Great Mexican for 40th Bday Party

[Gwyn]

Looking for a great, hip Mexican place with good food and delish margaritas for my best friend's 40th birthday celebration.
Details: About 30-40 people. Like a cocktail party. Heavy apps w/beer, wine, margaritas. Private room. Cool vibe. Trying to keep the price in the $40-60pp range.
Please help!

[mbs]

El Parador...without a doubt! Best Mexican food in the city, and they do a great job with private parties

[kim e]

so it's not mexican (i have yet to find a good mexican restaurant that isn't a total hole in the wall and south of spanish harlem), but yuca bar is pretty good. it's latin food and on the more casual side, so they might let you have the whole main dining room. their appetizers/small plates are really good and within your price range.

[notsochubbychubette]

I dont think dos is within your price range. Mama Mexico is fun for a large group; mariachi, shots, etc. They have a covered back porch thing going on upstairs...you may even fill the entire upstairs.
http://www.mamamexico.com/

I always liked Mexico Lindo too...Your group will probably fill the entire restaurant, but they are fantastic there and the food is really good...espcially the small plates. THey also have mariacho and their maragritas are killer.
http://www.mexicolindonyc.com/

There's also Rodeo Bar which is more of a tex mex thing, BUT you can take over the entire upstairs (couches and stuff)...Margaritas also good stuff...www.rodeobar.com

[RGR]

I found the food at Mexico Lindo to be just so-so, and it's definitely not a place I would choose if I were looking for something hip with a cool vibe.

[notsochubbychubette]

LIke i said, a group of 40 will take over the entire place...Make it what you want

[RGR]

"Make of it what you want."

So, are you suggesting they hire an interior decorator? Without a total refurbishment, there is no way Mexico Lindo will have a hip/cool feel.

[notsochubbychubette]

said it once and i will say it again..You are a chowhound snob.

[RGR]

Because I said there is no way Mexico Lindo can be hip without a total makeover, you brand me a "Chowhound snob."? Since you like the food there while I think it's mediocre, I could brand you as having no taste for excellent cuisine, but instead, I'll just say, "Chacun a son gout."

And, btw, I don't care one iota for hip spots.

[small h]

I have to agree with RGR on the vibe at Mexico Lindo - decidedly not cool. It's homey and kitschy. And there's no private room, right? which is what the OP asked for.

Rodeo's not a bad idea, but it can get pretty loud in there, even upstairs. Makes conversation a bit of a chore.

Does Calle Ocho have a private room? It's not strictly Mexican, but it does have a more upscale feel.

[notsochubbychubette]

no, like i said, they will take up the entire restaurant with a party of 40. calle ocho has a room to the side, not entirely closed off though.

[chow_gal]

Mama Mexico is wretched: the food, the ambiance, those mariachis. Gross. Actually Rodeo Bar is even worse: think 32 oz margaritas from a mix and machine served with tex-mex slop.

Look into Suenos.

[malibu]

No offense, but Rodeo Bar flat out sucks...drinks, food, the clientele... it might as well be in Times Square. I definitely second the Suenos recommendation!

[holland_oats]

thumbs up for mama mex!

-----
Mama Mexico
2672 Broadway, New York, NY 10025

[Will4Food]

Dos Caminos