348591 Tue Dec 05 23:27:44 -0800 2006 8 18 Manhattan 0 2073404 Meeting-up with some real good friends for our annual holiday dinner next, next Friday -we will be a group of 5/6 people in our 30's. We were thinking of going to Blaue Gans (a personal favorite) which doesn't take reservations. But, some of my friends don't like to take chances. Can you please recommend places that we can also go to that has good to great food that is not a dive and takes reservations? Other places beyond,Danube and Nobu as I've already been there and not really interested on going back. Budget: below 75 per person inclusive of drinks/wine Cuisine: Preferably not Japanese Thanks! Tue Dec 05 23:27:44 -0800 2006 17783 nyufoodie 1 2073409 ...looking at Tribeca restos only. It's a hood that we do not end-up in a lot. Tue Dec 05 23:29:42 -0800 2006 2073404 17783 nyufoodie 1 2073473 I've never had a problem getting seated at BG, even on a Saturday night. Upstairs is great, but you'll probably have a harder time getting in there. You could also try Odeon (I haven't been but have heard good things), Landmarc, Petite Abeille, or Duane Park Cafe. Bread Tribeca is also pretty good, but service can be rude. Tue Dec 05 23:49:12 -0800 2006 2073404 10216 Lucia 1 2073779 The Harrison Wed Dec 06 01:26:17 -0800 2006 2073404 20483 jenniebnyc 1 2074873 I would second Landmarc. Nice room, great wine list, and a menu that can accomodate a variety of palates. Might be tough to get a reservation though. Or go earlyish, leave your cell #, and head up a few blocks to Vino Vino (West Broadway b/w Franklin and White) for a quartino while you wait for your table to be ready. Wed Dec 06 15:17:19 -0800 2006 2073404 41591 snaporaz 1 2074942 Landmarc, Giorgione.. Wed Dec 06 15:37:57 -0800 2006 2073404 57222 Jck90 1 2075025 City Hall, right next to Blaue Gans, has been a favorite of ours for years. The space is elegant yet accessible and a group your size would have no problems getting a reservation. The classic menu isn't wildly extensive but what they do they do very well. I had a terrific Delmonico steak there a few weeks back. Our bill came to $152 (for two) inclusive of starters, mains, a bottle of wine, tax and tip. You should know that doesn't include the drinks we had at the wonderful bar before our meal. They're not cheap - martinis are $11.00. One of the best bars in the city. www.cityhallnewyork.com You can book through Opentable.com Actually, the prices are directly comparable with Landmarc - I just checked my records from my last visit and saw that both bills were within a couple of dollars of each other. If you're looking to trim your costs a bit you could have drinks in the area at Walker's, a classic bar over on Varick. Wed Dec 06 16:05:06 -0800 2006 2073404 10162 Bob Martinez 1 2075076 The Harrison is awesome Wed Dec 06 16:25:17 -0800 2006 2073404 56241 ronoc 1 2075293 I agree with The Harrison, and for Petite Abeille I tend to hold out for brunch. I just tried Mai House (Vietnamese) last week after talking about it for so long. Great. They have original cocktails that my friend and I enjoyed-and the food was absolutely beautiful. Much more fresh than I thought Bao 111 was (same chef). All in all, we spent about $60 with drinks per person. I don't know if you can get reservations on the weekend though. We went on a Wednesday and the place was already booked. Wed Dec 06 17:24:30 -0800 2006 2073404 51874 souldawg 1 2077701 Thanks for the recs! It's a tossed-up between City Hall, Harrison and Mai House right now...we will likely end-up where we can get a reservation. Thu Dec 07 06:30:39 -0800 2006 2073404 17783 nyufoodie