A date plan
Date · Upper East Side · Fun & Playful
A playful Upper East Side evening that moves from Moroccan-accented cocktails in a boutique hotel bar to candlelit Italian, then caps the night with the most inventive gelato in New York.
Upper East Side · $$$$ · Wine bar · Bar
Tuck into Jacques, the moody little bar inside The Lowell Hotel, where the Moroccan tilework and low lighting do half the flirting for you. Order something stirred and spirit-forward — the bartenders here take their craft seriously — and nibble on small plates while you settle into the vibe. It's the kind of place that makes you forget there's a city outside.
~4 min walk (0.2 mi). From Jacques, head east toward Lexington — the side streets in the low 60s are lined with beautiful townhouses and great window-shopping energy. Keep an eye out for The Lowell's own block; it's one of the quieter, more charming stretches of the UES.
Upper East Side · Italian restaurant · Bar
La Piovra is the neighborhood's best-kept Italian secret — intimate, a little dim, and just the right amount of grown-up. Go for the pasta: the octopus dishes (the name *is* Italian for octopus, after all) are confident and delicious, and the wine list is built for lingering. The gastropub energy keeps things lively without sacrificing romance.
~2 min walk (0.1 mi). From La Piovra, it's a breezy walk north and east to 3rd Ave for gelato. The avenue gets lively in the evening — good people-watching energy as you wind down the night.
Upper East Side · Ice cream shop · Caterer
il laboratorio del gelato on 3rd Ave is where the night gets playful — with flavors like black sesame, Earl Grey, and olive oil, this is decidedly not your boardwalk soft-serve situation. Grab a cup, argue about whose flavor is better, and stroll. It's the perfect low-key finale that keeps the night feeling light and fun.