3 Romantic Carmel, NY Restaurants For Your Next Date Night

Who doesn’t love visiting an eatery with their partner for great food and an intimate atmosphere? The Carmel area and its surrounding hamlets have plenty of eateries to offer you. Most of their restaurants provide a warm, friendly service that naturally comes from being a family-owned establishments. Whether you’re a local or just visiting for the weekend, you’ll be sure to find a charming spot to dine in. Read on to learn about three romantic restaurants that Meadowland GMC recommends for your next date night in Carmel.

Prato Trattoria

This family-run restaurant is an Italian gem among the romantic eateries on this list. The Spaccarelli family is proud of their northern and southern Italian heritage, and their pride shines through in how they showcase their homemade dishes. These include creamy mozzarella, crusty artisan breads, fresh daily pasta, scrumptious Tiramisu, and hand-whipped gelato.

First-time visitors are usually thrown by its location in a strip mall and the sign that touts it as a pizza restaurant. However, they are ultimately pleased with the welcoming ambiance and decor of the interior. The front of the restaurant has a casual, traditional pizzeria design that’s perfect for feasting on Italian pies. The other part of the building is the perfect setting for your intimate date night due to its dining room style and extensive Italian menu.

One menu fave is the chicken rustica, which is chicken breast sauteed in garlic, white wine, and rosemary and served with sausage, potatoes, and spicy cherry peppers. Patrons describe the veal Francese and veal piccata as outstanding with nice, tender medallions. They say that the Prato salad is amazing due to its artichoke hearts and lemony vinaigrette dressing. Fresh gnocchi with Bolognese sauce is also favored by many.

You should ask your server about the two special dishes that customers rave over. One is the stuffed avocado appetizer. Visualize an avocado shell that’s filled with smoked salmon, diced tomatoes, avocado, capers, and onions, tossed in fresh lemon, and drizzled with balsamic vinegar. The second is polpo, which is a grilled octopus entree. The tentacles are served over broccoli rabe, roasted potatoes, and hot and sweet peppers.

Be prepared to pay for surcharges related to substitutions and additions. Prato Trattoria is closed on Mondays.

Location: Putnam Plaza 1892 Route 6, Carmel, NY 10512

My Cousin’s

American cuisine is on the menu at this second romantic spot in Mahopac. David Gallo from Yorktown Heights created My Cousin’s in 2021. He knows every facet of the restaurant business: from washing dishes to cooking and running the front of the house. Gallo played a vital role in the opening of another Mahopac eatery, The Chophouse Grille.

After selling his part of that business, he ventured into fine dining at Del Posto, which is a former Michelin star restaurant in New York. That decision resulted in his current ownership on a casual upscale level. The name “My Cousin’s” is a testament to Gallo’s late friend, with whom he shared the dream of owning a restaurant one day. Since its opening, the spot has been the talk of the town.

The white tablecloth dining experience is perfect for date nights or anniversary celebrations. Frequent diners refer to the vibe there as classy, hip, elegant, and chill. The dish offerings are influenced by the expertise of Gallo and his family. Visitors can’t get enough of the cauliflower patties that come from his grandmother’s recipe. They are fried like pancakes and made with garlic, parsley, and parmesan cheese. Served with sriracha aioli, they’re a highly recommended appetizer. The beef and pork meatballs are named after Gallo’s Aunt Chrissy and are another appetizer favorite. They come with homemade red sauce and ricotta cheese.

For your entrees, you’ll find an assortment of proteins. Most people suggest the Chicken Milanese topped with an arugula salad or the smothered pork chop served with Lyonnaise potatoes. Others say that the Diablo Di Mare, a seafood fettuccine in a spicy tomato sauce, is the best choice. Additionally, Sis’s Favorite is a decadent linguine dish that gives the nod to Gallo’s vegetarian sister, Alyssa.

Regardless of what dish is considered the best, everyone agrees on the impeccable service, attentive staff, and appreciative visits from the owner. Since its opening, My Cousin’s has added a Sunday brunch from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. If you’re so inclined, you could have your date night earlier in the day with cannoli pancakes and candied bacon grilled cheese sandwiches. My Cousin’s is closed on Mondays.

Location: 954 Route 6, Mahopac, NY 10541

Northwood Inn

For traditional Polish dishes and American fares, you could spend your next intimate evening at Northwood Inn. Owner Zygmunt Pastuszka is very proud of his lineage and the cuisine that he prepares. This cozy, casual spot rounds out this list of date night restaurants. With a fireplace that sits in the middle of the dining area, Northwood Inn is a charming setting that’s infused with family-owned warmth.

Be sure to start out with their cold Polish platter, which features kielbasa, cheese, marinated vegetables, and a variety of Polish ham and is served with Polish bread. Another delightful appetizer is the bacon-wrapped pierogi. A third option is the sirloin carpaccio that’s served with garlic toast.

Golabki, a traditional Polish entree, consists of fresh cabbage leaves stuffed with seasoned ground pork and rice that visitors love ordering. The Northwood chicken dish is another favorite in which the chicken breast is breaded, baked, and rolled with crab meat and spinach stuffing. Another popular choice is golonka, which is a tender pork shank doused in gravy. Customers often talk about healthy portions, friendly service, and affordable prices.

If you’re seeking a high-energy date night experience, Thursdays are generally karaoke nights. Conveniently close to Route 6, Northwood Inn also offers outside deck dining when the weather permits.

Location: 14 Frances Kiernan Place, Carmel, NY 10512

So, what do you think about our diverse date night restaurant picks? Hopefully, you found the perfect setting for you and your significant other. Meadowland GMC is happy to serve the automobile needs of Carmel residents and those visiting the Carmel area. Feel free to contact us today with any questions.

Photo Credits: interior-photography-035 by Liam Smith is licensed with CC BY 2.0

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