193698 Mon Feb 11 02:07:09 -0800 2002 9 18 Manhattan 0 1033718 Here is my situation: my birthday is coming up and I'd like to go to a good restaurant to celebrate. I am also HUGELY pregnant (the baby is due a week after my b-day!) and I simply cannot eat much at one sitting. It needs to be relatively casual (as I am not feeling altogether glamorous these days...) but still romantic and pleasant. Any ideas for a casual-but-nice place with great food in small portions? Mon Feb 11 02:07:09 -0800 2002 0 sol 1 1033722 How about just order appetizers? Mon Feb 11 09:09:10 -0800 2002 1033718 0 Nina Wugmeister 2 1033755 How justifiably annoyed are restaurants when dinnertime diners order just appetizers? I used to go to midrange resturants with a friend who had a small appetite thanks to her medications. I preferred not to dig into a big entree while she nibbled at an appetizer. But when we got only appetizers, even when I also ordered a glass of wine, I felt uncomfortable in spending so little. Mon Feb 11 13:49:57 -0800 2002 1033722 0 Josh 1 1033724 How about dim sum? French food tends to have small portions as well... Mon Feb 11 09:56:52 -0800 2002 1033718 0 JenDoll 1 1033730 The Tasting Room on E. 1st between 1st and A. They have individual portions that are like appetizers and sharing portions which are like entrees. Its a small cozy little place. Mon Feb 11 10:25:38 -0800 2002 1033718 0 td 1 1033746 or just go to Ouest! see post above... Mon Feb 11 12:37:15 -0800 2002 1033718 0 tamara 1 1033748 I second the Tasting Room. They have great "small plates" which I think will suit you well. Another similar place is Bar Demi at 17th and Irving off of Union Square, which has great small dishes, cheese plates, etc. Check them out: http://newyork.citysearch.com/profile/11351788/ I've eaten at both a number of times and have had great experiences every time. It's worth noting that both places are VERY small. I think that they both seat fewer than 20 people or so. -mvr Mon Feb 11 12:49:23 -0800 2002 1033718 0 mvr 1 1033785 Blue Ribbon Bakery in the West Village (Downing and Bedford) is a small casual attractive place where you can mix and match different size plates in combinations for your meal. The menu is large and eclectic.Good wine list. Friendly service. Mon Feb 11 19:06:42 -0800 2002 1033718 0 howardS 1 1033991 Clearly, a lot of people who responded have never been hugely pregnant. You need small portions, proximity to the ladies room (same floor) and comfy/roomy seating. You want to glide through tables, not collide into them, and it's hard to find a comfortable position for long. You don't need wine-though your companions might or a smoky situation. This may be your "last supper" before hospital cuisine and before it takes a babysitter to dine out. I think you need intensely pampering service. You can't stand and wait on line. I would suggest a pedicure at Bliss Spa Soho where they bring you a dish of 'tastes' from the buffet. Or Le Bernardin - some portions are modest even if price tags aren't and seating is cushy--or Four Seasons or any of Danny Meyer's places. Tabla if you're up for spices, the rest if you're not. Sea Grill? (Also depends how "smells" sensitive you may be.) There is also an Indian midblock on 48th between Lex and Third that has widely spread apart tables --so does Shaan on West 48th but I thought it inedible the last time I was there. My daughter is almost a teenager, but that's what I remember about those moments before motherhood. Good luck. Wed Feb 13 21:04:53 -0800 2002 1033718 0 Marilyn 2 1034023 Thanks for understanding -- you remember perfectly what it's like. Although the other recommendations sound great and I'll have to try them sometime, I was a bit apprehensive about the tiny spaces and the wonderful wine list which I can't enjoy! Funnily enough I was leaning toward Danny Meyer's places myself before posting my question. Maybe I'll just do that, order apps and hope they're okay with it... Thu Feb 14 11:17:47 -0800 2002 1033991 0 sol