Romance in the air and on the menu for Valentine's Day

Photo credit: Vegetarians will delight in the avocado and radish salad at Spice Market.

Take your date to one of these spots if you hope to make magic this Valentine's Day. Trust us: romance will be in the air...

François Payard Patisserie
116 West Houston St., 212-995-0888, payard.com
Impress that special someone in your life by making a reservation at acclaimed pastry chef François Payard's restaurant. Work through four courses aptly named First Meet, Second Date, Fall in Love and Goodnight Kiss while a harpist serenades. The signature desserts will sweeten the evening even more. $65 per person.

Patsy's Italian Restaurant
236 West 56th St., 212-247-3491, patsys.com
Dine at this classic midtown eatery, open since 1944, for a special Valentine's Day Aphrodisiac Menu that includes Baked Clams, Chicken Fra Diavolo and Patsy's Passion cocktail. $65 per person.

Gemma at The Bowery Hotel
335 Bowery, 212-505-9100, theboweryhotel.com
Be hip while still celebrating your head-over-heels love at the Bowery Hotel's renowned Italian restaurant Gemma. Specials include Sicilian tuna tartare, saffron risotto with lobster and peas and chocolate mousse.

DBGB Kitchen and Bar
299 Bowery, 212-933-5300. danielnyc.com/dbgb.html
Another downtown haunt known for its impeccable food, DBGB is the place for the understated Valentine's Day celebrant. Sample from an a la carte menu, choose the three-course dinner for $60 per person or opt for one of the dishes for two, which include plateau de fruits de mer with East and West Coast oysters.

Palo Santo
652 Union St., Park Slope, 718-636-6311, palosanto.us
Located on the ground floor of a brownstone, Palo Santo is serving a romantic five-course Latin-inspired menu that will include whole grilled sea bass and lobster tacos. The meal will be paired with South American and New York State wines. $150 per couple. Wine pairings are $25 per person.

Lincoln Ristorante
142 West 65th St., 212-359-6500, lincolnristorante.com
A stunning setting in a stunning location, (a glass-enclosed building looking out on Lincoln Center), makes modern Italian restaurant an obvious choice for a romantic dinner. Choose from the entire menu, which includes rainbow trout with spiced sausage and spaghetti with truffles, for your four-course prix-fixe menu. $85 per person.

Russian Tea Room
150 West 57th St., 212-581-7100, russiantearoomnyc.com
The luxurious and over-the-top Russian Tea Room is going all the way on Valentine's Day. Menu items include lobster salad with vanilla-champagne sauce and octopus terrine with black truffle foie gras mousse. And don't forget the vodka and caviar!

Spice Market
403 West 13th St., 212-675-2322, spicemarketnewyork.com
Spice Market is serving two prix-fixe menus on the big day. One is especially for vegetarians, which is a great way to show your no-meat date you truly care. Items include an avocado and radish salad and chili garlic egg noodles. $66 per person.

Colonie
127 Atlantic Ave., Brooklyn Heights, 718-855-7500, colonienyc.com
A true neighborhood spot, Colonie is a great place for a romantic dinner date in Brooklyn. The five-course prix-fixe dinner includes oysters with blood orange, fennel and speck consommé mignonette and chocolate ganache with banana ice cream, peanut brittle and caramel. $95 per person.

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