Happy Valentine’s Day. My favorite part of the day isn’t the cards, the candy, or the flowers; it’s taking the time to make special memories with a loved one, or even friends. And what better way to make those memories than a special Valentine’s Day dinner, a walk in the park, or taking in a Broadway show! For instance, for dinner, my partner and I absolutely love Decoy/RedFarm and their Peking Duck—it’s an annual tradition to go there and celebrate “us.” But where do Broadway stars go when they want to celebrate a special moment?
Thanks to Playbill’s all-new Playbill Partner Hotels Booking Engine and in honor of Valentine’s Day, I’ve asked several of my Broadway friend couples what their favorite date night place in New York, from restaurants to romantic strolls. Here’s how they responded (and it's not just in Times Square, though one couple had an opinion on which Broadway theatre is the most romantic).
Jesse Tyler Ferguson and Justin Mikita
Justin Mikita: “Via Carota. I love the vibes; the neighborhood feels and the best veggies and pasta. Any time of day, Via Carota hits the spot.”
Jesse Tyler Ferguson: “It's not uncommon to have to wait for a table but it's so worth it. We sometimes put our name on the list and then walk around the West Village while we wait. Via Carota also hosted myself and Sarah Paulson when we had her on my podcast Dinners On Me. Take a listen to hear what she orders there!”
Patti Murin and Colin Donnell
Patti Murin: “We live about 50 miles upstate now, but every time we get into the city, we can’t think of a single other place to have dinner than Kashkaval Garden.”
Colin Donnell: “The wine is impeccable but not overpriced, the vibe is relaxed and welcoming, and the food is out of this world. Tapas, skewers, and salads are fantastic, but the fondue is unmatched.”
Murin: “Colin and I just love the intimacy of the restaurant, but also the quality and precision of the food.”
Donald Webber Jr. and Rebecca E. Covington
Rebecca E Covington: “Absolutely, the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre. Death Becomes Her is currently playing there, but, it’s special to me because this is where Donald and I really formed our friendship and eventually got engaged on the stage there.”
Donald Webber: “1000% The Lunt!! I saw my first Broadway show there when I was in 8th grade (one of the most famous love stories ever) Beauty and the Beast. Almost a decade later, our love story began, and the Lunt is where we both had our Broadway debuts (Motown the Musical) and later would be the site of one of the best days of my life when she said yes after I proposed center stage.”
Mike Karns and Kay Trinidad
Mike Karns: “Bono is an amazing restaurant with impeccable food and an incredible team who create a welcoming environment for everything from a romantic evening to a family night out.”
Kay Trinidad: “We started going here when we were dating and living in our first apartment together, and now we share our love of food and this restaurant with our two little kids. The perfect neighborhood spot.”
Matt DeAngelis and Christine Dwyer
Matt DeAngelis: “We always go to The Mermaid Inn in Chelsea. It’s chill and cozy with incredible seafood (especially being New Englanders).”
Christine Dwyer: “Right, and they have great cocktails too. It’s never so busy you feel overwhelmed—we really love this place.”
Chelsea Nachman and Jessica Phillips
Jessica Phillips: “Our early relationship years are peppered with sweet memories of being together in Prospect Park, biking the loop in winter layers, strolling the paths while watching the autumn leaves turn, sharing a tiny corner of a friend’s blanket for a July birthday party. And so, it was only fitting that I said yes when Chelsea proposed to me under the Endale Arch, complete with a serenade by Ingrid Michaelson and a picnic with our nearest and dearest on the spring grass, daffodils bursting up all around us.”
Chelsea Nachman: “Shoot, she found my answer and submitted it as her own. What the heck. Guess marriage really does mean 'what's mine is yours,' huh (just kidding). I lived in Brooklyn for two crucial years during the real blossoming of our relationship, and Prospect Park was the site of long conversations, deep reconnection, and shared hopes, dreams, and snacks. It's become a really magical place for us.”
PJ Adzima and Julia Knitel
PJ Adzima: "Sushi W. on 102nd & Broadway! It’s a true hidden gem. It’s food as an event and that’s why I love it.”
Julia Knitel: “Finding an affordable but truly excellent omakase in New York City is my...dream come true? When I was on tour with Come From Away and would fly home to spend a Monday in the city, the very first thing I’d do was get a reservation at Sushi W.”
Do you have any favorite to-go places in/around NYC? Let us know! We’d love to hear from you!
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