3 Perfect First Date Restaurants in New York City

First dates anxiety hits everyone. My first date with my husband was full of anxiety; what should I wear, where should we go (he wanted my suggestions before a decision was made); what will we talk about and will he or she like me? Since we are now happily married and have been for five years, I guess the choice of restaurant, what I was wearing and what we talked about made everything fall into place, and I have to admit was the best first date I ever had. I was glad that he took the time to discuss the place with me, to make sure it was close by, easy to get too, we did not have to wait for a table and since it was an "off" time - early for dinner, late for lunch - we were able to get a quiet place to sit and have a drink, some good food and excellent conversation. Greeting me at the door of the restaurant with a dozen peach colored roses didn't hurt.

In New York City, singles have a multitude of choices available to them for first date options. Do you go dancing? To a movie? Bowling? Sporting event? Walk in the park? Or do you play it safe, but fun, by choosing a unique and interesting restaurant with a wonderful atmosphere, one which will also provide you with a good conversation topic.

For a first date at a restaurant in New York City, I recommend three very unique places. First, there is the romance of an Italian restaurant. Puttanesca located on Ninth Avenue and the corner of 56^th street, conveniently located near the Theatre District and Central Park, is special not only for it's intimate and romantic atmosphere, even while fully booked, but for it's unusual menu options as well as the traditional Italian fare.

You are greeted at your table with a basket of warm, homemade Italian bread. As you peruse the menu, you see the delicious offerings of antipasti, entrées, and deserts. Entrée items range in price, an average entrée cost is $16.00, and the highest entrée is approximately $30.00. I suggest starting with the Insalata de Pera which contains thinly sliced bosco pear, arugola, and walnuts. If you love seafood and pasta then try the Capellini alla Pescatora. This entrée features shrimp, calamari, mussels and clams in a light tomato sauce, if you prefer your meal a little spicier, then try the Tagliatelle fra Diavolo, with squid ink tagliatelle in spicy tomato sauce. For the more traditional palettes there are an array of varieties of ravioli, lasagna, tortellini, and vegetarian options.

The restaurant has a full stocked bar, as well as some outstanding and reasonably priced wines. I recommend going ahead and getting a bottle so you can sit and enjoy your dinner. You can also enjoy your conversation without interruption by the excellent and attentive wait staff.

Deserts, although you probably won't have room, range in variety from fruit, cheese cake, mousse, and tarts. If the date is going well, end it with a carriage ride or walk in Central Park which is located just a few blocks away.

Lunch is available Monday through Sunday 12:00-4:00 p.m. and dinner is served on Monday and Tuesday 4:00-11:00p.m.; Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday from 4:00 p.m.-12:00 am; and Friday and Saturday from 4:00 p.m-1:00 a.m. Reservations are highly recommended. The dress code is casual neat, which is similar to a business casual, but don't forget to add your date dressing flair. Don't take your MasterCard or Visa, this restaurant only takes American Express.

If you are want something with a little bit of a "beat" try Guantanamera, a authentic Cuban restaurant with live music on Tuesday - Sunday at 8:30 p.m. a cigar roller, Happy Hour Sunday-Thursday from 4-6, "the best Mojito's" and delicious food. To start your evening, skip the appetizers and salad, go ahead and have one of their famous Mojito's which you can also order in a variety of flavors, or you can try a pitcher of Sangria. The entrée menu ranges in price from approximately $14.00-$24.00. Of course scrumptious paella is offered, Spanish rice with seafood, Spanish chorizo and chicken. For "meat" lovers, try the Ropa Viejo, which is shredded steak in garlic and tomato sauce, peppers, onions and served in a fresh plantain basket. The portions are enormous, so don't eat lunch that day. To keep things light, end your evening with a cup of Cuban coffee.

One of the very unique things about this restaurant is the cigar roller available to you outside. As you approach, you will see an older gentleman who will hand roll and cut for you a fresh Cuban cigar. You can stay late and enjoy the music and if so inclined get a little dancing in before your date goes home. It's always a good idea to see if your date has a little rhythm.

Lunch is served Monday-Sunday, 11:30-3:30. Dinner is available Sunday-Thursday 3:30-12:00pm, Friday and Saturday from 3:30 pm-2:00 am. Guantanamera is located at 939 Eighth Avenue at 59^th street. Dress is casual neat and go ahead, bring all your credit cards, you won't need them but this establishment takes them.

Serendipity2 maybe best known for its deserts or for its appearance in the movies, "One Fine Day," featuring George Clooney and Michelle Pfeiffer and "Serendipity" with John Cusack and Kate Beckinsale, however, if you would like to take your date to a funky, fun atmosphere and either keep your date short with one of their mouthwatering deserts only or spend the evening trying out any one of their entrees followed by a desert (did I mention desert?) you can't go wrong at this restaurant.

Serendipity3 is located at 225 60^th Street, between 2^nd and 3^rd Avenues. Entrée's range in price from $7.00-$22.00 or if you want to keep it light and easy, plus save room for their delicious specialty deserts you can try any one of their appetizers or omelet's. Menu items include the traditional American restaurant food of burgers, steaks, salads, sandwiches and pasta. However, this are not your "run of the meal" traditional items but include shrimp, salmon, chicken and breads made of sourdough or try the "Haight Ashbury sandwich with the raisin pumpernickel bread, turkey, avocado and alfalfa sprouts. For your sweet tooth plan on spending between anywhere between $4.50 for a cup of hot chocolate to the $1000.00 Golden Opulence Sundae, which you have to order 48 hours in advance. Deserts range in type from coffees, drugstore sundaes, pies, fruits and chocolate, chocolate and chocolate - any type you might want in many variations of deserts. The specialty item is frozen hot chocolate, but I like to share the Banana Split.

The décor is funky fun, with great proud colors and Tiffany lamps on the tables. You and your date can have a conversation on the celebrity value alone as Paula Abdul, Spike Lee. Gloria Vanderbilt, Former President Bill Clinton, Jay-Z, Beyonce, Cher, Nicole Kidman, Keith Urban, and Lindsay Lohan have all been recent patrons. Who knows what celebrity may walk through the door the night you and your date are there. Even with this crowded spot, the tables are arranged so that you and your date can have a great conversation.

A store is available, to purchase a memento of your first date, (how romantic). Store hours are Sunday-Thursday, 11:30am to midnight; Friday 11:30am to 1:00am; and Saturday 11:30am to 2:00am. Restaurant hours are Sunday-Thursday 11:30am-midnight; Friday 11:30am-1am; and Saturday 11:30am-2am. Reservations are HIGHLY recommended, not only for meals but if just going for desert too.

There are a few things you need to know for a successful first date: ok, somewhat cliché but be yourself. Better to find out if you like them and they like you with the real you making the first date than the person you pretend to be. Be courteous, ladies, accept the potential gifts of flowers with graciousness as well as any other niceties your date may want to do like opening your door for you. Men, please don't decide what we will eat - sure you can ask and discuss it, even make recommendations, but don't decide for us. Dress appropriately for whatever you are doing. For conversation, "small talk" is always appropriate; don't be afraid to show a sense of humor and save the important conversations like how many children you want to have for a little late on in the relationship.

Atmosphere is important, where and when is an important decision on a first date, what you wear and how you look are important too. With this three restaurant ideas, you have the how and where and even the when. The rest if up to you.