Work lunch - $500 budget for 8

[Barcelonian]

I need help finding a great place for my coworkers and me for a celebratory lunch. I would assume the $500 is including tax, not necessarily including tip, and no alcohol.

We can go anywhere, but our office is downtown so UES/UWS are probably inconvenient. The date is 9/26, the time approximately 12:30. Any suggestions for places that might not be booked?

Please help - I'm new to the team and trying to impress!

[Barcelonian]

Thanks everyone! The last few places we've been were ABC Kitchen and Bouley! Your suggestions show we think alike. I wasn't able to get Tocqueville but I was able to get a table at Maialino and we're all looking forward to it! Thanks for your help.

[kathryn]

I randomly plugged your details into OpenTable just now (September 26, 2011, 12:30 PM, 8 people) and surprisingly, ABC Kitchen came up. My meal there a few months ago was excellent.

Granted, a lot of restaurants don't do large parties over OT, so you probably have many more options out there, but just wanted you to know!

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ABC Kitchen
35 E 18th St, New York, NY 10003

[RGR]

We also had an excellent meal at ABC Kitchen recently. However, I found the noise level to be just short of insanely high, and I don't think the shabby chic decor is at all impressive.

In the Union Square area, i would highly recommend Tocqueville, which offers a 3-course lunch prix-fixe for $29. Much further dowtown in the FiDi, my recommendation would be SHO Shaun Hergatt, which serves a 3-course lunch prix-fixe for $33. Both prix-fixes are incredible bargains for cuisine of such high caliber. And both restaurants have lovely ambiance.

http://thewizardofroz.wordpress.com

[Cheeryvisage]

Another vote for Tocqueville and SHO Shaun Hergatt.

What about Del Posto too? They have a very good lunch deal: 3 courses for $29.

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Tocqueville
1 East 15th Street, New York, NY 10003

Del Posto
85 10th Avenue, New York, NY 10011

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

[owlwoman]

For an UWS suggestion - I really enjoy Telepan, it's not too crazy at lunchtime either and I find it really comfortable.

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

[Spiritchaser]

Tocqueville and SHO are excellent suggestions, I'd give the nod to SHO if it as convenient as Touqueville to get to. Dinner a couple of nights ago at SHO was fantastic. I also think it may have the better ambiance for a work lunch albeit celebratory.

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Tocqueville
1 East 15th Street, New York, NY 10003

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

[ellenost]

My sister had a business lunch at Bouley, and everyone loved it! Bouley has a $55 prix fixe, and with tax (but before tip), you will stay within your budget. Bouley is in Tribeca so I thought it might be convenient (wasn't sure how downtown your office is).

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Bouley
163 Duane St, New York, NY 10013