My sister has recently gotten engaged, and we would like to take her out to a nice dinner to celebrate. She lives in NYC, in the East Village. There would be 6 of us going to dinner, all in our 20's. Can anyone recommend a nice restaurant (casual dress) for such a dinner? Moderately expensive, but not super expensive. For example, last time we were in town we went to the Blue Water Grill on Union Square, which was very good. We are looking for something else like that, preferably with some seafood as not all eat red meat. Thanks for any help.

Similar to Blue Water Grill is Aquagrill on Spring in SOHO. I've been to both and probably like BWG a little better but the food at Aquagrill is great, it just a little noisier.

Many recommend Esca, though I haven't been there.

Just last weekend i had a fantastic meal at Brasserie 8 1/2 (9 W. 57th St), one of the best i've had in a long while!

Might be a little more expensive than Blue Water, but if you go to www.restaurantassociates.com and click thru their pages you'll find printable coupons for $25 off every 2 entrees you order... which would bring it right in line pricewise with Blue Water Grill. I believe you can link to their menu from the above website as well, so you can get a feel for what's offered and prices.

Great service, great atmosphere, and the food was great! If you go, be sure to try the frozen banana souffle for dessert.

Balthazar in Soho. We have also enjoyed Blue Water Grill. Balthazar has a happening bar and is a very authentic French bistro, lots of fish and seafood, with a raw bar in fact.

Lavagne and Le Tableau, both very nice, very reasonable, in the E. VIllage and both have great Prix Fix deals at certain hours. For excellent Tucson type Italian, I coppi,also in the E. Village. Also nice French bistro type food, Le Gigot and Le Rapaille (sp?) in the W. Village. All of these are small charming places and you probably can get a reservation. Another possibily is the win dinner a Cite (midtown), also very good. The coupon for Brasserie 8 1/2 is a good deal. It's a large slick type restaurant. Balthazar has a real French feel, it's big and crowded and may be hard to get a reservation during the prime dinner hours (7-9).

I meant to say 'wine', not 'win' dinner at cite. It's a prix Fix dinner with a variety of wines included with each course. Their food is very good.

Thanks for the suggestions! Keep 'em coming if there are more.

How about 1 if by land 2 if by sea...absouletly beautiful and romantic.
Barrow St. and 7th Ave so.

ttt

I like Steak Frites near Union Square, which has a true brasserie menu and a French feel, and is not so expensive. It is a big place and feels festive to me.

I also like Tamarind which is in the Flatiron district, above Union Square, Indian, casual but elegant and very good. Maybe about like Blue Water in price, maybe a bit less. Indian food is nice for a group as traditionally the dishes are all shared.

Here's another vote for One if By Land in Greenwich Village. Enjoy......whatever you decide!

Two suggestions in the West Village. Option 1 is Chez Michallet. It's a very small little French Bistro on a relatively quiet street in the Village (90 Bedford Street.) Great food and atmosphere.

Alternatively, you might try Provence on 38 MacDougal. Great food and really good service. BTW, if you are ever in NYC on Bastille Day, Provence has great party every year.

I've eaten at both of these places on several occassions and have never been disappointed in either one. Both have good reviews from Zagats.

Il Mulino in the Village

IF she lives in the East Village, she may already know this restaurant, but it is one of my favorites "Lan" on 3rd Ave at 10th St. Japanese sushi, steak house and the food is very good, casual dining and well priced.

Ask for a waiter Kogi, and tell him "tweedy said HI.

Congratulations to your sister.

tweedy

I don't think One if by Land... would be suitable for this type of celebration, especially after reading the type of place you're interested in. The place gets mixed reviews for its food anyway. I'd also strike Cite from the list--as your sister lives in the E. Village I assume her tastes are perhaps a bit more downtown, less stuffy. You might try Blue Hill on Washington Place (one of my favorite restaurants) or Annisa in the W. Village (actually next One if...) which is delicious! I second the rec.s for Le Tableau, in the E. Village, and Tamarind.

Let us know what you choose! And, check out www.chowhound.com for suggestions--you're bound to get many, from New Yorkers who are very passionate about their food.

I say Next Door Nobu, they'll take reservations for 6 or over, I think.

raouls's on prince street..red cat on 20th around 10th ave is also good. i love park ave. bistro on 29th and park ave..or les halles across the street it is a bit louder and more cramped though but possibly the best chops in town... had great food at tabla on 24th and madison...japanese iso on 11th street is fantastic

The Red Cat is great!
Raouls, I love!
Acquario on Elizabeth St-casual, Portugese seafood, great atmosphere.
Last time we met friends at Provence it was awful, noisy and service stunk Hate to recommend it in case it happened to you.
Penang on Spring St-Thai/Malaysian, might be fun. Beautiful, great service, accomodates large groups in your own little "hut", good food.
Ouest on the West Side, 89th and Amsterdam I think..big red booths that will hold the lot of you. Written up in NYMagazine.
Have Fun!!!
Have fun!

Thanks for all the suggestions. We ended up going to The Independent on West Broadway in TriBeca, and it was very good. Thank you all.

Joe, congrats to your sister and I'm glad you had a good time.

But I did have to laugh--by my rough count you received over 25 recommendations, including multiple recommendations for some of those places, and yet you didn't go to a single one of the places suggested?!