Looking for Very Special Lunch on a Weekday

[Bashful3]

A friend and I have an annual birthday dinner or lunch together every year this time. Conditions are only that the place selected is new to both of us. So, that lets out LaCroix, Four Seasons , Osteria and Waterworks. AT least we aren't going out on a Monday!

I thought of Estia, but don't know if they are open for lunch. Is the Striped Bass open for lunch? I've never been to either, but don't know about my friend.

Any other suggestions? Thanks much.

[hassan]

How about Vetri or Susanna Foo? Those two restaurants have always been "A night out" for my wife and I.

[idia]

Estia

[Bigley9]

Vetri doesn't do lunch

[jp32]

Two options: Matyson and Twenty-21. While the location of both caters to the typical business crowd, and thus, both have some standard lunch items - salads, sandwiches, burgers, etc. - they both also have a number of entree selections. I can't speak to the lunch quality, but both places are excellent dinner options and would hope they produce comparable quality at lunch.

[Beulah]

Another great place for lunch is La Famiglia, on Front Street off Market. It's very elegant, with great service and super food. Wonderful gnocchi and the lunch is much more affordable than their dinner. They give you an a la carte menu, but you can select an appetizer and main course and they'll bring you a dessert if you tell then you want the luncheon.

[Bashful3]

You guys are great! I get to give my friend two choices: Estia and La Famiglia, each of which would satisfy our requirement of being a new place to try. This gets harder every year! Will report back after the event.

[rabidog]

both excellent options!! i haven't been to estia in a while now, but recently dined a couple times at la famiglia. a gorgeous dining room, excellent service, a wine list bigger than the yellow pages (ah, we just asked for recommendations!) and good food timed well - much space in between courses for food to settle and make room for more. let us know how your lunch goes!!

[Hungryin theBurbs]

Estia is a lovely place for lunch. Amada and Tinto are also great lunch places. Their menus are both more limited than the dinner menus, but still very good. Something like Capital Grille might also be nice, if you like the upscale steakhouse vibe.

[jessicheese]

If I was going for a special lunch with a friend, I'd pick XIX (for the atmosphere- food is also delicious) or Le Bec Fin (for the dessert cart!).

[Bashful3]

Tell me more about XIX, Jessi. We've been to Le Bec, which I love, but we have that challenge of always finding a place that is new to both of us. My friend and I have been doing this for 20+ years, and it gets harder!

[bluehensfan]

Estia is great at lunch. The fish is just as fresh and could not be better. You still can get it by the pound or they have a chef's fish special of the day that is less pricey that is served over bram vegetables. They are open on Saturday too (unlike Striped Bass).

[jessicheese]

XIX is the old Founders Room at the Bellvue. There are three different rooms, all of which have a different personality. I've been there for both a business lunch and a networking event and received excellent service, and food, on both occasions.