glamrgal

I would really appreciate any suggestions for an early (6:30-ish) family dinner on Saturday, Oct. 2. Several family members are traveling to NYC to celebrate my daughter's graduation that day. We'll be a party of 9, including one 4 year old and an 80 year old grandma. The graduation takes place in the afternoon in the UWS...but we don't have to stay in that area for dinner.

Price range isn't really an issue...but I would assume that any place truly pricey would not be excited about a 4 year old diner in attendance. (And it would probably make me a nervous wreck.) We all like just about any type of food. I am hoping to find some place fairly relaxed, but still festive enough to celebrate the occasion.

Am I hoping for too much?

Thanks.

Patrick

Is there a reason you posted this last night and then again this morning. Forgive me if I read to quickly and missed your adding other details to the second posting.
In case you have trouble finding your posts, all you have to do is click on your name next to "welcome" at the top of this page and it will bring up all your posts in the left hand column.

Rob

You might consider Carmine's at 91st and Broadway. They serve Italian food, family style. It is large, always crowded and noisy. A 4 year old won't even be noticed. They accept reservations for parties of 6 or more.

glamrgal

Patrick: I re-posted because I could not get my original post to show up under the "New York" topic....at least on my browser. I figured I had posted it incorrectly.

Rob: I appreciate the suggestion of Carmines. I will check it out.

Any other ideas besides Italian, so that I can give the family a choice?

lfm1955

my first impulse was to say carmines for italian, either on 91 st or the one at times square. It is family stye and the calamari is outstanding. For steak and lobster Delmonico's on the east side is lovely, Mr.k for chinese (very pricey), The Grocery in Brooklyn, or the Rainbow Room in for beauty and memories

HowardR

Please, not Carmine's! There are so many, many other places that are far superior....especially when you say that price isn't an issue. Just answer a couple questions and the suggestions will flow:
1. What type(s) of food do you prefer?
2. Even though you say that price isn't that much of a consideration, how about a price range?

glamrgal

Okay...maybe saying "price is not an issue" was a bit untrue. (Good point, HowardR)

Let's say that since I will want to pay for everyone's dinner, I'd like to keep the food bill to around $500 or less, including tip. With 8 of us, including one small child, that would mean a dinner cost of about $50 per person. (My ex-husband can spring for drinks.) Less than $50 per person is fine, too...as long as it's somewhere with good atmosphere and good food.

Pallette-wise, all members of our party like just about every type of cuisine, with the exception of Indian. I'm not looking for anything too adventurous or too stuffy. And definitely not vegetarian.

My daughter wants to go somewhere more on the casual side, where we can all relax and enjoy each other's company. But since she is a student and doesn't get to go out to dinner a lot...and since this is a special occasion...I want to choose somewhere a bit more special (and more uniquely New York) than Hard Rock (her suggestion).

I have heard such awful things about the food at Tavern on the Green, so that isn't an option, I suppose. But if the food were good there, that would have been perfect. I had wondered about the Rainbow Room, but feared it would be the same situation.

I really appreciate the thought everyone is giving my inquiry. It helps a lot.

mclaurie

The UWS is a huge area. IF we knew where, maybe a place within walking distance. Docks on Broadway 89-90 is a good, big fish place that could easily accomodate that size group. Chinese or Thai are always good with a group for sharing. Shun Lee Cafe on w 65th is excellent. Fujiyama Mama is a fun sushi place with a big group. Ruby Foos is another asian option with an UWS location. I wouldn't worry too much about the 4 year old since you're eating early. I would avoid the Lincoln Center area though since they get a lot of early diners.

glamrgal

Oh...as far as a more exact location goes...my daughter attends AMDA and the graduation will be at the First Baptist Church at 79th & Broadway, with a reception at AMDA's south campus at 61st & Broadway. We're not opposed to taking a couple of taxis to our dinner destination, though.

mclaurie

If the reception at Broadway & 61 is after the graduation and where you will be, Shun Lee is close, Trattoria Dell'Arte is a fun Italian on 56th & 7th.

nytraveler

Agree with Trattoria del Arte - IMHO about 5 times better than the dreaded Carmine's. Shun Lee is also a good choice for more upscale chinese. If you're willing to cab it Rock Center cafe is very New York - but not too far.

HowardR

For a 6:30 p.m. family dinner on a Saturday, I would stay away from the midtown area between the theater district and just north of Lincoln Center. Based on your comments, I don't think a restaurant crowded with theater or opera goers is the atmosphere you want.
Having said that, I'd recommend somewhere in the West 70s that you could walk to or take a short cab ride to.
Here's a couple recommendations:
Scaletta (Italian)--50 W. 77th, between Columbus Avenue and Central Park West
Sarabeth's (American/eclectic)--423 Amsterdam Avenue, between 80th & 81st Streets (Perhaps better known for its excellent brunch, Sarabeth's also serves excellent dinners!)

HowardR

Ooops, I should have said in the West 70s or 80s in the previous post.

glamrgal

Very good suggestions. Thanks. I am relaying the information to others in my party for their input.

Has anyone been to/heard about Bello Giardino on 71st St?

mclaurie

Haven't heard of that one, but in a similar location people always rave about Pomodoro Rosso on Columbus & 71 for it's good Italian food and reasonable prices. It says in Zagat's they don't take reservations but for a party that large they might. It might not fit in your "special" wish though but would be more your daughter's casual desire.

While I understand Howard's thinking on avoiding pre theater and opera crowds, in the location you're in for the reception, it's a bit difficult. Given a choice of hunting cabs for 9 including a 4 yr old at that hour, or sharing a rest. with other diners, I know which I'd pick . BTW, Trattoria Dell'Arte has some nice private rooms for parties which are not too large for 9. They're known for their antipasto. They have really excellent pizza with the thinnest crust and their veal parmagiano is like nothing you've seen. They use a veal chop pounded thin and it's divine. I'm hungry already.

lfm1955

The rainbow room's food is lovely the beef wellington melts in your mouth. Perfect place to celebrate your the graduation

mp

Mclaurie beat me to it again! I was going to recomend Trattoria Dell' Arte's private room - they have the "Wine Room" - seats up to 14 (9 or 10 is the perfect size for the room) . The food is very good, you can pre-order a menu or order off the regular menu - they are well within your price range, the staff is lovely, I had my pre-wedding dinner there and it was perfect - that way you won't worry about the child disturbing other diners or the 80 year old having a hard time hearing the conversation . . .

Another place would be Gabriels on 60th St - a bit more expensive, but terrific Tuscan food and very accomodating staff . . .

Cesca, on 75th St and Amsterdam has very good food, wonderful service and can definitely take a family group your size, I'm pretty sure they have a large, seperate alcove that seats 10 or so . . .

Shun Lee is wonderful but might be too expensive . . .

Good Luck!

HowardR

Cesca is an excellent choice, but I think it might run more than $50 a person.
I'll bow to McLauries better suggestion. i.e., find a restaurant that has a private dining room or area.
If you can get something like that in Trotteria Dell'Arte, it would be perfect, as you'd be able to walk there.

mclaurie

mp I love that room. I attended a fantastic party there. Getting teary thinking about it, but that's another story.