18th Birthday in the City!
I want to take the train to the city with a couple of my friends, around 7, around the middle of March. I really would like to go to a restaurant where we can get dressed up and have a good meal. Also, I would love to do something fun after we eat, so if the restaurant has some type of entertainment, or if you know of a fun place you can recommend. The only problem is I'm the first of my friends to turn 18, so the rest will be 17. Thanks so much!
By christinaa24
on Feb 25, 2010 06:56 PM
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Do you have a neighborhood in mind, and a maximum price per entree? Is there a particular kind of food you like?
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I don't have a particular neighborhood in mind, but would like ones thats not too hard to get to and safe for girls. As for the price, I guess somewhere in the middle? Nothing extremely pricey but nothing really cheap. For the food, I am very flexible: italian, american, asian... those are all fine but nothing extremely authentic either.
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"Somewhere in the middle" could mean $20/person to one person and $60/person to another. You should be more specific than that.
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I guess around 30/40 pp
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I'm 18 right now, and for some reason think w-d 50 would be really cool to bring my friends to and its not too fancy...although its a bit expensive, though not outrageous. (I haven't been though)
Idk what the atmosphere is like but Perry St is reasonably priced but still kinda fancy.
Sorry I'm of no help with this, thought I could relate since I'm your age, but I cant! Happy early birthday though!
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oo okay ill check that out and thanks!
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Not sure why 18 is relevant...drinking age in NY is 21...(if that's what you are considering).
$40 per person including tax and tip?
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Some places people have recommended were bar like and I wouldn't be able to get in And yes around $40 all together
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Look in to these:
Sofrito (great party atmosphere)
Peep
Buddakan
Standard Grill
Butter
'inoteca
Tortilla Flats
Balthazar
Lure Fishbar
Freeman's
Cafeteria
Pipa
DBGB
Pastis
The Stanton Social
Otto
Schiller's
www.thelunchbelle.com
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Awesome list, LeahBaila!
I agree with DBGB, Otto, Schillers, Stanton Social, and Pastis - I would agree with Freeman's but it might be tough to find if you aren't familiar with the area!
Standard Grill is also a great rec but maybe not for a group of younger girls, but who knows!
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Thanks! I'm looking into all of these
& does anyone have any suggestions of something to do afterwards?
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I think Schillers may be a bit too alcohol-centric. But, I think Stanton Social would be a really fun thing for you. Or Freeman's Alley! You're friends would feel cool coming in from out of town and going there. There's not tons to do if you're only 18 but what about a concert or a comedy show?
www.inbundles.com
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Consider Peasant...or Cacio e Vino...or Malatesta...
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Thanks everyone for all your advice. Somehow this restaurant called Ninja came across my search and it looks pretty fun and I think I'm leaning towards that. Is anyone totally against it? And does anyone know anything me and my friends can do afterwards?
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Here is Frank Bruni's New York Times review of Ninja. There have been a couple of reports about it on Chowhound (you can search for them), but nothing that would encourage me to go. As to what you should do afterwards, Chowhound deals with food and drink. If you're looking for advice about clubbing, or bands, check out Urban Daddy or Flavorpill or similar sites.
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/10/26/din...
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I think places like Los Feliz, Paladar, or 1492 (all on the Lower East) would be good for a group like that. They're the types of places that I would've felt really cool eating at if I were a HS senior or college freshman. They all lie outside of the Midtown + NYU areas that made up my comfort zone when I was 18, so it feels like you're going a little more out of your way for a good meal in a cool neighborhood. And hipsters didn't bother me nearly as much when I was that age.
Pics of Los Feliz, 1492, Paladar (respectively).
http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/wtQHeGI3L04xCJ5jODsRlg?select=nbiHcFSommu6S2xxRE_Nxg
http://nymag.com/listings/restaurant/1492-food/photo_gallery.html
http://nymag.com/listings/restaurant/...
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I'm seconding Freeman's. You'll be able to make a reservation for that many people and it has such a unique and festive environment. It's not really so hard to find, and walking down that alley with all the lights and everything feels so charming and clandestine. It's really a great party spot, especially if you're coming in from out of town.
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