Recommendations

First dates are never a sure thing; at Uva, at least the wine won't disappoint.

Guide: Actress (Jordan)
Location: Upper East Side

Strengths

• Upper East Side wine bar that actually offers great food. It has perfect people-watching, Second Avenue outdoor seating in the front and a garden in the back (you have to eat if you sit in back). It's where all the Upper East Side blind dates go so you'll be surrounded by a bunch of internet daters and set-ups. Makes for great eaves-dropping and first-date convo.

Shortcomings

• It can get pretty crowded, especially in the warmer months if you want an outdoor seat.

Insider tips

• Warm months: If you're going mid-week (when else would you go on a first date?), try to get there early, or plan on apps in addition to drinks so you can score a garden table.
• Cold months: If you know right away you're not interested in your date but you think it's rude to bail, sit at the bar. The bartender is quite entertaining and at least you'll have a third party in your convo for those awkward silences.

Anecdotes

• I've been there on a number of first dates. It's pretty funny actually because every guy who suggests it thinks he's being so innovative and in my mind, I'm like, "um, how original." But it's actually the perfect place for both the good and bad date. If it's bad, it's simply a wine bar and you can get out of there pretty quickly. If it's a good date, you can extend it to dinner and lots of fun, tasty drinks.