463890 Mon Nov 26 14:29:50 -0800 2007 10 18 Manhattan 0 3156399 I need to come up with a place for a dinner with coworkers for tomorrow night. The food around here isn't the best so thought I'd put it out there. I'm looking for something fun, good food, not too casual and not too fancy. Thanks! Mon Nov 26 14:29:50 -0800 2007 80728 Hungry_girl 1 3156627 If you need Times Square then check out Blue Fin. Mon Nov 26 15:34:08 -0800 2007 3156399 124622 Spiritchaser 2 3157770 Blue Fin is lively. My dining experience was mixed. The place is huge. The food was okay. Service was relaxed. To be fair I've only been once (not my choice). Mostly a tourist and business crowd. Also, expect long lines for the ladies' room (small given the large size of the restaurant). Tue Nov 27 04:48:44 -0800 2007 3156627 73159 financialdistrictresident 3 3157780 We enjoyed it enough that we have gone there in a pinch several times. It is lively, especially if you grab a drink in the front area. Agree about the service but I would go one click better with the food, we have always enjoyed what we ate (but it will not be life affirming or altering). I may have taken the OP too literally when they stated it needed to be Times Square. If they branch out a bit then I completely agree with RGR and think Marseille would be a great place, we were just there the other day and it looks like the lack of Broadway is taking a tool on the business so I would encourage going there. Tue Nov 27 05:03:19 -0800 2007 3157770 124622 Spiritchaser 4 3159748 thanks for your thoughts, spiritchaser. I'll have to give it another try for cocktails. It's also good in a pinch if you have a group because it is so large. I had lunch and dinner at Marseille one week this year because of RGR's suggestion. The restaurant biz is tough enough without a strike, I hope it ends soon. I'll have to head uptown next time we eat out to show my support. Tue Nov 27 16:05:17 -0800 2007 3157780 73159 financialdistrictresident 1 3156887 What cuisines do you all like? What's the occasion? And most importantly...define fun. Mon Nov 26 17:11:28 -0800 2007 3156399 110996 LeahBaila 2 3157363 Cuisine doesn't matter, no special occasion - just getting together for dinner. Fun = lively. My first thought was Hell's Kitchen...but I always go there! Mon Nov 26 20:10:40 -0800 2007 3156887 80728 Hungry_girl 3 3157375 Marseille, on the corner of 9th Av. & 44th St., is an attractive, bustling brasserie that serves very good French/Mediterranean cuisine. http://www.marseillenyc.com Mon Nov 26 20:15:06 -0800 2007 3157363 13867 RGR 4 3157813 Blue Fin is a good recommendation. Also you might look into the West Bank Cafe. Tue Nov 27 05:34:53 -0800 2007 3157375 95060 idia 5 3157859 Among the reasons I really like the West Bank Cafe is that it's fairly quiet. Since Hungry_girl says she wants lively, it's probably not a good fit. Tue Nov 27 06:11:46 -0800 2007 3157813 13867 RGR 3 3158195 Take everyone out to Spotlight Live...the atmosphere is fun, loud, lively and very attractive; the food is ok, but it's really fun to go there to watch some of the train-wrecks get up on stage and sign karaoke. Tue Nov 27 08:19:34 -0800 2007 3157363 110996 LeahBaila