397557 Wed May 02 07:53:33 -0700 2007 7 19 Outer Boroughs 0 2534010 Hey everyone, I'm part of a large group (an Italian class) that is going down to Arthur Avenue for a day. Of course, as an Italian class, we love to eat. So, we want to have lunch in a restaurant on Arthur Avenue. The criterea: -It has to be able to sit sixty people. Obviously, more isn't a problem, but we need at least 60 seats. -As an Italian class, we want to eat Italian. Northern, Southern, etc. does not matter. -Walk in would be a problem with a group that large, so we need reservations. -It's a trip, and we can't get killed on the price. As a group we'd probably get a discount, but if we're spending $50 a person, it could become problematic. -Has to be open on a Tuesday. -It has to be on Arthur Avenue or an adjacent street (not too far, within walking distance) I heard Dominick's is supposed to be the best, but it's closed on Tuesdays. We ate at Giovanni's last year as the large group and the service was horrible; and the food was mediocre. So, with that in mind, what's the best place for sixty people to grab a bite on AA? Thank you! Wed May 02 07:53:33 -0700 2007 95766 italian4123 1 2534042 I have eaten here and been fairly happy. I think it is probably large enough for your group and they have their own (valet) parking. Rigolett’s 2311 Arthur Avenue 718 365 6644 Wed May 02 08:05:44 -0700 2007 2534010 32905 rolise 2 2534980 second fron Rigoletto's - we have eaten there a number of times and have enjoyed it. i know it gets a bad rap here on Chowhound but the pastas are usually quite good. i have seen them setting up for large groups in the back room. i know it is not the best italian in the world, but it should be okay for your purposes. Wed May 02 11:50:49 -0700 2007 2534042 12933 meb903 3 2536040 How is the service at Rigoletto's? I was kind of scared away by some of the Chowhound reviews, admittedly. Here are the four we are looking at: -Ann and Tony's -Emilia's -Mario's -Rigoletto's Wed May 02 16:07:50 -0700 2007 2534980 95766 italian4123 4 2536466 I love the service at Pasquale's Rigoletto. It's the kind of old fashioned Italian place where younger waiters can take the order but only the older long time waiters can actually touch the plates with the food. This place is my favorite Arthur Ave. restaurant. It certainly does not have the best food, Roberto's is far and away, IMO, the best value (excellent food quality and moderate prices--$75-100 pp) in NYC for Italian food, but Pasquale's Rigoletto is the consummate Italian-American "family" red sauce place. Wed May 02 18:46:33 -0700 2007 2536040 12428 bobjbkln 4 2537235 I'd add Enzo's to the list - good size for your party, reasonable prices, and substantial portions of well prepared mezzogiorno cuisine. It's a recent arrival, and a branch of a long-time establishment in the Williamsbridge section of the Bronx. As for the rest of your list, I've never heard anything particularly good about Ann & Tony's; Mario's and Pasquale's Rigoletto have their fans, and Emilia's I've heard has gotten better (it was a very good place - and had the only female chef on the Ave - changed ownership, went downhill, and apparently is on an upswing). Roberto's is my personal favorite, but it's out of your price range and arranging for a party of 60 could be very problematic. Thu May 03 05:53:55 -0700 2007 2536040 12622 Striver 1 2539726 Ann and Tony's is not big enough for a group that size (although its my favorite restaurant on the street.) I had a party of about 20-25 people there and they got way frazzled. From what I remember, Emilia's is on the small side too, you would probably be taking up every seat there. Giovanni's was a favorite in college because it was cheap, but none of the owners/chefs/anyone there is actually Italian so maybe not the best choice for a class outing. Its not my favorite, but my pick would be Mario's. They have a few separate rooms for events, and they can handle big groups well. I think the prices are comparable to the rest of the places on Arthur, and I went to a party of about 40 people at Mario's a few years ago that went off really well. Plus they'll let you pick them menu ahead of time and you can get a group deal. Thu May 03 17:20:56 -0700 2007 2534010 96149 theworldaway 2 2540762 Mario's sounds really good, and so does the Rigoletto...but your experience with a large party at Mario's makes it sound like they are capable of handling a large party (unlike Giovanni's). Still deciding. I'm calling the restaurants to figure out who will accommodate us/offer group prices. It looks like its down to Mario's (which sounds good), Dominick's (slim chance of persuading them to open up for lunch), and the Rigoletto. Fri May 04 06:23:32 -0700 2007 2539726 95766 italian4123