30th Birthday in LES

[zb13]

I'm looking for a restaurant to celebrate my 30th b-day somewhere in LES with a group of 20. Does anyone have any recommendations for a place that's delicious and could accompany a large group not overly expensive (maybe two dollar signs a la yelp $$). Preferably not Italian. Thank you!

[Motosport]

Give Stanton Social a call. They have a very nice party room upstairs.

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Stanton Social
99 Stanton Street, New York, NY 10002

[EV_Eats]

I second Stanton Social. I've eaten upstairs in a large group, it was pretty good. I love Vandaag as well, but 20 might be pushing it. You could try as the food there is amazing. Mon+Mono (Korean) on 4th street might be another option.
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http://www.eveats.com

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Vandaag
103 2nd Ave, New York, NY 10003

[sgordon]

The yelp dollar signs aren't terribly reliable. Do you a $/person number in mind? Also, would this a be a full dinner - apps, entrees, desserts - or just drinks and people ordering maybe one or two dishes?

[zb13]

I realize that, but just as a starting off point. I was thinking full dinner. Something like Freeman's (but they have a food drink minimum for such a large crowd). $80-100/pp I doubt you can even breathe in the city for less anymore.

[sgordon]

$80-$100 is probably closer to the $$$ ranking, $$$$ if that's before drinks/tax/tip.

Freeman's is a good choice, as is Stanton Social. For a group of twenty a number of restaurants will make the space, even they don't normally have a "private" area they'll cordon off a section for you. A few other options that'd fit the budget:

Essex
Rayuela (big communal tables upstairs they could section off)
Congee Village (or Congee Bowery)
Beauty & Essex (haven't tried yet, but it's an enormous space, and I trust the food is decent from Chris Santos)

or, if you want to wander up into the East Village, there's...
The Smith
Double Crown
DBGB
possibly Vandaag - I suspect they'd do it if it were booked well enough in advance. They could close off the back area, which would seat about twenty.

or, if you want to wander South / West into Chinatown...
South China Garden
Oriental Garden

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South China Garden
22 Elizabeth St, New York, NY 10013

Congee Bowery
207 Bowery, New York, NY 10002

Congee Village
100 Allen St, New York, NY 10002

Rayuela
165 Allen Street, New York, NY 10002

Oriental Garden
14 Elizabeth St, New York, NY 10013

The Smith
55 3rd Avenue, New York, NY 10003

Double Crown
316 Bowery, New York, NY 10012

Essex
120 Essex Street, New York, NY 10002

DBGB
299 Bowery, New York, NY 10003

Vandaag
103 2nd Ave, New York, NY 10003

Beauty & Essex
146 Essex St, New York, NY 10002

[zb13]

Thank you very much for all the suggestions!! I will look into these.

[zb13]

Although I was hoping the 80-100 would be with drinks and tip.

[sgordon]

You could do most of the above for that - maybe not Rayuela. Obviously it depends on how much people drink. One glass of wine or cocktail can cost as much as an appetizer course in most restaurants. The cheaper options of the above would be Essex, The Smith, Beauty & Essex, Stanton Social, and the Chinese restos (where food tends to be served family-style)