GailLK

Heading to NYC on Friday with group of 10 people, looking for a good casual "reasonably priced" restaurant for dinner around the 30's-70's streets, all cuisines welcome. Any favorites or suggestions? Thanks..

Statia

You could try Carmine's or Becco. Casual Italian that is good for groups.

GoTravel

Ditto on Carmines or Becco. Both excellent for groups.

wliwl

Carmines will be a COMPLETE ZOO on Friday. Lots of people in groups in Times Square area for New Years.

Maybe try something a little off the beaten path - or where you could make a reservation.

HowardR

It might already be too late to get reservations at either Becco or Carmine's or most other decent restaurants in the midtown area for this Friday.
To give yourself a better chance, plan for an 8 p.m. reservation, after the theater crowd has left the restaurants.

GoTravel

Carmine's also has an outpost on the UWS on Broadway and 91st.

GailLK

We've been to Carmine's before and yes it's a "nut house" any day of the week!
Insane waits, fun atmosphere, but food is average and a little heavy for my taste.

mclaurie

I think you really have to go some place out of central midtown, more a neighborhood place. Here are some ideas in the east 50s.

I like Our Place for Chinese. They have 1 location on 55 st. b/w Lexington & 3rd. Chinese is always good with a group.

In that same area, Le Colonial on 57 st is Vietnamese/French. They have a casual upstairs bar area where you can also eat. Nice food.

Zarela for Mexican.

Le Mangeoire or Le Medterranee for French.

Metropolitan Cafe. Nothing special but nice neighborhood atmosphere for pubby type food.

Il Vagabondo in the low 60s for Italian? A bit out of the way on the east side. They have a bocci court. Could be fun with a crowd.

GailLK

Wondering about Shun Lee Cafe for dim sum. Maybe too crowded on Friday night for group of 9?

curiousgeo

A bit further north than you asked, in the east 80's, but Tony's Di Napoli might work. Similar to Carmine's, reasonable, casual, family style dining that accomodates groups.

mclaurie

I personally don't really like the ambiance at Shun Lee Cafe. Feels like a cafeteria. But you can phone them and ask. If you'd rather be on the west side, what about Cafe Luxembourg or Pasha for Turkish? Just remember in that area you're dealing with Lincoln Center crowd. What time are you thinking of eating?

GailLK

We could eat as early as 4:30pm since we probably will skip lunch. I'd love to go down to lower Manhattan since there are so many better dining choices down that way, but not sure if the people in our group will want to go that far.

wliwl

Am I the only one on here who loves Les Halles? Too cliche? I don't know. A group of 10 there could be tough though.

mclaurie

There are plenty of good options all over town. 4:30 could help with some places (good time for Balthazar) and cause a problem with others that will be inbetween lunch & dinner. What exactly are you looking for, where will you be and how are you getting around? Are you looking for some place famous?

Seamus

Cibo - www.cibonyc.com - may be just what you are looking for

Steve5511

Katz's deli.... best food in the city!! Corner of Houston & Ludlow. End of story! (and dont forget the Dr. Browns black cherry soda....mmmmm)

GailLK

I'd love to do a "famous" place, but again not sure if everyone in my group will want to splurge $60+ for dinner, plus I have a feeling it's going to be jammed packed everywhere this Friday night. Whole Foods is starting to look like a better and much cheaper option! Thanks all for your suggestions and recomendations!

marymg

My mother is Polish so when I treated my sister to a trip to New York for her birhtday in August we found a cute little place called simply- Little Poland. Wonderful pierogi, roasted chicken, stuffed cabbage ect ect. And cheap, cheap, cheap. Very authentic-just don't expect very elegant surroundings.

SusieQQ

Personally, I don't like Carmine's at all. Try the Manhattan Board of chowhound.com. Lots of suggestions there.