Looking for a place with great vibe and great food for bday dinner

[OwenNYC]

There are 4 of us for Saturday night - not looking for buddakan or STK style, more Locanda Verde, L'artusi,, freeman's style but already ate at these places and want something new.. West Village, meatpacking, chelsea, Tribeca preferred. Breslin seems perfect but one of us is pregnant and she is not crazy about the menu selection.. Also, planning on eating around 7ish and don't want an empty restaurant ( this happened to us at Bar Blanc recently)
I'm thinking of Boqueria soho. Would appreciate any recommendations! Thank you.

[Teresanap]

I suggest Apizz, Morandi and Gemma, very similar to Locanda Verde.

[OwenNYC]

Loved Apizz, and Morandi.. I will check Gemma, thanks! Anyone been or suggest Double Crown?

[LeahBaila]

Hey Owen, via opentable.com, there's availability at:
10 Downing
Apiary
Commerce
Emporio
Hotel Griffou
Jo's
Tipsy Parson

Aside from opentable.com spots, you may want to try:
Hecho en Dumbo on the Bowery (though they don't take rez's for parties under 6, I bet you would be safe as a walk-in @ 7)

www.thelunchbelle.com

[OwenNYC]

wow, This is great. Thanks so much. Hotel Griffou looks very cool, but only 6:30 slot.. hmm.. I feel like to would be dead when we walk in.. just afraid of that. I've been wanting to try apiary but we were hoping to stay on the west side. Does 10 Downing have that NYC vibe to it.. Like Locanda verde or a place i think has a great vibe is downstairs of L'esquina, so a place like that would be great. Hotel griffou seems to have that same feeling. Thank you again for your recommendations! I'll let you know where we end up.

[chow_gal]

Hotel Griffou is trendy but reviews indicate not very good food. (Note: I have not been.)

[LeahBaila]

I enjoyed my meal at HG, although it was on the pricey side. The lovely interior space is the perfect setting for a special occasion.

www.thelunchbelle.com

[gutsofsteel]

It is a total trendoid place with bad food. (I was dragged there)

[OwenNYC]

Thank you again for all your help! I was able to get an 8pm reservation at Yerba Buena Perry. Have you been? There is an 8pm at commerce also, so i'm torn -
I love your list and will be trying to get to all of them soon... Have a nice weekend.

[LeahBaila]

Hey Owen, great to hear from you! Have not yet been to YBP, but have heard good things. Julian Medina, the chef/owner, also has Toloache - and Zocalo (which only exists in Grand Central now...not sure if he's still affiliated) - I'm a big fan of his cooking and concepts. Sounds like either way, YBP or Commerce, you can't go wrong! Please let us know where you end up. Enjoy and report back! :)

www.thelunchbelle.com

[kathryn]

Boqueria Soho is good but a little overpriced for what you get. And there may be a wait.

I actually just had a really nice dinner at Peasant -- casual, relaxed, a little hip, and a gorgeous room. OpenTable says they have a 6:30pm for 4 open on this coming Saturday.

[OwenNYC]

Thank you Kathryn.. we've all been to peasant and love it! We would like to try something new... Still wondering about Boqueria, I def want a cool vibe.

[coasts]

Perilla, if it's not too late to get in.

[rrems]

Perilla is likely to be booked. If so, you might want to try Crispo or Snack Taverna.

[OwenNYC]

Thank you, We've been to both Crispo and Perilla, but will check snack taverna.
What about cookshop?

[rrems]

I haven't tried Cookshop. The menu doesn't excite me and reports from friends and from reliable posters on this board have been that it is not exceptional.

[coasts]

i'm anxious to try Cookshop, despite having not loved my few visits to Five Points.

[RGR]

I'm one of those who found Cookshop totally disappointing. If "great vibe" means loud, it certainly meets that criteria. For delicious food, forget it!

If you're willing to go east of Chelsea into Gramercy, Maialino, 'inoteca Gramercy, and SD26 have upbeat vibes and delicious food.

Maialino photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/11863391@N03/sets/72157623134601069/

'inoteca Gramercy photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/11863391@N03/sets/72157623052390670/

SD26 photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/11863391...

[rrems]

I'm assuming this is for this Saturday(?), so very little will be available at this point. SD26 has nothing until 10:00, and Mailino is an impossible reservation altogether, you need to call 4 weeks in advance at 9:00 AM, which is why I've crossed it off my list.

[OwenNYC]

I figured as much... I booked us a table 2 weeks ago at Bellavitae, but now thinking it is too low key for what i need... I was able to get a 6:30 at cookshop, but I'm still going to look for something else... we can do a walk in to Boqueria soho.. any good? Thanks again