377672 Mon Mar 05 12:13:24 -0800 2007 8 18 Manhattan 0 2354431 Thinking of taking my boyfriend to Employees Only or Pegu Club for a birthday cocktail and something to eat. Which do you prefer and any recommendations? Mon Mar 05 12:13:24 -0800 2007 10662 raw 1 2354507 Employees Only gets so crowded it's not really an ideal place for a drink, especially for a couple. I haven't been to Pegu though so it is hard to compare the two. If you do go to EO, try the steak tartare, it is one of the best I've ever had. Mon Mar 05 12:28:15 -0800 2007 2354431 78219 nyclaw71 2 2355075 agreed with all of the above comments with the exception that it IS a great place for a drink if you get there early and get a corner spot at the bar OR the weather is awesome outside and you get a prime picnic table in the back. Mon Mar 05 14:10:32 -0800 2007 2354507 20586 dkstar1 1 2354527 I have been to both and Pegu is better. It's more spacious. Mon Mar 05 12:31:32 -0800 2007 2354431 69776 nyccookie 1 2354602 Pegu Club. I agree with the other posters that EO can get very cramped and uncomfortable for a couple. Mon Mar 05 12:44:35 -0800 2007 2354431 10216 Lucia 1 2359960 Definitely Pegu Club. Better cocktails and food than EO, plus a more sophisticated atmosphere. Try their Earl Grey Martini and snack on truffled dumplings and smoked trout deviled eggs. Get there on the early side - now that the place is getting more popular, it tends to get busy and obnoxious late at night, especially on the weekends. Another good option is Centovini. Nice selection of Italian wine and good food, albeit a bit pricey. I love their wine glasses - extremely delicate and elegant. It makes the experience of drinking a glass of wine that much more enjoyable. Tue Mar 06 18:40:32 -0800 2007 2354431 44403 graphisbeb 1 2359973 I found Pegu to be overcrowded, loud enough to make conversation difficult, and overpriced. The drinks were nice, but not THAT nice. Tue Mar 06 18:43:56 -0800 2007 2354431 18555 The Jeff Next Door 1 2360926 I also would recommend Pegu Club. It has that "special" kind of feel. I second the Earl Grey martini, although all of the drinks I have gotten there were excellent. The tuna tartare was very good. www.kitchencocktail.blogspot.com Wed Mar 07 06:26:06 -0800 2007 2354431 13886 gardengirl 1 2361121 Thank you all for you replies. Since it is in my neighborhood, and my boyfriend requested a place to get a good martini Pegu Club it is. Hopefully it won't bt too much of a scene on a Thursday night. Wed Mar 07 07:30:48 -0800 2007 2354431 10662 raw