Once February starts, you can feel the love in the air! It’s time to start thinking about celebrating your happiness by sharing a special dinner. I like to pick low-key neighborhood spots that I enjoy throughout the year. It’s always a special day when you enjoy a great meal. This place is a no-brainer. What girl doesn’t love chocolate? Ayza is a great place to order a bottle of wine with cheese fondue for dinner, followed by chocolate fondue for dessert. Finish your romantic meal with a chocolate martini and let the love unfold. It’s the perfect place for a date night and a girl’s night out. The love here is year-round: Sundays are Couples’ Night Out with complimentary Jacques Torres chocolates to finish your meal. On Feb. 14 they are offering a prix-fixe menu with three courses for $68 per person. 11 W. 31st St., 1 Seventh Ave. S. You may walk right by this small, homey restaurant; it looks like someone’s front door covered in ivy. But inside you’ll find white glove service with dimly lit tables and outstanding homemade pastas. Everyone there is on a date or celebrating a special occasion. The pappardelle all campagnola ($22) is heavenly. It’s intimate but not snobby. 250 E. 83rd St. Visit from 4-7 p.m. and delight in a $12 flight of three wines. Date nights are perfect for sharing appetizers and sampling new wines. Start with a cheese plate and the pistachio-crusted goat cheese balls. The décor is nothing but red, red and more red. The wine list is mostly French with a sampling from the rest of the world. On the 14th they are serving a four-course menu for $70 per person. 22 W. Eighth St. Monica DiNatale is a Deals Expert and Author of“365 Guide New York City,”a treasure trove of restaurant deals and bar specials in New York. Monica has been featured as the Dining Expert for PIX 11 and Good Day New York and has hosted segments for The New York Chocolate Show and The New York City Craft Beer Week Festivals. “365 Guide New York City” is available in paperback ande-book.
3 restaurants for a low-key, elegant Valentine’s Day dinner in NYC
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