"Planning Valentine's Day dinner in the West Village is a demoralizing activity. Unless, of course, you have an assistant to take care of that sort of life admin (or you started scheming a month in advance). In case you don’t, try your luck at Tartine, the West Village’s best walk-in and BYOB restaurant. This place has been around for decades, and it’s a classic French spot that’s somehow absent of any pretension. Put your name in with the host and pass the time at the equally-unpretentious dive Johnny’s Bar before escargot and steak frites. (FYI, Tartine used to be cash only, but now they accept credit cards.) " - hannah albertine