230583 Tue Jan 24 12:10:05 -0800 2006 8 18 Manhattan 0 1224490 Hi, Thinking of seven people there for dinner. Anyone been recently? Is it still super crowded? Thanks! Tue Jan 24 12:10:05 -0800 2006 0 oliviainnyc 1 1224492 always crowded but for good reason...it's delicious. Better in warm months b/c you can eat outside and enjoy the lovely east village human theater. Tue Jan 24 12:16:10 -0800 2006 1224490 0 special K 2 1224510 Yes, it's always crowded. I don't really think it's worth the wait. I like Lil' Frankies better. I think they all have the same owner (Frank, Lil' Frankies, Supper). Also, Max on Avenue B is good. As is Basso Est on Orchard. Frank has really good brunch. Tue Jan 24 13:10:22 -0800 2006 1224492 0 Traz0r 3 1224600 Funny you should mention Basso Est-looks like that's where we're going instead. I think I'll try Frank when it's a smaller group. I don't mind noise or darkness. It hides my enlarged head and wandering eye. Tue Jan 24 16:57:14 -0800 2006 1224510 0 oliviainnyc 2 1224522 It is not always crowded. I was there with a party of four Friday night and we waited 20 minutes which was the estimate they had given us when we called earlier in the afternoon. I've called them a few times on Fridays and I've always been told that there wouldn't be a bad wait. Tue Jan 24 13:59:47 -0800 2006 1224492 0 zEli173 1 1224544 Food was nothing special. Tue Jan 24 14:41:14 -0800 2006 1224490 0 Hector 1 1224590 Yes, it is crowded-- not so much because of the throngs of people (although it has those sometimes), but because the place is about as large as a postage stamp. We were there recently and wrote about it. The verdict? Eh. It wasn't bad, but I certainly would not go back if I had a choice, and in that neighborhood, there are much better places-- Soba Koh is practically on the same block and is in the same price range. Oh, and bring a flashlight. Nosher Link: http://nycnosh.com Tue Jan 24 16:23:57 -0800 2006 1224490 0 Nosher 2 1224594 "Oh, and bring a flashlight." and earplugs Tue Jan 24 16:33:49 -0800 2006 1224590 0 zEli173 1 1224662 I love Frank- they usually accomodate large parties quicker then the rest- call ahead and let them know you're coming in Tue Jan 24 22:59:17 -0800 2006 1224490 0 wombatnyc