By Todd Lyon

1. One of the goofiest terms to creep its way into our lexicon recently is “staycation.” A desperate hybrid of a word, cooked up by nervous tourist bureaus to encourage people to enjoy the pleasures and attractions in their own back yards (or at least within driving distance), we have long embraced this concept, but have called it by an actual term: the date.

During this festive season, there are few better places to enjoy magical holiday dates than downtown New Haven. A combination of fabulous restaurants, world-class cultural activities, good shopping and that perfectly lit tree on the Green — which I’ve long trumpeted as the most beautiful in all of New England — make for memorable days and evenings that will set your winter heart aglow.

Yes, I’m a little bit queer for Christmas.

Here then, are my humble suggestions for three great dates in downtown New Haven. If you’re lucky enough to be home for the holidays, these are perfect for sharing with someone you love, whether there’s romance in the air or just friendship and a few snowflakes.

WORLDLY DELIGHTS

Much is being made of the new Ibiza Tapas restaurant in Hamden, and with good reason. But I recently revisited one of my favorite eateries of all time, the original Ibiza on High Street in downtown New Haven, and found it better than ever.

That curvy little temple of high-style Spanish cuisine is perfectly situated to take advantage of all sorts of boutique shopping on Chapel Street, plus leisurely strolls through both the Yale University Art Gallery and the Yale Center for British Art.

The latter currently has a charming exhibit called “Mrs. Delany and Her Circle,” running through Jan. 3, while the former is featuring an exciting exhibition of post-war American printmaking. And let’s not forget the British museum’s enchanting gift shop, located directly across the street from Ibiza.

Why not fill a few stockings, take in some art, then sit down to dinner? We recommend visiting the place during the week, where you can take advantage of a lavish Tasting Menu prepared by the talented Chef Manuel Romero, which is available Mondays through Thursdays for $58 per person ($35 extra for paired wines). Or, if you’d rather be casual, you can sidle up to Ibiza’s bar and feast on tapas for a mere $8 each, Wednesdays through Thursdays. And if you’re ordering dinner off the menu, remember that you simply can’t miss with Ibiza’s much-lauded short ribs — although there is always so much to enjoy.

Ibiza Restaurant, 39 High St., New Haven, (203) 865-1933, www.ibizanewhaven.com. Continued...

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A NIGHT TO REMEMBER

For my next date suggestion, you’ll need two things: an enlightened palate, and a sense of humor.

You’ll begin your evening at Zinc, one of New Haven’s perennial bests, where you can thrill to Chef Denise Appel’s cookery, which makes the most of local agricultural talent. We love the cheese plate — you can choose three or five from a well-edited list — and also are fans of many small and large plates, including the salmon gravlax and crayfish rice paper rolls; and the grilled sausage with Long Trail beer cream sauce, sauteed Brussels sprouts and cheesy polenta.

Or, you can sit down to a special, pre-theater menu, featuring three courses for $29, available before six p.m. Why? Because you’re going to the theater. Specifically, on Saturday at 8 p.m. you’ll be scurrying around the corner to the Shubert to take in the Connecticut Gay Men’s Chorus’s notorious annual holiday show. This year, the theme is “Sin City Santas,” a Vegas-style extravaganza featuring the “infamous GMC showgirls.” These performances are always top-notch, thoroughly hilarious and just scandalous enough to cut through all that holiday treacle.

Zinc, 964 Chapel St., New Haven, (203) 624-0507, www.zincfood.com.

FOOD, MUSIC, LOVE

Congratulations to the Union League Cafe on its recent “Extraordinary” rating from The New York Times, a very big feather in the venerable restaurant’s cap.

“It’s a lot to live up to,” chuckles chef/owner Jean-Pierre Vuillermet, with a twinkle in his eye, noting that people have been arriving from all over the state with high expectations. “They do leave happy,” he admits, and why not? The Union League Cafe is a treasure, and is especially charming during the holidays when the fireplace in the historic dining room is crackling and Bar des Artistes is offering seasonal libations and small plates.

The Cafe’s famous French fare makes for top-notch dining, but we also like it at lunch, where full entrees are served alongside sandwiches, salads and other, lighter fare.

So how about a lunch date? I suggest you invite a worldly and cultured loved one, commingle over a soup du jour, a plate of, say, duck confit and a nice glass of French red, then dig into the house-made profiteroles. Continued...

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Take a look at the current exhibit at Cafe des Artistes — a series of richly colored, provocative photos by Ted Kawalerski — then walk across campus to enjoy an afternoon concert at Morse Recital Hall at Sprague Memorial Hall (470 College St. at Wall). On Tuesday at 4 p.m., a free performance called “Vista: A Fresh Look at Chamber Music” will showcase the talents of top Yale School of Music students.

Once your ears have been filled with sweetness and the sun has said goodbye, go gaze at the tree on the Green. Join hands and hum a few bars from “Silver Bells” — it being Christmastime in the city and all.

Union League Cafe, 1032 Chapel St., New Haven, (203) 562-4299, www.unionleaguecafe.com.

Todd Lyon of New Haven is a freelance writer. She can be reached at deepdishreg@gmail.com.

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