It's date night, and you're out to impress? Take your lucky lady (or lad) to one of these romantic restaurants in Brooklyn, and I guarantee that love will most definitely be in the air.
1. The River Café
Photo by Kristen Goode
1 Water Street
(718) 522-5200
The mother of all romantic Brooklyn restaurants, Dumbo's River Café sits beneath the Brooklyn Bridge, offering what may be the best views in (and of) the city. Take in the stunning Manhattan skyline as piano music plays in the background. An elegant menu boasts classic dishes like wild rock lobster and sautéed Hudson Valley foie gras, rounding out the experience.
(718) 522-5200
The mother of all romantic Brooklyn restaurants, Dumbo's River Café sits beneath the Brooklyn Bridge, offering what may be the best views in (and of) the city. Take in the stunning Manhattan skyline as piano music plays in the background. An elegant menu boasts classic dishes like wild rock lobster and sautéed Hudson Valley foie gras, rounding out the experience.
2. Palo Santo
652 Union Street(718) 636-6311
Blink and you'll miss this Park Slope gem. Located in the bottom floor of a tucked-away rowhouse, Palo Santo is an intimate, candlelit spot that's perfect for date night. Sit at the bar, which overlooks a tiny open kitchen, and order the tasting menu with wine pairings for an unforgettable meal. Chef Jacques Gautier dishes out Latin American-inspired dishes that are as rewarding as the restaurant's atmosphere.
3. Zenkichi
77 North 6th Street(718) 388-8985
This Japanese eatery in Williamsburg promises to provide "an authentic dining experience of popular Tokyo establishments." What does that mean? Dine here, and you'll be able to enjoy delicious, shareable small plates and private seating in a beautifully-decorated space. While you can summon your waitress with the push of a button (located in your private booth), there's plenty of opportunity for you and your date to get close without anyone watching.
4. Convivium Osteria
68 5th Avenue(718) 857-1833
Enter this romantic, rustic restaurant, and you'll instantly be transported to the Mediterranean: Feast on to-die-for dishes like braised Berkshire pork baby back ribs and roasted pinenut crusted rack of lamb while sipping vino from an extensive, award-winning wine list. Soft lighting and candles illuminate a space that's warm and intimate. If at all possible, sit in the brick-walled wine cellar.
5. D.O.C. Wine Bar
83 North 7th Street(718) 963-1925
Warm, simple decor and an informal atmosphere make this Williamsburg wine bar a go-to for romance. Pair a fine bottle of wine with antipasti or a cheese plate at this charming Sardinian spot, then end the night by sharing something sweet -- a dish of the bar's phenomenal tiramisu.
6. Café Moto
394 Broadway(718) 599-6895
It doesn't take many people to fill up this little out-of-the-way French café, but that's part of the charm. Live jazz music and a quirky but cozy decor give the restaurant a 1930s vibe that's got "date night" written all over it. Share the fontina and gruyere fondue, and don't miss the infamous warm date cake.
7. Alma
187 Columbia Street(718) 643-5400
While the food at Alma (standard Mexican fare like enchilada platters and poblano rellenos) is perfectly fine, it's the one-in-a-million view from the restaurant's rooftop that makes it a romantic hotspot. Order a pitcher of homemade sangria, and cozy up to your date as you look out upon the breathtaking Manhattan skyline from the restaurant's terrace.
8. Lucali
575 Henry Street(718) 858-4086
Pizza may not seem like the most romantic option for a night out on the town, but the fare at Lucali is in a league of its own. Splurge on an expensive bottle of wine (Lucali is BYOB) before you arrive, and enjoy your pie and vino in the restaurant's cozy glow.
Note: Lucali doesn't take reservations, and the wait can be a long one. Your best bet is to dine here on the early side of a weeknight.