Best Nyack restaurant for thirty-something's birthday??

[MissMet]

Hey guys.

I'm throwing my boyfriend an informal birthday party. He just wants to go to a restaurant & then hit the bars in Nyack (his favorite is Olives). Anyone have suggestions for a great restaurant for a bunch of thirty-somethings to relax & have a good time?

My boyfriend is all about the atmosphere. The only thing he doesn't like is seafood & I want to keep it on the cheaper end to accommodate all. I'm from Yorktown so I don't know the area well.

I was thinking maybe Casa del Sol?? The atmosphere looks pretty cool on the website.

Any suggestions??

Thanks!

[michele cindy]

MissMet - Please let us know what you ended up doing.

[MissMet]

Thanks guys. Got a big decision, but your info really helped.

[michele cindy]

Let us know what you end up doing. Have a great time!

[HungryRubia]

A word on Casa del Sol...their food is TERRIBLE and their drinks are watered down.

[menton1]

Just my 2c-- if you are going to go for the higher-end restaurant, Velo is worlds better than Hudson House. In every category, food, service and ambience. My opinion.

[HungryRubia]

I don't know that Velo is "worlds better" in every category, to be honest.
I've never had poor service at HH and I find their ambiance to be quite fun.
I like Velo very much too but I find that Anthony's menu needs to change up a bit more.
Also, I thought HH a better fit for a group. Velo is very tight and very dark. More conducive to a romantic dinner for two than for a birthday celebration.

[Shawn]

I, too, prefer Velo to HH, but I would think twice about going to Velo with a group during peak weekend hours. Velo can get very loud when busy in a way that is not really conducive to good conversation if you're not talking to someone sitting right next to you.

[HungryRubia]

I would suggest the Hudson House. I had my birthday party (10 diners) there last year. The owner and pastry chef, Matt Hudson is an amazing host and the bartender, Andrew, mixes up some great drinks.
The atmosphere can't be beat: it's the old courthouse/jail and the walls and ceiling are pressed tin. The wines are housed in the old jail cell. And Matt's own photography and woodcarvings decorate the space.
It isn't cheap, but the food is good as are the desserts.
I happen to be a fan of Velo as well, but if you will be a slightly larger party, then HH might be a better fit.

Oh, almost forgot. I haven't been in ages but some people I know seem to like it: La Fontana. It's Italian food and it's a large space that is very good for groups. Their brunches are beyond forgettable, but I hear their dinner is pretty good.

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Hudson House of Nyack
134 Main St, Nyack, NY 10960

La Fontana Restaurant
95 S Broadway, Nyack, NY 10960

[menton1]

The restaurant Velo is miles above anything else in Nyack in every way-- food, service, environment. Not stuffy, though. Sleek and modern. Do not miss Velo!

http://www.velonyack.com/

[michele cindy]

Menton1, Velo is great, but it seems that some of the folks going will be on a budget. Velo is very expensive.

[menton1]

It's not expensive, it's appropriately priced for a better restaurant in the suburbs. And well worth it. It would be pretty hip for thirty-somethings as well. What's your budget?

[michele cindy]

You can't get out of there for $60 or less if you wanted apps, drinks, entree, dessert and coffee. If MissMets friends have that, then I'm all for it.

[menton1]

Well, the problem is that "great restaurant" and low budget do not go hand-in-hand.

[melissa511]

Menton1, you have been vindicated by the Record's Elisa Ung in yesterday's review. Well done, sir.

[michele cindy]

http://www.northjersey.com/food_dinin... Velo is considered one of our county's best restaurants by many.

[michele cindy]

I'd go here: http://nyackriverclub.net/ The Nyack River Club. Although it's been around for awhile, I only discovered it recently. It's on the water, a plus for atmosphere, it's not terribly expensive, and the food is decent enough. Drinks were poured heavy. It's kind of a throwback to the 80's (a place that your parents would have thought was cool back then). in a way which is something different to the trendy places like Velo, which has great food, expensive and not what I think you had in mind. There's a light menu with lower priced entrees and a higher priced dinner option. http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/787499

[MissMet]

Thanks so much! I'm going to look into it today. :)