Get cozy in a velvet booth at this mescal bar adorned with folk art, statuettes, masks and other mementos of the co-owners’ travels. Taste the namesake spirit in a flight of three one-ounce pours. Read more.
Impress your date at this intimate dinner spot, which offers shareable Asian “tapas” created by chef King Phojanakong. The small plates are also affordable, with most in the $7–$12 range. Read more.
The Greenmarket-inspired menu at this rustic eatery features seasonal fare. Enjoy a romantic jazz soundtrack while you eat courtesy of the restaurant’s Friday Night Music series (7:30–10:30pm). Read more.
Browse the vintage tomes that line this bar's walls with a bookish date, or head downstairs for one of the venue’s music or comedy shows, such as Eugene Mirman’s weekly Pretty Good Friends. Read more.
This small French space hosts one of the city’s most diverse music scenes in its back room. Arrive early to take advantage of happy hour, with $1 off beers and $3 off cocktails. Read more.
For special occasions it’s hard to beat this mainstay with Brooklyn Bridge views. For a more relaxed date, sit in the terrace and sample appetizers, desserts and drinks ($25 per-person minimum). Read more.
Good neighborhood coffee spot with some good chai too. Nice for reading/working (wifi = NetGear81, pass = helpfultomato851) and people watching on Franklin. Sandwiches and soups too if you're hungry.
Pancakes that are worth the five-hour wait on a Saturday, but if you go during the week you just might beat the crowd...
