Valentine’s Day is supposed to be a day that you spend with someone you love, but this definition is not as restricted as some grumbling people may think. Someone you love can be a significant other, a best friend, Mommy, or even yourself. So, with that in mind, here are a few places on the Upper West Side that are great Valentine’s Day destinations regardless of who your valentine is!
Celeste on Amsterdam between 84th and 85th is an adorable little Italian restaurant, and is inexpensive and quite delicious. Last time I went I had the salmon. A girl like myself has a big appetite, so I appreciated the big portion and the fair price that went along with it. If you want to explore the Mediterranean side of things, I would most definitely recommend Gazala on 79th and Columbus. This restaurant has scrumptious Greek food, and is also inexpensive, especially if you two split a bunch of dishes (and then you get to try everything!). Please order the bourekas, they are just too good to pass up. While I am on my Greek trend, I also want to point out Keffi Restaurant on Columbus between 84th and 85th. It is a tiny bit pricier, but totally worth it, especially for a special occasion. Believe it or not I went there with my brother on Thanksgiving and had a huge lamb shank instead of turkey. Enough said. Or, if you are feeling a more low key night out, Good Enough to Eat is your place! On 83rd and Amsterdam, this place is known for their chili and their homey, comfy atmosphere. Plus they have freshly baked pies everyday. If that doesn’t yet sound like a done deal, they also happen to be having a Valentine’s Day Special Menu, which I have to announce includes a short rib sandwich and red velvet cake. Who needs a Valentine to enjoy that?! Also, fun dessert places? Sugar and Plumm on Amsterdam between 78th and 79th is the Disneyland of dessert places, and Café Lalo is famous for the movie You’ve Got Mail with our favorite romantic couple (maybe besides Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet): Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks.
For all of you who are avoiding public transportation, there are perfectly nice places up here in the Columbia bubble. Kitchenette, my go to breakfast place, is on Amsterdam and 123rd. I would go there any day just to enjoy my favorite herb and goat cheese omelet with a fresh biscuit on the side. And if your mouth isn’t watering yet, you should check out their Valentine’s Day special. Once again, you don’t even need a date to enjoy a heart-shaped cookie. Max Soha is another great place close by, with the same kind of feel as Celeste. It is directly next to Kitchenette, so you could even pop on over after your nice Italian dinner for a Kitchenette dessert special. And my personal favorite, as a fabulous and single young woman, is to either head over to the Lincoln Center theatre for a nice movie, or grab a great book (or, let’s be real, Cosmo magazine) and head over to Max Caffe (Amsterdam and 122nd) for a great Panini.
Lastly, if you feel like staying in with your Valentine’s Day date, there is nothing like a great home-cooked meal. Pasta is always easy, and for a sauce I always sauté garlic, olive oil, salt and pepper, tomatoes, mushrooms, and basil for like 20 minutes, and voila! Instant sauce. I also know for a fact that Westside has a phenomenal pre-made butternut squash sauce in a jar just waiting to be heat up. Cheating? I call it creative, last-minute thinking. And what goes better with a homemade pasta dinner than a nice bottle of red wine? Vino Fino on 122nd and Amsterdam has pretty decent bottles (I think we all need a break from Fisheye) for $12 or $13!
As you can see, there are so many ways to celebrate this holiday. Instead of dreading it, why not take this opportunity to explore new things, and celebrate the beauty of love itself? Self-love, or love for family and friends, is just as strong and important as love for a significant other. So go fill your tummies, because I know I will be!