Lunch with Teens

Is there a budget range - are you buying or are they paying for themselves What can they afford?

I might suggest pizza at Otto, then a walk around NYU, or maybe Indian food in the east village, with a walk around St. Marks Place, or maybe Gyu Kaku, a japanese bbq place teens love, near Cooper Union. Not so cheap, but fun and interactive.Wherever you chose, of course you will calling ahead and reserving

Opentable has a search function of "good for groups" . . .

No set budget, I'm figuring $30/40 each, I plan on dropping 1k at least. I thought of japanese bbq, but not sure it would appeal to everyone.

Chinatown Brasserie on Lafayette would be a good and calm to introduce dim sum.

Smrogas Chef in the West Vallage would be a palatable for Scandavian cooking.

The problem is the size of the group and that is a lunch.

Le Zie on 7th Ave is a fine Italian restaurant that for some reason remains unrecogmized. I think Thin likes it also.

http://www.lezie.com/themenu/

They have a pre fixe lunch and brunch. Reservations owuld be necessary.

And you should come for way under a grand.

I've been to Le Zie...very good not very teen impressionable though.

Reservations strongly suggested for the group size.

Here are some suggestions near Soho

The Odeon, not sure of the size, but they may see people who have been in movies.
http://www.theodeonrestaurant.com/


Rosa Mexicano,
http://www.rosamexicano.com/Locations/NewYorkNYUnionSquare/tabid/97/Default.aspx

Lombardi's,
http://www.firstpizza.com/newyork.html


Churrascaria Tribeca,
http://www.churrascariatribeca.com/tribeca/index.html

Edward's
http://www.edwardsnyc.com/

Jo's
http://www.opentable.com/rest_profile.aspx?rid=34084&ref=576

If they're from all over the country you may have some who thing anything but a burger or pizza is very exotic. I think I would pick a place that would have some choices for picky eaters.

Adu's Chinatown Brasserie idea is a good one - friends were there this past Saturday w/ their teen daughter, who is a picky eater - she was thrilled because Mila Kunis, Macauley Culkin, and Jack McBrayer (Kenneth from 30 Rock) were eating at the next table. She loves 30 Rock - and McBrayer was lovely, signed her menu and everything . . .
it might be a little pricy, but the food is tasty, the atmosphere is lively and fun, it's big and can accommodate a group, and you can reserve. And there is enough variety so picky eaters can find something. And it's located right in the heart of NYU, so they can see a city campus.

I love Lombardi's but it might be hard to get a table for 15.

Odeon can accomodate 15 but I do not think it just right for kids.

Just a few points of clarification:
The Odeon is not in the financial district it is in Tribeca.

Cafe Habana would be a great choice, given the crowd it attracts and the location, but the issue there would be seating for 15 ppl on the weekend.

Odeon opened when the Sex and the City girls were still virgins.

Adu - They were never virgins!

I guess I missed the pilot.

Thanks all. I'm going to look into Odeon and Chinatown Brasserie. This a Gossip Girls crowd...of course all the places the show visits are super high end, not the feel I'm going for. What about Dos Caminos? Rosa isn't open for lunch.

Odeon is pretty staid these days - lots of Tribeca families, lunch would be local business and artsy people, reliable bistro food, burgers, steak frites and chicken. Dos caminos is OK, lunch should be low key but after work is a real drinking/singles scene, not really appropriate for teens. You might try Jane on Houston St., the border between Greenwich Village and Soho, or try Zoe in Soho - good big spaces, reliable food, and in your price range.

I agree with MP, Odeon is not the right choice for teenage boys.

Now City Hall (restaurant) just a few blocks away has great brunches and food for boys.

http://cityhallnewyork.com/index2.htm

Veselka once accomodated a large group for me on a Friday night, although they don't take reservations. It's ethnic without being too exotic, casual and with East Village atmosphere.

Veselka gets quite crowded on weekends at lunch. I think it would a long wait for a table for 15.

I should clarify a bit. Veselka doesn't usually take reservations but I e-mailed the restaurant and the manager agreed to accomodate us. He didnt' promise us a table immediately on our arrival (although it worked out that way) but basically said they would anticipate our arrival and put us to the head of the line. Worked out for us on a busy Friday evening.