Gummo, I agreee that Dos Caminos is corporate (and I alluded to that in my post, though I could have been more specific), and were it not for their Diablo Cosmo, which may be one of the best drinks in the city, I wouldn't eat there. But I am 26, and I live in the city. The poster was asking about a 21-year-old who does not live in the city, and depending on her comfort levels, I still think it could fit the bill. It is fun, stylish, and has good if not great food. Somewhat along the same lines, I'd recommend Sushi Samba. For a more serious eater, I would go with Kittichai - noveau Thai in a GORGEOUS, glam space.

Patrick - I adore Pastis, but agree with Gekko that nothing in the Meatpacking is truly "trendsetting" any more - it is too crowded with Carrie Bradshaw wanna-bes to be truly cutting edge. That said, I predict that Pastis will still be around long after its new, painfully hip neighbors have long shut their doors...

Sorry, I'm just getting confused here. I guess I misunderstood what I thought was pretty clear in this post just made above:
Author: Gekko
Date: 01/24/2005, 10:01 am
Message: While I agree that the Meatpacking District is hip & trendy (I have an office one block from Pastis)

I guess now, I'm supposed to understand that it is NOT hip and trendy in the meatpacking district. It is just so hard to keep up. In May we went to Pastis on a Sunday at noon. There was a good hour wait for a table and the entire place was clearly locals not tourists. We moved on. I guess none of those locals know it is "yesterday's news". They should put up a sign letting them know that. It's just so hard to keep up, when I'm only there a month or two a year.

Sorry about the confusion. To the outside world, the Meatpacking District is the place right now. Long lines, annoying door policies, B&T nightmare.

Pastis is great for brunch/lunch, a "neighborhood" spot, which is why it should survive. But this thread is about dinner -- a 21st b-day celebration.

Weighing in here on the trendy. The first restaurant that popped into my head was Ono at the Gansevoort Hotel in meatpacking. Gorgeous space and the food is terrific. Asian/fusian sharing type food with a really great atmosphere. Wonderful bar and sushi bar as well. I loved it. Ate there twice and can't wait to go back. I would be delighted to spend my birthday there!

Ono is great, and the party could adjourn to the Gansevoort's rooftop bar and enjoy the incredible view.

But I'm not sure it has requisite "fun quotient" for a 21st birthday.

naj, the original poster asked for new "it" restaurants around her hotel which is The Palace Hotel which the last time I was there was still in Midtown.

Did someone move The Palace Hotel to the uber-trendy-only-to-those-nonNewYorkers-but-oh-so-LY-to-New Yorkers Meatpacking District?

Next thing you know we'll be sending people to China Grille.

hmmm, thinking back to my 21st, I think if we were in the neighborhood we would have been more likely to adjourn to Hogs & Heifers than the Gansevoort!!! But hopefully Naj's sister and her friends are slighly classier than we were... (Still voting for Son Cubano - it's not new, but it is fun, bustling, with live music and mojitos.)

Agreed (Hogs & Heifers). Or Tortilla Flats.

I've been to Son Cubano twice and thoroughly enjoyed it, but I prefer the food at Havana Village (and the cubano at Havana Central just off Union Square is awesome).

GoTravel, I realized that Naj asked about midtown. I suggested that he get a cab to take the party downtown, because IMO it is more appropriate for that age group. I realize that s/he asked about midtown, but I also realize that many people from out of town do not realize how small Manhattan actually is, and how easy it is to get from one neighborhood to another. I apologize to all if my response was inappropriate. If it is important to stay in midtown, I would pick Asiate (although I am not sure that fits within the budget), David Burke and Donatella, Riingo, or, most probably Tao.

Also, I apologize to all for how many times the word "realize" appeared in my last message - apparently the snow has clouded my brain!