Quiet, but not boring - exists?

[round2]

We're meeting another couple for dinner for the first time, and the only request we received in picking a place is that it be quiet enough for comfortable conversation. That works for us too, though we need to keep the cost around $50 or less per person (for us). Does such a place exist that's interesting and good in Manhattan?

[boredough]

Chez Napoleon is a small, relatively quiet, reasonably-priced French restaurant that might work for you, after the theater crowd has left (8pm or later). Oh, and the food is good.

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Chez Napoleon
365 W 50th St, New York, NY 10019

[michelleats]

A lot of places would be doable if you do not order dessert or a bottle of wine. Would that work for you?

These restaurants are fairly quiet:

- Vandaag (Dutch / northern European; modern decor, great cocktails)
- Annisa (modern American with global influences; you would have to skip dessert, here, but they are not the strongest part of the menu, anyway)
- Kin Shop (modern Thai; moderate noise level especially if you sit at a four top near the front; slightly more casual)
- Do Hwa (a nice looking Korean restaurant; I think the food is underrated, but I don't think Koreans consider it among the best in the city)
- Perry Street (lost a Michelin star this year, but it's still a decent restaurant)
- Compass (there's a $35 prix fixe dinner menu that's fair, not amazing; the restaurant is attractive, but can be almost completely dead on week nights)

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Perry Street
176 Perry Street, New York, NY 10014

Annisa
13 Barrow Street, New York, NY 10014

Do Hwa
55 Carmine St, New York, NY 10014

[kathryn]

I actually found Vandaag to be on the louder side since it is mostly windows/glass and tiles.

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Vandaag
103 2nd Ave, New York, NY 10003

[michelleats]

I bet it depends on where you sit. We recently sat at a four top, one of the first tables to the left when you walk in the door. The restaurant was full at the time, but we were able to have a normal conversation easily. I could see where the tables in the far back, by the bar, could be louder.

[sgordon]

Is that $50 before or after tax/tip? And does that include drinks? That makes a huge difference.

[round2]

Ideally? It would be $50 after tax/tip, including a glass of wine. Tall order, I know... Thanks all for these much appreciated suggestions. This is a not infrequent need. More are welcome!

[sgordon]

$50 before tax/tip = $38, give or take. A glass of wine assume around $8-$10, so that leaves around - just to have round number - a $30/pp food budget. Given that most entrees at the above suggested places will start in the mid-20s, that pretty much rules most of them out.

If you're planning on doing a full meal - apps, entrees, desserts - there isn't much that would qualify as "interesting and good" - but if you're to split apps, or skip dessert, there might be a few good options. My thoughts, some of which might require advance menu perusal, skipping or splitting dessert, and selective ordering:

Frankies 17 Clinton Street Spuntino
Caffe Falai (or Falai Panetteria)
Savoy
Graffiti

Indian is another option, where you can get fed fairly well on a budget. For the Curry Row (EV) places, I lean towards Banjara - their menu is a bit more eclectic than the standard "pick a protein / pick a curry" joints. Though there's still quite a bit of that on the menu, as well.

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Frankies 17 Spuntino
17 Clinton St, New York, NY 10002

Savoy
70 Prince Street, New York, NY 10012

Banjara
97 1st Ave, New York, NY 10003

Caffe Falai
265 Lafayette St, New York, NY 10012

Graffiti
224 E 10th St, New York, NY 10003

Falai Panetteria
79 Clinton St, New York, NY 10002

[RCC]

Malatesta in the Village could work with your budget, if you order carefully, i.e. stick to appetizers/salads and a pasta dish each. I find their wine prices to be on the low end, and you will find a bottle within your budget.

You may have to slightly compromise on the "quiet" factor, though.

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Malatesta
649 Washington St, New York, NY 10014

[michelleats]

Malatesta can be really, really loud...

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Malatesta
649 Washington St, New York, NY 10014

[Pan]

Kamui Den is usually quiet and civilized (though that depends on the other customers). It's a very good full-service Japanese restaurant and should be within your budget.

Also consider Soba Koh, a very good soba restaurant that plays beautiful modern jazz on their sound system (I assume they play the same mix tape they've played every time I've been there) but is otherwise usually fairly quiet, sedate, and civilized. Aside from soba, they also have good appetizers and desserts. I really should go back there soon.

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SobaKoh
309 E 5th St, New York, NY 10003

Kamui Den
186 Avenue A, New York, NY 10009

[coasts]

anyone been to The Orchard lately?

[sgordon]

I have and they're still good - if they're still open, that is. Rumors of them closing / selling the business have been circulating for the last year or so. Sad, because I always preferred them to their sister restaurant, Apizz.

But that's neither here nor there - The Orchard would be out of the running, price-wise. A single entree could cost more than the OP's per person budget.

[rrems]

Da Andrea would fit your budget easily. It's not too loud, but it does feel lively. The food is very good, and the service is great.

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Da Andrea
35 W 13th St, New York, NY 10011