5 Festive NYC Restaurants With the Best Holiday Decorations Discover New York City Like A Local~Alex Reichek is the taster extraordinaire who runs Chekmark Eats, the go to source for New York City restaurant reviews and recommendations. We asked Alex to help us help you find the right place to take a date in the Big Apple, because let’s face it, New Yorkers are spoiled for choices- and that can be oh so overwhelming~It has multiple connotations and can potentially make or break your future with that cute girl sporting those leather pants or that hot lumberjack in plaid. The moment you tell someone where you have planned the date is the moment they can start judging you and your style in drinking or food. As a girl, my best advice is to pick a spot where you can snag two seats at the bar. This sets up an easy space for flirting, relaxing, a little joking around and access to third parties like a bartender who can break up the awkward moments. Never pick a place that’s completely empty.

You’ll look out of the know and like it was the only place you could find on Opentable that day at 3 p.m. best cheap wine and champagneAs a professional eater and restaurant researcher, here are Chekmark Eats’ top 10 restaurants, for a first, second or even married date night:best wine bars nyc 2015 Apizz (Lower East Side)- This red sauce Italian joint is dark with a small intimate dining room and has no windows. name of wine godChoose this if it’s a second or third date and you are ready for more. best white wine for social drinking Pearl & Ash (Lower East Side) – They have some of the best wine selections in the city, and the bartenders are very knowledgeable. best wine for stress

This is where you need to sit at the bar. The light fixtures are modern and you can share some delicious small plates that your date will find extremely memorable. where can i buy wine ice cream near me Toro (Meatpacking) – This is a good Meatpacking spot that is not clubby. Everything is shareable, and the Spanish food makes for some great European adventure talk. It’s busy with lots of movement and you can go in and out if need be.  Rosarito Fish Shack (Williamsburg)- Because drinking margaritas is what every girl looks forward to.  The Waverly Inn (West Village) – If you REALLY want to impress your date, take them to the swanky Waverly Inn. A $66 truffle mac ’n cheese can arouse any lady or at least create a great date conversation. The Spotted Pig (West Village) – I don’t think there’s anything hotter for either party when it comes to sharing a burger. Put your name on the list early and grab some cocktails around the corner while you wait.

Top it off with their chocolate cake. Anfora (West Village) – This wine bar with elevated seating owned by the fellas from L’Artusi, Dell’Anima and L’Apicio has great cocktails as well. There’s no commitment to order dinner here although if you need to have a bite, you can order a cheese plate or the lamb ragu sliders. Mother’s Ruin (Nolita) – This is one of my go-to spots. Come here for your second drink of the night. You can grab a seat against the wall or sit at the bar. If you want to act like you are in the know, ask for the special Cholula tequila cocktail, and it will spice things up. Good music and good people here. If you get to a saucy point, order the french onion soup grilled cheese. Antonioni’s (Lower East Side) – It’s all about the cozy red booths here. You can hear yourself talk in this restaurant, but there are still plenty of people around to make you feel like you are somewhere cool. The Italian food is also affordable and great. The Dutch (SoHo) – Start the night off with oysters and end with a slice of pie?

Sounds pretty sweet to me. The best that the city’s restaurants have to offer: roast chicken, gnocchi, ramen, and more.Get the inside scoop on everything Hoboken and Jersey City before everyone else. No thanks, I've already signed up! In food holiday land, there are some holidays we take TOTALLY seriously {ah-hem, World Nutella Day} and some we don’t. But, when a girl hears that it’s National Drink Wine Day OR National Wine Day…now those are holidays we can get behind {and if you think you’d rather be at the gym…think again}. But, where to go? We’ve compiled a list of a few of our favorite spots for imbibing a glass of delicious wine *and* some yummy food, too. Here are the top wine bars in Hoboken and Jersey City: Hoboken’s newest wine bar, located in the old location of Helmer’s, Sorellina is a great spot for some delicious stomped grapes. Chandeliers hanging from the ceiling and buttoned leather couches and high top tables contribute to the warm and fun ambiance, and the location is reasonably spacious {albeit super busy on a Saturday night — so make a rezzie!}.  

There’s an extensive cheese and wine menu {of exclusively Italian wines}, but we noticed there is no pizza served which was a bit surprising for an Italian-inspired restaurant {looks like a post-dinner Benny’s trip may be in the cards…just sayin’}. Regardless, the food is delicious: plates of bolognese pasta and pesto gnocchi make this spot a perfect combination of comfort food meets upscale wine bar. For those wanting something savory followed by sweet, there is also a selection of desserts. If you have friends or dinner dates that are less wine-inclined, they also offer a variety of martinis for the advanced palate — including a fig martini and other fancy concoctions. One of Chef Pino’s genius Hoboken creations and the OG of wine bars in town, Bin 14 is guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser with its cozy ambiance and high-quality cuisine. The wine bar offers a contemporary blend of upscale Italian tapas in an industrial-chic space — with exposed brick walls, tin molded ceilings, and a marble top bar.

For those who don’t do gluten, there are delicious substitutions for most of their carbs {including bruschetta and pizza!}, and a selection of great wines from all parts of the world. We also recently discovered Bin 14’s newly improved brunch, which is pretty noteworthy {and yes, there’s a Bloody Mary bar…}! Third and Vine {Jersey City} A cozy wine bar located in Jersey City {at 353 3rd Street}, this husband- and wife-owned locale has quickly become a popular spot off-the-beaten path. Hidden on a side street in the Village area of JC, Third and Vine is known for its ricotta meatballs, pork belly, cheese selection {of over 30+ cheese}, hot cheese sandwiches, and of course — wine. The drink list is curated from an eclectic selection of international and domestic wines and spirits, and it changes on a regular basis. Did we mention they serve a lot cheese? Satis Bistro {Jersey City} Previously known to HG for their scrumptious ravioli in a mouth-watering vodka sauce, this European-inspired Jersey City staple {located at 212 Washington Street} also serves as a wine bar, which it founded in 2012 after acquiring a liquor license. 

In addition to a full bar and signature cocktail list that changes with the seasons, Satis offers over 30 bottled beers and over 45 wines by the glass — ranging from $8 – $25 per glass — and of course, the full enchilada: bottles of wine! The ambiance at this Jersey City restaurant is rustic with a dimly lit aura, making it the perfect spot for a dinner with family and friends or a date night. Plus, the food is fan-f&$#king-tastic, if we do say so ourselves. In the former spot of Three As, Grand Vin is a wine bar that recently opened — much to West Hoboken’s excitement. GV has a limited menu selection, but you can get a delish dinner there {and lots of daily specials}, the wine bar’s menu is pretty extensive {with reasonably priced wines, we might add}. If you’re used to small, cramped spots in Hoboken — you’ll be pleasantly surprised, as there’s actually a lot of room … AND they take reservations! Among the must-try dishes on the menu: veal meatballs, their homemade gnocchi, and “Hoboken Shrimp” — a combo of stuffed with spinach, pignoli nuts, wrapped with Proscuitto in a white wine sauce, served with vegetables.