Graduation Dinner -- Great food, preferably not pre fixe

[ksimone]

I'm currently in search of a restaurant for a graduation celebration. Many family members are flying in from LA and I'd like to take them to a nice NY restaurant that offers more than just pre-fixe/tasting menus (some will prefer a la carte options, I know).

In total, we'll be a party of 7 on a Tuesday evening around 6:30/7:00 PM. I'm fairly open to cuisine type--was thinking New American or Italian--but we'll have some less adventurous folks in the group so I'm hoping that the menu will offer some classic standbys as well.

My initial thought was Blue Hill, but they're already booked for a party our size. Other thoughts have included Savoy, Hearth, Insieme, Union Square Cafe, and Gramercy Tavern. Entree price ~ $25-40. Not limited by neighborhood.

Would folks be willing to chime in? Some additional considerations include:
-comfort (don't want to feel too crowded as a party of 7)
-volume -- concerned that the grandparents in the group will be able to hear okay
-service -- high-quality a must
-reservation -- want to be able to book ahead of time and not just show up
-TASTE!

Any and all insight would be welcomed. Thanks in advance.

[kathryn]

When is your graduation celebration? Union Square Cafe and Gramercy Tavern book up VERY quickly.

GT has only 1 table that can seat 8, if I recall correctly, and it is a choice between a prix fixe or the tasting menu in the formal room (the casual room does not take reservations).

[Simon]

Scarpetta would be lovely if you can get a reservation...i'd recommend going there for a drink and snack at the bar, seeing how you like it, and then charmingly explaining your reservation request to the manager...

[RGR]

If you want a la carte, then Gramercy Tavern's formal dining room is out because the dinner menu is either a 3-course prix-fixe or a tasting. The Tavern Room, which does have an a la carte menu, does not take reservations.

Union Square Cafe's dinner menu is a la carte. The food is not of the wow variety, but it is delicious, and everyone, including the less adventurous, should be able to find pleasing things to order. Tables in the main dining room are fairly close though not obscenely so. The noise level can get a bit high but not to the point where conversation becomes a shouting match. There is seating on the balcony, but I think of it as Siberia.

http://www.unionsquarecafe.com

Hearth's food is fine, but the "early warehouse" interior design doesn't say celebration to me. Also, all large parties such as yours are seated in the front room, and the noise level does escalate.

I would suggest you consider Tocqueville, which tends to travel somewhat under the usual culinary radar. The French-accented New American cuisine is superb, and the dinner menu is a la carte. The dining room has understated elegance, tables are nicely-spaced, and the noise level is very conversation-friendly. I think Tocqueville would be a lovely place for you and your family to celebrate this special event.

http://www.tocquevillerestaurant.com

[rrems]

Cru has eliminated their prix-fixe menu (except for the tasting) and replaced it with an a la carte menu at considerably lower prices. The atmosphere is very upscale, and seating is comfortable, with well-spaced tables. It is never noisy. The service is what you would expect from a top-tier restaurant. Most important, the food is superb, and if you have any interest in wine, the list is phenomenal and is not outrageously priced, with a nice selection in the lower range.