75th Birthday Dinner for 8

[toitoi]

Would appreciate suggestions at about $75 to $100 per person.

A number of guests are in their 80s, so wine or drinks will undoubtedly been limited, and some of them may only choose an entree, which eliminates restaurants like 11 Madison Park which doesn't serve a la carte

[rrems]

I would strongly recommend Oceana. Convivio or Alto would also be excellent, and you have the option of ordering the prix-fixe or a la carte. I also like Cru and SD26 very much. The one time I tried Esca I was unimpressed, and the relentless upselling was annoying.

[foodyum]

I had a lovely dinner at Alto the other night and I think it would work for an older group.

[pdquinn]

I would say Adour would be quite good for an occasion of that sort.

[princeofpork]

Try Porterhouse in the Time Warner Center. Great atmosphere, good food, nice place to explore before and after the meal. Great views out the windows.

[simetrias]

I hosted a 75th birthday dinner for ten at Tocqueville, and it was perfect. You can order a la carte. Service is outstanding, the room is elegant and quiet, and I have only been unhappy there once in my dozens of visits (they forgot to put in my entree and I was left waiting almost 30 minutes!). But that was the exception in a long list of successes, including the birthday dinner!

[RGR]

It would be helpful to know what the food preferences are for this group, especially the birthday person. That said...

If they like fish and seafood, I would highly recommend Oceana. The menu is a la carte menu, the food's delicious, service is superb, the decor is very attractive, it's festive without being excessively noisy (in case there are hearing issues), and they have round and oval tables that can comfortably accommodate 8.

Oceana photos here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/11863391@N03/sets/72157624127309526/

http://thewizardofroz.wordpress.com

[toitoi]

Thanks for your prompt response. As for the type of food, either French or Italian, or great American cooking.

Nothing wrong with seafood either, and had Oceana still been in their townhouse, it would have been perfect, but the new space is a bit too stark for a festive occasion.

[gutsofsteel]

Picholine

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Picholine
35 West 64th St., New York, NY 10023

[RGR]

Picholine won't work for the same reason as EMP -- no a la carte.

[RGR]

I don't find Oceana's new space stark at all. Yes, it is huge. But I think the designers did a great job with the layout and decor so that you don't feel as though you are dining in an airplane hanger. We were just there this past Saturday evening with 8 people, and our oval table at the rear of the dining room had an almost cozy feel. But I do understand that people can differ about this sort of thing.

http://thewizardofroz.wordpress.com

[RGR]

Cafe Boulud would meet your needs. A la carte menus, and Chef Gavin Kaysen's cuisine is superb. Service is cordial and polished. The dining room is quite intimate and has lovely decor. It's one of our favorites. A wonderful place to celebrate a special occasion.

Cafe Boulud photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/11863391@N03/sets/72157622671898305/

http://thewizardofroz.wordpress.come

[toitoi]

RGR.... What's your feeling about ESCA? Thanks in advance.

[Wilfrid]

Esca is inconsistent, and I have come across insistent upselling there which might make members of your party feel uncomfortable if ordering only course. Cafe Boulud is leagues better.

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Cafe Boulud
20 East 76th St., New York, NY 10021

[RGR]

Our one experience at Esca many years ago was very disappointing. The food was just o.k., service left something to be desired, and tables -- at least, where we were seated on a banquette -- were uncomfortably close.

http://thewizardofroz.wordpress.com

[sgordon]

2nd Cafe Boulud.

I'll also give one vote to Esca - last couple times I went it's been great.

Marea is another seafood-centric Italian option. A little more expensive, but they're all splurges, I suppose.

Continuing the Italian theme, and the same price range, Del Posto has many a la carte offerings. Mark Ladner has really been hitting it out of the park lately, and Brooks Headley is slowly becoming one of the best pastry chefs in the city.

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

Esca
402 West 43rd Street, New York, NY 10036

Marea
240 Central Park South, New York, NY 10019