Challenge - fun dinner followed by rooftop cocktails

[LBNJNY]

I am taking the lead on building a late June Tuesday intinerary for 6 gals (30's/40's) to celebrate a birthday. Some are NYC people, some not anymore but all are very familiar with the city. We want to do a fun dinner -maybe on the lighter side such as tapas/small plates - followed by a rooftop for cocktails.

A few notes (Kathryn has trained me well!):

-Last time we went out we did Scarpetta followed by the Gansevoort which went over well.

-I already tried to make a rez at Casa Mono, but they are booked. My goal is to have a fun dinner vibe without the formality of sit down, several courses, etc. Would prefer a place with small plates with a bustling atmosphere. Don't want anything too dark. Going for more of a summery feel.

-My preference would be to stay below 34th Street. East or West is fine.

-The birthday girl must avoid spicy food, so any food rec must have options that avoid solely spicy cuisine.

-Everyone is gainfully employed, so we can go fairly high end on price. That said, the Gansevoort had some pricey cocktails. Would prefer nice atmosphere with a little more affordability if you have ideas.

-Would prefer the dinner and post-dinner venues to be close - even walking distance if possible.

Thanks!

[eameyer]

Second Bar Stuzzicchini and 230 Fifth. They also just opened a rooftop bar on the top of the Giraffe Hotel on Park, may be worth checking out.

In response to previous posts suggesting Above Allen and 60 Thompson, I'm pretty sure these rooftops are both members only.

[Kaelin]

For dinner, I'd go to Alta, in the West Village. Fun atmosphere, an extremely extensive menu of to-die-for-small plates (especially the eggplant dip, the bacon-wrapped dates and olives, and the brussel sprouts -- I don't love brussel sprouts, but I love these brussel sprouts). Good wine list, great cocktails. Not too expensive, so you can splurge on the drinks with a view.

Menu: http://www.altarestaurant.com/?q=munc...

[LBNJNY]

That menu looks awesome. Any ideas for an outdoor spot or rooftop nearby?

[notsochubbychubette]

go to rare, then head upstairs to rare view.

[LBNJNY]

Thanks - been there before!

[LeahBaila]

This goes outside of your requested zone, but I would consider something along the lines of Caselulla, then the Hudson Terrace.

www.thelunchbelle.com

[LBNJNY]

Thanks Leah - we can travel up that way. Hudson Terrace looks pretty. Any idea abut the crowd factor or if a space rez is necessary?

[LeahBaila]

You're welcome. HT is the newest of the rooftop bars and could possibly give 230 Fifth a run-for-its-money. We're having a party there later on this week (for about 60) and reservations were obviously required. For a group of your size, I would call ahead and inquire.

www.thelunchbelle.com

[YummyInTheCity]

This is also outside of your zone but the roof at Empire Hotel near Lincoln center is also really nice - drinks are probably like 230 fifth.

-----
The Empire Rooftop
44 W 63rd St, New York, NY 10023

[boccalupo]

Boqueria and 230 5th might work.

[LBNJNY]

That 230 Fifth looks really nice. Have you been there? Does it get super-crowded? I love Boqueria on Spring - it's one of the places I was kicking around. have not been to the other one in a while but it could work. Thanks so much for the idea and I'd love to hear your thoughts on 230 Fifth.

[thievery]

most nice rooftops will be pricey per cocktail.

230 fith is a big sprawling rooftop bar. get's pretty crowded douchey depending on the night and weather. and ordering at the bar can get crowded in a shoving kinda a way. if you do go, try and reserve a table. things are mellower one floor down in the indoor bar. all of it however feels like you've stepped into an episode of miami vice. that said, the view is something else.

for boqueria on spring you can pair with the thompson hotel rooftop.

other thoughts:

casa mono + grammercy hotel rooftop (rez reqd). grammercy opens up options for a few good nearby restos -- eleven madison park, craft / craftbar...

stanton social or inoteca + new thompson hotel on allen st (only a second floor rooftop but still fun & trendy).

[kissy28c]

you may enjoy Inoteca on 24th & 3rd for small Italian plates and a lively atmosphere (formerly Bar Milano). http://nymag.com/listings/restaurant/... Great mixed drink menu too...

[LBNJNY]

Thanks so much for the thoughtful reply. Have you been to Thmpson and Gramercy rooftops - anyone better than the other?

[ABT]

I've only been to 230 Fifth once, the year it opened, and it was mobbed. We had a space reserved, but getting the waitresses attention to get drinks was hard (And once our order was in, it took forever for the drinks to arrive). And moving around the rooftop was tough given the throngs of people crushed into the huge space.

[boccalupo]

Maybe Tuesday won't be too crazy at 230 Fifth. See if you can reserve a table. Not my type of crowd, but if I am with a nice group of friends it can be fine. The two times I went it was fairly early in the evening and had not gotten super crowded yet.

If you are doing Soho you could also consider the Yard (Soho Grand Hotel) Not a rooftop, but also a nice place for a cocktail outdoors.

[LBNJNY]

Nice idea!

[JungMann]

And if not Boqueria, perhaps Bar Stuzzicchini would be a good match wit h230 Fifth.

[LBNJNY]

Good thought as I think Boqueria does not take reservations.