Dinner With An Online Dating Trailblazer

Wednesday, I headed over to Tenzan restaurant in Midtown for dinner with Dating Revolution founder and CEO Ross Felix.

Tenzan: The Midtown outpost of this Upper West Side eatery offers swift service & tasty sushi

Over a delicious selection of sushi rolls, we talked about the highs and lows of online dating, and being single in New York.

Whether it’s following certain rules or throwing out the playbook altogether, many Gotham singles seem to think there’s a strategy that has to be followed when it comes to making a lasting connection. Ross and I both agreed that common sense and putting yourself out there are the most important keys to dating success.

A JDate.com success story, Ross -- with the support and creative input of his fiancée – is breathing new life into the Internet dating space. Currently in beta testing mode, Dating Revolution will offer a number of safeguards and tools that Match.com and other existing sites don’t.

Dating Revolution will solicit member feedback to help enforce dater honesty, while color coded searching will make it easier to find matches faster. And you can also maximize opportunities for connecting by joining niche communities within the site specific to religion, hobbies, etc.

For a limited time, membership to the site is free. Click here to find out more.

Girls Night Out: Midtown West

Last Thursday, after the Lauren Luke/Sephora event, I met up with my good friend and colleague Caroline for a girls night out.

Our first stop, Haru in Times Square, where we were well tended to by a solicitous waiter and charmed by the Japanese eatery’s twinkling lights. Over some hot sake and delicious sushi, we talked about old flames that can’t be rekindled, the healing power of friends when coping with loss and making progress toward big dreams.

Caroline is one of my favorite people. She’s irresistibly fun to be around, has a huge heart and an infectious laugh that makes me smile every time I hear it. We were both smiling when we stumbled upon a new eatery that shares her name.

Sweet Caroline: A beloved Neil Diamond ditty and now, a lively new NYC eatery in Midtown

Our last stop of the night was Hudson Terrace for a swanky party sponsored by Take A Chance TV for the upcoming “GI Joe” movie. Caroline and I enjoyed a few cocktails (mojito for her, vodka and cranberry for me) and took in the crowd of pretty people. Though we didn’t spot any celebs, we did encounter plenty of boldfaced name wannabes. I think we almost got knocked over by one partygoer’s enhanced cleavage.

Coming up…a look at the art of courtship and SGITC takes off.

Girls Night Out At Sato

Sunday night, my friend Bobbi and I headed over to Sato, a new Japanese bistro on the Upper East Side.

Given how many Japanese eateries are in the neighborhood – there’s one on nearly every block – it takes a lot to stand out from the crowd. Sato succeeds, earning high marks for ambience with an inviting, low-lit space, and delivering a fresh take on sushi.

Welcome To The Neighborhood: Sato's inviting, Japanese inspired setting sets it apart from nearby competitors

As I enjoyed seaweed salad, shumai and some heavenly hand rolls, Bobbi and I talked about how we’re going to celebrate turning 35 next month (a spa day and big night out with friends) and about quirky male behavior we‘ve recently experienced. Like the possessive guy who acted jealous then regularly cancelled plans, and the man who began a date by saying he knew I was approaching because of my limp.

On the bright side, we both agreed to step up our socializing in ‘09 by attending fun upcoming events like the gala preview for NYC’s Auto Show. Because, much like trying out a new restaurant, taking the Big Apple by storm is twice as much as fun when you have a good friend to do it with.

Girls Night At Shabu Shabu

Earlier this week, my friend Cindy and I caught up over dinner at Shabu Shabu, a Japanese eatery on the Upper East Side with an impressive 30-year history. This was my first visit to Shabu Shabu and, for the most part, I enjoyed it.

Shabu Shabu: This laidback UES eatery delivers decent sushi and service with a smile

While my appetizer choice (shumai that stuck to the bowl) was underwhelming, I enjoyed a tasty fatty tuna roll along with eel and white tuna sashimi.

Cindy and I eyed with curiosity another table of diners enjoying the Japanese art for which the restaurant is named. Literally meaning “swish swish,” Shabu Shabu refers to the process of cooking beef and vegetables by dipping them in boiling water. A small butane stove is brought to the table, topped by a pot of liquid in which diners dunk morsels presented on a platter.

Over dinner, Cindy and I talked about the Renaissance of Atlantic City, the challenge of coming up with creative Halloween costumes, and some of the surefire ways to drop 10 pounds in a jiffy -- including breakups or, as I recently discovered, foot surgery.

My only regret of the night was not trying Shabu Shabu’s eponymous specialty. Next time.