Immaculate Infatuation

We hope that you’re using our website to find good date spots. Why? Well, first of all, because you are really good looking and should have a full social calendar. Second, because we think we’re pretty good at reccommending restaurants that will give you your best chance to make some action happen. And by “some action”, we of course mean a fulfilling long-term relationship.

By no means are we claiming that dell’anima is some under the radar date haven that nobody else knows about. Ask any female that lives west of 7th Avenue and she will probably have this place in her top ten. We’re big fans too, and also hold sister restaurant L’Artusi in high regard. Both are great date spots and both have a vanity apostrophe, which makes them cool or Italian or something. Both can also be loud and a bit sceney at times, though dell’anima is much smaller and more intimate. We like dell’anima specifically for the ample bar seating and chef’s counter, perfect for a more casual meal, and making it a great First/Early in The Game Date destination. We also like it because the food is pretty damn spectacular. There are a few really special pasta dishes, and some sharable first courses that are excellent. The wine list is smart though a bit pricey, but there are a handful of good bottles under forty bucks to choose from.

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Flex Mussels? Oh right … I get it. Between the cute name and the Upper East Side location, I half expected to learn that the place is owned by Justin Timberlake Inc. Luckily, that’s not the case. Flex is a restaurant import from Prince Edward Island, which immediately gives it some credibility – “P.E.I” as they call it, is the source of some of the best mussels the world has to offer. Flex NYC’s menu sports twenty plus treatments to the bivalve, ranging from $16-20 for a huge steamy pot. Each variation is a clever combination of flavors named for and taken from regions and cultures around the world. The Southern comes in a broth with bourbon, roasted corn, country ham; The Geisha Girl has both sake and pickled ginger; The Spaniard sits in a pool of spicy chorizo, Spanish olives, and red wine. It’s a unique and exciting approach, and it works. We sat at the bar on my most recent visit, a crowded Friday night, and the service was great. So much so, that we ended up hanging late at our bar seat and polishing off more than the bottle of wine from dinner and moving into “sure I’ll try that drink you’re making” on to “you guys should totally come to my birthday party” territory. It’s a lively atmosphere and there is something amazingly satisfying about digging into a pot of mussels and a decent bottle of wine. We’ll be making more Infatuation trips as soon as they finish that Second Avenue subway.

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Mercat was one of the first to pounce on NoHo’s recent transformation to another one of Manhattan’s “it” neighborhoods. It’s an intriguing situation for reasons including their prime real estate, bustling bar scene, and festive atmosphere. Their selection of exclusively Spanish wines is just as attractive as the pretty people drinking them. Shocker special – the food is good too. With so much focus on the space, you might assume the food would get overlooked. Thankfully, that’s not the case. These relatively pricey “small” plates are worth every penny. Their tapas are nicely sized, so be careful not to over-order. We prefer Mercat for drinks and small plates (either at the bar or in the downstairs tapas lounge) as opposed to a full sit down dinner.

Youthful, Catalan-born owner Jamie Reixach killed it with the decor. The twenty grand he dropped on old Spanish newspapers to line the walls was a damn good spend. There’s a nice contrast between the exposed brick and white subway tiles. The open kitchen, high ceilings, well laid out tables and spacious bar all contribute to a nicely flowing restaurant. Mercat’s balance between SoHo chic and Meatpacking euro make for some seriously entertaining people watching. You won’t catch the Infatuation hanging out here on a regular basis, but every once in a while it’s fun to kick back, drink in hand, and watch the ridiculous action unfold around you.

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First off, much respect goes out to Ken Friedman who owns The Spotted Pig. Dude worked in the music biz for years before venturing into the culinary world and we obviously applaud the marriage of music and food. The fact that Bono, Trent Reznor, and Courtney Love are all listed as investors is awesome. Friedman’s landlord, Jay-Z, can now add the 173-year-old building that houses The Spotted Pig to his resume of timeless classics which already include Infatuation favorites Reasonable Doubt and The Black Album. Jigga decided to buy the place and renovate, adding more dining/bar space on the second floor and an exclusive third floor room where he and his crew can dine in peace, away from the riff-raff.

Appearing in Page Six on a regular basis and having a lively bar scene has led The Spotted Pig to become one of New York’s most infamous eateries. Don’t be fooled by the hype on the food though – this is next level gastro-pub fare, not fine dining. The food isn’t bad by any stretch of the imagination, but you’re coming here for the scene first, food second. Although The Spotted Pig is only five years old, the interior space properly reflects its vintage home. Sporting plaid booths and an overabundance of pork related paraphernalia, the space has a real old New York feel to it. The Spotted Pig doesn’t take reservations, so be prepared to commit at least an hour to wait for your table. Hopefully you’ve got money to spend at the bar while you wait. The Spotted Pig is ideal for evenings where you’re looking to mix it up, throw a couple down, and see where the night takes you.

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It’s tough to write a review for Frankies 17 that’s significantly different than the Frankies 457 edition – the two restaurants are almost identical. They are both great though, and both deserve a nod from The Infatuation. But while the two restaurants are all but clones, you’ll notice that #17 get’s an ever so slightly higher rating. Here’s why: they take credit cards, it’s (somewhat) less crowded, and you have more options to kill time or find a backup plan if you get stuck with a marathon wait. Add it up, carry the zero, and what do you get? A tenth of a point, and a First/Early in the Game Dates tag that Frankies 457 doesn’t have. After all, how are you going to impress if you can’t show off that new Discover Card Sliver?

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