Manhattan's 5 Best Restaurants For Wine & Dessert Pairings
Tired of your bathing suit season diet? Whether planning a romantic evening with your significant other or a deliciously sweet night out, try one of these restaurants for the ultimate in boozy dessert pairings. By Sarah Shaker.
New York City romances are made of cobble stone streets, classic jazz music, indulgent chocolates and endless pours of wine. At Ayza Wine and Chocolate Bar, pairings set to the tunes of live music are a perfect match for a West Village date night. Savory dishes are creatively touched with chocolate - from Steak Tartare (with bitter chocolate, jalapeño) to Braised Beef Short Rib (with dark chocolate, truffle cauliflower mash, hen-of-the-woods mushroom). End your night with the Dark Chocolate Fondue, with fruits, marshmallows and more for dipping. Does it get any more date-night-perfect than sharing melted chocolate with the one you love?
More: NYC's 6 Best Chocolate Treats
Sweet Revenge is Manhattan's only artisan cupcake, beer and wine bar - and it's already topped our cupcake and wine bar rankings. Impress your girlfriend or plan the perfect girls' night out. Order from the long list of cupcake, beer and wine pairings like a Crimson and Cream cupcake with a Raspberry Bellini or Spice Islands Carrot cupcake with a Harpoon IPA. The cupcake trend may feel overdone after years of Sex and the City mania, but when paired with the right alcoholic beverage these small sweet treats are new and cool once again.
In the midst of the hustle and bustle (and all-around chaos) of St. Marks lies Spot, a haven for all-natural desserts and beverages with an Asian twist. Spot's selections of treats are made daily in-house boasting distinct and exotic flavors, like the popular Green Tea Lava Cake. Pair one of their cupcakes with bubble tea for a daily $5 special from noon to 6pm. Or sip on a hot tea or coffee with a cupcake for only $4 during the special hours.
This East Village dessert den offers a reasonably priced three course prix fixe menu of an amuse, dessert and petits fours. For an additional $8 you can sip on a glass of wine designed to pair perfectly with your selection. Dessert choices change daily, so you can enjoy something special each time you visit ChickaLicious with your best girlfriends or on an extra sweet date.
Chocolate lovers can indulge on decadent pralines, truffles, bonbons and other creative chocolate concoctions at Cocoa Bar. Sip on a carefully selected wine menu, featuring forty wines from various regions by the glass, bottle or flight. Explore the wine and chocolate pairings Cocoa Bar has suggested or have fun experimenting on your own to find out what makes for your perfect chocolate and wine match.
Sarah Shaker is the founder of the blog Bright Lights, My City.
