Good Restaurant for small wedding dinner

[Dania15]

Hi!
I´m getting married in NYC in July. We will be a group of around 15 adults, and I´m looking for a resturant for the dinner.
I was quite decided for Metrazur, but is closing on July 1st, so now I have to look ahead.

I´m looking for a nice place (remember, its a wedding), it doesn´t need to have a private room, but at least not to be very crowded and all the tables very close to each other in a tiny space. It can be in a garden or something like that also.

$: Around 80p/p including tip. Alcohol can be extra, but not other 80 bucks!

Kind of food: American, new american, italian, spanish, etc. Mexican is an option as well, but it has to be perfect (I was born in Mexico, my standards in mexican food are high). French also, but not that french. FH is french and I showed L´Ecole menu to him and he said "too french for me"...that means, frog, foi gras, etc are too much.

Ah! It would be nice if we´re not hungry after the dinner (meaning: sample portions, out!)

The ceremony is going to be in Washington Sq. It doesn´t need to be thaat close, but it would be nice if we don´t have to "travel" a lot.

Any suggestion will be welcomed!

Thanks!

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Metrazur
Grand Central Terminal, New York, NY 10017

[Dania15]

Thank you for all your help.
At the end we had a lunch for 13 people at Eleven Madison Park, and it was wonderful!
We just loved the food! It was incredible., We had a room upstairs for ourselves, and 3 or 4 staff members just for us.
It was the perfect decision, and I´m very thankful for your advice.
:)

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Eleven Madison Park
11 Madison Ave., New York, NY 10010

[RGR]

Thanks for reporting back, Dania. Glad to hear that your wedding lunch was perfect.

Best wishes to you and your husband.

http://thewizardofroz.wordpress.com

[peter j]

I'm glad it worked out. Congrats on your wedding.

[Monica]

Otto is really close by the park and even including drinks, your budget should be ok...and i love their sort of festive yet sophisticated atmosphere.

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Otto
1 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10003

[Dania15]

Thank you for your answers, now I´m starting to receive better news, so I´m happy that I kept going.
I have a "silly" question, but I´m trying to figure out totals here. I checked the wine list of EMP, and the cocktail list, but now I´m wondering around how much are not alcoholic drinks. There are several in our group that doesn´t drink, and I´m thinking also in coffee after lunch, but I don´t know how much I would need to add to have at least a big picture...
Any idea?
Thanks!

[peter j]

Just send an email about non-alcoholic beverages and coffee/tea to the private dining team at EMP. They are accustomed and will quickly respond to these types of questions.

Also inquire about custom wedding cakes, since I'm not sure whether you'll be permitted to bring your own. Also clarify the sommelier fee in case you plan to bring your own wine. In our case we were quoted $250 in addition to the $45 per bottle corkage fee.

[Dania15]

You´re right, I should ask directly, a little silly/shy here.
I asked for the corkage fee and they said $45, they didn´t mention anything about the sommelier fee, only the bartender´s fee if we wanted special drinks.

[RGR]

I don't drink alcohol, so I very much enjoy EMP's non-alcoholic cocktails. There are four on the list. My favorites: "Up the Alley" and the Orange Julius.

"Up the Alley": http://www.flickr.com/photos/11863391@N03/5699437455/in/set-72157626550316851

Orange Julius: http://www.flickr.com/photos/11863391@N03/4742162225/in/set-72157624377326328

If you are giving strong consideration to having your reception at EMP, the best thing to do is contact Lindsay Furia, who handles private functions. I'm sure she'll be happy to provide you with all the information you need, including all the options for beverage service, so that you can make an informed decision.

http://thewizardofroz.wordpress.com

[Dania15]

I´m exchanging emails with her, she is very helpful and answers right away! :)
I´m going to check those cocktails
Thanks

[RGR]

Glad to hear you've already been in contact with her. :)

http://thewizardofroz.wordpress.com

[Dania15]

Thank you very much for the suggestions! I must confess yesterday I dreamt about the restaurant thing :)
I have been sending emails, and this far I´m very frustrated because everybody is killing me with the minimums. In a way, if you have a group of 8+ they can´t accomodate you in the main dining room and they expect astronomical amounts of money, like 5 000 dollars in a restaurant where if you go normally you wouldn´t spend more than 80 bucks p/p...so, how in the world I´m going to reach more than 300 p/p before tip and tax? "You can complete with fine wines", a girl answered, and that is true, but I keep thinking that is silly, and in that case I prefer to go to another place, so simple.
I´m going to give a try to your new suggestions and I´ll keep you posted!
Thank you, thank you
D

[jrg813]

Yeah, minimums were our problem too. If you want private space on a Friday or Saturday night, I think it's unavoidable. You should definitely consider lunch. No minimums, AND cheaper prices per person because lunch is less expensive than dinner! But it can still be a really good, elegant meal. Then you send everyone home for a nap and a change into their comfy clothes and meet you back out at night!

[Dania15]

Everybody is from out of town, so, in a way, we will have a week of celebration!
I can understand the Friday-Saturday night thing, but my wedding is on a Tuesday! So, really, it shouldn´t be a problem for them. Let´s see what happens!

[jrg813]

Hi! I wanted to recommend Bobo (http://bobonyc.com/) to you. I got married there last June, with 35 ppl total. We did it on Saturday at lunch time, and because they are less busy during the day, we were able to have the main dining room and back garden all to ourselves without having to pay a minimum. We did the ceremony in the back garden, had a champagne and hors d'oeuvres hour, then had lunch in the dining room. The food was delicious (new American) - all our guests raved about it. The service was amazing. The restaurant has a ton of character. And the manager was SUCH a pleasure to work with - she was incredibly helpful and accommodating re: menu, space, time, etc. And it was very affordable - it would definitely be in your budget. I can't say enough good things!

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Bobo
181 West 10th Street, New York, NY 10014

[tabs]

Corton is lovely and accomodating. Similar cuisine as 11 Madison Park but I think more intimate. Worth a try. Also Falai.

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Falai
68 Clinton St, New York, NY 10002

Corton
239 West Broadway, New York, NY 10013

[RGR]

Corton would have to be willing to seat them in the dining room because there is no private space. As for the cuisine, though certainly excellent, I disagree that it's similar to EMP's.

http://thewizardofroz.wordpress.com

[Dania15]

Would you recommend EMP? Thinking here if we better go for lunch than for an early dinner and maybe we can go to a better place for the same budget...

[Nancy S.]

I've been to a party in their private space, and it was fabulous.

[peter j]

EMP would be a fine choice if your wedding is taking place during the week. The restaurant is not open for lunch on Saturday and Sunday.

[RGR]

I agree with the others that EMP would be a superb choice. They are closed completely on Sunday. However, if your wedding will be on a Saturday, since they are open for dinner on Saturday, you should check to see if they would do a private party for lunch.

http://thewizardofroz.wordpress.com

[Dania15]

Thank you for all the suggestions! You´re very cute! :)
I just got an answer from another place and they also had the minimum for the private room. It was 5000, and for 15 I think is too high.
But I will check your suggestions and I´m waiting for more email answers.
Thanks
D

[rrems]

I would look into Nuela. There are 2 huge dining rooms so it should be easy to accommodate your group. Ciano may also work, as there is a smaller room upstairs which you might be able to take over.

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Ciano
45 E 22nd St, New York, NY 10010

Nuela
43 W 24th St, New York, NY 10010

[RGR]

Personally, I'd be very leery about doing a wedding dinner in a garden unless (a) it's protected against the possibility of rain, or (b) I could be guaranteed that there'd be an indoor option if the weather doesn't cooperate. That said, if you want to go in that direction, Blue Hill NYC does private functions in their garden. Acc. to their website, it can accommodate up to 16. I've never seen it, but my brother attended a funtion held there and told me it's very nice. As far as the food goes, it's been many years since we've eaten there, so I can't comment on its current status.

http://www.bluehillnyc.com/events/overview

SHO Shaun Hergatt would, imo, be an excellent place to hold a post-wedding dinner. The three course prix-fixe is $75pp. So, somewhat above your stated budget (you've mentioned tip but not the nearly 9% tax) though, imo, well worth it as the cuisine is superb.

SHO photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/11863391@N03/sets/72157626669210098/

Best wishes to you and your fiance on your upcoming nuptials.

http://thewizardofroz.wordpress.com

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Blue Hill
75 Washington Place, New York, NY 10011

SHO Shaun Hergatt
40 Broad St, New York, NY 10004

[peter j]

For a group of 15, SHO will require a private dining room, where pre-selected three course menus start at $95 before drinks, tax, service, and other administrative and rental charges.

If you can do lunch instead of dinner, Eleven Madison Park would fall within your budget. I believe the food/beverage minimum for a private room is about $1000, with three course menus starting at $55 and no rental charges. The menu is French but with a modern American sensibility.

If you're flexible about location, look into Telepan in the Upper West Side, which has a semi private room, excellent local and seasonal food, and an atmosphere that would be appropriate for a wedding dinner.

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Eleven Madison Park
11 Madison Ave., New York, NY 10010

Telepan
72 W. 69th Street, New York, NY 10023

[RGR]

When you way SHO will "require" a private room, does that mean they would refuse to set up a party of 15 in the main dining room? The rear dining area would certainly have enough space to accommodate a group that size. We've been to SHO three times, and neither dining area has been even close to full.

http://thewizardofroz.wordpress.com

[peter j]

Yes, that was their response to my inquiry earlier this year. Virtually all fine dining restaurants have similar policies for parties over 8 or 10.

[RGR]

Thanks for your response. I suppose that makes sense in fine dining restaurants. I guess that even if there is space in the dining room, they might be worried that a very large party could be overly noisy and annoy other guests. Also, EMP has a separate kitchen upstairs that is used to service the private parties, thereby avoiding over-taxing the main kitchen staff. Daniel has the same set-up vis-a-vis the private Bellcour Room.

http://thewizardofroz.wordpress.com

[peter j]

Right... I think it's the noise and logistics of getting all the orders prepared at the same time. Not to mention the flash photography.

Daniel can accommodate up to 8 in the dining room, but I was told that a party of 12-15 would probably be too small for the Bellcour Room, given the size of the room and hefty food and beverage minimum. Le Bernardin and Jean Georges similarly required f/b minimums which I thought were too high for a party of our size.

For our event, we narrowed our choices to EMP, Picholine, Lincoln, and Per Se. We decided on the latter, which was absolutely perfect in every way.

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Per Se
10 Columbus Circle, New York, NY 10019

Jean Georges
1 Central Park W, New York, NY 10023

Le Bernardin
155 W. 51st St., New York, NY 10019

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

[RGR]

True about the Bellcour Room being rather too large -- and expensive -- for a party of 12 to 15.

I don't think anyone would doubt that per se would do a fabulous job.

http://thewizardofroz.wordpress.com

[Dania15]

Thank you so much for all the advice! I have been looking in some of the options, and I have some work to do.
I think for an event like this more than something fancy, I just want a good memory, than means good food and good service.

[Dania15]

Per Se´s (according to their website) cheapest menu is 185...so out of my range... :(

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Per Se
10 Columbus Circle, New York, NY 10019

[RGR]

If you are o.k. with something more casual, you might investigate Maialino. The food is delicious, and they have a private space that would be appropriate for a party your size.

http://www.maialinonyc.com/#/private-dining/

http://thewizardofroz.wordpress.com

[peter j]

FYI the private dining rates for Maialino are similar to SHO.

For something similarly casual, Lupa can seat 15, without a private room. The 3-course prix fixe starts at $60.
http://www.luparestaurant.com/private_dining.cfm

You might also inquire about private dining at Aldea and DBGB (though the latter might be too casual for a wedding dinner).
http://aldearestaurant.com/private.php
http://www.danielnyc.com/dbgb.html

You can also search for private dining options on Opentable and filter according to party size, cuisine, neighborhood, and budget. Be sure to visit the restaurant and sample the food before booking.
http://www.opentable.com/info/banquet...

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Lupa
170 Thompson Street, New York, NY 10012

Aldea
31 West 17th Street, New York, NY 10011

DBGB
299 Bowery, New York, NY 10003

Maialino
2 Lexington Avenue, New York, NY 10010