613078 Sat Apr 18 17:47:10 -0700 2009 20 18 Manhattan 0 4607797 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! Sat Apr 18 17:47:10 -0700 2009 192206 ballernight 1 4608008 Hi there, Congrats. You can try Otto or Chinatown Brasserie. Village is also not far from Washington Square Park. Sat Apr 18 19:49:08 -0700 2009 4607797 281129 CMG920 1 4608473 Otto is a good suggestion. Of course, if you have enough advance warning, you could try for a reservation at Babbo... Sun Apr 19 05:40:28 -0700 2009 4607797 25168 cjd260 2 4610847 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 Mon Apr 20 07:06:19 -0700 2009 4608473 271400 notsochubbychubette 3 4611076 North Square in the Washington Square Hotel is amazing! http://www.northsquareny.com/ Mon Apr 20 08:24:58 -0700 2009 4610847 216457 mbs 4 4613430 I thought North Square was really mediocre. I'd recommend Otto and making a reservation as well. Mon Apr 20 19:28:47 -0700 2009 4611076 10216 Lucia 2 4611122 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. Mon Apr 20 08:39:44 -0700 2009 4608473 271386 AndrewParker 3 4613830 Minetta's is close and good. 5 Points, Knickerbocker, Gotham.. I know Otto has good pizza, didnt know the food was delicious there. Tue Apr 21 02:07:49 -0700 2009 4611122 118604 foodwhisperer 4 4614300 Otto is OK--wait is long even with reservations, pizza is by no means that good...other stuff is OK Tue Apr 21 07:40:47 -0700 2009 4613830 216457 mbs 4 4621453 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. Thu Apr 23 08:38:04 -0700 2009 4613830 10936 kathryn 4 4629080 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 Sat Apr 25 22:33:52 -0700 2009 4613830 10936 kathryn 2 4621451 Babbo does not take parties that large, they take only parties of up to 6 people. Thu Apr 23 08:37:18 -0700 2009 4608473 10936 kathryn 1 4614323 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. Tue Apr 21 07:45:48 -0700 2009 4607797 20881 jens 2 4617176 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. Tue Apr 21 22:40:13 -0700 2009 4614323 17058 Pan 2 4621446 Salt has been fairly loud each time I've gone. Not insanely loud, but not terribly quiet either. Thu Apr 23 08:36:11 -0700 2009 4614323 10936 kathryn 1 4616303 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. Tue Apr 21 16:07:03 -0700 2009 4607797 126803 rrems 2 4616367 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? Tue Apr 21 16:23:22 -0700 2009 4616303 282656 acidity 2 4621370 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. Thu Apr 23 08:21:52 -0700 2009 4616303 68363 JungMann 1 4621292 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. Thu Apr 23 08:07:19 -0700 2009 4607797 18941 tsiblis 2 4638320 Knickerbocker is consistently good. The short ribs are amazing. Wed Apr 29 06:26:50 -0700 2009 4621292 118604 foodwhisperer 1 4638614 5 Points, Otto and if you are looking for expensive there is always Il Mulino Wed Apr 29 08:03:33 -0700 2009 4607797 23027 apples