Lunch for 11 without private dining room

[GJG854]

OK, so I'm having some trouble with a specific "where to have lunch" question. I'm trying to put together a lunch in Manhattan for 11 people on the Sunday before Christmas. The problem is that many places won't seat a group of 11 and provide a la carte service. They often want to give you a limited set menu and do it through their special events service. But we want to be in the regular dining room and order off a full menu. We've tried to break it up into groups of 5 and 6, but some say they can't guarantee two tables together. Looking for something Midtown-ish, but a little bit downtown is fine too. Something around $40/person and not $80. So far I've tried booking at:

JoJo - they offered a set menu with choice of 2 apps, 2 mains, 2 deserts; couldn't promise two tables together of 5 and 6.

Gramercy Tavern - no weekend lunch in the dining room, that was news to me.

EMP - would only offer a limited set menu in their private dining room, couldn't confirm two tables together if we split into 5 and 6, then found out they're closed on Sunday anyway...

Union Square Cafe - same as EMP, wanted to do a limited set menu and couldn't confirm two tables of 5 and 6 together.

So, does anyone have recommendations of comparable restaurants that might be willing to accommodate a large party with these conditions? More casual is fine too. I thought Balthazar but on second thought it's too loud and I've heard the food isn't so great these days. Thanks for any ideas!

[smokeandapancake]

those places seem pricey for your buget, no?
Especially if you are ordering ala carte?
Anyway, try bar stuzzichini, inoteca, Blue Smoke, Public

[fm1963]

I've attended a lunch for 13 in the main dining room at Craftbar, and we ordered a la carte.