Big group for restaurant week

[vanyamehta]

My birthday is on January 29th (a Friday) and I want to book a fun place for about 10 to 15 people. Do you know of any restaurants participating in restaurant week that would be able to take a reservation for such a great number of people? Any suggestions or help would be greatly appreciated.

[shaogo]

Restaurant Week tends to stress out restaurant employees -- so do very large parties. Combining them is a recipe for disaster.

The restaurants know that the vast majority of diners who come during RW do so only then. There's really no impetus for them to "shine" food-wise. Reducing prices to RW levels is worth it, apparently, in the long run for ownership/management, even if the restaurant doesn't turn out a product consistent with it's reputation.

Could I perhaps suggest intentionally avoiding restaurants that're participating in RW? Members of this board have made superb suggestions for large groups on a budget in the past.

With regard to "fun," do you want something like Sammy's Roumanian (food like lead weights but frenetic, entertaining "NYC" experience) or a "scene?"

Someone mentioned to me that the venerable Pegu Club is still open and has mellowed with age. But perhaps that's going to be a bit pricey for your group. Stanton Social is pricey, too, but one of the tonier places to go these days.

Finally, all the above being said, The Ocean Grill on Columbus Avenue embraces groups, does a very good job with simple seafood preparations, has sushi -- a popular "group" food -- and is participating in Restaurant Week.

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Stanton Social
99 Stanton Street, New York, NY 10002

Ocean Grill
384 Columbus Avenue, New York, NY 10024

Sammy's Roumanian
157 Chrystie St, New York, NY 10002

Pegu Club
77 W Houston St, New York, NY 10012

[vanyamehta]

This is all very helpful. The greek restaurant mentioned above expects about 40 dollars minimum from each member of the party. We're all students, so we're looking for something in the 20 dollar range unfortunately. It seems like at most places that really isn't a possibility!

[vanyamehta]

My group is now going to be 23 people....any suggestions for a bar or restaurant that's not too expensive for a big group?

[smokeandapancake]

http://www.kellari-parea.com/

[cimui]

I've been to the 21 Club for lunch with a group of ten and ordered off the RW menu. I thought the food was pretty mediocre and unexciting, personally, but maybe it is more to your taste.

Happy birthday. :)

[small h]

Here's the complete list of restaurant week participants:

http://www.nycgo.com/restaurantweek

But you'll probably have to call (rather than book online) for a party that size.