Hi all -

My in-laws (husband's parents, sister, and neice)are visiting this weekend from Texas and Louisiana. They would like to go out someplace nice for dinner Friday night (upscale, but not a place where a jacket and tie is required), and it's up to me to pick the place! It will also be my husband's parents' 55th wedding anniversary.

We usually go to really casual places, so I'm at a loss. I know it's also a bit late to be making reservations for a Friday night. I tried Union Square Cafe, but they didn't have any availability.

Does anyone have any suggestions?

Thank you!

Hmm...you might be a little late for Friday night reservations. I would look at menupages.com to see menus, and opentable.com to see what reservations are available at select restaurants. What type of food and what neighborhood would be best for your party?

Thanks for the reply. I know we're really late - every place I've called so far has no availability until 10:30-11:00-ish.

I was thinking American or Italian - I think that would please everybody - and someplace with a nice "special occasion" ambience. As for the neighborhood, it doesn't really matter. They're staying in the east 40s, but I'm not limiting my search to that neighborhood.

A few places that come to mind are Red Cat, Cookshop, HQ, The Harrison, and Landmarc.

Hearth in the Lower East Side is a very good restaurant on all counts - courteus and efficient service, very good and carefully-prepared Italian-inspired dishes from chef Marco (formerly of Craft), well-thought out wines by the glass that are always matched well with the seasonally-changing food menu.

It should also be in the same price range as Union Square Cafe.

You might try Remi on West 53rd between 6th and 7th Avenues. Very good Northern Italian.

The Tavern Room at Grammercy Tavern has a no reservation policy. The wait for a table will likely be about an hour, but it's worth it and they have a great bar to wait at. It's upscale but you can get away without a jacket/tie in the Tavern Room. And they don't treat you like a second class citizen because you couldn't get a res in the main dining room. The service has always been superb.

Remi is very good. I went there with my mom once before theater. Landmarc looks great (I work near there) but it gets crowded and the tables are very close together.

The Cafe Botanica in the Essex House on Central Park South has been a favorite. The Prix Fixe offers tend to be good values as well.

I think the idea of looking on opentable.com is a good one. If nothing else, it will give you some ideas. I did it for you and one of the first things that came up was the 21 Club. The food isn't outstanding, but this is a nice special occasion place that's famous (in-laws can say.."we went to 21 for our anniv.") Whoops, you need a jacket at 21 (but not a tie).

If 6:30 isn't too early, Gramercy Tavern has room for 6 then according to opentable.

What about Il Mulino? What about the Water's Edge in Queens? They have a ferry that picks you up at 34 st & the East River. Great views of the skyline.

What about a Bateaux NY Cruise for dinner?
http://www.spiritcruises.com/bateaux/contactus.html

Wherever you go, make sure you mention it's a special anniversary etc.

Fresco by Scotto might be casual but nice for you.

Thanks everyone for the great suggestions! I really appreciate it.

Hearth or The Tasting Room.
Great brunch at 202.
M

I second Hearth, it's very good food with a nice ambiance. Blue Ribbon and Harrison are also good and possibility of a reservation this late. How about a steakhouse, like Smith & Wollensky (for a very nyc steakhouse fee) or Les Halles (more casual but fun and great steak frites).

We went to Babbo without a reservation. Their doors open at 5pm and they take walk ins for their limited bar tables. Although in the bar, it wasn't hurried or more casual. We very much enjoyed the meal there.

Cellini - E. 54th bet. Madison and Park
(212) 751-1555
Teriffic Italian place - order the imbustata homemade pasta

Hi Katie,

I am from Baton Rouge, LA and when we go to NYC, we love to go to Carmine's Italian rest. on 42nd street on the theatre side west side. The food was great and in large portions so you order for all to share it reminds me of an old new orleans fun restaurant. Also, they don't have to wear a coat and tie.

Have fun,

Liz

Please, if you come to New and are looking for restaurant for a special occasion, you certainly can (and should) do a lot better than Carmine's!

Not really.

In another thread, somebody was posting about Tad's Steakhouse as "the most expensive options" during their recent trip in NYC.

The last time I ate at Tad's was 20 years ago with fellow students and wven then we summed up Tad's as "the only steakhouse that looked and searched for the cheapest and toughest piece of meat they can fined ... and somehow found a way to make them tougher after cooking them."

Tad's steakhouse - does it really stil exist. All I remember is tht it was the butt of coninutal jokes about serving roadkill.

And Carmine's is just basic red sauce Italian - more known for the size of it's portions and it's noisiness than the quality of it's cuisine. (Great for college kids get together - but wouldn;t reco it for entertaining in-laws.)

You've had some great suggestions already.

I would focus on opentable with so litle time left.