Rebecca enjoys the snapper at Double Crown restaurant.

By Rebecca Simzak

This past Saturday I went to Double Crown restaurant with my girlfriend for dinner. Double Crown offers English/American fusion cuisine with Asian–influenced sauces and seasonings. The restaurant is dimly lit with an interior that has the personality of a “high class pub.” A long communial table and oversized bar seem somehow glamorized by Double Crown’s Asian and Art nouveau accents. I could totally picture Madonna here in her Guy Ritchie days …

The restaurant lends nicely to either a romantic evening out or a group get together, due to double or communal seating. However it’s the food at Double Crown that is absolutely their best-selling feature. To begin, the wait staff brings a platter of thin bread crisps with three dipping sauces: one tsaziki based, one with sweet red pepper and another made with cilantro lime. A full bar is also offered, with tons of unique drink specials. I had the Gooseberry, Red Chili and Elderflower Smash which is made with level vodka, gooseberries, lemon and Elderflower foam ($12.00). It was very light and refreshing without being overly sweet.

My girlfriend and I shared a bunch of small plates as we had a hard time deciding what to order from the menu. We started with the Crispy Drunken Quail (with cinnamon tamarind sauce, carrot and cilantro: $13.00), and the Pigs in a A Wet Blanket (pork with lychee and coconut sauce: $6.00). For Dinner we Shared the Steamed Snapper (with prawn dumplings, sesame broth and bok choy: $27.00) and the Brussels Sprouts (with cinnamon and fenugreek glaze: $5.00). These were AMAZING!!!

Now, I usually have the willpower to restrain myself from the dessert menu, but the small plates and entrée were so amazing that we just had to try out at least one dessert. We decided on the Pumpkin Bread pudding with a pumpkin-vanilla crème sauce ($9.00). It was incredible and a reasonably small portion which helped alleviate any guilt.

I HIGHLY recommend checking out the food at Double Crown ASAP… but be sure to make a reservation. I called a week in advance for our Saturday night dinner and was still given a relatively later (10.00pm) dinner time. Luckily the staff is super friendly and made a note that I would prefer an earlier reservation. They called me back the day before with a 9:15 opening.

Rebecca eating at the Lasagna Restaurant.

By Rebecca Simzak

I first walked into Lasagna Restaurant a few years back because of its cute and cozy corner location that was just a few blocks from my apartment. It reminded me of the quaint restaurants found in the Rembrantplein district of Amsterdam (a neighborhood specializing in Italian cuisine). In addition to the welcoming exterior the food is delicious and incredibly priced! Also, there is rarely a long wait for a seat.

I have eaten at Lasagna countless times since moving to Chelsea and have tried nearly every dish on their menu (minus the pastas – always watching my carbs!) My absolute favorite is the Eggplant Parmigiana (pictured above). You can get an appetizer size for $8.95 or upgrade to the entrée for $10.95. It is super yummy, unbreaded and a very generous sized portion. Their fish and chicken dishes (especially Chicken Marsala, $13.95 and Salmon Alla Cabrese, $17.95) are incredible and they also have rotating specials daily. I’ve taken various friends to Lasagna and have heard that their lasagna dishes, their namesake for a reason, are to die for. Similarly their caesar salad is great for a lighter meal.

I ate at Lasagna last week and started with their cappuccino ($3.50) which was delicious, and shared the grilled portobello mushrooms as an appetizer. For the main course I stayed loyal to the eggplant- which never disappoints! If you are in the Chelsea area, they will also deliver to your apartment for orders $20.00 and over. Reservations are accepted but not required.

This is a great location for a date or dinner out with friends. They are very accomodating to larger parties (I had my birthday party here in December).

Lasagna also has an additional location in Hells Kitchen: 941 2nd Ave (at 50th). I’ve eaten at both and highly recommend the Chelsea location. The service is much better and the waiters are super cute.

Lasagna Restaurant
196 8th Ave (at 20th Street)
212-242-4551

Rebecca with a waiter at Lasagna Restaurant.

By Sarah Montclaire

This economy is affecting many important facets of everyday life. Jobs, healthcare, housing, energy. Of all the things negatively impacted by the recession, dating is not typically the first thing on people’s minds.

While perhaps not a matter of grave national importance, for thousands of single New Yorkers, dating in this economy is a relevant, prevalent concern. Thinking about dating, trying to get dates, going on dates, dating more people, dating new people – dating is still a priority. If forced to choose, many New Yorkers would pick dating over food and shelter. And of course by “dating” I mean “sex.”

Kidding.

But seriously, how has the economy affected the dating scene in the Big Apple?

The reality is that people are dating less often and less opulently. Dates are fewer and farther between, and less fancy. Guys are asking girls out for coffee instead of dinner. Girls are offering to split the bill more often. Couples are taking public transportation instead of cabs.

What used to be dinner at Pastis is now a lunch date at Europa. What used to be a carriage ride in Central Park is now a Subway ride to Target. What used to be a romantic trip to the Caribbean is now a weekender in Williamsburg.

My friend Liz put it like this, “You could call men cheaper. Or you could call them creative. This economy forces them to think more about what to do for dates.”

Everyone can do their part to make dating in this economy easier. Guys can plan fun yet low-cost dates that take the financial pressure off both sides. Girls can order the less expensive menu options to keep the bill down. Instead of going to a movie, couples could go visit a gallery or museum. Instead of going out for drinks, couples could have friends over to share a bottle of wine.

My coworker April observed, “It definitely means going out less. Dinners, drinks, movies, clubbing, shows…that stuff adds up.”

Although it is clear that dating has not escaped the wrath of this awful economy, it is also clear that both genders understand the financial situation and have adjusted their expectations. Everyone I spoke to about this demonstrated patience and empathy. It might mean a few more spaghetti dinners at home for awhile, but everyone’s in this together.

As my eloquent friend Natalie put it, “It sucks, but what can you do?”

On that note, here are some things you CAN do that may offer some financial reprieve:

http://www.clubfreetime.com/new_york.asp
http://www.freenyc.net/
http://www.network-twenty.com/events/free_things_new_york_city.html http://www.jazzhostels.com/blog/175-free-things-to-do-in-new-york-city/ http://www.thenewyorkcitytraveler.com/10-free-things-to-do-in-new-york-city/
http://www.ny.com/museums/free.html