"This French brasserie, just a few blocks from Union Square, is where to go in the neighborhood for a relaxed date night away from any distractions. The dining room, decked out in white tablecloths and chandeliers, looks like it hasn’t changed much since it opened in the ’70s, and most people pay homage to that by keeping their phones out of sight. Le Central’s cassoulet—simmering for 18,000 days according to a sign outside—is a meat-packed time capsule that should be tried at least once. Add on the escargot floating in a pool of melted butter, the flaky sole meunière, and a glass of whatever wine the staff suggests." - julia chen 1, lani conway, ricky rodriguez