319127 Sun Aug 20 04:54:23 -0700 2006 10 18 Manhattan 0 1820315 Hi, everyone. I want to pick your brains. On the Sunday after Labor Day, I need a bar, preferably in Manhattan, with good, not too expensive food, which can accomodate a rolling group of 20 or so. I'm going to give a figure of something like $35 as an upper limit for dinner, not including drinks, and the even trickier part of it is that this should also be a place where someone wearing a suit won't feel overdressed. Someone suggested Buddakan, but I would think that would be too expensive and also probably too much of a zoo. Sun Aug 20 04:54:23 -0700 2006 17058 Pan 1 1842470 Does anyone have any other suggestions for me? I may need a bar with good for for Labor Day, too, and the number of people in attendance may be fewer then. Wed Aug 30 08:29:38 -0700 2006 1820315 17058 Pan 1 1842591 You could try Half King. See if you can reserve one of their large tables in the front. Wed Aug 30 12:32:05 -0700 2006 1820315 10198 eeee 2 1843546 I definitely second Half King. I was with a large group (~30) there, and we got a private room that comfortably seated everyone. The food is great, not too pricey, and the service was wonderful, especially for such a large group. Even though the place is casual, it's not the kind of place where someone in a suit would feel uncomfortable; there's a nice high end pub feel to it. Wed Aug 30 18:37:24 -0700 2006 1842591 24107 Gluttonous Prime 1 1842627 Choice Kitchen & Cocktails, on 3rd Av., b/t 27th & 28th Sts., opened a few months ago. I haven't tried it, but I have passed by and though it's not strictly speaking a bar, at certain hours they have a bar scene. The menu looks interesting, and I've read that the chef formerly cooked at Craft. http://www.choicekitchennyc.com Wed Aug 30 12:53:24 -0700 2006 1820315 13867 RGR 1 1844471 Thanks, guys! Choice looks cool. What style of food does Half King serve? Wed Aug 30 23:45:38 -0700 2006 1820315 17058 Pan 2 1844480 Here's the info: http://www.thehalfking.com/ Wed Aug 30 23:48:18 -0700 2006 1844471 10216 Lucia 1 1846048 stanton social japonais (the lounge upstairs) Thu Aug 31 17:17:12 -0700 2006 1820315 15978 calypsogirl 1 1847695 The guy who's organizing the get-together seems to be leaning toward 230 5th. I've previously seen rather negative appraisals of the place here, but Zak Pelaccio is their chef, and I've heard pretty positive remarks on the quality of his food at Fatty Crab. Please give me your appraisal of 230 5th. Fri Sep 01 03:59:37 -0700 2006 1820315 17058 Pan 1 1853363 As I recall, the food at 230 Fifth is mainly composed of small, greasy, spicy appetizer/finger food items. It's not bad but I wouldn't want to eat it for dinner. I think it fulfills its function as something for when you're drinking with friends and forgot to eat beforehand. Mon Sep 04 20:23:23 -0700 2006 1820315 10198 eeee 2 1854352 That really sucks! Why didn't that guy listen to me? :( Tue Sep 05 08:50:37 -0700 2006 1853363 17058 Pan