Graduation lunch in NYC
 

Help! Californians taking son out for a special lunch or dinner after graduation from film school at NYU this May. Ceremonies will be on a Thursday morning. Our favorite restaurant is Gramercy Tavern but we're open to any and all suggestions. He likes anything but is especially fond of meat.

Well, why not Gramercy Tavern, then? One of Danny Meyer's other restaurants, either Union Square Cafe or Eleven Madison Park, would also be a good choice; convenient to NYU and enough meat to please your son. There are, of course, dozens of nice places if you can narrow things down a bit, but you can't miss with any of those. I do think EMP is nicer for dinner than lunch. I had three great dinners there last year, and they probably have the most meat entree choices of the three, but none would leave your son wanting for meat. And BTW, congratulations to you and to him!

Followup up Caitlin's comments, make sure you call a month before for reservations if you decide on one of the popular restaurants (i.e., Union Square Cafe, Grammery Tavern, etc.).

If he likes meat, Peter Luger's in Brooklyn is the place to go. YUMMY. <BR> <BR>Congratulations!

If he likes Italian, Il Mulino is incredible, but expensive.

Would you believe that we got him a gift certificate for Peter Luger's for Christmas! Eleven Madison Park sounds great. I'd never heard of it, so thanks so much for the recommendation. I know from experience how important reservations are--we've never been able to get into Union Square Cafe. As his main meals consist of pizza or whatever he can cook on his George Foreman grilling machine, eating out is a real big deal!

If you call Union Square Cafe (212-243-4020) exactly 30 days before, you should be able to get a reservation, especially for midweek.

Jeanne, to elaborate on Eleven Madison Park: It's at Madison and 24th St., right across from Mdison Square Park, and as I noted, is owned by Danny Meyer, who owns Union Square Cafe and Gramercy Tavern. It is an easier reservation than either of those (for one thing, it's bigger). The space has dramatically soaring ceilings and can feel a bit cavernous by day, but it is elegant in the evening. Tables are well spaced and the trademark terrific service is in place. The food is American, with a few more nods to France than at USC, and a little less homey than there, but not as fancy as the dining room at GT. The wine list, however, is almost all French, and they hav a great by-the-glass program where you can get 3- or 5-ounce pours. I was last there right before Christmas, and there were plenty of meat entrees. In my party, people had hangar steak and venison that were very good. I think there was a pork preparation and a couple of other things, and they always have a cote de boef for two. Of course, there are also fish and fowl choices. Desserts are top notch, as well. We especially love the lemon trio of tart, ice cream, and crepes and the plate of exquisite miniature pastries and candies.

Thank you, Caitlin, for the delicious description of Eleven Madison Park. There will be two events at this graduation--one on Tuesday evening and the commencement on Thursday morning. I'm thinking we may have dinner at EMP on Tuesday and then have lunch somewhere else on Thursday. Any other suggestions for a nice lunch? He also enjoys spicy food and misses the Mexican restaurants here in California.

What about one of those Brazilian or Argentine places where they bring the meats to your table. i've always thought that looked like a lot of fun, but was told you really should have a group to do it. Are they really tacky, or is there a really good one?

Has anyone been to Patria?

Patria would be a really good choice. Bolo is another good one.

If you want spicy, Southwestern style cuisine, try Mesa Grill for lunch-its very convenient to NYU. Its owned by Bobby Flay of FoodTV fame (he also owns Bolo).

For steak, in a word Sparks, (2nd & 46th or so)

Gourmet mexican/spanish-Maya. 1st ave. up in the 60s. Incredible. Expensive but my mouth is watering just thinking about it. Traditional mexican/spanish-El Parador. 34th st. between 1st and 2nd. Wonderful family owned local restaurant. Great, great food and service. Patria is ok. The head chef, Doug Rodriquez, left to open up his own tapas restaurant in ABC Carpet. Have not been to Patria since his departure.

OK--Maya sounds like it might be the one for us--thanks for the tip about Patria. Will I need to make reservations a month in advance?? How does it compare in atmosphere to Rosa Mexicano? I'm also going to file Sparks away in my memory bank. Everyone has been a great help.

hip, cool, crowd. casual to NY trendy. families w/ adult kids, yuppies out on the town, older couples. Zagats says, "Mexican food doesnt get any better than at the eastsider offering imaginative, authenic dishes with knockout cocktails. Warns, brings lots of money as most want to splurge as its far and away the best of its kind." rosa mexicana is a rodeo compared to maya. although their pomagranite margs. are worth stopping in for after dinner! Figure $50 per person for a drink or 2, apps. entree and dessert. Maya is at 1st and 64th. 212-585-1818. Getting reservations is not too bad. Call a week or 2 in advance especially for Saturday night. Enjoy!