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jesslyn04 Dec 1, 2011 10:45 AM

Good food, good atmosphere after seeing high-energy show

Hi All!

I am planning on taking a good friend to see "Traces" in Union Sq on Saturday for his birthday and then to dinner. We both love good food and I currently have 10:30 reservations at Blue Hill, but was thinking that the atmosphere might be a let down after seeing such a high-energy show.

Any ideas for great food and wine, but a more lively atmosphere? Prefer below Union Square or right near it, similar price point to Blue Hill or below.

Thanks in advance!
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›6 Replies . Latest Dec 2, 2011 by jesslyn04
  1. v
     vidyoh Dec 2, 2011 12:49 PM

    Blue Water Grill, Union Sq Cafe

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    Union Square Cafe
    21 East 16th St., New York, NY 10003

    Blue Water Grill
    31 Union Square West, New York, NY 10003
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    1. r
       RGR Dec 1, 2011 10:55 AM

      I would recommend Aldea. Seriously delicious food and an upbeat vibe. OpenTable is showing reservations available for 10:30 p.m. this Saturday.

      Aldea photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/11863391@N03/sets/72157626443050929/

      http://thewizardofroz.wordpress.com

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      Aldea
      31 West 17th Street, New York, NY 10011
      ›4 Replies
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      1. re: RGR
        j
         jesslyn04 Dec 1, 2011 11:14 AM

        Thanks. I've eaten there before and maybe it was just the night we were there, but it didn't seem very lively to me - it was actually pretty quiet.

        I also liked the food but wasn't wowed by it.... maybe that's just me and I should give it another go, though
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        1. re: jesslyn04
          r
           RGR Dec 1, 2011 11:49 AM

          We've been to Aldea several times, always mid-week, and it's never been quiet.

          The only other place I can think of in that general vicinity that has a high energy vibe is ABC Kitchen. It was actually a bit too high energy for me, i.e., very noisy, though the food was really good. However, the overall ambiance -- shabby chic decor and extremely tight seating -- doesn't say "special occasion" to me. Of course, you may feel differently.

          http://thewizardofroz.wordpress.com

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          ABC Kitchen
          35 E 18th St, New York, NY 10003
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          1. re: jesslyn04
            prdct Dec 2, 2011 10:24 AM

            I agree that Aldea is not a particularly high energy place. You could walk over Momofuku Ssam bar or, if you care about reservations, how about ABC Kitchen?
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            1. re: prdct
              j
               jesslyn04 Dec 2, 2011 01:51 PM

              Thanks! Ssam bar is a great ideas, and I will check ABC if they have any cancellations. We're also willing to try Greenwich Village, Soho and the West Village, since those are all ont he way home. I was considering dell'Anima since we both really like l'Artusi.

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              Momofuku Ssam Bar
              207 2nd Ave, New York, NY 10003

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

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