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pot luck

“A Surefire Valentine's Day ”

Let’s face it. Dating in New York City is not easy. (I should know.) You’re judged on weight, looks, career, education, apartment, and most importantly, foodie IQ. In a nutshell this means that your choice of Valentine’s Day dinner reservation could effectively be the end of your relationship or at least a source of hours of fodder for your girlfriend’s day-after post mortem with her pals. So we figured we’d help you out a bit. We picked a few of our favorite restaurants and did the research for you. All you need to do is pick what stage of your relationship you’re at and you’re all set.

STAGE ONE: You’ve just met. You think she's pretty cute but you’re not ready to change your Facebook profile.

Belcourt
Belcourt, a cool East Village brasserie with a Parisian flea market vibe, is the perfect spot if you’ve recently gotten acquainted. Chef Matt Hamilton will be serving a 4-course dinner with Wellfleet oysters, white bean and chorizo soup, romesco prawns with sweet and sour cipollini onions, rosemary crusted rack of lamb with aged cheddar mac and cheese, and poached lobster with salt boiled fingerling potatoes and pulled butter. There’ll be plenty more as well. Dinner is $60 per person, $85 with wine pairings, and reservations are required. Seating from 6pm -11pm. Belcourt is located at 85 4th Street, at 2nd Avenue, 212-979-2034. www.belcourtnyc.com.

Mercadito
This festive and buzzing taco emporium and cantina is another winner for a fairly new love interest. You can feast on a 4-course dinner with a luscious margarita pairing. Finger foods (feeding each other can be cheesy, but it can also be fun) will range from oysters (baked or raw), guacamole, ceviches or botanas (little bites), tacos and strawberry chocolate tres leches. Dinner is $35 per person, $60 with the margarita pairing, and will be served at both restaurants: Mercadito (179 Avenue B, at 11th Street, 212-529-6490) and Mercadito Grove (100 7th Avenue South, at Grove Street, 212-647-0830. www.mercaditony.com.

T-Bar Steak & Lounge
If you’re a night owl (or if you meet someone by midnight on Valentine’s eve), T-Bar is featuring a late night V-Day Dessert Menu that includes two glasses of champagne and a king-sized dessert for two. You’ll have your choice from a nice sweet selection such as strawberry sundae shortcake with meringue and cream or banana parfait mille feuilles, coconut with caramel sauce. The menu is $35 and will be served from 10pm-Midnight. T-Bar is located at 1278 3rd Avenue, at 73rd Street, 212-772-0404. www.tbarnyc.com.

STAGE TWO: You're into her. She’s got your keys and keeps a toothbrush at your place.

Savoy
Savoy is a great V-Day choice if you want to impress a special lady friend who also happens to be a passionate locavore. Chef Peter Hoffman is all about supporting Hudson Valley produce and he showcases his hyper-seasonal menu in a space that’s elegant and sophisticated, yet casual enough so that you don’t have to feel fidgety or self-conscious. (There’s also a romantic fire-breathing hearth on the second floor that’s will have her melting, figuratively and literally.) Peter will be celebrating Valentine’s Day all week, starting Monday, February 11th with an Oyster Tasting and a 3-course oyster dinner, with wine pairings to follow. To make it a little more special, on Valentine’s Day proper it’ll be a 4-course dinner that follows. His menu includes a salad of salsify and oyster mushroom, oyster chowder, and a chocolate and fig torte. Dinner $95 per person and begins at 6:30pm. Seating is communal, and reservations are required. Savoy is located at 70 Prince Street, at Crosby, 212-219-8570. www.savoynyc.com

Provence
Provence is one of those restaurants that transport you, in this case, taking you to a charmingly romantic café in the South of France (a good place to be on Valentine’s Day). Chef Marc Meyer will be offering a 3-course prix fixe menu with two complimentary specialty cocktails: No. 9 (Beaujolais, fresh lemon juice, house infused citrus vodka) and a Pomegranate Gimlet (fresh pomegranate juice, vodka, fresh lime juice). First course choices range from blood orange and white grapefruit salad with roasted almonds and dates, to roasted Hampshire pork belly with cranberry beans, smoke house bacon, fennel, and lobster risotto (creamed leeks, tarragon. Entrees include cassoulet stocked with lamb shoulder, duck confit, pork sausage, and white beans, double cut lamb chop with winter squash gratin, broccoli rabe, sauce verte, or black cod with cauliflower, chickpeas, and pomegranate. Dessert will be a choice of frozen grapefruit soufflé or a devils food cake. Dinner is $75 per person, and reservations are required. Provence is located at 38 MacDougal Street, between King Street and Charlton Street, 212-475-7500. www.provencenyc.com.

THE FINAL STAGE: SHE’S THE ONE.
Annisa
Annisa may not be a textbook romantic restaurant—you won’t find exposed brick walls or smoky lighting—but it’s one of those exquisite restaurants that feel luxurious and special. It’s really an adult place, and it says commitment. Chef Anita Lo is serving an intimate 4-course dinner beginning with a caviar amuse bouche and moving onto dishes like battered hearts of artichokes with black truffle and cream, sautéed filet of cobia with cumin, blood orange, and red carrots, pan roasted duck breast with red mustard and foie gras, and passion fruit and dark chocolate. Dinner is $110 per person, $148 with wine pairing, and reservations required. Annisa is located at 13 Barrow Street, between West 4th Street and Bleecker Street, 212-741-6699. www.annisarestaurant.com.

Allen & Delancey
Gordon Ramsey’s loss is our gain. His former chef de cuisine, Neil Ferguson, is now happily wowing critics at one of the most sexy candlelit restaurants in New York City. His three-course menu offers choices like caramelized sea scallops with parsnip cream, onion/bacon compote, and maple dressing, wild mushrooms in egg pasta with truffles, Parmigiano-Reggiano, and carrot cake with carrot caramel and pineapple. Dinner is $75 per person, and reservations are required. Allen & Delancey is located at 115 Allen Street, at Delancey, 212-253-5400. http://allenanddelancey.net/.

AND: If you’d like to keep the romance indoors (but you can’t cook to save your life)

The Valentine’s Day Dinner Kit from legendary butcher DeBragga and Spitler allows even the most pathetic cook to produce an elegant dinner at home. There’s only one caveat—the kit only includes the savory food—you’ll have to get creative with dessert. Otherwise, though, you’re all set. On the menu you’ll find foie gras terrine, toast points and fleur de sel and filet mignon with black truffle port wine sauce. And you know what, just forget dessert. She’s sitting across the table from you. Your Valentine’s Dinner Kit costs $120, plus freight, and can serve 2 – 4. Orders must be placed by midnight on Monday, February 11th. www.debragga.com, 212-924-1311.

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Posted: February 6, 2008

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