Extravagance, fireplaces, candles, cozy nooks (and rooms upstairs) — we’ve got ‘em all. So grab your honey and click on OpenTable, tables for two are booking fast.
Blue Hill at Stone Barn has the plushest napery, most pleasing-to-grip glasses, and the coziest banquettes we know. Its James Beard-Award winning design, and Rockefeller estate location help—plus, we know that with Exec. Chefs Dan Barber and Josh Lawler in charge, we’ll feel cosseted in farm-to-table luxury.
Buffet de La Gare If you and your partner feel that Paris is the City of Love, then book a table at Hastings’ romantic Buffet de la Gare. Lined with old-fashioned pressed tin and glittering beveled mirrors, this urbane little bijoux glows with the charm of classic French cuisine.
Bungalow With blazing braziers out front of an intimate Craftsman bungalow, this welcoming New American by Chef John Reynolds offers a cozy setting paired with warm service. Look for a straightforward menu and dependable execution, but it’s Bungalow’s friendly vibe that keeps happy regulars coming back.
Chutney Masala Located on Irvington’s waterfront in a quaint 19th Century brick building, Chutney Masala’s gem-toned bolsters and casual, velvet pouffs create an air of Raj luxury to match richly-spiced Indian dishes. And since sticker-shock can be a romance killer, we’re including this little fact: with a gently-priced menu, it’s the budget option in our list.
Crabtree’s Kittle House There are lots of inns that offer a meal away from home, but with a Wine Spectator Grand Award winelist (one of only 70 world-wide), paired with stunning Hudson Valley food, the Kittle House is one of our faves. Plus, unlike many of our choices, overnight rates are reasonably priced at this quaintly cozy18th Century inn.
Equus This fairy-tale castle is actually real, a former Gatsby-era estate perched high on a secluded Tarrytown hilltop. Book an elegant dinner in the, firelit Oak room, or take a romantic suite at its swank Chateau and Relais Hotel. It’s a transporting mini-getaway, and only minutes from downtown White Plains.
42 Chef Anthony Goncalves’s stunning perch on the top of the Ritz-Carlton Residence Hotel is the perfect, glamorous showcas for his high-flying cuisine. Expect gorgeous views and chic décor, matched with impeccable service – and for a lucky few, an after dinner room at the Ritz awaits.
Iron Horse Grill Another intimate gem with outstanding cuisine, this converted Pleasantville train station offers a tiny 60 person dining room and close attention to service. Consistently outstanding, Chef Phil McGrath’s innovative take on American cuisine is sure to send appreciative couples back home feeling dreamy.
John Michael’s This charming colonial-era homestead radiates eons of fragrant woodsmoke, which over the centuries, has sunk into the fibers of its ancient wood paneling. Expect big, country hearths and enticing pools of candlelight, paired with satisfying cuisine in a cozy country getaway.
La Panetiere Rye’s classic French sets the tone for serene elegance, with a carefully-appointed interior evoking a Provencal country inn. Expect personalized service and an enthusiastic welcome from owner Jacques Loupiac, whose personal touch has kept Westchester lovers returning for years.
Le Cremaillere Sitting over a killer wine cellar, Bedford’s noble French landmark offers traditional cuisine in an 18th Century farmhouse. Its muraled dining room is charming, but insiders know: snag the best table in the house, tucked in a small corner beside the cozy fireplace.
Le Chateau This magnificent South Salem Tudor pile owes its fantasy to history—like Castle on the Hudson, it once was one of Westchester’s noble estates. With an excellent wine cellar, and dressed up glamour in spades, this classic French splurge will send lovers home transported.
Lusardi’s If your tastes run toward Italophilia, then duck into Larchmont’s little secret, where antipasti beckon and warm service is pitched to please. From ruby carpaccio to creamy pastas, Lusardi’s has won our hearts—and valet parking ensures the night doesn’t end with a mood-killing traffic ticket
Pour Café and Wine Bar This cute, free-standing Victorian has gotten a sexy update with moody, dark colors and loads of flickering candles. Expect simple (and delicious) Mediterranean fare, ideal for sharing with your honey – and if a couple of bottles make their way into your glasses, no one will be any the wiser.
Plates Chef Matthew Karp’s intimate Larchmont restaurant has fans returning again for his exciting take on New American cuisine. This ex-Bouley, ex-Restaurant Daniel has taken a page from his former employers: expect exciting dishes and plush coziness in this elegant little secret.
Sonora Chef Raphael Palomino’s tony Nuevo Latino just received a well deserved “Excellent” in the New York Times. Look for chic and inventive cuisine in a swinging, urbane dining room; it offers fabulous cocktails, too, which can be the precursor to love.
The Farmhouse at Bedford Post Cozy banquettes, flickering, eco-friendly fireplaces, and tactile Frette linens all seduce at this brand new haute-barnyard co-owned by Richard Gere. Smack in the middle of Bedford horse country, its rural evocations are with a wink—this is a super-chic, super-elegant spot with a top tier menu by Chef Brian Lewis. Sadly, your Valentine’s Day spa getaway will have to wait ‘til next year — Bedford Inn’s 8 luxury suites are set to open this spring.
Xaviars Chef Peter Kelly’s super-intimate 40 seat gem is a Piermont standard for great service and stellar food. Expect fine wines, Baccarat crystal and armloads of luxury; if your plan is seduction, this might be the key. It’s hard to resist romance in this private riverside nook.
X20 With stunning Hudson views south to glamorous Manhattan, and north to the twinkling Tappan Zee Bridge, X20 also offers plenty of space between its tables, so you’ll feel free to murmur sweet nothings. Plus, you’ll be seduced by all the Kobe and truffles punctuating Chef Peter Kelly’s menu. Though it might prompt the thought, With luxury like this, who needs a date?
Zitoune With clubby upholstered sofas and romantic, pillowed nooks, this exotic Moroccan by Chef Alain Benounna is the perfect place to share a spice-scented evening. To get the mood going, seductive belly-dancers beckon—expect a sultry night in Marrakech, even amid the bitter winds of February.
