Seduction Meals is about food + romance and the premise that everyone should learn to master one dish that is their signature dish—a Seduction Meal, to enchant and captivate that special someone in your life...
There's more love than pollen in the air this spring! With flowers in bloom, trees bursting into greenery and sunshine melting away the last of the winter blues, this is the perfect time to spark up a romance to heat up your summer. So step outside, gather a gorgeous wildflower bouquet and surprise that special someone with an unforgettable date.
It's no secret that we love New York City. There's no better place to spend a romantic evening together, especially now that the season for sundresses and shades has returned. So why not grab your sweetie and...
Catch the sunset from the High Line
Chelsea's hippest park stretches along a length of abandoned raised subway tracks, offering a gorgeous view of the Hudson. Start your night off right - grab a couple foamy, creamy iced lattes and some front row seats to the end of the day.
If you've never been to Eataly, Manhattan's Italian food market, you're in for a delicious surprise. Eataly is all about a love of outstanding food and fresh ingredients, and it's a fabulous place to browse for some specialty cheeses, oils and herbs to enhance your kitchen at home. The cherry on top is the rooftop Birreria, where artisan ales and lagers are brewed just feet away from where you sit.
This Greenwich Village underground hotspot has a reputation as an unpretentious place to get your groove on. Forget about waiting in line to be judged by the bouncer - all you need to be admitted to Sullivan Room is a small cover and a desire to dance the night away. For best results, show up fashionably late.
Located on the far east end of St. Mark's Place, Yaffa is a 24-hour eatery that boasts eclectic decor, a romantically lowlit, caravan-esque atmosphere and both front patio and back garden seating - so you can choose to snuggle up in an indoor booth, watch the late night crowd meander through the East Village, or hole up together in a private corner of the garden. The food is perfect for a post-party pick-me-up; hearty, creative, delicious and reasonably priced.
New York is a different city after midnight, and with the right partner in tow, it can be irresistibly romantic. Don't just take our word for it, though... see for yourself!
It's the weekend. Why not invite that special someone over for an enticing drink and chocolate dipped strawberries before your hot night on the town? Here we have three creatively seductive cocktails to consider:
Vida Rojo
Ingredients:
1 part Vida Blanco
4 fresh raspberries
3/4 part fresh lemon juice
3/4 part sugar syrup
chocolate sauce
Drizzle chocolate in the bottom of a rock glass as desired. Combine the
other ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice cubes. Strain the
mixture and pure carefully and gently into the chocolate lined rock
glass.
Bitter Bubbles
Ingredients
1 oz. X-Rated Fusion Liqueur
0.5 oz. SKYY Infusions Passion Fruit
0.25 oz. Campari
Your Favorite Champagne
Mix together first 3 ingredients, Top with Champagne, serve in a flute. Garnish with slice of orange The Berry Kiss
Ingredients
1.5 oz. AGWA de Bolivia Coca Leaf Liquor
5 oz. chilled Prosecco
fresh lime juice
fresh blackberries and raspberries
Combine AGWA, lime juice and chilled Prosecco and shake, garnish with fresh Blackberries and Raspberries
What is one of my favorite things about summer in the city? Rooftop bars. After a sweltering summer day, after work cocktails on a rooftop where the breeze is cooler and the view is stunning is the perfect way to relax with friends or a lover. Only problem is that Manhattan is full of them, and some are
A word of warning: anything situated on a rooftop is no cheap night out. Prepare to pay for the view!
107 Rivington Street, Lower East Side (between Ludlow and Essex Street)
If you can get past the difficult doormen and make your way through the slick hotel to the penthouse, you'll be rewarded with three-floors of views. The third floor even has a large hot tub if you're not too shy! Call ahead before planning your night, as the space frequently tends to host events.
33 W 37th st, Midtown East (between 5th and 6th Avene)
The star attraction at this bar, situated on top of the Strand Hotel, is its view of the Empire State Building, standing literally right in front of you in all its glory. The perfect place to take out-of-towners looking for the New York wow-factor without the escalated drink prices.
On the fifth floor of the W Downtown Hotel is this ultra-modern rooftop bar with a metallic warped ceiling and wraparound terrace for warm nights. Great views of the construction going on at Ground Zero, soon to be a view of the Freedom Tower, and never too crowded. The menu features items from the BLT Bar & Grill.
17 W 32nd St, 14th Floor (between 5th Ave and Broadway)
I hesitate to even mention this one, because it is (supposedly) such a secret, but thank god, this bar hidden on the 14th floor of La Quinta Inn in Koreatown proves that there IS such thing as a non-pretentious rooftop bar. After you recover from the shock of the reasonable drink prices, look up and see the Empire State Building towering above.
145 E 50th St, 31st Fl, Midtown East (between Lexington and 3rd Avenue)
At the top of the Kimberly Hotel lies this bar with 360 degree views of Manhattan. The atmosphere is charming with string lights and a breathtaking view of the Chrysler Building. Come back in the morning to try the very popular brunch.
So you've got the meal, you've got the date, but don't forget another key ingredient- the music. Music has the amazing power to influence a person's mood--it can make you feel good, sexy, blue, happy. Set up a music play list to complement your romantic meal for two. Try a few from this suggested playlist. You can also listen to the songs with the music player below:
David Gray / Sail Away
Stateless / Bloodstream
Amel Larriuex / For Real
Beirut / Nantes
The Temper Trap / Fools
Frou Frou / Let Go
John Mayer / I Don't Trust Myself (with Loving You)
So you've met someone but you're not convinced they're special enough to take out to a full-on dinner date quite yet? Take them for coffee! Sharing a coffee is the classic date-non-date. It's like dipping your toes in the water before you jump in. If things aren't going so well, coffee can be short and sweet. If you're getting along like a house on fire, you can relax over several cups, or propose a walk or a meal after wards (and don't worry, we've got that covered - see neighborhood restaurant suggestions below).
When it comes to the place, however, choose wisely. Choosing a cafe with top-notch coffee might also earn you some brownie points as a coffee connoisseur. And above all, avoid the generic like Starbucks. Try a few of our favorite coffee dates spots...
For the coffee snob... La Colombe Torrefaction 319 Church St (between Lispenard and Walker Sts), TriBeCa - several other locations
Almost like an anti-chain coffee chain, these people are coffee purists - there's no menu, just walk up and order what you want. What you'll receive is the perfect, strong coffee fresh from the espresso machine. Unlike other locations, the TriBeCa location has ample seating with big, airy windows.
Later: Share some small plates at Stuzzicheria (Italian).
Move away from the hustle and bustle of Union Square to this inviting cafe tucked inside an historic Gramercy Park brownstone. The house beans are roasted on a farm in the Hudson Valley to make a delicious espresso. The perfect spot for the footprint-conscious and those who want to support local business.
Later: Travel to Spain at nearbyBar Jamon (Tapas).
For a sunny day... Ninth St Espresso 700 East 9th St (between Ave C and D), East Village
While the Chelsea Market and 10th St locations of this great coffee company lack plentiful seating, the original 9th St location features seating inside and a quaint outdoor seating area at the front, perfect for lazing about on a sunny day.
Later: Take a stroll through Tompkins Square Park and share some pommes frites and beers at The Belgian Room(Belgian).
For the diamond in the midtown rough... Culture Espresso Bar 72 W 38th St (between 5th Ave & Avenue Of The Americas), Midtown
Quirky wallpaper, chandeliers and great espresso - how can you go wrong? Have your cup inside or get takeout and take a stroll over to nearby Bryant Park.
A quaint and cosy spot. Order a coffee (made from illy beans) and one of the 25 flavors of biscotti - including white chocolate lavender, sambuca and orange blossom. A coffee date with a twist!
Thursday May 5 is the Mexican celebration Cinco de Mayo! Although it isn't Mexico's Independence Day, it celebrates the Mexican victory against Napoleon in the Battle of Puebla. Today is also a great excuse to eat some great food and imbibe in a margarita or two, all while celebrating freedom and liberty. On this day you are either the type that revels in celebrating with large crowds, or perhaps you are more of a romantic and want a nice intimate toast for two.
Surprisingly, Cinco de Mayo is celebrated by more people in the US than in Mexico - mainly Mexican descendants. Celebrations range from food to parades, music and dancing. We can't provide the last three, but as for the food, we've got it covered.
If you'd rather stay in with friends or a partner - try your hand at our suggeste menu!
While many island-dwellers turn their nose up at the thought of crossing the river, the city views and larger spaces gives the Brooklyn restaurant scene a serious advantage. Catch the N train across the Williamsburg bridge or take a romantic stroll across the Brooklyn Bridge for great views of the city lights.
372 Graham Ave (between Conselyea St and Skillman Ave)
Rumor has it that the waitstaff at this Mexican eatery have a very high sexiness rating, so careful your date doesn't have a wandering eye! The food and decor are fantastic (try the fish tacos), but beware the Jalapeno Margherita - unless your spice threshold is particularly high!
For the best view of the Manhattan skyline, you can't go past this riverboat romantic restaurant. Arrive early evening to watch the sun set over the Statue of Liberty and finish with a stroll across the Brooklyn Bridge amongst the stunning lights of Manhattan.
A gorgeous outdoor garden with vine-covered walls makes the Aurora Williamsburg just a bit more special than it's Soho sister. Best for its homemade pastas, try the Pasta Al Ragu.
Don't judge this restaurant by its exterior, inside is a cozy relaxed space with a sundeck area which serves up some of the tastiest food in Park Slope. If you're famished, try the value-for-money five course tasting menu for $60. The vegetarian baked polenta is also a standout, while the $14 prix fixe brunch is a local favorite.
Some say this is the best Argentinian fare in New York, with an adventurous and creative menu. It's certainly a great date spot, featuring an outdoor area decorated with cups of flowers and candles. Don't go past the blood sausage, grilled corn on the cob or the avocado fries. And just look at this luscious, juicy steak!
There's nothing more blissful than spending an entire morning in bed with your loved one, enjoying a romantic breakfast in bed, a soothing cup of coffee or a glass of champagne, the NY Times crossword puzzle, a good book, or just listening to some great tunes. Here is a list of songs to inspire your music play list for a lazy morning in bed. You can also listen to them below:
Ray LaMontagne - Trouble
Mazzy Star - Fade Into You
Sufjan Stevens - To Be Alone With You
Bob Marley - No Woman No Cry
Peter Frampton - Baby I Love your Way
KT Tunstall - Heal Over
Norah Jones - Feels Like Home
Brooke Fraser - Without You
Angus & Julia Stone - Big Jet Plane (LOVE this one!)
It seems that spring is finally here and what better way to celebrate than dining at one of New York's open-air restaurants? I cannot wait to dust off those silk dresses, sandals and cotton shirts. And if your date is a dull bore, dining on the street is the perfect opportunity for some people-watching.
An outdoor classic in Soho. While it may be considered on the pricey side, you can't get much more romantic than an outdoor garden filled with trees covered in white festive lights. And the food is fab! Try the Granny apple ravioli with lamb ragu.
With three locations, there's no excuse not to try this seafood haven with on-street seating. For those on a budget, try the happy hour-and-a-half $1 oyster specials or the Sunday Lobsterpalooza.
Despite the meticulously prepared food, scoring an outdoor table on a sunny day at this popular neighborhood spot makes for the perfect weekend brunch. Don't be fooled by the name, it's just as good for a sexy dinner. Try to resist filling up on the fresh baked bread before you've even started your appetizer.
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