Dawa’s bakes love into every bite of its seasonal American meets Tibetan and Nepalese food in Woodside, Queens. What better place to spark a fire with someone you are enamored with or hope to like a lot? Chef and co-owner Dawa started the restaurant with her father to make “authentic Himalayan tribal cuisine” using locally farmed ingredients in a warm and environmentally conscious setting.

The New York Times recommends the Gyuma black sausage served with the Tibetan hot sauce, sepen, which the reviewer called “as pure an expression of raw chile power as I’ve known.” You might also notice details like the ceramic plates and natural approach to farm-to-table dining. The Fung Bros. also named Dawa’s the best Nepalese food in America. No pressure, but you just might impress your date with food this good.

You might have heard about the whole rabbit feast ordered family-style at the lauded Dhamaka restaurant on the Lower East Side. The same culinary visionaries revamped their West Village location into Semma, a deep dive into Southern Indian cuisine using regional ingredients that pay homage to a style of cooking rarely found in the U.S. The intimate dining room is perfect for sharing small plates and tasting one of the signature cocktails, such as the Silk Smitha made with c ardamom-infused tequila, red peppercorn, and agave.

If you want a scene-stealing meal without the need for a crowd, Semma features a Kanyakumari nandu masala dish built for two: Dungeness beste afrikanske nasjonalitet kvinne ГҐ gifte seg crab served with parotta and coconut rice.