New York City has endless date-night possibilities, but if you’re planning an evening with a woman with high standards and impeccable taste, you want to take her somewhere worthy. A place where the food is unforgettable, the drinks are taken seriously, and the decor is as sexy and sophisticated as the person sitting across from you.
Here are five places in Manhattan that left a lasting impression on a hot girl like me:
Portale— For the tastiest branzino in Chelsea
126 W 18th St
I went to Portale on a first date a few months ago, and when I learned the modern Italian restaurant was led by acclaimed chef Alfred Portale, I knew I was in for a treat.
Then I walked into the spacious dining room, with its white-painted brick walls, marble tabletops, and large brass mirrors throughout, and the room confirmed it. Portale has that grown Chelsea feel—polished, romantic, and sexy enough to make you happy you wore your cutest heels.
Although nothing came of the date, I’ve been back several times since.
And the branzino is the main reason. Sweet cherry tomatoes and briny olives sit beneath a piece of fish with the crispiest skin. It’s one of the best dishes I’ve ever tasted. I like to pair it with the Prima Bella Spritz, a mix of Aperol, bell pepper shrub, and Prosecco. And for dessert, the olive oil cake.
I crave this menu a few times a month, so basically, I’m in a long-term relationship with Portale now.
Best for: Princess treatment—the service is next-level—and a warm, elegant dining experience.
Order this: The branzino, the Prima Bella Spritz, and the olive oil cake.
The Ivory Peacock— For the best dirty martini in NoMad
38 W 26th St
As a dirty martini connoisseur, people always ask me my favorite place to get one, and The Ivory Peacock—a glamorous bar in NoMad that bills itself as home to the second-largest gin collection in the world—is the first place that comes to mind.
The room feels like a Victorian gin palace: antique chandeliers, 19th-century Louis XV giltwood mirrors, plush velvet seating. The sophistication carries into the mixology.
The Dirty Gibson martini arrives with a chilled carafe on the side so it stays cold and crisp the entire time. The notes of grapefruit from the Drumshanbo Gunpowder Gin, combined with the onion brine, bring together a layered, sophisticated, unforgettable sip.
It may be my favorite martini in Manhattan. It’s also the perfect place for a nightcap—or to keep the night going downstairs at PLOUME, an exclusive speakeasy that is just as impressive as the bar above it.
Best for: Gin and martini lovers, dancing queens, and seeing where the night takes you.
Order this: The Dirty Gibson with the Peking duck croquettes.
COQODAQ— For the fanciest fried chicken in the city
12 E 22nd St, Flatiron
There’s nothing more impressive than when someone secures a reservation at a sought-after restaurant in New York. COQODAQ is that reservation.
The room is stunning—golden-lit arches glowing against a nearly black room that makes you feel like you should be dressed in Prada. The highlight of the menu, being fried chicken, seems absurd in contrast to the sophisticated decor, but that’s the point.
We started with their chicken nuggets—yes, chicken nuggets—that came with a side of caviar, roe, and truffle. And honestly? Those were my favorite bites of the night. The fried chicken is delectable, don’t get me wrong, but there was something special about those crispy golden nuggets. This is the restaurant you book when you want to make an impression.
Best for: Girls that aren’t afraid to get their hands dirty, even in their finest attire—and serious foodies.
Order this: The nuggets, mac & cheese, glazed fried chicken wings, and the frozen yogurt.
Wild Cherry— To eat and be entertained
38 Commerce St, West Village
Another sought-after reservation: Wild Cherry.
This is the popular girl of the West Village. The restaurant feels like a movie set—not just because of the retro design, intimate square footage, and complimentary popcorn, but because on any given night you might spot someone famous, and no one makes it weird. When we first arrived, I spotted a well-known film director casually ordering a drink at the bar, and nobody flinched because Wild Cherry is for cool people.
The menu leans into American classics like cheeseburgers, thighs and fries, which I went straight for. It was a great pick. The chicken was juicy, and I loved the crispy fries soaking up all the gravy beneath them. We ordered both the dirty martini and the espresso martini; both were well-made and exactly what I needed before the show. We finished with a sweet, moist, and extremely tall slice of coconut cake. It was the cherry on top.
Afterward, we caught You Got Older next door at Cherry Lane Theatre, which made the whole night feel even more cinematic. The show has since closed, but the formula still stands: dinner at Wild Cherry, then whatever film or performance Cherry Lane has going on next door. It’s a standout date night, especially for the art girlies.
Just make sure you’re refreshing that Resy page—these reservations are hard to get, and they should be.
Best for: Cinephiles, thespians, and “it” girls.
Order this: The Caesar salad, thighs and fries, coconut cake—then check what’s playing next door.
Swan Room— To satisfy the eye and the palate
54 Canal St, Lower East Side
Swan Room is the perfect place to start or end the night beautifully. It lives inside the former Jarmulowsky Bank, a 1912 Beaux-Arts building on the corner of Canal and Orchard.
The architects restored it using the original blueprints: vaulted ceilings, arched windows, and pink Tennessee marble floors that recall Grand Central. It is so elegant and beautiful, you’ll want to spend most of the evening looking up.
For my martini girlies—this is the place for you. Swan Room has made the martini its specialty, with a whole page of its menu dedicated to it. There are signatures like the San Sebastian, or you can get it just the way you like it. Mine is dirty, garnished with three blue cheese-stuffed olives. If it’s an extra special night or a double date, order their martini service. It arrives in a golden swan bowl, a photo-worthy moment.
Best for: Martini girlies, double dates, and fly girls.
Order this: The wood-fired oysters, steak tartare, and the martini service.
So there you have it. The next time you want to impress a hot date in Manhattan, you already know where to go. You can access my map of NYC and other places here. And if you’re a man reading this and taking notes—good. For the full syllabus, read What a Hot Girl Wants on Dare Is The Truth.