Guys Dinner Labor Day weekend

[hilgeman]

Coming in from out of town Labor Day weekend. Several friends (mid to late 30s) from around the country meet in the city for a long weekend of tennis and eating/drinking etc. I would love some suggestions for Thursday night before most of the crew arrives. There will be only 2 or 3 of us in town. We are looking for something old school - steakhouse ok - but open to other ideas. In past years we've been to:

Keens - several times
21
Sparks
Ben Benson's
Babbo
USqC
Strip House

Looking to try something new. Cost not really an issue - but not looking for a PerSe or La Grenouille etc. We are going to be staying in midtown - but are open to most anywhere.
Thanks for any advice you can give.

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Babbo
110 Waverly Pl, New York, NY 10011

La Grenouille
3 East 52nd Street, New York, NY 10022

Ben Benson's
123 West 52nd Street, New York, NY 10019

Strip House
13 E 12th St, New York, NY 10003

[kathryn]

2nd Scarpetta, Minetta Tavern, Breslin, and DBGB. I like Freemans but I think the food is better at the other spots mentioned.

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Minetta Tavern
113 MacDougal St, New York, NY 10012

Scarpetta
355 West 14th Street, New York, NY 10014

DBGB
299 Bowery, New York, NY 10003

The Breslin
20 W 29th St, New York, NY 10001

[Bob Martinez]

Based on your list of places you've been to previously I'd recommend Raoul's, an old school steakhouse/bistro on Prince St. The atmosphere verges on Minetta Tavern's but unlike MT, mere mortals can actually get a reservation. Don't get fancy with the menu - order the classics like steak au poivre. Check out the pictures on their website.

Go, before Keith McNally buys it and fills it up with C level celebrities.

http://raouls.com/index.php

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Minetta Tavern
113 MacDougal St, New York, NY 10012

[chow_gal]

I love Raoul's. Always meet the most interesting people and have a blast there.

[mjl242]

Del Posto, Marea? Not exactly 'old-school' though.

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Del Posto
85 10th Avenue, New York, NY 10011

Marea
240 Central Park South, New York, NY 10019

[stephaniec25]

I would say the Breslin but you can't make a reservation so that would likely be a deterrent. You might like DBGB - it's more casual than some of your choices but if you are fans of sausage and high-end burgers it's a great spot.

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DBGB
299 Bowery, New York, NY 10003

The Breslin
20 W 29th St, New York, NY 10001

[fm1963]

If you liked Babbo, maybe Scarpetta? And if you can't get into Minetta Tavern you might consider The Breslin (no reservations though).

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Babbo
110 Waverly Pl, New York, NY 10011

Minetta Tavern
113 MacDougal St, New York, NY 10012

Scarpetta
355 West 14th Street, New York, NY 10014

The Breslin
20 W 29th St, New York, NY 10001

[davidm1108]

Try Hill Country for BBQ. You won't do much better for meat than you've already done--save for the justly mentioned (and impossible to get into) Minetta Tavern.

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Hill Country
30 W 26th St, New York, NY 10010

Minetta Tavern
113 MacDougal St, New York, NY 10012

[hungryinmanhattan]

In my opinion, I do not think Hill BBQ is that great, but I like the other suggestions.

[sam1]

call exactly 30 days in advance of the date you want and get a reservation at minetta tavern.

other options: txikito for tapas...lots of meat...crowded and small but could be fun with a bunch of friends. freemans and wait for your table while drinking german beer at lorelay. gotham is classic and delicious as well.