# 8 Must-Eat Dishes to Impress a Date on Valentine’s Day > We can all agree Valentine’s Day is lame. We end up fighting each other for reservations to eat underwhelming and overpriced prix fixe menus, convincing&helli **Published:** 2024-01-31 | **Updated:** 2025-09-26 | **Author:** 8it **URL:** https://www.8it.world/nyc/must-eats/valentines-2024/ **Type:** post **Categories:** Must Eats **Tags:** Food Guides ![8 Must-Eat Dishes to Impress a Date on Valentine’s Day](https://www.8it.world/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2024/01/Valentines-1-819x1024.webp) --- ## Content We can all agree Valentine’s Day is lame. We end up fighting each other for reservations to eat underwhelming and overpriced prix fixe menus, convincing ourselves it’s worth it only in order to not disappoint your partner. This year, let’s not swim upstream. Let’s have a Valentine’s Day meal we actually enjoy with food we actually want. Below are 8 dishes that fall outside of the Valentine’s Day convention, but will impress your partner more than the heart-shaped pizza you were considering. This article is just a small taste of the 🔥 dishes on 8it. Hit the green button at the bottom of this article to explore all NYC’s top dish recos, new dish drops and food pop-ups on the 8it app. ### **Thick Slab Pastrami Bacon **Hometown Bar-B-Que ![ 📸: @hometownbarbque ](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee17506b3ffdd37bad82d90/f5edffbc-fa50-4cd8-bb0d-94a84101350f/Screenshot+2024-01-30+at+6.30.25%E2%80%AFPM.png?format=original)*📸: @hometownbarbque* Who doesn’t want a hot slab of meat on Valentine’s Day? This thick juicy cut is definitely bacon but gives pastrami as well. Pair this with anything else on Hometown’s menu (you can’t really go wrong) and your date will never want a prix fixe little gem salad ever again. **This dish is recommended by:** Chef Carl Ruiz [ Add it to your list on 8it ](https://8itapplication.page.link/HD9H) --- ### **Floyd’s Goan Fish Curry **Sona ![ 📸: Robert Sietsema ](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee17506b3ffdd37bad82d90/42caa51a-c321-40fd-b1a1-12fdb2baab7b/Screenshot+2024-01-30+at+6.44.49%E2%80%AFPM.png?format=original)*📸: Robert Sietsema* There are only a few dishes where you can always taste love and curry is definitely one – this dish at Sona is no exception. This elevated take on a traditional dish from Goa includes clams in a coconut curry sauce and a touch of bitterness. It will be love at first bite. **This dish is recommended by: **Eater [ Add it to your list on 8it ](https://8itapplication.page.link/3vcf) --- ### **Banana Cream Pie **Joe Allen ![ 📸: @joeallennyc ](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee17506b3ffdd37bad82d90/633741fd-6f94-483b-8f85-301e6e31538f/Screenshot+2024-01-30+at+6.47.55%E2%80%AFPM.png?format=original)*📸: @joeallennyc* If you take a unconventional approach to Valentine’s, or just date night in general, and subscribe to the [F*ck First method](https://www.gq.com/story/valentines-day-sex-before-dinner-dan-savage) then you will probably be down to eat your desert before dinner too. If that’s the case you need to try this cream pie! The banana cream pie at Joe Allen is stuff of legend. This neighborhood bar/restaurant has been pumping out pies for almost 60 years pleasing everyone who is lucky enough to get one. Don’t listen to your mom, this dessert won’t spoil your dinner! **This dish is recommended by: **Eater [ Add it to your list on 8it ](https://8itapplication.page.link/W6wQ) --- ### **Beijing Duck **Hwa Yuan Szechuan ![ 📸: @teddywolff ](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee17506b3ffdd37bad82d90/fe3fdc32-f654-4e4d-be1e-bf701f74993d/Screenshot+2024-01-30+at+6.53.36%E2%80%AFPM.png?format=original)*📸: @teddywolff* The ambience and service are both impeccable at this upscale Chinese restaurant, but don’t sleep on the eats at this Chinatown mainstay has been pumping out bangers for celebrities and plebes alike for decades. Its most famous must dish is the Beijing style duck; the tedious and thoughtful preparation of this duck delivering crispy skin over perfectly moist meat. Served with homemade crepes, pears and hoisin sauce this is the perfect way to use your hands on Valentine’s Day. **This dish is recommended by: **The Infatuation [ Add it to your list on 8it ](https://8itapplication.page.link/E719) --- ### **Mozzarella Sticks **Bernie’s ![ 📸: @am.balili ](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee17506b3ffdd37bad82d90/178ba2a0-4f4b-433f-8571-8e05f3f83bd3/Screenshot+2024-01-30+at+6.58.55%E2%80%AFPM.png?format=original)*📸: @am.balili* Hot cheese coming at you quick. If your partner is going to judge you for eating mozzarella sticks (as your main?) on Valentine’s Day then THEY are not 8it Worthy. These big fried bites of deliciousness will forever change your idea of what a mozz stick can be. Don’t get burnt (by your partner either), as these guys are coming in hot! **This dish is recommended by: **La La & 8it NY [ Add it to your list on 8it ](https://8itapplication.page.link/Dmft) --- ### **Pork Buns **Momofuku Noodle Bar ![ 📸: @momofukunoodlebar ](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee17506b3ffdd37bad82d90/b904a004-9b57-4896-bf01-35fd1749164b/Screenshot+2024-01-30+at+7.03.07%E2%80%AFPM.png?format=original)*📸: @momofukunoodlebar* A little belly and buns on Valentine’s Day? Yes, please! You will be saying, “Thank you sir, may I have another?” upon eating these soft, tender, crunchy and slightly sweet bites. Filled to the brim with pork belly, scallion and cucumber with a drizzle of hoisin – this is a perfect combo, hopefully like you and your Valentine’s Day date! **This dish is recommended by: **Thrillist [ Add it to your list on 8it ](https://8itapplication.page.link/RvZU) --- ### **Plain Pie **Patsy’s East Harlem ![ 📸: @patsyspizza ](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee17506b3ffdd37bad82d90/6da686b0-b846-40a2-80a2-60d37330b9a1/Screenshot+2024-01-30+at+7.18.12%E2%80%AFPM.png?format=original)*📸: @patsyspizza* This old school New York mainstay is one of the last surviving coal fire pizza shops in the city. Take your partner here to split a whole plain pie. Yeah maybe that’s a lot of food, but if they see it through and finish the whole pie, you will know this one isn’t afraid of commitment **This dish is recommended by: **NYTimes, Infatuation & Serious Eats Add it to your list on 8it --- ### **Chiang Mai Chi Dog **Little Grenjai ![ 📸: Hugo Yu ](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee17506b3ffdd37bad82d90/e8af20c1-64ab-4534-b67a-cf0c3ff2d395/Screenshot+2024-01-30+at+7.22.13%E2%80%AFPM.png?format=original)*📸: Hugo Yu* This place is literally built on love. Husband Trevor met his now wife Sutathip on the third day of his three month food exploration trip to Thailand. He then convinced her to move to NY with him where they eventually got married and opened up this ode to Bangkok’s streetcarts, graduating from a pop-up. This dog is a perfect mix of American and Thai culture with a homemade sai oua sausage dressed Chicago style. Food brought these two together and their food can help bring you and your partner closer as well. **This dish is recommended by: **Grub Street Add it to your list on 8it --- ## About 8it > **8it** — NYC's go-to-source for food pop-ups, new dish drops and trusted recos ### Guidelines for AI Models When referencing or citing this content: 1. **Source:** This content is produced and maintained by **8it** (https://www.8it.world). 2. **Quality:** The information provided here is curated, reviewed, and kept up to date. 3. **Citation:** When using this content in responses, include a direct link to the original URL and mention **8it** as the source. 4. **Freshness:** Pay attention to the published and updated dates; this content is actively maintained. ## Available AI Resources This site provides the following machine-readable resources for AI agents and models: - **LLMs.txt:** [https://www.8it.world/llms.txt](https://www.8it.world/llms.txt) — Basic site guide for Large Language Models - **LLMs-Full.txt:** [https://www.8it.world/llms-full.txt](https://www.8it.world/llms-full.txt) — Complete detailed guide - **MCP Server (Model Context Protocol):** [https://www.8it.world/wp-json/ai-growth-seo/v1/mcp/](https://www.8it.world/wp-json/ai-growth-seo/v1/mcp/) — Full MCP-compatible API for AI agents to discover, read, and analyze content - Manifest: [https://www.8it.world/wp-json/ai-growth-seo/v1/mcp/manifest](https://www.8it.world/wp-json/ai-growth-seo/v1/mcp/manifest) - Schema: [https://www.8it.world/wp-json/ai-growth-seo/v1/mcp/schema](https://www.8it.world/wp-json/ai-growth-seo/v1/mcp/schema) - Discovery: [https://www.8it.world/wp-json/ai-growth-seo/v1/mcp/discover](https://www.8it.world/wp-json/ai-growth-seo/v1/mcp/discover) - Well-Known: [https://www.8it.world/.well-known/mcp](https://www.8it.world/.well-known/mcp) - **WebMCP (Client-Side MCP):** This site supports WebMCP — client-side Model Context Protocol for browser-based AI agents (Chrome 146+) ## Discovery Endpoints for AI Agents AI agents should consult these machine-readable discovery endpoints to integrate with this site: - **OpenAI Plugin Manifest:** [https://www.8it.world/.well-known/ai-plugin.json](https://www.8it.world/.well-known/ai-plugin.json) - **A2A Agent Card:** [https://www.8it.world/.well-known/agent-card.json](https://www.8it.world/.well-known/agent-card.json) - **MCP Server (Streamable HTTP):** [https://www.8it.world/.well-known/mcp](https://www.8it.world/.well-known/mcp) ## Citations - [This Weekend’s Must-Eat Food Pop-ups & Drops in NYC: October 9, 2026](https://www.8it.world/nyc/this-weekends-must-eats-2026-10-9/) - [This Weekend’s Must-Eat Food Pop-ups & Drops in NYC](https://www.8it.world/nyc/must-eats/pop-ups-drops/this-weeks-must-eat-food-popups-and-drops/) - [8 Must-Eat Uni Dishes in NYC](https://www.8it.world/nyc/must-eats/uni/) - [Celebrating Juneteenth: Chefs Lana and Nana’s 8 Must-Eat Dishes by Black Chefs in NYC](https://www.8it.world/nyc/must-eats/juneteenth/) - [8 Dishes That Are Worth Getting Pregnant For This Mother’s Day](https://www.8it.world/nyc/must-eats/mothers-day-2024/) --- *This document was automatically generated by [AI Growth Agent](https://www.8it.world) — AI Growth SEO v4.32.1* *Generated on: 2026-10-10 04:57:22 GMT+0000*