Fun CELEBRATORY dinner - NYC

[skicrew]

Looking for a great place to get dinner for 2 tonight - big celebration for someone special's promotion. Any thoughts?

[nycgourmet]

I don't understand why people are so crazy about Eleven Madison Park-- tiny squares of underseasoned food. Extremely disapppointed! I'd rather forego the extra amuse bouches and receive more substantial courses.
I'll go with Gotham Bar & Grill, Aquagrill or Balthazar for celebrations. Also, Peasant on Elizabeth St. is really lovely.

[skicrew]

Thanks to everyone for the input... we wound up at Babbo. Sat immediately at the bar and had wonderful celebration.

[jinet12]

Balthazar for sure, just hard to get into this late, unless there has been a cancellation, or if you can dine really late...

[lanadai]

L'Atelier de Joel Robuchon, very upscale but laid back and fun when you sit at the bar.

[john]

For me, partly because I don't mind eating late, nothing is better for an impromptu celebration than Babbo. If you show up at 9.30 and have a quartino of wine you can usually get a table in less than an hour. There is good music, good scene, and great food. Cap it all off with a decent dessert and a glass of prosecco and it is a not overly expenseive, great celebratory dinner.

[erin07nyc]

Alta is fun, celebratory with great food and drinks.... actually a lot of small plates and tapas places seem celebratory to me.

[LeahBaila]

What do you consider "fun?"

[skicrew]

nice scene, a little more uppity - ie: ... I guess that 11 Madison could be a little stuffy actually... Too many options in this big city for someone indecisive.

[sheronda295]

Actually if you want fun and good food why not Sushi Samba? The creative menu and lively crowd always makes for a good celebration!

[pellegrino31]

Sushi Samba has a decent atmosphere and drinks but the food is not memorable at all. Stanton Social is a far better choice.

[princeofpork]

How about some info;
cost
food type
location

[skicrew]

COST - OK with anything - would like it to be upscale but not a prerequisite...
FOOD TYPE - Again, ok with mostly anything
LOCATION - Downtown (Gramercy thru LES/Tribeca) or Midtown East

[RGR]

For me, nothing says "big celebration" like Eleven Madison Park. Chef Daniel Humm's sensational French-inspired cuisine, an excellent wine list, service that is both cordial and professional, and a gorgeous space!

http://www.elevenmadisonpark.com

Congrats to the person who received the promotion and Bon Appetit!

[skicrew]

That's what's at the top of my list... Thanks for you input!

[princeofpork]

Although I usually agree with RGR, I have to disagree here. EMP is quite a dinning experience however I would not consider it FUN. Romantic yes, fantastic service yest but not fun. When I think FUN I would like something a little louder and not as "fancy".
In Tribeca, I would say Landmark
On the East Side below 28th, I would say Stanton Social, THOR, maybe Sushi Samba.
However, if FUN means quite and attentive then EMP may be a better place.

[Jel212]

How about Lower East Side's Stanton Social? That's fun.

[LeahBaila]

Second that

[RGR]

While EMP is not in any way noisy, there's a very pleasant hum that makes it far from hushed. Interesting that I never consider it romantic though I know others do.

While I've not been to Stanton Social (I'm too ancient), from what I know of it, it does not strike me as the kind of place where just two people would go to celebrate a significant occasion. It seems more like a place that's fun to go to with a group. That was, in fact, what my daughter did with her friends a few years ago when she celebrated her birthday. However, she would not think of going there just with her b.f. when they celebrate special occasions together.

I haven't been to the others you mention either, but I've never thought of them as celebratory-type places.

[asnet]

Le Bernardin, tho some chowhounds hate it.

[sheronda295]

Actually if you want fun and good food why not Sushi Samba? The creative menu and lively crowd always makes for a good celebration!