Dinner Date in the Slope

Hi all, so after two wonderful dates with Mr. "Guy-From-the-Internet" I would like to invite him on a date three in my neck of the woods. Of course I want to impress (he has taken me out twice to two really great places), so I am looking for a dinner date spot that has really great food in a cute/casual/romantic atmosphere that shows off the awesome neighborhood we live in. It is my turn to treat but I don't want to break my wallet. Any reccomendations? Thanks!!!

North/South Slope?

Either is fine by me :-). I figure if the weather is nice we can walk around some too.

http://brooklyn.citysearch.com/profile/11417307/

convivium osteria.
http://brooklyn.citysearch.com/profile/11417307/

Oooo, well I know more South Slope spots but I love Bar Toto or Applewood or Sidecar in my neck of the woods, or farther north, Belleville, AOC, Bussaco......... all are reasonable for dinner and lovely for dates. I know I am forgetting a bunch.

Bar Tanno, Al di La, Rosewater

Al di la is an expensive shadow of its former self. The menu hasn't changed in at least 4 years and the food these days tastes like they made it out of a can. That place used to be one of my favorite restaurants and now I won't even consider going there.

Rosewater is good but not price competitive and the menu is very very hit and miss. There was a great Oregon Pinot noir on the winelist though last time I went.

Tempo and Stone Park are white table cloth stuffy as well as pricey, and you sound young . . . al di la and Convivium, the standards of casual/romantic, probably break the bank, ditto Palo Santo . . . Taro Sushi and Bklyn Fish house aren't romantic . . .

How Tamari or Sheep Station? Both very casual, but good food and subdued light.

^^^all North/center Slope biased. Someone else can take South Slope.

jdoo wrote: Al di la is an expensive shadow of its former self. The menu hasn't changed in at least 4 years and the food these days tastes like they made it out of a can. That place used to be one of my favorite restaurants and now I won't even consider going there.

I only have been there recently, so I know nothing of it's former self, but my braised veal short rib was amazing when I went there last weekend. The prices also seemed reasonable, for two people with 3 courses, tax, tip, coffee and a glass of wine it was $100.

South slope romantic type dinner from expensive to cheep.
Applewood.
Sidecar.
Little D.
Anthony's

After dinner...
Brookvin, hands down. Very romantic.

Best of Luck!

Mougar wrote: [quote=jdoo]Al di la is an expensive shadow of its former self. The menu hasn't changed in at least 4 years and the food these days tastes like they made it out of a can. That place used to be one of my favorite restaurants and now I won't even consider going there.

I only have been there recently, so I know nothing of it's former self, but my braised veal short rib was amazing when I went there last weekend. The prices also seemed reasonable, for two people with 3 courses, tax, tip, coffee and a glass of wine it was $100.

I have to agree with Moug. Maybe I always get lucky when we go there, maybe I can't stand American style red sauce joints, but I love al di la from when they opened to a couple weeks ago when we last went. The desserts are also really great (housemade gelato, pear/chocolate cake, and affogatto which is a cup of expresso dumped over a vanilla gelato = delicious) so we sometimes share a bunch of apps and salad, skip the main, and leave room for dessert.

I heard Little D closed, but I really liked that one too. Applewood, YUM expensive.

Glad you guys like it. Convivium is much better IMO.

Outside of the slope, if you are willing to go to Fort Greene, Stonehome Wine Bar is an excellent date spot.

http://www.stonehomewinebar.com/

pitu wrote: I heard Little D closed, but I really liked that one too.

Not closed... just for sale.

Please people try Canaille...it's so good and under appreciated.

http://canaillebistro.com/

Mpmav1 wrote: [quote=pitu] I heard Little D closed, but I really liked that one too.

Not closed... just for sale.

Thx. Is the couple that started it still cooking/running it for now?

pitu wrote: [quote=Mpmav1][quote=pitu] I heard Little D closed, but I really liked that one too.

Not closed... just for sale.

Thx. Is the couple that started it still cooking/running it for now?

Yep. Still all the same. I guess they are selling as it is just not possible to make a profit. Sad, as they are usually fairly full.

pitu wrote: [quote=Mpmav1][quote=pitu] I heard Little D closed, but I really liked that one too.

Not closed... just for sale.

Thx. Is the couple that started it still cooking/running it for now?

Yes

pastoralia wrote: Please people try Canaille...it's so good and under appreciated.

http://canaillebistro.com/

That looks like a good bistro date night too

I like the vibe (and food) at Alchemy, esp. in the yard.

For a deal on drinks, go to Coco Roco and get a 1/2, or whole if you're feeling feisty, pitcher of sangria. I like their drinks, lighting, and the food.

Convivium is very nice and romantic. i would also recommend Pepperoncino and Primo Atto, both very nice places with a good vibe and romantic without being over the top. i would not go to Bar Tano for a romantic date, you sit elbow to elbow in a very large noisy crowd!

Song is also nice and will have music on the weekends. and I hear great things about Applewood

Another thing to keep in mind is that many of these places are doing 3 course for $23 specials next week: Dine in Brooklyn PDF

Mougar wrote: Another thing to keep in mind is that many of these places are doing 3 course for $23 specials next week: Dine in Brooklyn PDF

For good or ill, it's a great thing to keep in mind.
I enjoyed Applewood during restaurant week once, but in general places are not putting their best foot forward - they are slammed, slicing margins, whatever.
This economy might make that situation even worse.

I second Sidecar and also Bar Toto.

al di la is still my favorite.

i go about once a month, and have not in any way, shape or form noticed a decline in quality.

it is rated the 3rd best italian restaurant in the ENTIRE CITY!

and the prices are quite reasonable.

applewood is great and is such a great date atmosphere. beware before you go that the non-meat lovers amongst us might have a tough time finding something on the menu. but it is amazing

pitu wrote: How Tamari or Sheep Station? Both very casual, but good food and subdued light.

I went to Sheep Station once and the service was very bad. I've heard the same from 1 or 2 others. You may want to go on Yelp or Citysearch and look at reviews before going there.

Good luck on date 3!

Burns wrote: applewood is great and is such a great date atmosphere. beware before you go that the non-meat lovers amongst us might have a tough time finding something on the menu. but it is amazing

Yeah? I went awhile agp and my gf and I just got a bunch of non-meat apps that made a great meal.

Sheep Station can be fun and the food above the usual Bar and Grill stuff. But it can get packed, that's probably why you had a problem danielle123.
That said, I've been there lots of times, even when busy and had good service. The poutine is soooooo good.

If you want a more chill and laid back atmosphere, i'd say:

Bar Toto - Bar Toto is always solid. Their pastas are good, the Cubano Italiano Panini may be the best sandwich ever and the prices are breat.

Sidecar - A little bit more of a bar feel than Toto, for example but very good grub. Try the awesome bean dip with bacon and feta. Their Bahn Mi is also very good.

For a little more upscale/expensive:

Stone Park - The last meal I had here was a very pleasant surprise. I had only had brunch before.

Applewood - I've not had a bad experience here and its got that great New England farmhouse feel to it. Can be a bit pricey, of course.

There's also Olea which isn't exactly in the Slope but it's not TOO far. I do loves me some Mediterranean food.

scarlett wrote: Yeah? I went awhile agp and my gf and I just got a bunch of non-meat apps that made a great meal.

the entrees the times we have been there have been very meat focused (and incredibly delicious). the last time the one fish item came w a bacon type sauce which was not even mentioned on the menu

Tempo is very romantic. I also like Primo Atto and Belleville