Love is in the air, and there’s no better place to celebrate romance than in New York City. Whether you’re planning a grand Valentine’s Day date or simply looking for a special evening out, the city offers countless opportunities to create unforgettable moments. From candlelit dinners and live jazz to art-filled explorations, there’s a perfect spot for every couple, no matter your style.
At Great Performances, we believe that love is best expressed through food, ambiance, and shared experiences. Our curated list of date night destinations ensures that you and your special someone can savor every moment with a menu crafted from the heart.
If your idea of romance includes smooth jazz and an exquisite meal, then Dizzy’s Club at Jazz at Lincoln Center is the perfect setting. On Valentine’s Day, the club welcomes Kim Nalley, a vocalist known for her incredible range and emotionally rich interpretations of jazz classics. Paired with a decadent three-course prix fixe menu, this intimate experience is a feast for both the ears and the palate. Indulge in dishes like butter-poached lobster, filet mignon with truffle mash, and a rich chocolate soufflé to end the evening on a sweet note.
Preview the Menu
For couples who appreciate creativity and culture, Poster House offers a unique date night surrounded by striking visuals. As the only museum in the U.S. dedicated to poster art, it provides a fascinating look at the power of design and storytelling. Open late on Fridays with free admission, Valentine’s Day visitors can enjoy chocolate-dipped strawberries, specialty drinks like a raspberry champagne spritz, and an inspiring collection of exhibits that set the perfect mood for a romantic evening.
Explore the current exhibitions Just Frame It: How Nike Turned Sports Starts into Superheroes; Lester Beall & A New American Identity; and Fantastical Streets: The Theatrical Poster of Boris Bućan. This beautifully designed museum has something for everyone and is sure to impress your date!
For those who find love in the beauty of nature, Wave Hill offers an enchanting escape from the city’s hustle and bustle. This lush public garden and cultural center in the Bronx provides stunning views of the Hudson River, perfect for a dreamy date. Celebrate love with their special Valentine’s Tea, featuring an elegant selection of teas, delicate finger sandwiches, and sweet treats like heart-shaped scones and chocolate-dipped strawberries. Whether you’re exploring the gardens or indulging in this intimate tea experience, Wave Hill is a hidden gem for couples seeking tranquility and natural beauty.
For an evening of music, wine, and artisanal delights, Wave Hill also presents Valentine’s Evening with Ellisha Marie: An Evening of Jazz, Wine, and Artisanal Delights. Set in the grand Wave Hill House and the Marco Polo Stufano Conservatory, this unforgettable night features The David Fletcher Trio, with a repertoire spanning love songs from the Great American Songbook to modern favorites by Sting, Katy Perry, Beyoncé, and more. The evening includes welcome drinks, a conservatory photography session, a wine and cheese tasting with a sommelier, and an indulgent tapas and dessert bar. With a breathtaking setting and live music, this experience is a perfect blend of romance and refinement.
No matter your idea of romance—be it music, art, or a beautifully crafted meal—New York City has a date night destination that speaks to your heart. So go ahead, indulge in the magic of the city, and celebrate love in the most memorable way possible.
By Great Performances
“I think food, culture, people and landscape are all absolutely inseparable.”
-Anthony Bourdain
One of the ways we experience, enjoy and learn about another culture is through food. Travel guides and lists often highlight monuments, museums and cultural institutions and invariably will have a section dedicated to food. Enjoying a local meal is one of the ways that we feel we’ve truly experienced another country or culture. Recently, it’s become even more popular to be able to experience this in our own backyards. But more than just visiting the local Japanese restaurant for Omakase or digging into bayenetu at an Ethiopian restaurant, it’s experiencing other aspects of culture including history, music and art.
Within our cafes and restaurants at cultural institutions, we’re careful to develop more than just menus, but experiences that reflect current exhibits and provide guests with an immersive journey.
Enjoying French Cuisine at The Norm at Brooklyn Museum
For Brooklyn Museum’s exhibit, Pierre Cardin: Future of Fashion, we transformed The Norm into an homage to Pierre Cardin’s restaurant, Maxim’s de Paris. The menu features classic dishes from the Maxim’s de Paris cookbook and seasonal dishes inspired by the iconic restaurant. The menu has evolved since its launch in June, moving from the fresh Mediterranean influences of southern French cuisine in the summer towards the more comforting warm and robust flavors of northern and central France as we head into winter.
French chef and restaurateur Eric Ripert, famous for his flagship restaurant Le Bernardin, recently visited ordering Salade aux Poires et Roquefort, Carpaccio d’Aubergines, Branzino en Papillote and Onglet Grillé . He complimented Chef Andy Mejias remarking that the “flavors were so good!”
An Elevated Southern Experience at Dizzy’s Club at Jazz at Lincoln Center
Recently, Chef Corey Samuel hosted a tasting experience at Dizzy’s Club at Jazz at Lincoln Center. Chef Samuel took guests on a delectable journey, exploring the foods of his childhood prepared using classic techniques and drawing on modern influences.
Firmly rooted in southern tradition and anchored with ingredients associated with southern cuisine, international flavors, varied cooking methods and unique pairings elevated each dish. Chef Samuel shared stories from his youth as he presented each dish, engaging the guests in conversations about food, culture and tradition.
Following the meal, guests enjoyed dessert along with a set at Dizzy’s Club, celebrating the natural synergy between soul food and Jazz.