I'm thinking of hosting a 21st birthday party, in New York City, which could include ten to twelve guests, all college-age+, mostly women. I have no idea what to expect to spend, but don't want to be "over the top" (whatever that means in NYC nowadays!).
I'm in Colorado, so would need to arrange it all long-distance from here, so I'd want a restaurant/hotel open to working with me via phone and 'net, negotiating a food and drinks menu for the party, etc.
The party could include two or three elements, such as dinner, a limo, a hotel suite.
Anyone know a good and reasonable place with excellent fresh sushi, maybe smallish to be cozy, in a young and hip neighborhood? Think "Sex and the City" type place ...
Maybe I could have a limo pick up the guests, because they arrive by train, and take them to the restaurant.
Suggestions from New Yorkers out there? Restaurant ideas, limo ideas? Thanks!

I suggest Yama http://www.yamarestaurant.com/

Sushi Samba (multiple locations) seems to be a happening place. Don't know if they'll do a group menu, but they'll probably take a large reservation.

Another option, though the food isn't as good, is Ruby Foo's. They cater to large parties/birthdays/bachelorette parties, etc. They have a family-style menu, so large places, of pan-Asian food. Good decor, decent food, a bit too "Disneyland" for me, but might be the right ticket for an event.

Before doing Ruby Foo's I'd do Tao -- certainly a lot more Sex and the City oriented.
Not that Tao is the best choice.

OK, now that I re-read your post, if you want "excellent, fresh sushi," I don't think Ruby Foo's is the place. It can be fun for a group, but isn't the best sushi in town.

Maureen, there are lots of sushi restaurants in NYC but most of the good ones are small and intimate so a party of 10-12 may be a problem. Plus they probably don't negotiate food and drink menus.

The big sushi restaurants are either really bad (ie. mass produced sushi) or super-expensive like Nobu or Morimoto, which can cost $100 per person.

That said, there is a good sushi buffet restaurant in midtown (32nd & 5th) called Minado. I have been there many times with friends and we have never been disappointed. The place is huge (a block long) so it will have no problem accommodating a big group. Plus there are non-sushi items as well, so those raw fish adverse people can have a good too. I believe it is like $25/person.

www.minado.com

Good luck and enjoy.

While I agree Minado is good, reasonably priced sushi and good for a group, it's not particularly trendy or special enough for a b'day, imo.

I think ambiance may be more important than food quality in this instance. Maybe the problem is picking sushi. I think a sexy/trendy/fun place is more important. Have a look at Schiller's Liquor bar (American) on the lower eastside or Bombay Talkie (Indian) or Sensa (American/Italian).

Look at the list of restaurants on this website
hipguide.com

How many girls will there be. (how big a limo do you need?)

Sorry, I now see you said 10-12. Try Crown limo

1800mycrown.com

Another thought, here are some "cool" hotels with cool restaurants that might be able to do the whole thing.

W Times Square and in their restaurant Blue Fin.

W Union Square and Olives

60 Thompson and Kittichai (**)

Maritime Hotel and Matsuri

City Club and DB Bistro Moderne

Bryant Park Hotel and Koi (**)

Chambers Hotel and Town

I was recently told that a new place on 9th (near 50th) is really cool. It's called Xing. I looked at the website and it does look neat. It features sushi as well as other Asian specialties, had a nice atmosphre, and is open very late (a good sign for "trendy").
Anyone know anything about this place?

http://www.xingrestaurant.com/

Can I erase that last post? I just looked at the website, and I don't see a thing about sushi, so please ignore. But does anyone know anything about this place anyway? Sounds cool for after theatre and it's in "my neighborhood".

It is listed on that website I mentioned hipguide. Here's what they say

"Don’t let the fact that this is the kind of place where trendy white guys think they will impress their Asian dates throw you (big eye roll). Open for dinner five days a week, Xing (pronounced “shing”) stands out in this neighborhood of historic tenements. Filling a culinary void in Hell’s Kitchen is this pan-Asian from owner Michael Lagudis and Executive Chef Lulzim Rexhepi (Kittichai, Spice Market (Thailand)), who offer up really good short ribs and Chinese BBQ ribs - yes, by Chinese standards - and foie gras. Born in Albania and a Culinary Institute of America alum, Rexhepi trained in France and worked with Paul Sale at Fifty-Seven Fifty-Seven and Icon and all these elements are visible in the kitschy details such as miniature spiced dessert donuts served in a miniature take-out box. Decor is interesting, with two rooms, one a kind of modern take on bamboo simplicity, the other luxe and imperial, with a big fish tank and red velvet walls that are soft as a concubine's ottoman. Notable oddity is the slightly offensive drink that is a straw coming out of a buddha’s tummy. Good thing the concoctions are yummy."

Without a doubt, go with the Sushi Samba on 7th Avenue at Barrow Street.

Thanks for the review, mclaurie. Since I'm such a "trendy white guy" guess I'll have to pick up an Asian date and go try it? LOL

There is no such thing as excellent fresh sushi that is not expensive. If you are on any kind of budget, you might want to reconsider your choice of cuisine..what about a Chinese banquet in Chinatown? MUCH less costly and easy to arrange by fax and phone.

Thanks, everyone. I'm not thinking of a buffet, though. Surely there's a nice little sushi place?
I'll look at Sushi Samba (but is a 'chain' special enough?), and can also research Tao, Yama, Ruby Foo's, the hotel/restaurant combos, etc.
Any other thoughts?

21st birthday party? Trust me, if it fits your budget, you want the Sushi Samba 7 on 7th Avenue. Try to reserve the rooftop for the party -- the website has a party planning area.

www.sushisamba.com

While it does have a few locations, Sushi Samba is by no means a "chain."

Sushi Saba really isn't a chain...they only have a few.
It is great food, great cocktails, great ambience...sit upstairs. Celebs are always there.

You really can't go wrong here. Def. the West Village one though.

It's not a chain in the way you're thinking of it. I think there are only 2 NY locations. It is always filled with beautiful people. Trust me, it'll work.

This is the place in Manhattan that's getting all the "buzz" and is a bit classier than Sushi Samba. Plus it's in a really trendy neighborhood:

Morimoto
Chelsea
88 10th Ave.
(16th St.)
Manhattan, NY 10011
212-989-8883
www.morimotorestaurant.com

Here's what Zagat's has to say

Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto and Philly restaurateur Stephen Starr make their NYC debut with this “slick” Chelsea Market arrival, serving “new wave” Japanese fusion fare as well as “superbly fresh” sushi from an “impressive” back bar; sure, the “take-out-a-loan” tabs are undeniably “steep” and there’s debate as to whether it’s “as good at the original”, but compensations include “beautiful people everywhere” and a real live “celeb chef in the kitchen” – at least for the moment.