Best Places for a First Date in New York

Mona's Apple is a little over three years old now, and while I can barely count the amount of dates I've had since inception on two hands, I've eaten in enough restaurants to know what's suitable for a first date and what's not.

A first date spot needs to be casually romantic, but not too cheesy. It needs to be crowded enough so the silence between conversations isn't deafening, but it can't be so happening that you're screaming at each other over the dining room din. It should be cozy, but you shouldn't be eating on beds or in each other's laps.

This post may be more appropriate for the month of February, but who doesn't want to snuggle up around the holidays, especially in these freezing temps. So whether you're breaking things off with a summer bummer or starting things up with a fall doll, it's always first date night somewhere.

For sushi lovers:

My favorite date spot for sushi is BONDST. I've had more exciting and unique sushi at Megu, Morimoto, Nobu 57 and Bar Masa, but if you're on a date, you can easily be swallowed into the size of these places and lose focus of the person sitting across from you. A first date is all about first impressions, and you don't want to be competing with the restaurant to make the best one. BONDST's atmosphere is sleek and elegant, yet not over the top. It's your upper, middle-of-the-road New York sushi spot in price and ambiance.

For Mexican lovers:

Umm, if you're thinking of doing Mexican on a first date, you need to go back to the drawing board. Why? Use your head.

For Italian lovers:

Nothing says date night quite like a big glass of Sangiovese, some olive oil and spaghetti and meatballs. How can you not think back to Lady and Tramp dining in an alley behind an Italian joint, being serenaded by one of the chefs. To reenact this moment, hit Morandi, Gradisca, Bacaro or Enoteca i Trulli. Neither of these spots are so hardcore, a la Babbo or Il Mulino, that you'll need to stress months in advance about reserving a table. Save the latter two for the anniversary or engagement dinner, respectively.

For the Francophiles:

I have a long list of French restaurants. I seem to rotate between French and Italian. Of the several on my list, Landmarc and DB Bistro are the chosen two for a first date. Just make sure your date likes meat. While I would send anyone else to Balthazar, you can't have a first date in the loud and crowded Parisian eatery. Quelle desastre.

For the seafood lovers:

My go-to seafood spot is The Mermaid Inn. You even have two locations to choose from. I went with Swimster back in the day and it became an instant classic. At the end you'll even get a "miracle" (mood) fish to see what the other person really thought of your company and dinner. In addition to Mermaid, I will also mention Aquagrill. A date took me there a few short weeks ago and I was blown away by his choice of oysters, the ultimate aphrodisiacs, on a first date and by how much I loved the oysters. We even sat at the bar, which to some may sound as a huge first date faux pas, but it was very enjoyable and I highly recommend it. When your date's in the restroom you can keep practicing your conversation with your next door neighbor.

For the cocktail lover:

If you're not willing to commit to an entire dinner with a barely-known suitor, head to my favorite cocktail spots: Tailor, Little Branch or Milk and Honey. You will not only impress your date, but it's an almost guarantee that you'll hear from him or her again, in the least bit, as a dating consultant.

For the unabashed food snob:

One of the best meals I've had in this city was at Blue Hill. If I met someone, and he suggested to take me to Blue Hill on a first date, I would have one thing to say. Hot. Clearly this guy knows what's up. I ate at the bar with a friend several months ago and it was one of my most memorable dining experiences in the city. I felt like Jesus receiving gifts from the Three Kings. Every time another dish came out I felt like I needed to bow down in honor to the chef, Dan Barber. Again, if you love food and you're going for the wow factor, go to Blue Hill.

If atmosphere's the thing:

Two of my favorite spots for atmosphere couldn't be more opposite one another: Freemans and Alta. One screams Aspen hunting lodge, while the other feels like a villa on the Mediterranean. You can't go wrong with taking any date: first, second, third or last to these spots. Just confirm your date is a meat and potatoes kind of person if you head to Freemans -- home of the best, most reasonable filet I've had in the city. Alta is all about a sangria-drenched, small-plates meal. In other words, it's perfect if you want to talk more than you want to eat.

Have any other first date suggestions? Send yours along. Oh, and happy Friday!

Alta: 64 W. 10th St., between Fifth and Sixth Ave.
Aquagrill: 210 Spring St., near Sixth Ave.
Bacaro: 136 Division St., near Ludlow St.
Blue Hill: 75 Washington Pl., near. Sixth Ave.
BONDST: 6 Bond St., between Broadway and Lafayette St.
DB Bistro Moderne: 55 W. 44th St., near Fifth Ave.
Enoteca i Trulli: 122 E. 27th St., near Lexington Ave.
Freemans: End of Freeman Alley, off Rivington between Bowery & Chrystie
Gradisca: 126 W. 13th St., between 6th & 7th Ave.
Landmarc: 179 W. Broadway, between Leonard & Worth, also in Time Warner Center
Little Branch: 20 Seventh Ave., at Leroy St.
The Mermaid Inn: 96 Second Ave., near 5th St., also on UWS
Milk and Honey: 134 Eldridge St., near Broome St.
Morandi: 211 Waverly Pl., at Charles St.
Tailor: 525 Broome Street, between Thompson St. & 6th Ave.