Looking for great food with casual atmosphere...

[faithdog]

for husbands 33rd birthday. Something somelike like Mas.

Thanks in advance.

[AkitaNY]

I would also recommend momofuku ssam, for the food, but i dont think it has the vibe or service faithdog wants (correct me if im wrong).
What about the Tasting Room (had a mixed experience on my last visit) or Hearth (always delicious, a bit more mellow). Balthazar is a nice birthday place, as is Public, great vibe and excellent food.

[eatlotsfood]

Momofuku Ssam

[gutsofsteel]

11 Madison Park
Hearth
Veritas
Craft

[MMRuth]

Although I really like 11 Madison Park, and you don't have to "dress" - I don't think of it as being casual.

[RGR]

I think the fact that one no longer has to "dress up" to go to most higher end restaurants blurs the lines regarding how to describe them. You can go to EMP for a "casual" dinner, or you can go there for an occasion.

When my husband and I celebrated his birthday there last week, he wore a tie and jacket, and I dressed up a bit, in both our cases, more so than we do when we go there for a non-celebratory meal. Seated a few tables away from us was a guy wearing a crew-neck sweater and jeans. So, that range of dress -- what's known in French as "comme vous voulez" -- gives EMP a more casual feel.

Conversely, one would never consider Daniel a casual place because you won't find a dichotomy in the way people are dressed, and the overall ambiance has a more formal feel.

[Bugswife]

Try Apizz on the lower east side. 12 tables, wood burning oven, the best meatballs in town.
Also, very romantic.

[janethepain]

I don't know what Mas is like, but I was at August last night, and the room was very cute and casual. Of course, the food was great too.

[bobjbkln]

Red Cat (24th & 10th).