Bridge Proposal/Restaurant??

[gibby3164]

My girlfriend and I are going to be in New York the end of next month and I have an idea that I need a bit of help with. I am wanting to go to a nice restaurant near the Brooklyn Bridge on the Brooklyn side with a view of the skyline if posibble and was wondering if anyone knew of such a place? I am planning on taking her to dinner in the evening, then either walking across the bridge and proposing at dusk on the bridge, or possibly doing it somewhere near the bridge park. I also wasn't sure about the access to the park right now or if that would be a good idea. Any suggestions would be of much help!!! I spent last summer in the village but I don't know of too much around this area. THANKS! :)

[ablarc]

What a coincidence! Try this: http://www.wirednewyork.com/forum/showthread.php?t=8525&highlight=river+cafe

[ablarc]

Then chase that thread down with this: http://www.wirednewyork.com/forum/showthread.php?t=10122&highlight=river+cafe

[gibby3164]

Thanks for the link. Are there any other possibilities around there? Seems like it would be the ideal area.

[ablarc]

Here you go:

http://www.grimaldis.com/brooklyn.htm

[BPC]

which is my favorite pizza in all the world

[gibby3164]

I'd love to try the pizza too, but I'm sort of shooting for a middle ground of the two places. :D Maybe it's not possible right there.

[ablarc]

I'm sort of shooting for a middle ground of the two places.
A middle ground of sorts:

http://www.waterstreetrestaurant.com/665760.html

[gibby3164]

That place doesn't look too bad either. Another thing that just crossed my mind: Would it be nicer/better to do it on the promenade rather than the bridge itself? I haven't been to the promenade but it seems to offer some amazing views as well.

[gibby3164]

I'm also looking at www.giandoonthewater.com/index.html as a possible place to eat. It's not so much close to the Brooklyn Bridge, but I guess we could always get a cab after to the promenade or bridge.

[Schadenfrau]

If I've said it once...don't cheap out on your proposal, for Lord's sake. That Giando place looks like the joint my boyfriend and I order from when we're too lazy to cook on a Tuesday.

I'd hope you only want to do this once, so forget the supposed middle ground.

[gibby3164]

No I understand, I am just trying to get some ideas here.

Also I want it to be a surprise, we take regular trips to the city so it's not like she'll be expecting it. I'm not going to propose during dinner either, just want somewhere nice and in the area to start off the night.

As far as the cheaping out, I just spent 3 grand on a ring, and about 2 grand for the trip itself... so spending money on dinner isn't the issue, it's more of making it not so obvious while keeping it nice and memorable.

I'm open to any and all suggestions by all means.

[Schadenfrau]

Sorry, I didn't mean for you to state how much money you've spent on the whole thing, but we've had some board visitors who were reluctant to leave the shorts behind for a proposal.

If the weather is good, try starting out with some drinks here:

http://nymag.com/listings/bar/harrys_lic_at_water_taxi_beach/

Grab some dinner wherever, then head to the promenade for ice cream and a walk.

[ZippyTheChimp]

That place doesn't look too bad either. Another thing that just crossed my mind: Would it be nicer/better to do it on the promenade rather than the bridge itself? I haven't been to the promenade but it seems to offer some amazing views as well.The promenade is nice, but do it at Fulton Landing. It worked for me when the area was not nearly as nice as now.

http://img85.imageshack.us/img85/6338/night14ef9.th.jpg (http://img85.imageshack.us/my.php?image=night14ef9.jpg) http://img155.imageshack.us/img155/7281/night13ot7.th.jpg (http://img155.imageshack.us/my.php?image=night13ot7.jpg) http://img228.imageshack.us/img228/3563/night11tk9.th.jpg (http://img228.imageshack.us/my.php?image=night11tk9.jpg)

There are restaurant choices in the area. Besides those mentioned, Pete's Restaurant, across the street from River Cafe. Nothing special - great view, decent food, good service, moderately priced.

There are two small parks directly north of the Brooklyn Bridge. The Empire-Fulton Ferry State Park usually closes at sunset. Park rangers are always on duty. North of that is a segment of Brooklyn Bridge Park (where the photo was taken). It supposedly has hours of operation, but has never been closed any time I was there. It is usually populated and quite safe.

[BPC]

Brooklyn Bridge Park, as Zippy recommends, is -- at twilight -- perhaps the most striking and lovely scene anywhere in or around the City, IMHO. Go check it out by yourself just at dusk, and watch the light turn and the lights of the City turn on, and you will see what I mean.

As for restaurants, I am partial to the River Cafe, having been married there, but it is quite pricy.

[ZippyTheChimp]

having been married there,
We've found common ground on the forum.

gibby3164: Since you want this to be a surprise: visit Brooklyn Heights in the afternoon - a quintessential Brooklyn rowhouse neighborhood, full of history.

[gibby3164]

Great!! Thanks so much everyone. We walked through Brooklyn Heights last time we were in the city so that may be something nice to do again anyway. I was wondering about the "hours of operation" for the Brooklyn Bridge Park, and have heard about Fulton Landing but just wasn't sure which of the three (the park, the landing or the promenade) would be the best since I've personally only been across the bridge.

I'm glad I have some time to figure this all out before heading out there, just wish I had a day or two by myself to check things out first. :)

[Front_Porch]

My husband proposed to me in Washington Square Park . . . since it was our anniversary, I suspected what was coming . . . but he had to small talk with me for ten minutes under the arch while we waited for someone to finish a cell-phone conversation!

I wish you a magical day and every happiness!

ali r.

[gibby3164]

That must have been wonderful! Congrats and thanks fot the support, I hate keeping secrets!