To say that Manhattan has many great dining places is an understatement. With more than a hundred restaurants serving the gamut of world cuisine, the variety of dining choices in Manhattan is so wide it can make anyone’s head spin.

Practically all types of tastes, whether it’s for a specific ethnic cuisine, fine dining or just plain, good ol’ American fast food are catered to in Manhattan. If you’re a lover of Japanese food, for instance, Nobu is definitely the place to be. World-class sushi, black cod with miso and Lobster with Wasabi Pepper Sauce are just some of the specialties offered by this great place, which, incidentally, is partly owned by Oscar-winning actor Robert de Niro.

If you’re a vegetarian, one perfect place is Yaffa’s in Tribeca, a casual, quirky spot which offers a world of options for the vegetarian. It also boasts of a real neighborhood feel, with outdoor tables where you can engage in a common pastime: people-watching. Who knows, you just might spot a celebrity or two at Greenwich street while munching on green, leafy vegetables.

Speaking of al fresco dining, Manhattan has a myriad of restaurants with outdoor tables that offer diners scenic views from sidewalk cafes to rooftops. Great views coupled with excellent seafood can be enjoyed at places like the Blue Water Grill, whose mezzanine dining setting makes it a great place to bring your date. Equally romantic is Va Tutto!, an Italian trattoria with a garden setting that makes diners feel like they’re in a real Tuscan courtyard.

But as far as romantic and intimate spots go, nothing could fit the description more than One if by Land, Two if by Sea. Tucked away in an historic 18th-century carriage house in the West Village, this restaurant is definitely conducive to a kind of fairy-tale romance often portrayed in movies, with its roaring fireplaces and candlelight. Of course, it wouldn’t be named “Most Romantic Restaurant in New York” by critics for nothing, would it?. And oh, did I mention that the food is absolutely great? Foie gras, fillet mignon, name any succulent dish and they probably have it.

Sure enough, the excellent restaurants in Manhattan are too many to list, and it’ll probably take one a lifetime to check all of them out. But then again, giving it a try isn’t such a bad idea, is it?