Partner's Birthday
Want to take my business partner out for a nice 50th birthday dinner. He's an unsophisticated eater who likes steak and southern Italian, like Linguine with clam sauce. His kids took him to Strip House so I can't compete on the steak level. Any suggestions? Tx
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I think Emilio's Ballato could be a great choice. Fantastic Italian food, old-school "man's man" vibe...I've thoroughly enjoyed my meals there and it would fit your budget rather easily. Not sure what ambiance you are looking for, but it might fit the bill.
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Emilio's Ballato
55 E Houston St, New York, NY 10012 -
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When you say he is an unsophisticated eater, do you mean that he doesn't enjoy anything other than dishes like you listed? I know some pretty "unsophisticated" eaters that loved Babbo, or similar higher end Italian/pasta places. Also, when you say nice dinner...does that mean spending $500 all in for the two of you, or are we talking a bill of $200?
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Babbo
110 Waverly Pl, New York, NY 10011›4 Replies-
re: Pago77
Tx for your response. I meant to say he is not an adventurous eater....i fear he would not recognize, for instance many of Babbo's dishes/preparations and therefore wouldn't be willing to try them
Also, I would say I like my partner closer to the tune of $200- 300, rather than all in-
re: JKFinally
OK, 200-300 bill. Well, there are two ways to go then. You can have a good meal with a great bottle of wine, or a better meal with a good bottle of wine...you get my point. For less adventurous eating, I agree with the il Mulino suggestion, although you need to watch yourselves because before you know it the bill can get way out of hand (for instance, if you let them bring you a bottle of wine, or create a pasta course, etc...well, you get some surprises on the bill). Campagnola and Elio's would give similar type of red sauce options. But neither have the same environment/feel (I'd rather be at Piccolo Angolo than any of those, but I don't think it's the right atmosphere/level for this occasion).
You could do something like Balthazar or Minetta Tavern. I'd also say Scarpetta. While they have some things that are more adventurous, the straight forward spaghetti is amazing. I think that would be a solid Italian in lieu of a doing something like il Mulino or going to a steak-centric place. Barbuto would be a great choice, too...and I think you can find straight forward choices at Maialino, which is also excellent.
Then there are non-Italian or steak places like Little Owl, which has a delicious pork chop. That menu is pretty straight forward. If you can give any indication to which of these ideas (mine or others) sound good, people around here will be happy to expand the choices/ideas.
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Barbuto
775 Washington St., New York, NY 10014Il Mulino
86 W 3rd St, New York, NY 10012Minetta Tavern
113 MacDougal St, New York, NY 10012Little Owl
90 Bedford Street, New York, NY 10014Piccolo Angolo
621 Hudson St, New York, NY 10014Balthazar
80 Spring St, New York, NY 10012Elio's
1621 2nd Ave, New York, NY 10028Campagnola
1382 1st Ave, New York, NY 10021Scarpetta
355 West 14th Street, New York, NY 10014Maialino
2 Lexington Avenue, New York, NY 10010-
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re: Pago77
Actually Minetta Tavern would be a great choice as well - plenty of stuff to please an unsophisticated eater as well as a sophisticated one. Yes, a bit steak-oriented though I do love their Pasta Za Za and whatever special pasta the chef whips up rather often. I still haven't been to Strip House (somebody tell me why 'cause I have no idea!) I'd be willing to bet MT is better in both food and atmosphere.
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Minetta Tavern
113 MacDougal St, New York, NY 10012
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Would something like Il Mulino impress him? Based on your description, that's where I would take him. Maybe the Palm - several 'hounds told me they do a sick chicken/veal parmigiana. Then there are of course steaks and lobsters too.
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Il Mulino
86 W 3rd St, New York, NY 10012Palm
837 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10017
