janie

I know I could put this kind of question on Chowhound, but frankly the crowd here is probably more attuned to my needs this time.

I've been enlisted to help find a place in Manhattan for a group of 8-12 people, Saturday lunch/brunch/early dinner.

Complications ensue:
The crowd includes a few fussy out of town elderly relatives used to sort of simple food but luxurious surroundings, a few average casual "try anything" 30s and 40s New Yorkers, and a few vegetarian teens and tattooed 20s who would bristle at just the sort of place the elders would be most comfortable in. The elders will be paying, but the youngers will be very unhappy (and may not come at all) if it's a very expensive and or stuffy place. I don't have a clue about an actual dollar amount budget but I guess entrees (lunch time) hovering at $15??

And did I mention that the date is the day before the NYC marathon??

Any hope for them?

michelleNYC

Hmmm... how about City Hall downtown? Don't know if they could accommodate the veggies but I'd be surprised if they couldn't...

City Hall
131 Duane St
New York, NY 10013
Phone: (212) 227-7777
Fax: (212) 577-6287

Aduchamp1

I love City Hall but another place is Cafe Deville on 3rd and 13th and they have a prix fixe for about that price. And can also acoomodate a large group

bugswife1

Five Points for brunch is not elegant, but tasteful and zenlike. The food is great, and it is downtown which gives it the seal of approval for tatoo crowd.

Aduchamp1

Five Points is quite good but you will wait two days to get a table for 10 people.

kpatric

How about Punch in Flatiron?

travelbuff

I'd suggest HSF on the Bowery in Chinatown for Dim Sum, you will find something there for everyone, and since you sit family style at large tables it will be easy to share everything.

Also your budget of $15pp will go a LONG WAY there, and everyone will leave full and happy.

janie

Thanks. I hadn't thought of most of these, so I will pass along the info.

travelbuff, I wish they could go for something like Chinese dimsum, but that's way too casual for the older crowd. These are people who stay at the Waldorf and The Plaza...

Any suggestions a bit further uptown form suggestions here? Midtown or upper east or west? $15 per main dish is a guideline or average, but don't need to knock out places that have some higher prices

MP07950

You might want to check out Vnyl. I think it's on 9th in the 50's and has a great menu...along with wonderful restrooms.

karameli

How about somewhere in Little Italy? The people-watching is great if you sit outside, and Italian places are always a safe bet for accomodating veggies.

janie

topping

marginal_margiela

I like Punch. Especially since it is right by Fishes Eddy and ABC Carpet and Home. They have really good frites, too.

Thingorjus

Aduchamp1

The only people watching in Little Italy is other tourists.

NeoPatrick

Aduchamp, but aren't tourists a lot more fun to watch than just locals going about their buisness?

williamscb13

Calle Ocho on the Upper West Side.

lizziea06

Five Points takes reservations, so I would call now. You might also try Cookshop or Blue Water Grill if you want to stay more downtown. On the UWS, Isabella's is a great place for brunch/lunch. All of this places are upscale but modern, so they would hopefully appease the tastes of all your guests.

Visit www.menupages.com to look at menus and prices.

janie

Any additional ideas? I made a few suggestions, and was given a "nice try, but not quite what we're looking for" response.
I think the group would prefer midtown and north, even better if UWS or UES.
I'm strugling with trying to come up with someplace both plain/simple/straightforward and fancy/"impressive" at the same time... Price range can be a little higher, and a prix fixe lunch menu could work too if it's in the $25-$30 range and can easily accomodate the vegetarians--don't want them to be eating a plain salad and pasta! Thanks

mclaurie

I think you know there won't be many places midtown/uptown that will appeal to the tattooed crowd, but if the elders are paying, maybe the kids will just have to suck it up. Payard Bistro on the UES will be fine for food as there are a lot of veggie options including a cheese souffle. Candle 79 is the nicest veggie rest. in the city and it's on the UES. Non veggies (like me) like it.

Brasserie Julien is another idea if the veggies aren't vegan. They have french toast, pancakes etc.

Or in midtown, what about a "cool" but upscale hotel restaurant? Hudson Cafeteria in the Hudson hotel or Blue Fin in the W Times Square?

mp

Well, if Cookshop and Five Points won't do, how about Landmarc in the Time Warner Building? I'd suggest Ouest on the UWS but they only offer Sunday, not Saturday brunch. The new place Accademia del Vino on Third and 64th has gotten pretty good reviews - large comfortable space with a wide ranging menu. The restaurant in The Morgan Library might be suitable - the food is quite good. There's always Beacon - excellent New American food in midtown - a lovely, large space, terrific service. The newly redesigned Park Avenue cafe is now Park Avenue Autumn, seasonal, locally sourced produce and meat - early reviews are pretty good, I think . . . all these might be a bit more upscale than the 20 somethings prefer, but . . . they're not paying, right?

MikeT

How about giving each person in this high-maintenance crowd their own $30 and let everyone eat on their own?