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b
ballernight Apr 18, 2009 05:47 PM

Graduation Dinner near Wash. Sq. Park

Hi Chowhounders,

I am looking for a fun restaurant for 8-12 people to eat and drink and celebrate my graduation. The only requirements are that it can accommodate our group comfortably, has delicious food and drinks, and is in walking distance of Washington Square Park (we can walk pretty far if its worth it). Thanks Everybody!

  1. a
    apples Apr 29, 2009 08:03 AM

    5 Points, Otto and if you are looking for expensive there is always Il Mulino

    1. t
      tsiblis Apr 23, 2009 08:07 AM

      We had a great graduation dinner at The Knickerbocker, very near the park, and the menu has enough so everyone, regardless of taste, will be happy. Their porterhouse steak is sensational.

      1 Reply
      1. re: tsiblis
        f
        foodwhisperer Apr 29, 2009 06:26 AM

        Knickerbocker is consistently good. The short ribs are amazing.

      2. r
        rrems Apr 21, 2009 04:07 PM

        Obviously there are people who like Otto, but I found the pizza bland and the menu boring. I don't know what your price range is, but my recommendation would be Cru. While their recently reduced prices are still by no means cheap, the food is fabulous and a good value, and it's a comfortable space for a large group.

        2 Replies
        1. re: rrems
          a
          acidity Apr 21, 2009 04:23 PM

          I totally agree on both points. Thumbs down to Otto.

          And Cru is a short walk and a very good choice if it's in your range, and where you will not have trouble getting a table because business seems somewhat off there. (if somebody in your group is "into" wine, they will be blown away by Cru. If not, that's OK, they have wine for anybody) I had not realized they'd dropped prices.

          Blue Hill is another fabulous choice, but you probably will have trouble with a large group. Maybe in their garden room?

          -----
          Blue Hill
          75 Washington Place, New York, NY 10011

          Cru
          24 5th Avenue, New York, NY 10011

          1. re: rrems
            JungMann Apr 23, 2009 08:21 AM

            I'm very much in agreement with your views of Otto. And pizza is not exactly my idea of celebration. As a Washington Square alum, I'd look into places like Alta, Elettaria or Cuba.

          2. j
            jens Apr 21, 2009 07:45 AM

            I'd try Otto with a big group, or Jane, on Houston Street. Noise could be an issue in either restaurant, but I think both are crowd pleasers. You might also want to think about Salt on MacDougal Street, just south of Houston-- they have a large communal table that could seat your party, and the food is terrific.

            -----
            Jane
            100 West Houston Street, New York, NY 10012

            Salt
            58 MacDougal Street, New York, NY 10012

            2 Replies
            1. re: jens
              p
              Pan Apr 21, 2009 10:40 PM

              I found Jane thoroughly boring and pricey when I went there for dinner, though their brunch was very good. I haven't been to Salt.

              1. re: jens
                k
                kathryn Apr 23, 2009 08:36 AM

                Salt has been fairly loud each time I've gone. Not insanely loud, but not terribly quiet either.

              2. c
                cjd260 Apr 19, 2009 05:40 AM

                Otto is a good suggestion. Of course, if you have enough advance warning, you could try for a reservation at Babbo...

                9 Replies
                1. re: cjd260
                  n
                  notsochubbychubette Apr 20, 2009 07:06 AM

                  OTTO: Just be prepared, even with a reservation, to wait AT LEAST 1/2 hour to be seated.
                  Unless, of course, you go early. 5/6ish

                  1. re: notsochubbychubette
                    m
                    mbs Apr 20, 2009 08:24 AM

                    North Square in the Washington Square Hotel is amazing!
                    http://www.northsquareny.com/

                    1. re: mbs
                      l
                      Lucia Apr 20, 2009 07:28 PM

                      I thought North Square was really mediocre. I'd recommend Otto and making a reservation as well.

                  2. re: cjd260
                    AndrewParker Apr 20, 2009 08:39 AM

                    I'll also bump Otto. I went to a graduation dinner there and had a great time.

                    One new suggestion (just 2.5 blocks south of Wash Sq Park) is Lupa. Ask for the big front table. if your party ends up on the larger side of that range. Lots of fun.

                    1. re: AndrewParker
                      f
                      foodwhisperer Apr 21, 2009 02:07 AM

                      Minetta's is close and good. 5 Points, Knickerbocker, Gotham.. I know Otto has good pizza, didnt know the food was delicious there.

                      1. re: foodwhisperer
                        m
                        mbs Apr 21, 2009 07:40 AM

                        Otto is OK--wait is long even with reservations, pizza is by no means that good...other stuff is OK

                        1. re: foodwhisperer
                          k
                          kathryn Apr 23, 2009 08:38 AM

                          I've found the other food at Otto to be better than the pizza, especially if you order seasonally. The pizza is good but not great, and it is not amazing by NYC standards.

                          1. re: foodwhisperer
                            k
                            kathryn Apr 25, 2009 10:33 PM

                            Things that are delicious at Otto:
                            - grande meat platter
                            - cheese plate with truffled honey, liquor soaked cherries, and apricot chutney/jam
                            - sunchoke and escarole salad with marcona almonds
                            - bucatini all'amatriciana
                            - spaghetti alla carbonara
                            - olive oil gelato, coffee gelato

                        2. re: cjd260
                          k
                          kathryn Apr 23, 2009 08:37 AM

                          Babbo does not take parties that large, they take only parties of up to 6 people.

                        3. c
                          CMG920 Apr 18, 2009 07:49 PM

                          Hi there, Congrats. You can try Otto or Chinatown Brasserie. Village is also not far from Washington Square Park.

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