Yet another Ner York dining question, this time with a twist
 

Hello, I have been posting a few questions about my upcoming trip to New York. This time I need suggestions for restaurants where price is no object (hippest, trendiest eats please). My husband does talks for companies and they have made us a good offer to do one in NYC. My thoughts are Nobu, Lotus, and Tavern on the Green. I don't know if any of these restaurants have meeting rooms but if we are going to do this it needs to be one of the best places in NY otherwise it isn't worth it for us to give up vacation time. Suggestions? Thanks for our help.

Thanks for YOUR help, well traveled fodorites :)

tavern on the green is very pretty but the food is average at best and known for catering to tourists.It is nice during Christmas or for brunch.
Nobu is great but i an not sure if there is a private room.
try four seasons,Daniel,Aureole,Le Circ,
Chanterelle,Mortons has a beautiful private room,Gotham Bar & Grill,Le Bernadain,Gramacy Tavern,Check out ww.zagats.com for more info.

I can suggest Bayard, Le Bernadin, Picholine and Gramercy Tavern as great places to eat - and all have private rooms. Also check out www.opentable.com - I think their list has a section for private rooms.

How about Aquavit or Craft?

Masa - very new so you can go somewhere that everyone hasn't already been too. They have a great place in San Fran and a spinoff in Vegas.

I would add Union Square Cafe to the list of excellent suggestions. But, please, Tavern on the Green should not be mentioned in the same breath with the other suggestions!

La Grenouille on East 52nd could be the spot. The main restaurant is undergoing a renovation, however the private upstairs dining room is still open. Great food, wonderful service, and a beautiful restaurant.

Montrachet, in Tribeca, can partition off part of their restaurant for a private dining room. It is consistently ranked of the best French in NY.

I've gone to corporate functions at both and they are quite familiar with catering to that type of event.

How many people would be attending? Some of the restaurants mentioned might not have private rooms large enough to accommodate more than maybe 15 people. You should also consider the good hotels like the Four Seasons or Ritz-Carlton on Central Park which could accommodate larger groups and are used to banquets. Finally, consider unusual venues like the Public Library, outdoors at Bryant Park under a tent, or at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, in each case you could have the event catered. A private yacht or larger party boat going around Manhattan at night would be another idea. If there is a particular topic your husband is speaking on, you might find a museum or gallery which has exhibits on the same topic and hold the dinner there, also catered.

I should add that many restaurants do have private space available so I'd check with Nobu, Le Bernardin and the like. Corporate dinners are a huge business for them and investment bankers entertaining a CEO or closing dinners to celebrate deals happen at some pretty nice spots.

As suggested, you'll need some sense of group size and their ability to handle the A/V needs of a presentation.

Tavern on the Green is a tourist trap. Food only mediocre and service is rushed, ready to clear the table before you're served! Stay clear.

Had a wonderful dining experience at The Ritz - Atelier. Service, food, ambience: wonderful.

Hello everyone, thanks for the great suggestions so far. I would expect there would be about 20 people, 25-30 max. I am going to make a list of about 10 places that are good for us. Re: Tavern on the Green, I thought maybe it wasn't that great of an idea but it seems that so many people make it a point to go there.

How about the 90 floor of the Trump Tower - as seen on TV!! For only $40,800 you too could host a party up there - food, liquor and entertainment not included.

Now that I think would be going overboard Bennie LOL :-P

Gramercy Tavern is a slam dunk, as is Union Square Cafe. You should try and make reservations now.

Aureole is great, but a little stuffy.

As noted, Tavern on the Green is to be avoided.

Thanks again everyone for your responses. My top request will be Grammercy Tavern, followed by Union Square Cafe and Nobu. The I put down each of the other recommendations as possibilities. We'll see what happens :)