Romance Personified

The statistics of our city are daunting and intimidating however, if we use them to our advantage one will realize that as Frank Sinatra said we have the world on a string.  

I decided to share these statistics in this post as a tool for dating based on perspective of just how much opportunity we have.  Take advantage of it. 

Manhattan alone has over 30,000 restaurants and each one deserves some love and appreciation.  You can decide to eat Chinese in Chinatown or Italian on Arthur ave in the boogie down or the finest beef at one of our famed steakhouses.  The seafood is special from Le Bernadin and Masa but the secrets are your own discoveries.  I don't base my restaurant decisions on zagat or ny times reviews, it's all about personal experiences and boundless knowledge (trial and error).  When you pick a dining haute or cocktail lounge the choice is almost more about the "hood" than it is the cuisine or mixology.  

I am going to start my suggestions in a area most New Yorkers loath.  Midtown. I am of the minority of residents who refuse to hate on midtown as I truly believe it shines more often than not.  The energy is unparalleled from the Hudson River to the east river in midtown.  The 5:30pm commuters racing for the train and the post shift workers dying for a drink are priceless.  The sun setting walk up and around Madison Avenue in the low 50's is a sight to behold and cherish.  Our first midtown haute is my most cherished and classic prize in this area.  This restaurant is famed and often forgotten.  It doesn't need a name but it has a number '21...

The 21 Club is a sight for sore eyes and a love of a different color.  It's the hallowed grounds in which Joe Kennedy boot legged and Howard Huges did business.  It's where Sea Biscuit is immortalized along with Jackie O and every president since Hoover.  It's as classic as it gets.  If you are setting the tone for a romantic date, this is it.   Period.  The upstairs at 21 is the Mecca of romance, make a reservation for upstairs where they have 32 seats and the service is impeccable and the silence is deafening.  

Population

New York City: 8,224,910
Bronx: 1,392,002
Brooklyn: 2,532,645
Manhattan: 1,601,948
Queens: 2,247,848
Staten Island: 470,467

New York City, total area in square miles: 301
Manhattan, total area in square miles: 23.7
Manhattan, length: 13.4 miles (21.5 km) long
Manhattan, widest point: 2.3 miles (3.7 km)
Manhattan, narrowest point: 0.8 miles (1.3 km) at narrowest point
The Bronx, total area in square miles: 44
Brooklyn, total area in square miles: 81.8
Queens, total area in square miles: 112.2
Staten Island, total area in square miles: 60.2

Cheers,

AT