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Washington Square news | tuesday, february 7, 2012 | nyunews.com
dining
edited by hannah Borenstein dining@nyunews.com
Restaurants for a romantic Valentine’s Day getaway
By Katya Barannik Valentine’s Day is coming up, and you don’t know where to take your lover — or potential lover — to dinner. With so many great restaurants in the city, it can be tough to find the right one. Here are a few cozy places that will leave you feeling satisfied, full and romantic.
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Crêpes du Nord
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Angelica Kitchen This easy-going, dimly lit restaurant is the perfect place to go if you’re into all things organic. With a menu of natural, plant-based cuisine, Angelica Kitchen is a strong believer in embracing sustainable agriculture and respecting the environment. Be sure to try the kale salad and a side of corn bread with onion spread. Cash only. 300 E. 12th St.
When the problem arises that one of you wants sweet and the other savory, Crêpes du Nord is the ultimate solution. But be aware that another problem will arise: having to choose what to eat. Boasting a menu of dinner crêpes (like vegetarian ratatouille and prosciutto di parma), salads and dessert crêpes, this restaurant guarantees something to satisfy every craving. The intimate FrenchScandinavian crêperie is decorated with antique lamps, wooden accents and high bar tables. If you come here just for dessert, be sure to try the Midnight Sun crêpe, a savory combination of white chocolate, whipped cream and raspberries. 17 S. William St.
Turkiss provides authentic dishes at a discount price By Kayla Keegan Having once experienced a fresh, authentic gyro in Kusadasi, Turkey, my standards for Turkish cuisine are almost unfairly high. So I was pleasantly surprised when I left a new spot on Macdougal with both my wallet and my stomach completely satisfied. Turkiss, located at 104 Macdougal St., opened on Jan. 27 when Cem Dumankaya and two partners decided to start a restaurant that required tracing their ancestral roots. Dumankaya grew up on Long Island but was always surrounded by his family members from Istanbul. Over the years his family has maintained two Turkish restaurants, one on Long Island and the other on the West Side. Their main goal is to share authentic Turkish experiences with New Yorkers. After becoming acquainted with the cordial staff, I was seated at a clean table with a variety of specialities prepared for me to sample. The kitchen and atmosphere were both clean and well maintained, which made this walk-in restaurant different from most. Though all dishes were exceptional, the lentil soup, chicken gyro, lamb gyro, falafel and pistachio baklava particularly stood out. The lentil soup was light,
balanced and perfectly seasoned, making it a great lunch or light dinner. The chicken gyro was tender, with bursts of juice and flavor, and the lamb was as savory as the dish I remember sampling in Turkey. Turkiss also offers additional authentic Turkish meals including manti, kebabs, borek, piyaz and kofte. The restaurant also provides vegetarian options. While New York falafel has become a staple in any downtown urbanite’s diet, Turkiss’ recipe goes beyond your standard blend of chickpeas and herbs. The texture is created so that the flavors blend harmoniously, providing an unbeatable smoothness. As for dessert, the baklava I had in Kusadasi couldn’t even compare with Turkiss’ pistacchio baklava. Turkiss is great for a quick lunch or dinner. Prices are suitable for a college student’s budget, and the quality of food is exceptionally high. Additionally, students who show their NYU IDs receive a 10 percent discount. Turkiss offers delivery service, a friendly staff and bold flavors of true Turkish cuisine. Kayla Keegan is a contributing writer. Email her at features@nyunews.com
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Water Street Restaurant and Lounge This restaurant on the cobblestone streets of Brooklyn’s historic waterfront offers the finest quality of seafood. Unique dishes such as farfalle pasta and vegetable jambalaya ensure that any range of tastes will be satisfied. After dinner, head over to the Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory for a sweet treat while overlooking the beautiful Manhattan skyline. Restaurant: 66 Water St. Ice cream factory: Old Fulton and Water streets.
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La Lanterna Caffe via homerestaurantnyc.com
Home Restaurant Home Restaurant provides the exact kind of atmosphere you would expect from its name. Cozy and romantic, Home takes on a farm-to-table approach to Midwestern-style food. For a filling, home-cooked meal, order their famous onion rings and mac ‘n’ cheese topped with bread crumbs. To finish, their chocolate pudding is simple but unbeatable. 20 Cornelia St.
Boasting fireplaces and wood and brick walls, La Lanterna di Vittorio is the perfect place to warm up on a chilly night and get cozy with a significant other. With indoor seating as well as a heated outdoor patio, this Italian restaurant offers a wide variety of pizzas, pastas and paninis at extremely reasonable prices. 129 MacDougal St. Katya Barannik is a staff writer. Email her at features@nyunews.com.
