472496 Mon Dec 24 14:06:32 -0800 2007 2 18 Manhattan 0 3234959 We are going out to celebrate a law school graduation in May, so I was hoping for some good suggestions. There will be 5 of us and we all have varied tastes. It seems that we could either do a traditional ~$85 price-fixe or try to go a little cheaper (a la carte). Of these restaurants, which would you go to (feel free to make other suggestions): Gramercy Tavern (Main Room) Gramercy Tavern (Front Room) Modern Bar Room at Modern Eleven Madison Park Union Square Cafe Gotham Upstairs at Bouley Obviously we'd like to keep the costs 'reasonable' but if one place is heads and shoulders above the rest, we'd do it. I know that Bar Room, the Front Room at Gramercy, and USC seem to be cheaper than the price-fixe menus at the other places. Our crowd will mostly be meat-eaters rather than seafood and we want the atmosphere to be somewhat relaxed and not stuffy. Any suggestions are greatly appreciated. Mon Dec 24 14:06:32 -0800 2007 152212 rapps 1 3235156 main room at gramercy tavern or gotham bar & grill. Mon Dec 24 16:23:16 -0800 2007 3234959 12933 meb903 1 3235991 I will immediately scratch out Gotham and USC from the list. The food at these places are not as good as the rest of your choices. That leaves you with Gramercy Tavern (Main/Tavern Room), EMP, Modern (Main/Bar), and Upstairs at Bouley. These are all fine choices, so I will suggest you go online and check out their menus and see which one appeals to you the most. Just keep in mind that with alcohol, tips, and taxes, it may come out to be quite a bit more expensive. None of these places is too stuffy IMO, except may be EMP which is more elegant in space and certainly not a "causal" dining place at dinner time. Also, the Tavern Room at Gramercy Tavern and Upstairs do not have reservation which may be something that you want to think about. Other "bargain" prix-fixe in town include - Del Posto's Enoteca ($45pp), L'Impero ($42pp on Sunday / $68 otherwise), Babbo's Pasta tasting ($65pp), Blue Hill tasting ($68pp). These places also offer a la carte at night. Tue Dec 25 10:39:40 -0800 2007 3234959 54254 kobetobiko