There’s a particular magic to New York in October. Golden light, crisp air and the energy New York is known for. Whether you’re planning a first date or a long-standing ritual, here are some ideas worth putting on the calendar this fall:
Sip Champagne at The Noortwyck
On Wednesday, October 14, The Noortwyck is hosting a one-night-only Champagne experience with Laurent-Perrier, from 5:30 to 7:30 PM. For $45, guests get a flight of three Champagnes: Ultra Brut, Brut Nature, and Cuvée Rosé.
A special à la carte menu is designed to pair with the bubbles:
- Caviar hash brown with crème fraîche
- Oysters
- Tuna tartare with tomato-yuzu vinaigrette and toasted nori
- 22-month Comté with brown butter
- Beef tartare with potato chips and cured egg yolk
Feeling indulgent? You can upgrade to a full caviar service, or order Laurent-Perrier’s prestige cuvée, Grand Siècle, by the glass. The early window makes this an ideal opener: start with bubbles, then wander off to dinner.
Take a Night Out for the Mind: Marcus Samuelsson and Michael Strahan
For a date that gives you something to talk about over dessert, head to PAC NYC (251 Fulton Street) on October 20 at 5:30 PM. Chef and author Marcus Samuelsson celebrates the launch of his new cookbook, Back to Green: Rediscovering a World of Delicious, Healthy Eating, in conversation with journalist Michael Strahan.
The discussion will explore food, health, culture, and the traditions behind Samuelsson’s cooking, including his focus on nourishing, sustainable, “of-the-earth” ingredients. The book draws on the Caribbean, the Americas, the Pacific, Asia, and Africa, and looks at how ingredients now labeled “superfoods” have long been staples of traditional cuisines.
Tickets run $49 to $59 and include a copy of the book, and guests can have it signed by Samuelsson after the conversation.
Learn Something Together at Coffee Project New York
Skip the standard dinner-and-a-movie and try a class. Coffee Project New York, the city’s first Specialty Coffee Association-certified Premier Training Campus, offers courses from beginner workshops to the Q Grader certification, often described as the coffee world’s equivalent of a wine sommelier credential.
A good pick for couples is the two-hour Pour-Over Intensive, led by Peace, a wholesale trainer and educator who placed second in the U.S. Brewers Cup. All skill levels are welcome, and you will practice manual brewing and learn the science of extraction, then you can compete over whose cup tastes better. Serious coffee professionals can look at the six-day SCA Evolved Q Grading course, though that’s a bigger commitment than date night.
Book a Table: Three Dinner Reservations Worth Making
The Dutch
Chef Andrew Carmellini’s The Dutch, at 131 Sullivan Street, became a hit early on and 15 years later is now a SoHo institution. Corner windows open onto the sidewalk, and inside you’ll find a stocked martini bar, cozy banquettes, and a friendly staff. It’s an easy pick if you want a lively room that still feels romantic, and the oyster bar makes it a natural follow-up to bubbles at The Noortwyck.
Il Gattopardo
Il Gattopardo just celebrated 25 years, and the epitome of New York sophistication. It sits on West 54th Street, a few steps from MoMA, in townhouses that once belonged to John D. Rockefeller. The dining room feels like a cross between a fancy living room and an embassy. The menu is Southern Italian comfort food adapted for a contemporary palate. Starters include smoked buffalo mozzarella and grilled octopus, and the homemade pastas include cavatelli with shellfish ragout and fettuccine with cherry tomatoes and ricotta di bufala. Save room for dessert. The list includes pastiera, a traditional Neapolitan cheesecake, and a warm zabaione prepared tableside. The restaurant is run by Gianfranco Sorrentino and Paula Bolla-Sorrentino, with chef Vito Gnazzo.
Palermo Soho
The third Manhattan location of Palermo Argentinian Bistro, inspired by Buenos Aires’ Palermo neighborhood and built around a menu featuring a signature Parrilla for Two with imported Argentinian meats, Argentine Skirt Steak and Picanha, hand-folded empanadas, proveleta, and a delectable Dulce de Leche for dessert. The parrilla is the obvious pick for a date night, and make sure to save room for dessert.
Make a Plan
A few easy ways to put it all together:
- The classic downtown night: Champagne and oysters at The Noortwyck on October 14, then dinner at The Dutch or Palermo Soho.
- The dressy anniversary: Dinner at Il Gattopardo, with table side zabaione to finish.
- The conversation night: Samuelsson and Strahan at PAC NYC on October 20, then a late bite nearby.
- The daytime date: A pour-over class at Coffee Project New York.
