204519 Thu Oct 16 21:42:23 -0700 2003 5 18 Manhattan 0 1090632 I've been asked to cast the deciding vote between these two restaurants for a family lunch (5 people). A search yielded one negative comment about Ponte and nothing at all about Bread Tribeca. Anyone have any experience with either of these places? Thanks! Thu Oct 16 21:42:23 -0700 2003 0 Cloudy 1 1090654 I have eaten at Ponte's a couple of times and although the food was good at times not that inspiring at others. They brought out Clams in white sauce not red , then they brought out a different bottle of wine than the one we ordered , of course it was more expensive. They did show the bottle to us we didnt notice. Someything else I cant think of was messed up as well. I think there are better places to eat. Good luck Fri Oct 17 08:38:27 -0700 2003 1090632 0 sireatsalot 2 1090657 i have to agree...our meal at Ponte was pretty non-descript. there was nothing actually bad about it, but i won't go back--there are too many other great places to eat. haven't been to bread tribeca... Fri Oct 17 09:59:44 -0700 2003 1090654 0 penny 1 1090659 I've enjoyed the food at both places. If it's between those two, I think the deciding point could be the atmosphere of the restaurant/composition of your family. F.illi Ponte is a very old-school Italian, with what I think of as pretty classic service for that sort of place. Bread Tribeca is hip and trendy, modern decor, with loud music, which is a deal-breaker with my family. I offered to take my mom there for her birthday but she turned me down based on what I'd told her about the noise level (she has hearing problems and can't tolerate a place with lots of background noise). If there are a number of older people in your group, or not necessarily older but with hearing problems, I think F.illi Ponte might be the better bet. Fri Oct 17 10:06:15 -0700 2003 1090632 0 Rachel M. 1 1090711 If you go to Ponte and you like lobster, dont miss the angry lobster. Sinful. Olive oil, hot pepper and I think) crisped basil. Make sure to ask for it de-shelled. Fri Oct 17 14:31:08 -0700 2003 1090632 0 antvic69 1 1090769 Thanks, everyone, for your input. Rachel M.'s comment about the noise level at Bread has made the decision easy; it will have to be Ponte, even if the food isn't incredible. No one, young or old, in this party will tolerate a lot of noise. Fri Oct 17 20:29:21 -0700 2003 1090632 0 Cloudy