"Poeta is an Italian restaurant in a dreamy East Side craftsman house that feels like it's hidden in a secret garden full of lush vegetation and cute picnic tables. The wooden floors gently creak, the smell of pork sausage rigatoni floats through the cozy dining rooms, and the whole place seems designed to pull you and your date a little bit closer. The five-course tasting menu changes monthly, with crudos, handmade pastas, and wagyu steaks—all at a quality that’s worth double the current $65 price tag. If your date doesn’t love this spot as much as you do, it might be a red flag. photo credit: Nicolai McCrary" - Nicolai McCrary