dinner in Ny for post-wedding oh.. and hotel
 

Hi- My fiance and I are getting married in June- second wedding, immediate family only. ABout 13 of us. OUr favorite restaurants (USC, Craft) can't accomodate groups larger than 8 and Gramercy we'd have a $2k minimum since they would have to put us in teh private room- not economical since 1 of the 13 is a child and 1 doesn't really eat. We're considering Artisinal, Elleven Madison Park, Tabla, Mesa Grill. They've all said they can accomodate teh group (assuming we call and can get in). We'd be looking for EARLY reservations (5:30 because of my daughter, partly because we want to be as considerate as possible to other diners (she is very well behaved normally) and because she does get grumpy if she doesn't get food by 6. Any suggestions? Of these what you you choose? Any other recommendations?

Also, we think we're getting married in the park (not sure of location- maybe conservatory gardens, maybe shaekespeare gardens. We've spoken to the park office and we're narrowing it down. We're thinking of getting a suite in case our families want to hang out after dinner since it will be early. A friend recommended a suite at the Fitzpatrick Grand. Any thoughts? We do have a budget and the $329 for a suite looked awfully nice! We can't afford a real suite at the Plaza after paying for dinner!!

Thank you!!

Well this is like catch 22. I think where you have the ceremony should affect where you have the dinner should affect where you book the suite. Ok maybe the ceremony location is a separate issue. The only advice I'd give is maybe think less about the food & more about the ambiance & service. You & your fiance will probably be too excited to eat & people will remember the location, how they were treated etc.

If I were in your shoes I'd

1.Look at restaurants IN a hotel & see if any of those appeal. Kill 2 birds with 1 stone. Zagats has a list.

2. Look at rests. near the park-Cafe des Artistes etc.

3. Look at rests. with private rooms in Zagats

Don't forget the new Mandarin Oriental at Columbus Circle has a rest. that's already gotten great reviews & the views are awesome. I'd call them NOW.

Another idea-Terrace in the Sky-great views, very good food.

I hate to open the giant can of worms here, but since you're thinking of getting married in the park, have you thought about Tavern on the Green? I've seen people do the actual ceremony in the gardens there and have the reception in the garden as well. They also have private rooms. It would also solve any problems of people moving to another location.

Or there is also the very lovely setting of The Boat House, which also offers private rooms -- including the kind of neat "deck" area at the end right on the lake.

I know you're aiming for a higher scale restaurant, but I sometimes think for a group dinner, it just doesn't make that much difference, especially if you are pre-ordering. I could be wrong. And the setting and location might easily make up for it. Besides, I happen to think the food at The Boat House is excellent. (Yes, certainly more so that T on the G).

Yeah, mclaurie has some good advice - some of the hotels near the park also do up their suites as private rooms for parties - The Mark and Rhiga Royal, I think (They both have decent to very good food) You might try them and see if they can work out a package deal . . .
June is a tough time of year tho . . .
Oh - to answer your question - I love Eleven Madison for a wedding meal- the staff is completely gracious, the room is great, the food delicious. The Hotel Giraffe has nice one bedroom suites for around that rate or less - they also have music in the lobby (a string quartet, I think) in the evenings?
Another restaurant suggestion is all the way downtown - but The Harrison has a wonderful private room. Oh - we had a great rehearsal dinner for 15 in the "wine" room at Trattoria dell'Arte - very festive and fun - and they were a joy to work woth, too.
Try searching on chowhound for private rooms and more ideas. Good Luck!

May I add the suggestion of having the cerimony in the morning and then having brunch or breakfast for the cerimony? It would reduce your cost by over half.

I would then put that money towards the honeymoon suite.

I could much more afford breakfast at The Plaza than dinner.

What great suggestions! I had thought about Tavern on the Green but heard it was overrated. Has anyone been there recently? I love to walk by at the holidays- so pretty.

ANd the boathouse restaurant-- Can anyone give me more info? I've done a search on google and can find paintings but no other info.

In terms of place, someone mentioned ambiance over upscale. I'd love something very nice (mesa grill is certainly not romantic), but I'm worried about people being very upset that a 5 year old is with us. I would hate to be proposing to someone (or bing proposed to) at Cafe des Artistes and have a 5 year old at the next table :-)! I love all your suggestions- thank you!

Nevermind about the boathouse- I just found their website!! I'll call in the am. But still keep any suggestions coming!! Thank you!

It's nice that you are wanting to be so considerate with regard to your daughter, but I'd recommend that you stop fretting over it.

I, personally, find that there is no such thing anymore as quiet, romantic, refined dining destinations. Almost always the atmosphere is so convivial as to remind one of the high school cafeteria or, worse, bus.

When we dined at Daniel, for example, there was a fellow I couldn't even see whose voice carried so well it sounded as though he were miked. And, there was a woman nearby that laughed loudly and hysterically at anything and everything (we sure were glad when HER food arrived). So much for atmosphere.

And, I doubt anyone will mind your daughter's presence when they learn of the special occasion.

Just after Christmas, we were in a fancy hotel dining room. There were a few kids running about, and an uncle even rough-housing with them. But, we quickly figured out it was a post-funeral lunch, so we didn't mind much.