s Undie Run, a roughly one-mile event on February 18th, where you run in your bedroom-best to raise money for the Children’s Tumor Foundation. You can register as an individual or group. To register for the, um, brief run (and longer party): cupidsundierun.org/city/newyork

Francis Picabia Aello

Francie Picabia, Aello

Gaze into each other’s eyes and also look at Robert Indiana’s iconic Love piece of pop art at The Museum of Modern Art. The Frances Picabia exhibition is also on view until March 19 as is Teiji Furuhashi: Lovers, a multimedia installation that's aptly named for sweetheart viewing. MOMA is at 11 West 53 Street, New York, NY 10019; regular adult admission is $25. moma.org

Less arty but just as interesting, The Museum of Sex is perfect for a day that celebrates love. Night Fever: New York Disco 1977–1979, The Bill Bernstein Photographs is on view now as is The Sex Lives of Animals. MOSEX is at 233 5th Ave, New York, NY 10016; adult admission $18.50. museumofsex.com

Remember the moment in Sleepless in Seattle atop the Empire State Building? This iconic spot welcomes lovers and anyone who wants a truly fabulous view of the Big Apple. Sixteen floors above the 86th Floor Observatory, the Empire State Building’s Top Deck provides spectacular views of the city and beyond. To reach the Top Deck, ride up in the manually operated elevator! To visit both the Top and Main deck is $54 with other options available. esbnyc.com

hotchocolate

No need to focus entirely on the 14th, during all of February City Bakery has its much-loved Hot Chocolate Festival with a different flavor featured every day. Flavors include banana peel and caramel and cost $5 for a 10-ounce cup with an additional charge for a homemade marshmallow. There's plenty of space for you to sit and sip your cup of deliciousness. 3 West 18 Street. thecitybakery.com

Hang out at the slightly divey Ace Bar with two pool tables and super prices at the 2-7 Happy Hour with fourteen beers on tap. It's a great place to listen to the jukebox, play darts, admire the collection of 70s lunchboxes or just chill with a pint. Open since 1992, Ace is known and admired for its total lack of pretension. 531 East 5th Street. acebar.com

If you need to do a little shopping, Grand Central Terminal is a great Valentine's Day destination. For a special someone with a sweet tooth, look to Jacques Torres Chocolate, Li-Lac Chocolates, and Neuhaus Belgian Chocolate. You can also find flowers at Dahlia and Eli Zabar’s Farm to Table and champagne and wine at Central Cellars and Taste NY.

About the Author

Mari S. Gold is a freelance writer whose work has been published in The New York Times, American Profile, Go Nomad, www.newyorkarts.com, Stratton Magazine, Go World Travel, and other outlets. A lifelong New Yorker and avid traveler, she also writes on food, theater, and other cultural events. Her blog, But I Digress…can be found at www.marigoldonline.net.

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