ROMANTIC ENCOUNTERS IN THE BIG APPLE

POLLYTALK FROM NEW YORK

FEBRUARY 8, 2010

By Polly Guerin

ROMANTIC ENCOUNTERS IN THE BIG APPLE (C)

Happy Valentine’s Day! “May your heart’s desire be with you,” said Willy Shakespeare. And let’s not forget Esther Howland, the First Lady of Valentines in America who started the business of sending those sentimental frou frou valentine greetings that capture the hearts of one and all. So where shall we go my dearest dear, to celebrate a deux? Here’s the Scoop!!!

Take a Gallic trip to W. 46th Street where LE RIVAGE on Restaurant Row, a charming bistro, takes you to the banks of the scene with vivid scenic oil paintings that surround the walls of the cozy restaurant while you dine with your sweetie. The Prix Fixe lunch is $22, including appetizer, entrée and dessert with coffee. Evening Prix Fixe is $37 with all the mentioned accoutrements and if you can dine at 8pm after the theatre crowd has left it’s a Prix Fixe at $25. The French cuisine is dished up by Chef Paul Denamiel and Marcel Denamiel may even greet you at the door. 340 W. 46 St., 212.765-7374 or www.lerivagenyc.com. Open 7 days a week.

If you desire a bit of the exotic, a gigantic BUDDHA dominates the Tao Restaurant where lunch is my favorite choice, but they serve dinner too. The Prix Fixe lunch is $24.07 including appetizer, my favorite is the dumplings, entrée, my favorite the soy ginger glazed salmon, and dessert, my favorite is the tangerine sorbet with fruit. Dinner is $38 from 5 to 7 in the evening. For entire menu viewing go to www.taorestaurant.com. Or call 212.888.2288.

It may still be a bit chilly but THE LOEB CENTRAL PARK BOATHOUSE restaurant affords a romantic view of the frozen lake, but be sure to get there early, there are no reservations for brunch/lunch from 9:30 to 4 pm, but reservations will be taken for Valentine’s night dinner, Prix Fixe at $75 per person, which is served from 6 to 9 pm. East 72nd Street and Park Drive North. 212.517.2233.

Take a journey to the stars at TOP OF THE STRAND rooftop Lounge & bar on the 21st floor of The Strand, midtown’s new boutique-style hotel, boasting stellar views of the Empire State Building and the glorious sunset. Open 5pm to midnight weekdays and until l am on weekends serving the usual libations, concoctions and excellent assortment of beers. A Fish Called Avalon is the hip new sister to the popular Miami Beach seafood grille of the same name with indoor garden seating. 33 W. 37th St. 212.448.1024 or at the web http://www.thestrandnyc.com/.

Well, Ta Ta darlings!!! I’m off to the Beekman Towers skytop restaurant at the Beekman Towers Hotel (49St. & First Ave), where I’ll be sipping cocktails as New York City lights up in a blaze of lights and then we’ll dine a deux at a table that overlooks the spectacular view. Fan mail goes to pollytalk@verizon.net, Blogs: www.amazingartdecodivas.com. www.thefashionhistorian.com and for beauty advice from a sage visit: www.awakenyoursleepingbeauty.blogspot.com.