Best Date Spots: New York City

New York, New York!  The Big Apple, Gotham City, the "Capital of the World".  One of the most well-known and influential cities in the world, New York City is the quintessential urban melting pot, with over 170 different spoken languages and a culture and flavor all it's own that makes it unmatched in uniqueness and influence out of all other major U.S. cities.  One of the leading cities in fashion, music, finance, and just about every other major industry, New York is overflowing with places to go and sights to see...the number of things to do and places to visit here are almost too many to count, so this will be the first of a few posts that will cover the Best Date Spots in NYC - expect more in the future!  If you know of some spots that you love in New York and would like to see featured here, let me know, and I may cover it in a future post!

1) Times Square - The most famous few blocks of city street in the world, Times Square is best seen at night, when the numerous large displays, screens, lights and advertisements that span the buildings of the city blocks are lit up and on full display against the night sky.  From restaurants, to shops, to clubs and more, Times Square has it all and is a must-see for anyone visiting New York for the first time.  Great places to see/things to do here include:

a) Broadway - For my first visit to New York, I caught Les Miserables here and loved it.  Whether you and your date are theater buffs or not, catching a show here in this world-famous theater district is an incomparable experience you won't soon forget. The numerous long-running shows on Broadway include Wicked, Chicago, Les Miserables and Phantom of the Opera.  Check ahead before visiting NYC to see which shows are currently running and get tickets in advance - new shows sell out very quickly!

b) Trattoria Dopo Teatro - In the mood for great Italian food in a quaint, romantic setting before catching a show in the Theater District?  Check out Trattoria Dopo Teatro, located right in the middle of the city's Theater District; this dimly lit, quaint restaurant with traditional trattoria-style decor is perfect for a quiet dinner date for two, with a variety of beautifully-presented, delicious dishes which includes hearty choices such as Pappardelle al Barolo (wide pasta ribbons with Barolo braised beef short ribs and a mushrooms leek ragout) and Fettuccine Allo Scoglio (homemade noodles with seafood and spicy tomato).  The restaurant also features a Saturday Brunch, as well as a Pre-Theater Dinner (featuring three courses) for patrons on their way to catch a show. 

c) Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. - Feel like grabbing dinner in a kitschy, homey environment in the middle of the bustling city? Inspired by the movie Forrest Gump, Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. is a great choice for shrimp- and Forrest Gump- lovers alike, and anyone else looking for a warm, cozy, and fun environment in which to enjoy dinner with their date.  With friendly service from servers who will quiz you on random facts about Forrest Gump, Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. has a variety of shrimp dishes, including Baja Shrimp Tacos and Shrimpin' Dippin' Broth, as well as non-shrimp dishes, such as Bourbon Street Mahi Mahi and Dixie Style Baby Back Ribs, which will more than satisfy your craving for good, down-home cooking in the middle of the big city!

d) Shopping. The plethora of shops in Times Square range from fun and kitschy to trendy and right on the pulse, with shops such as M&M's World and Toys "R" Us (where you can indulge your inner child), as well as The MTV Store and Virgin Megastore.  No matter the type of store or product sold, the theme here is larger-than-life, with a giant indoor ferris wheel inside Toys "R" Us right as visitors walk in, and some of the largest displays of M&M's in the world featured at M&M World (including a 17-foot Miss Green M&M dressed up as Lady Liberty) creating such a unique atmosphere that you'll enjoy just checking out the sights, even if you don't plan on doing any shopping.

Other major stores in Times Square include:

• Modells
• CBS Store
• Hershey's Times Square Store
• Dale & Thomas Popcorn
• Sanrio
• Quiksilver

2) Central Park - A natural haven in the middle of an urban mecca, Central Park is 843 acres in size and has numerous sights to see and so many things to do, one day here is not enough! The park has ice-skating rinks, a zoo, an outdoor amphitheater with performances throughout the year, several natural-looking lakes and ponds, extensive walking trails, a wildlife conservatory, and more. 

a) Ice-skating. The park features 2 ice-skating rinks, the perfect setting for a winter date with your beau.  Go for a few rounds on the ice, then a carriage ride through the park for a beautiful, scenic view that perfectly sets the tone for a romantic nighttime date.

b) Central Park Zoo - In the mood for a change of pace?  Indulge your love for nature and all things wild and check out the wildlife at the Central Park Zoo to see a menagerie of exotic animals.  From polar bears to penguins to sea lions and snow leopards, the many different species of animals here are delightful to watch, and many can be seen in recreations of their natural habitat or performing with zoo trainers at scheduled times throughout the day - check the zoo schedule for times!

c) Delacorte Theater - An outdoor amphitheater opened in 1962 which often features marquee names (such as Meryl Streep and Natalie Portman) as well as providing exposure for up and coming talent (such as Denzel Washington and Christopher Walken), Delacorte Theater hosts "Shakespeare in the Park" summer festivals and has many performances throughout the year.  Tickets are free, but line up early - for shows featuring high-profile stars, people have been known to camp out as early as the previous night for tickets!

3) Meatpacking District - A famous neighborhood in New York known for it's many restaurants, clubs, and lounges which are often frequented by many high-profile celebs, the Meatpacking District is a thriving nightlife hotspot in NYC that has retained it's edge over the years and continues to attract throngs of clubgoers when the night falls. Take your date here for a night of eating, drinking and dancing, and you may just spot a celebrity or two! Popular hotspots here include 1 Oak, Ajna Bar, Kiss and Fly, and APT.

4) Chinatown - Every major urban area has it's smaller ethnic hubs, and Chinatown in New York City is one of the originals.  Whether you're in the mood for authentic Chinese food, to get some souvenirs, and/or to test your bargaining skills with one of the streetside vendors, Chinatown is a great place to go sightseeing and exploring with your date.

5) Tao - A trendy Asian cuisine restaurant in Midtown East, Tao specializes in Hong Kong Chinese, Japanese, and Thai cuisine, and has an ambiant atmosphere that's as sexy as it is sleek.  This restaurant is often frequented by celebrties, who come for the delicious cuisine as well as the opulent nightclub atmosphere. Decorated in upscale Asian decor with a 20-foot Buddha statue looming over the main dining area, the restaurant is awash in reds and golds with dim lighting, creating a sensual atmosphere that's a delight to all your senses. Try the Sand Pot Lobster, Shrimp and Scallops (with Black Bean Sauce) or Teppanyaki Swordfish (with Ponzu Butter and Asparagus Tempura) for a decadent seafood fix, or Surf and Turf Roll or Grilled 12 oz. Kobe Ribeye (with Yuzu Cilantro Butter) for those craving something savory.

6) Serendipity 3 - Craving something sweet after dinner or after a long day of sight-seeing?  Check out Serendipity 3 (featured in the movie Serendipity, which borrowed it's name from this restaurant) - this restaurant specializes in decadent frozen drinks and desserts, and many visitors come from near and far  just to try their famous Frrrozen Hot Chocolate, a must for Chocoholics! Other decadent desserts choices include Frrrozen Mochaccino and Forbidden Broadway Sundae (chocolate Blackout cake, ice cream, and hot fudge topped with whipped cream).  The restaurant also has a full menu which includes All-American fare such as Country Meatloaf and Lemon Chicken, as well as pasta dishes, hot dogs, and hamburgers made to order.