A date plan
Date · Upper West Side · Romantic · $$
Start with an aperitif at an intimate wine bar, move into a sophisticated French dinner with impeccable oysters and steaks, then cap the night with cocktails and charm.
Upper West Side · $$$ · French restaurant · Restaurant
This is where you want to be when the evening lights come on. Amélie nails that warm, lived-in French bistro feeling—think exposed brick, soft lighting, and a wine list that rewards curiosity without pretension. Start here with something like a Kir Royale and sink into conversation.
~5 min walk (0.2 mi). From Amélie to The Consulate: It's just a short stroll down Amsterdam to Columbus—you'll pass some lovely brownstones and local shops. The shift from intimate wine bar to polished steakhouse is seamless.
Upper West Side · $$$ · Cocktail bar · French restaurant
This is a French steakhouse and oyster bar done right—the kind of place where you want to linger over raw oysters and a perfectly cooked côte de boeuf. The room has that timeless New York elegance (think velvet booths and dim lighting), and the wine program is stellar. Romantic without trying too hard.
~5 min walk (0.2 mi). From The Consulate to Scarlet Lounge: Head back west on Columbus and you'll arrive at Scarlet Lounge, which has that late-night whisper-quiet elegance. Perfect natural progression from dinner to nightcap.
Upper West Side · $$ · Bar
A cozy cocktail lounge with deep red velvet, dim amber lighting, and a killer aperitif menu—perfect for unwinding after dinner. Order something sweet like a Sazerac or ask the bartender for a dessert cocktail. The vibe is intimate and unhurried, ideal for extending the evening.