Have narrowed it down I think - help choosing restaurant please
After my 3 posts with various ideas and all the input that everyone has given me (and some research on my own) I've come up with the following list of possibilities. Still open to any additional suggestions but I've narrowed it down to these:
Landmarc in Tribeca
Cafe de Bruxelles
B. Cafe
Bistro Le Steak
Via Emilia
This is for a group dinner of approx. 12 people on a Saturday night in July. Looking for simple, very delicious uncomplicated food with entrees under $30. Not a crazy noisy background/bar scene (or at least a quiet dining area within that) and a place where we can drink, eat and hang out for the evening without feeling rushed.
Please note I'm not in the city that often so if any of these are completely wrong for this type of occasion, I really wouldn't know so I apologize in advance!
Thanks for your help!
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re: lovessushi
It is Markt. I've never been to either the old or new location, which is also in Chelsea, on 6th Av. & 21st St.
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re: lovessushi
LeahBaila
Jun 30, 2009 04:44 AM
Markt is a solid neighborhood spot, but not a destination restaurant. Good burgers, frites, French onion soup, salads...
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re: financialdistrictresident
Thank you both - Aurora looks lovely but I'm not sure I want an Italian-type menu. Maybe another time.
I think I'm back to Cafe de Bruxelles...someone had also mentioned Back Forty in another post I had put up - they looked interesting but when I called to make inquiries they were kind of short and said they would def. not take reservations. Which is fine, I'm just not sure why the person was short...maybe it was a stupid question?!
Ooh and lastly...Resto? Or is that also more of a neighborhood sport.
Decision will definitely be made by this Friday!! Thanks everyone!
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re: lovessushi
Ok - revised list...am definitely making a decision tonight!
New options are:Cafe de Bruxelles (leaning towards this)
P.J. Clarke's (someone told me very good but for some reason I always thought it to be a tourist trap - maybe I'm wrong?)
Cafe Ronda
Vince and Eddie's (also tourist trap? Also in another post I had put up someone said the food is not particularly remarkable).Thanks for all the help!!
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re: lovessushi
MMRuth
Jul 3, 2009 01:35 PM
I had lunch (burger, fries, Bloody Mary) at P.J. Clarke's last weekend - thought burger was so so, fries ok, Bloody Mary very good. I did like the ambiance, though, fwiw, my impression is that it is quite touristy. Haven't eaten at Cafe Ronda, though walked by today and saw some of the food being eaten outdoors, and it looked pretty gloppy to me.
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re: MMRuth
Thanks...I think Cafe de Bruxelles is the winner...but of course does not meet all of my crazy criteria...I guess I had really hoped, along with all the above in my first post, for something outside - simple, a burger or something. NOT a big deal...but somehow has turned into one. As an aside on another post I had put up someone mentioned Back Forty which sounded good except when I called they said I could only have a limited menu for that many people...which unfortunately I don't think my friends will go for.
Thanks for all the help! :-)
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The mussels at B cafe are great. It is definitely a great spot on the UWS. Might want to check out Walse or Klee.
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re: lovessushi
Have narrowed it down between B. Cafe and Cafe Bruxelles...Have to go into the city for before the party for something and plan to check both out and pick one...
Oh and Back Forty is still on the table...
Of course always open to other suggestions... :-) 3 weeks to go but want to make reservations this week...
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re: lovessushi
I really have to agree with LNG when she noted that B Cafe is teeny. It would be really hard to have a group of 12 there. If you haven't, yet, I'd call and ask whether the staff would be willing to accommodate.
Another possibility for you is La Palapa Rockola (in the W. Village), where I've seen groups of about your size in the back room. It's loud and festive, but not so loud you can't hear your neighbors. The margaritas are excellent; the food, while good, is not amazing. (It's about as good as B Cafe, I think.) It's usually a younger (20s-30s) crowd. The staff is really good about not rushing you out.
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The only one on your list that we've been to is Via Emilia though not recently. The homemade pastas are definitely its strong suit, especially the lasagna. The space is very large and has colorful decor. When it's busy, it isn't particularly quiet. They normally do not accept reservations, so you'd best check to see if they would do so for a group of 12. Also, it's cash only.
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re: RGR
Thanks to you both - Duane Park looks very nice but not quite what I'm looking for - but thanks for the rec. for Salaam as well - we will have to get there when it's just the two of us at some point.
RGR - I went to Via Emilia about 6 years ago and I loved the food - but I did forget about the cash only part. And the reservations thing is definitely an issue as I don't want to get there with everyone and find out they can't seat us...
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I have not been to any of these restaurants. We eat in the EV/LES more. When we go to TriBeCa it's usually to Duane Park. It's one of my favorite downtown restaurants (NOT a destination place). Not sure if the menu is uncomplicated enough. Entrees are under $30.
Salaam is another good suggestion, we have enjoyed our meals there. Not sure Salaam meets your uncomplicated cuisine criteria.
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As far as the atmosphere, Cafe de Bruxelles has a very gracious and old-world atmosphere - I am sure they would not rush you. As far as the food the mussels and fries are the standouts by far.
would you consider Middle Eastern? there are places like Byblos and Salaam that fit the bill as well.
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re: eeee
This sounds like the best option I think so far...
I do like Middle Eastern very much but I'm not sure anyone else will that will be coming...of course it is my birthday so I should be able to pick the food! But perhaps something else this time...I will definitely remember these two though for the future.
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the only one ive been to is landmarc tribeca...and while the food is good, i think its a bit heavy for the summer...steaks, pork, meat...
it was also quite quiet when i was last there. i was definitely the youngest on the second floor at 28 years old. i was expecting a bit more of a lively scene...which you may not be looking for.
just an fyi.
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LNG212
Jun 27, 2009 04:38 AM
I've always thought Cafe de Bruxelles was adorable but I haven't been there recently enough to comment on the food.
About B. Cafe -- are you talking about the one on the UWS? If so, I would wonder how they would put a table of 12!! The place is very nice and we very much like the food there but it is very small, and very long and narrow. Unless there's some space I haven't seen there, I think you'd end up at a very long table and that may or may not work for your party (depending on what you want).
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re: lovessushi
LNG212
Jun 27, 2009 10:22 AM
We think the food there is really good. And we've had good service -- they especially know their beers (if you describe what you like they are very good at recommending others to try). I just suspect that the only way that they would fit 12 is by having a lot of 2 tops pushed together along the "banquette" wall. So you'd have 6x6 at a long narrow table. If that doesn't bother you, then definitely go.
Are you local? Maybe you could pop in and check out the space for yourself.
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re: LNG212
6x6 seems a bit awkward...but I like that you think the food is so good and bf would love the beer thing...
We're in NJ but right near the city - It's a good idea you have - I was definitely thinking once I narrowed it down to 2 places (provided I hadn't already been there) I would drive in to check them out. I've had lots of "quick" meals in the city but it's been a long time since I've sat down to a nice dinner there! Thanks for your help!
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