Like a Fridays or Applebees, but with good food?

[kellaz]

Looking to take a 22 year old guy out for a college graduation celebration (there would just be 3 people here). Looking for some place with a fun, party-like atmosphere without being too divey. Also, good food is a must. Nothing ultra-sophisticated, but not a corner burger joint either. American food with some good steak options would be best. Thanks!

[nmprisons]

Minetta Tavern?

What is your budget? When it this happening? (these are the same questions asked of you last time you posted this thread (two years ago) http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/647810 ) Has your budget increased or is it still "a max of about $30 per entree? plus drinks, appetizers, etc." ?

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Minetta Tavern
113 MacDougal St, New York, NY 10012

[kellaz]

Budget would be about the same - Thanks for your thoroughness. About $30 per entree, max. Plus drinks & appetizers. It would be this weekend.

[gutsofsteel]

Landmarc in the Time Warner Center might work.

Remember to take into consideration 20% tip and 8.25% tax, on top of food an drinks.

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Landmarc
10 Columbus Circle, New York, NY 10019

[nmprisons]

Minetta will end up being a bit pricey then, unless you went for the burgers, which are wonderful.

Perhaps a place like Ouest on the UWS might work for you as well.

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Ouest
2315 Broadway, New York, NY 10024

[whitneybee]

I like Ouest a lot, but it seems to be a little too sedate for what the op is looking for.

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Ouest
2315 Broadway, New York, NY 10024

[sgordon]

Minetta could work, but good luck getting a rez for this weekend. Also, the crowd might be a bit of an older one. While it's far from sedate, it's more "party-like" for people in their late thirties. How about (for another McNally resto) Schiller's Liquor Bar? Definitely party-like on the weekends, solid food, scene is more in his age range, and well within your budget.

Other options coming to mind:

Les Halles: Gets a good crowd on the weekend, though it might skew a little older - more of a late 20s / early 30s group.

Marc Forgione: Good place for both foodies and non-foodies. Might be a touch more expensive (IIRC, entrees are $29-$34, give or take) but worth a few extra dollars. Food is a little more creative, but vibe is still very "neighborhoody" and can be party-like, especially on the weekends. Conveniently located near Ward III, a great cocktail spot to hit before or after.

Blue Ribbon Brasserie: 20+ different entrees to choose from, real "something for everyone" kind of place, usually a couple steaks - a hanger steak on the regular menu and an unlisted Angus steak-for-two that seems to have been "today's special" for the last ten years.

The Smith: happening East Village location, all entrees under $25, steaks under $30. Good variety to the menu, mostly young crowd.

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Blue Ribbon Brasserie
97 Sullivan St, New York, NY 10012

Les Halles
15 John Street, New York, NY 10038

Les Halles
411 Park Avenue South, New York, NY 10016

Schiller's Liquor Bar
131 Rivington St, New York, NY 10002

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

Marc Forgione
134 Reade Street, New York, NY 10013

Ward III
111 Reade St, New York, NY 10013

[sam1]

funny...i always describe the smith as TGIFridays...

[nmprisons]

The whole reservation thing with Minetta is overblown. I have made day-of reservations the last two times I went simply by calling and once walked in with no problem. They don't fill their book with reservations.

[kathryn]

What days and times of the week? How many people were in your party?

[small h]

Spitzer's Corner. It is full of 22-year-olds eating American food in a party-like atmosphere. And I've never had a problem getting a table, although it does get crowded.

http://www.spitzerscorner.com/

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Spitzer's Corner
101 Rivington St, New York, NY 10002

[bronwen]

Amsterdam Ale House isn't bad and is along those lines

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Amsterdam Ale House
340 Amsterdam Ave, New York, NY 10024

[coasts]

i live near the Amsterdam Ale House and, while it's a fine place to have a beer and a quick bite, i don't think it's special enough for any kind of celebratory meal. it's divey.

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Amsterdam Ale House
340 Amsterdam Ave, New York, NY 10024

[kellaz]

These restaurants all look really great. Thank you so much everyone!!! I've got some great options now... Especially liking The Smith

[E Eto]

The Smith

http://www.ctrnyc.com/THESMITH/index....

[Hey19]

Houstons?

The Redhead?

Peels?

The Smith might be perfect though.

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Hillstone
378 Park Ave S, New York, NY 10010

The Redhead
349 E 13th St, New York, NY 10003

Peels
325 Bowery, New York, NY 10003

[Simon]

while i didn't love the The Redhead the one time i went, it might work well for this dinner...

void Les Halles at all costs...trashy tourist crap...

Smith...eh...yeah, better food than Applebee's and an ok place, but nothing to write home about...

How about Nolita House?...haven't been in a long time, but it seems to fit this dinner quite well...

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Nolita House
47 East Houston Street, New York, NY 10012

Les Halles
411 Park Avenue South, New York, NY 10016

The Redhead
349 E 13th St, New York, NY 10003

[coasts]

i can't tell if kellaz is the parent of the graduate or not. if yes, i would avoid Spitzers or Schillers. i don't think i would have wanted to go to that kind of place with my parents.

surprised no one mentioned Balthazar.

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Balthazar
80 Spring St, New York, NY 10012

Spitzer's Corner
101 Rivington St, New York, NY 10002

Schiller's Liquor Bar
131 Rivington St, New York, NY 10002

[kellaz]

haha no I'm not his parent. His older sister-in-law. I'm 30. We ended up going to The Smith and it was perfect!! We really enjoyed the food (High quality but not overly fancy) and young atmosphere without being divey. The steaks were amazing.. And so were the calamari and hot potato chip appetizers! Thank you everyone!!

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

[coleyas]

Hillstone, duh.

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Hillstone
378 Park Ave S, New York, NY 10010