Romance in the city: 5 Valentine ideas
Conversation heart cookies are available on Valentine's Day at Bouchon Bakery at Time-Warner Center in Manhattan. Credit: Deborah Jones
There are few cities on earth as romantic as New York. Here, Valentine's Day can be whatever you want it to be - whether you're looking for a quiet and intimate dinner or a beautifully wrapped box of chocolates for two. Below are five favorite romantic spots in the city.
1. A sweet start
Sweet-talk your way into somebody's heart with chocolates and other confections at Jacques Torres, one of New York's most famous chocolatiers. Special Valentine's treats include Love Tonic, which is fudge sauce, and The Kissing Game, which makes a game of combining kisses and chocolate - très romantique!
WHEN | WHERE Friday until 9 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. 285 Amsterdam Ave.; for other locations visit the website.
INFO Valentine's specials $5-$36, 212-414-2462, jacquestorres.com
2. Pamper yourself
If it's intimacy you're looking for, how about a spa day with your sweetie? The Couples Package at the Townhouse Spa includes, along with an "aphrodisiac drink" and something sweet to eat, a Hamman or Turkish-style bath, a couples massage, facials and nail therapy. Valentine's Day guests will enjoy champagne and chocolate-covered strawberries. It's a little pricey, but you'll be so relaxed you won't care.
WHEN | WHERE Open daily 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., 39 W. 56th St.
INFO Couples Package $450 per person, 212-245-8006, townhousespa.com
3. Shop for treasures
Excite your Valentine's gal with a little retail romance from Blue Tree. Stop into actress Phoebe Cates' adorable East Side shop, which sells perfumes, unique jewelry, lotions, clothes, home decor items and a handful of other carefully selected gifts.
WHEN | WHERE Friday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., closed Sunday. 1283 Madison Ave.
INFO Prices vary. From the $20s for beauty items to the $700s and up for home decor and jewelry. 212-369-2583, bluetreenyc.com
4. Dinner for two
Combine Malatesta's genuine charm, cozy setting and simple, excellent Italian fare and you've got yourself a great backdrop for a wonderful Valentine's meal. Pastas, salads and sumptuous fresh vegetable and meat dishes round out this small but spot-on menu.
WHEN | WHERE Friday night 5:30 to 11:30, Saturday and Sunday noon to 11:30 p.m. 649 Washington St.
INFO Antipasti and salads $6.50-$9, pastas and main courses $10-$25; 212-741-1207
5. After-dinner delight
Before heading home to snuggle, drop in to Bouchon Bakery, a delightful patisserie in the Time Warner Center serving picture-perfect sweets and to-die-for desserts. They've cooked up plenty of Valentine's Day specials, including heart-shaped Linzer cookies and individual heart-shaped chocolate mousse cakes. Or just enjoy a coffee, tea or hot cocoa. You can't go wrong here; everything they do is done right.
WHERE | WHEN Friday and Saturday 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., Sunday 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. 10 Columbus Circle, third floor.
INFO Coffee and tea $3.50 and up, sweets around $10. 212-823-9366, bouchonbakery.com
