Restaurant recommendation around Soho 20 somethings?
 

I'm taking my daughter and 7 of her friends out to dinner. Is there a restaurant that 20 somethings would consider "fun" but also very yummy around Soho or somewhere close in the surrounding areas? I don't want to spend more than $50 a person. Thanks!

From where are these girls? (ie are they jaded NYers?)What time of day (different places are "cool" for different meals) What kind of food???

Right now, the hottest areas are the 1) the meatpacking district (bordering the village, a bit further uptown than soho) and 2)the lower east side.

Balthazar, in Soho, has been an "in" trendy place for a while. It's a French brasserie and can get very noisy. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. But most NYers would find this "not new."

A second for Balthazar. You could easily head up to 20th/Park for Sushi Samba-not just sushi but kinda trendy south american fusion. The jazz room at Blue Water Grill (west side of Union Square Park) could be fun (seafood) or Zen Palate if into gourmet vegan (other side of park). Only Balthazar is in Soho but the others are right off the 6 train line and would only take 5-10 minutes to get to from Soho. Zen Palate is cheap, the rest are very doable on $50pp.

There are many to choose from in Soho, including Balthazar, Cub Room and Zoe's...and lot of others!
There are so many to choose from, in fact, that I suggest you get a copy of Zagat's and peruse the Soho list!

What about Mercer Kitchen? It's hip/modern (& full of "beautiful people") and has very good food. I ate there a couple of weeks ago and saw one of the Olson twins there.

My daughter is a new resident (going on four months)living in Soho, but the others have lived there longer. I don't think there are any natives NYers in the group, though. I know they've been to Balthazar and Sushi Samba. I'll check out all your other recommendations. Thanks for the help!

One of the Olsen twins....wow!
Somehow, I don't think that would be much of an inducement for 20 somethings (or 30 or 40 or 50 ad infinitum!).

L'Ecole is the rest. linked with the French Culinary Institute. The students prepare the meals. Good place for a group I think. Frenchculinary.com at Broadway and Grand St. (You might be showing them one they don't know). I also think going to the meatpacking district or the lower east side is a better idea.

LOL, Howard...I misread Nancy's message...thought she said a group of 20 year olds!

C'mon Suzanne, even 20-year-olders are bit long in the tooth yo get exciting over that sighting. But, tell me, inquiring minds want to know: Was the Olsen twin eating anything?

Not Soho, but we went to Crispo a couple weeks ago -- very cool place, with a wonderful garden area (with a retractable "roof" if the weather is bad) 240 W14th St (between 7th and 8th)
Do these girls eat multiple courses? It could be hard to keep it under $50pp if they want "all" the trimmings. With a party of nine (ten?) however, you might call ahead and plan for a special 3-selection 1st course that might serve the table, and maybe you could pre-order a "house" wine (a white and a red selection). It's a personal enough place that I bet they'd work with you to keep you around your "budgeted" desires (BTW -does that include tip?) Anyway, it wouldn't hurt to call and ask: 212-229-1818

Gonzales y Gonzales is a little south of Soho on Broadway in the East Village, but it more than fills your requirements.

Thanks for all the tips. My daughter just mentioned Esperanto. Has anyone tried there?

Oh yeah, Esperanto is great. It's in Alphabet City, on Avenue C at 9th. Excellent food. Have a Presidente with your meal. Or two.

Afterwards, you can walk south two blocks to a fantastic German beer hall, Zum Schneider. Ave C at 7th.

Another great East Village option is Rue B.

Enjoy!

Just got back from my visit. My daughter and I went to Tomoe for sushi (unbelievably fabulous!) and Balthazar (she had trout and I had a fantastic rabbit dish). I can't believe how many people were crammed into that huge restaurant. Then I took the whole gang to Esperanto for a really fun, casual and delicious meal. Didn't have a Presidente, but the mojitos were so good I ended up leaving my brand new sweater in the cab on the way back to the hotel. Not a good example mom is setting for daughter.