romantic restaurants

300+ for a meal exemplifies a number of things:

You are financially stable enough to spend 300+ on a meal.
If you do the research (or come here asking for advice), you'll likely find one of the better restaurants in the city.
You make reservations ( )
You take your date out, to this restaurant, completedly assured that you're well-heeled (you are a SF member, after all) and ready to wine and dine this lady.
You know even the teensiest bit about wine so you can request one that either isn't on the menu, or is the perfect pair for what you anticipate you both will order.
You love the finer things in life, and you're looking for someone to share those with.




You get the draws.

$300 for a meal with wine isn't really that much, although $300 just for food is substantial. Keep in mind that $300 would barely buy you a good bottle of champagne at a nice restaurant.

Discreetly go for the corking fee.

That's usually a good approach, especially if there are restaurants with no corkage, which seems to be the case for some neighborhood type places in NYC etc. There are a number of very good restaurants in the LA area which don't have corkage. The only issue, though, is that you still need to buy the wine that you're bringing, and if you're going to a nice restaurant, you will save a bit of money by bringing your own but it will still cost a reasonable amount for good wine, especially with a corkage fee added, unless you're only bringing a bottle of bubbly, or something like that.

If you're both in college and it's not a huge "commemorative event," pick any of a number of lovely places in NYC where the romantic ambience makes up for food that's in the 3 of 5 star range. Wish I could think of a place, but there are a million in the West Village, Soho, Tribeca, UWS, etc. Avoid the mid-town expense account places--some have amazing food, but they're looking for people for whom money is no object, not you. If you do this, you can get a fine dinner with reasonable wine for about $150. Rather than going for the bling factor, just avoid wasting what you don't have (deniro), and instead use what you do have (time, thoughtfulness, and feelings for her). Plan the night to a tee. Suggestions: send along a bottle of wine from her home region, if she's from No. Cal. (or if some other (not $10) wine has particular import for her or for the two of you) and you can do corkage; stop by during the day to pick a table and leave a rose to be placed at her seat just before you both arrive; have a bottle of affordable bubbly ready for presentation at a chic but cozy bar near the restaurant or back at your place (that popular one with the yellow label works well--I'm so unrefined); make sure your fuggin' apartment/dorm is cleaned up for the afterparty... I'm not sure what you should do if it's a commemorative event. I'd probably just do all of the above, but with more style. Might pick a slightly more "wow" place. I open this up to others for specific ideas on places. I would suggest the Tabard Inn if you were in DC, but you're not...

that explains a lot about you, young man.

for really cheap, romantic eats, why don't you buy some cheap take-out and have a picnic, or go to the park? or you can have a candle-lit dinner at home.

for cheap restaurants, check out the reviews at menupages or other places online.

someday, you'll appreciate the finer and more expensive things that new york has to offer. but, i have to admit, in college it wouldn't haev really made any sense to me.

This says a lot about our members. I suggest you check the forums on chowhound for some specific recommendations. The posters there tend to have a prolific knowledge of their local restaurants.

I just don't know NY restaurants well enough to help you out. Where I live you can eat most anywhere for under $200 for two people. New York can be a little pricier, but you should be OK I don't buy that you cant find good Champagne for much less than $300 a bottle. It just isn't so. There is a ton of good Champagne that you can drink for circa $100 a bottle in a restaurant. In fact, I think that a lot of what you can find at that price is actually better than what you pay $300 a bottle for. Usually I don't like to pay more than about $80 for a bottle of wine. I am much more of a food guy than a wine guy, especially when eating out. In other words, you can get a great meal and have a great time within your budget. Don't sweat it. I wish that I could suggest somewhere specific. I know that being young and eating good meals is a real treat. It used to be our favorite thing to do. It still is but now we are not young.

That's a really ignorant and condescending comment.

Regardless of the motive, the guy at least wants to try and experience another form of sensuous beauty in life. Any dissuasion on account of his being unable to 'appreciate' it is really a crime against humanity. Perhaps some people were too immatrue to appreciate fine dining while in college, but making it a generalization smacks of compensation.

blackplatano, I haven't been in the City for a year, but Rene Pujol in Midtown and La Metairie in (or near) Soho should fit the bill. Both are small, quiet, elegant, and French with real service and naturally quite fine food. IMMSMC, price should be in your range; stop by and look them over, menus should be posted in true NYC style. Bringing your own bottle is a good idea; the hard part is knowing what you'll be eating ahead of time. Usually I can get a wine that will add to the meal in the 35-50 range in NYC -- but if you're not up on wine, ask what they would suggest with your meal, gesturing toward something on the wine list in the price range you're interested in. Common request with an understood meaning.

Go out and enjoy,
Huntsman

BP:
As a member of the poor student segment, I have a few modest recommendations for eating on a budget (sans EtOH).

Romantic, neighborhood feel, decent quality food:
(<$60 for two, no alcohol)
1) Tartine, West Village. Packed like sardines. Cheap, very good, duck confit during the Fall and Winter months.
2) Blue Ribbon Bakery, West Village. See above. Excellent bread.
3) Malatesta, Far West Village (super cheap <$50 for TWO!)
4) Genaro, UWS. Nothing special, but very good Italian good for a reasonable price (~$60-65ish)
5) I Coppi, East Village. Better during warm weather. Great outdoor seating.

There are any number of 'nicer' restaurants where you could easily get out for $200, including wine. Do a little research (chowhound or egullet) and do not listen to anyone who recommends One if by Land. I find less formal places to generally be more romantic than 'fancy pants' where the service often feels forced. Also, avoid of-the-moment places where the overwhelming crowds, noise and invariably shitty service will destroy any hope for a romantic evening. You could do far worse than bringing her to Savoy for dinner and then a nice drink afterwards at Temple Bar or Angels' Share, or maybe a quiet meal at Bridge Cafe and then wander through the deserted 18th century streets of the Seaport....