Dinner with Families to Celebrate Engagement

[nyclioness]

I'm trying to select a restaurant for my fiance, his parents, his sister and my parents to have dinner at to celebrate our engagement. It's also really about the families being together and connecting.

Here's the criteria I'm looking to fulfill:

1. Not too loud (want conversation to be easily had)
2. Not too dark a room
3. Fun enough for us/his sister but appropriate for parents too (although they're pretty 'hip')
34 Unfussy food available (need some basics/accessible food)
5. Prefferably not a steakhouse
6. Not 'fancy' or earth shatteringly expensive

Thanks for your help!!

[RussianGirl]

I really Crispo for those types of events.

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Crispo
240 W 14th St, New York, NY 10011

[stephaniec25]

Crispo is good for groups but VERY loud

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Crispo
240 W 14th St, New York, NY 10011

[CantStopEating]

Congratulations! Try Mermaid Inn or 5 Ninth. They both have great food and service! But I would lean towards Mermaid Inn for seafood and 5 Ninth for a modern cuisine.

www.inbundles.com

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Mermaid Inn
96 2nd Avenue, New York, NY 10003

5 Ninth
5 Ninth Avenue, New York, NY 10014

[RGR]

Congrats on your engagement!

Maialino matches all the points in your criteria list.

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

and here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/11863391@N03/sets/72157623676374010/

Oceana also fits all the criteria. Though it is fish/seafood-centric, there are carnivorous items on the menu.

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

[Andy T.]

When I hear "accessible food", I think Redeye Grill:

http://www.redeyegrill.com/

Not chow-caliber food, but lively and not-too-loud, with an assortment of nooks and crannies as well as private rooms. Truly a something-for-everyone, mid-priced menu. Let us know if there's some other neighborhood you had in mind besides Midtown/Times Square.

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Redeye Grill
890 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10019

[Will4Food]

Try Fig and Olive in the Meatpacking District.

[stephaniec25]

Five Points might fit the bill. It's usually a nice atmosphere for a group and has some basic food prepared very well.

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Five Points
31 Great Jones St, New York, NY 10012

[uwsister]

I heartily second Five Points rec. I think it's perfect for your occasion. Even though most 'hounds think of it as a brunch place more than anything, I've had some really nice dinners there. Nothing groundbreaking, but they use lots of high-quality, seasonal ingredients and use them well. The bar area can be loud, but there are big tables in the back where it's a lot quieter. Moderately priced, plenty of safe as well as more interesting choices.

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Five Points
31 Great Jones St, New York, NY 10012