Verlaine

French-Vietnamese influences pervade the snack menu at this dim venue on the Lower East Side. Named after the famously indulgent "poète maudit," Paul Verlaine, the lounge certainly does what it can to seduce its well-heeled clientele into a night of eating, drinking and chanting. The deep, comfortable banquettes are conducive to private conversation, and the cool, mellow music always seem to be at just the right decible. If you're looking to impress out-of-towners, this is the place to do it. TRAIN: F, V to Lower East Side-Second Ave