NYC restaurant recommendation needed

[creekster]

The catch is, I need it to be able to take 10 people, includuing 5 minors, on the weekend before christmas. It must be in midtown. ANy suggestions?

[TripletDaddy]

Originally Posted by creekster

The catch is, I need it to be able to take 10 people, includuing 5 minors, on the weekend before christmas. It must be in midtown. ANy suggestions?

This is the wrong data to cull a proper suggestion.

Better info:

1. BUDGET?
2. Cuisine?
3. Which meal? (lunch or dinner)
4. How will you be dressed?
5. How much time will you spend there?
6. Minors, meaning 16 year olds, or minors meaning under 8?

If you just need a quick place to take kids before you continue with your shopping, suggetions could be made in that dept, too.

[TripletDaddy]

Also, are you willing to venture a bit down towards Union Square/NYU?

[creekster]

Originally Posted by TripletDaddy

This is the wrong data to cull a proper suggestion.

Better info:

1. BUDGET?
2. Cuisine?
3. Which meal? (lunch or dinner)
4. How will you be dressed?
5. How much time will you spend there?
6. Minors, meaning 16 year olds, or minors meaning under 8?

If you just need a quick place to take kids before you continue with your shopping, suggetions could be made in that dept, too.

1.Budget: medium (for NYC, and I know what that means).
2. Cuisine: Hearty of most types, but not too ethnic (bless my sister-in-law's heart)
3. Dinner, alhtough maybelunch depending (menaing to get a medium budget at a better place); we are felxible.
4. Casual dress. Kids in jeans, adults in slacks.
5. As long as the meal takes (?). If you meanin NYC, we are staying in midtown for 5 days.
6. youngst 2 are 10 and 11, rangin up to 16.
Thanks for your help.

[creekster]

Originally Posted by TripletDaddy

Also, are you willing to venture a bit down towards Union Square/NYU?

Possibly. We just want one decent meal during our trip. Ntohing too fancy, but decent. Othersie we are at delis and AU Bon Pain for soup (and they better be grateflu for it!).

[YOhio]

I've been here a few times with large groups and it's worked well. Some might find it too touristy, but I liked it.

http://www.carminesnyc.com/

[TripletDaddy]

Originally Posted by creekster

Possibly. We just want one decent meal during our trip. Ntohing too fancy, but decent. Othersie we are at delis and AU Bon Pain for soup (and they better be grateflu for it!).

Since you are with a mixed group, you can venture down to Union Square and eat at lovely staples like Union Square Cafe and Gramercy Tavern are great because they cater to people of different tastes. Both are new American, but USC focuses more on comfort food. Both are run by Danny Meyer, who is great. He runs a BBQ place called Blue Smoke, but both times I went there, I was left unimpressed. Word is that he fixed his smokers, so Blue Smoke may be better now.

Gotham Bar and Grill is another place where you dont have to be in a suit to eat there (although many are). That place is awesome, too. again, New American.

Babbo is a solid italian place, safe for everyone. Also near Union Square. This is a Mario Batali joint. If you want an interesting Batali place closer to mid-town, theater, try Esca--Italian seafood trattoria. Esca is a nice meal, as well.

Honestly, what makes your situation hard is the little kids. When they get that young, you are stuck going to pizza or Virgil's BBQ (technically, another option for you in midtown, right near Times Square---not amazing BBQ, but at least they dont care if you bring babies).

YOhio mentioned carmines, which is good, although that is upper west, so you may have to cab it.

Obviously, I am always partial to making the trek across the bridge and eating steak at Lugers. They wont turn you away, but bring cash and make a ressie soon.

If you can swing it, Per Se is allegedly a minor foodie mecca. If it is half as good as French Laundry, you should attempt to go. Thomas Keller does it right. However, the kiddies might not be welcome. Per Se is near or in Columbus Circle, I believe.

I need to check my journal. when do you need to know? I can check out my journal when I get home tonight and give you more ideas.

Keep in mind, the above suggestions are not meant to show you the most amazing meals.....they are places to eat a really good meal given your constraints. All of them are places I have eaten at and would recommend, though.

[creekster]

Thansk Y and TD for the recs. I iwll do al ittle reseacrh and see what the corwd votes for. We leave soon but will be checking in from time to time, so post away with more. (I htink Carmines has a location in mid-town, btw)

Thanks again.

[YOhio]

Originally Posted by creekster

Thansk Y and TD for the recs. I iwll do al ittle reseacrh and see what the corwd votes for. We leave soon but will be checking in from time to time, so post away with more. (I htink Carmines has a location in mid-town, btw)

Thanks again.

Midtown is the location I've been to, the one in the theater district.

[8ballrollin]

DDD mentioned Becco. I've been there a couple of times and really like it.
http://www.becconyc.com/index2.htm

I've been to Remi. Also Italian, but a little more formal.
http://remi.ypguides.net/page/nsci/Dinner_Menu.html

I've had lunch at Trattoria Dell' Arte a few times and enjoyed it. More casual than the other too. More touristy too? Maybe. It's across from Carnegie Hall.
http://www.trattoriadellarte.com/

These are all Italian.