Food

Hot Seats

The Best Fireplace Spots in Town

Fire. It’s powerful. Dangerous. Primal. Also: it’s nice to sit next to on a date. So now that we’ve hit autumn, we thought you might want to know about the best fireside tables in town. Being powerful, dangerous and primal, however, is up to you.

HEAT INDEX 1: GETTING WARM

The Fireplace Table at Range

Where to sit: Near the back of the dining room, a slate-framed fireplace awaits along with two comfy wingback chairs. It’s like a date at home. But someone else cooks and does the dishes.
What to order: Keep things simple with a cheese-and-meat platter and a citrusy gin drink called, appropriately enough, Autumn Lady. Just don’t call your date that.

HEAT INDEX 2: COLDER, THEN WARMER

The Fire Pit at Table, Donkey and Stick

Where to sit: On the back patio of this Swiss-themed chalet, a converted cast-iron kettledrum keeps things toasty while you have your après-date drink.
What to order: Chartreuse-spiked hot chocolate or a hot rum punch (with a little Javanese liquor). And sure, get some housemade pretzels to dunk in it, too.

HEAT INDEX 3: WARMER

The Devil’s Den at the Dawson

Where to sit: Upstairs on the leather couch next to the fire. Also, this room may be booked for a private party on weekends. So if the danger of party crashing excites you... you’ll be excited.
What to order: A burger for dinner, funnel cake for dessert. To drink: a cinnamon-apple-vodka-laden Safe Word. Always good to have a safe word.

HEAT INDEX 4: HOT

The General’s Table at Tortoise Club

Where to sit: Table 63, the General’s Table. It’s a two-seater that comes with its own fireplace and an oil painting of Gen. Robert E. Wood. He built the Panama Canal. Now, he’s the world’s most handsome third wheel.
What to order: Oysters, ribeye and steak frites. The General does not want to watch you eat a salad.

HEAT INDEX 5: ON FIRE

Hibachi Grill Tables at BellyQ

Where to sit: One of the six booths with tabletop grills. So they’re not really fireplaces—but most places get mad when you cook lemongrass chicken in their fireplace.
What to order: Raw meats to cook to your liking. And some flights of sake to stoke your fire. Or... just to drink.