Food

The Best Valentine’s Day Tables in Town

That’s What These Are

Valentine’s Day is about a month out. That means it’s open season on reservations. And not just reservations, but specific tables. That’s how you go that extra mile. So for you: a guide to privacy and other people staring longingly at your table, thinking about how theirs is inferior.

The Chef’s Table at Gabriel Kreuther

The Chef’s Table at Gabriel Kreuther

You require: Something no one else is getting.
You’ll receive: A table that’s separated by a wall from the main dining room and where the chef’s special menu is served, only to you. It’s the current “nah nah nah nah boo boo” of Midtown fine-dining tables.

Gabriel Kreuther at the Grace Building, 41 W 42nd St (between 5th and 6th), 212-257-5826

The Nook at Virginia’s

The Nook at Virginia’s

You require: Something cozy.
You’ll receive: Scallops and Lioco Estero chardonnay in a sconce-and-candlelit banquette tucked into a small crevice of one of the most romantic places in the East Village. Not to get too specific.

Virginia’s, 647 E 11th St (between Ave B and C), 212-658-0182

Table 14 at Blu on Park

Table 14 at Blu on Park

You require: Warmth.
You’ll receive: Up a flight of stairs and toward those flames you see—that’s the fireplace. That’s your table. It’s where you do fine surf and turf, but phrased in a much more date-friendly way.

Blu on Park, 116 E 60th St (between Lexington and Park), 212-256-1929

The Corner Booth at Slowly Shirley

The Corner Booth at Slowly Shirley

You require: A dark nightcap spot.
You’ll receive: The most dimly lit, most romantic, smallest corner of possibly the most charming basement cocktail bar in town. So... a dark nightcap spot.

Slowly Shirley, 121 W 10th St (between 6th and Greenwich), 212-744-7539

Row 5, Corner Seat at Syndicated

Row 5, Corner Seat at Syndicated

You require: Something casual.
You’ll receive: As established yesterday, maybe you’d enjoy a screening of Once in a dark theater, with the option of pre-film buttermilk fried chicken. Ha, maybe.

Syndicated, 40 Bogart St (between Thames and Grattan), Brooklyn, 718-386-3399

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