Alternative to A Voce for a group dinner?
We have a group of 11, and A Voce will not seat us in the main dining room (Time Warner location). We have to use a private room which has a pretty hefty food and beverage minimum (pre tax and tip). This is a celebration dinner, and the person celebrating wants fantastic Italian. We are Felidia-d and Convivio-d out. This is for a special dinner, so a special place is required. Thanks so much!
By Olive123
on Feb 8, 2010 11:04 AM
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Perhaps, Alto? Same chef/partner, Michael White, as Convivio. Alto's superb cuisine is Northen Italian. Expensive but, imo, worth it.
Photos of our most recent dinner at Alto here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/11863391...
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That's a great suggestion - I'll see if they have availability. Just in case, please keep the suggestions coming!
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I just remembered that Maialino has a private space that can certainly accommodate a party your size. (I'm not sure they can do so in the dining room, which is not all that large, but you can ask.) I have no idea if they charge extra for the private room or if there are any mininums. As far as the food goes, if the birthday person wants fantastic Italian, Maialino definitely fills that bill! And how!! Less expensive than Alto.
Photos of our first meal at Maialino here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/11863391@N03/sets/72157623134601069/
and of our second one here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/11863391...
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If the group likes seafood, you might want to try out Esca. It's seafood-heavy Italian and I have seen groups that size often at the restaurant.
If not everyone enjoys seafood, you can also try I Trulli, which has some larger tables and might even have private spaces.
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Just updating, I have called Alto, Union Square Cafe, DB Bistro, Gramercy Tavern and somewhere else. I'm losing track. Anyhow, all are requiring us to use the private room. Any choices where a group of 10 or 11 can dine without a private room?
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dbBistro has a private room? That's news to me.
Giorgio's of Gramercy and Cibo have Contemporary American Cuisine that leans Italian. Both have very good food, attractive atmospherics, and would probably accommodate your large party without a private room.
http://www.giorgiosofgramercy.com
http://cibonyc.com
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Apologies - no, they don't have a private room, but they have a limit on party sizes of 10. We just miss the mark.
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Try Aquavit. It's not Italian, but it's very good.
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How about Scarpetta?
BTW - you got off lucky not getting a reservation at A Voce in the time warner. It's absolutely not fabulous and when I dined there last year was easily the worst dinner I had in all of '09.
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you should try l'artusi, I think it is the most underrated Italian in NYC. It has only improved since it opened and continues to do so.
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So after many phone calls, I had three possibilities - Cafe Fiorello, Giorgio's of Gramercy and Crispo - based on recommendations from this thread and folks in the office. The guest of honor reviewed menus and made the final determination - Crispo. We had to choose from 2 group menus for a 3 course fixed menu at $45 per person plus tax, tip and drinks. A few items on the menu carry supplements. I requested the carriage house or back garden. We did have to sign a contract. I hope this is useful information for other group dinner planners!
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