Big Heart But Little Money-NON-BUDGET BUSTING Manhattan Recommendation for Friend's 65th Birthday

[njprofessor]

Wife and I would like to take friend and wife to a quiet place for dinner next Saturday night.

Need non-embarrassing recommendation for a decent place on the $25-$45 ??? price range.

Upper west side is best but not mandatory.

Extra points for a place I can use restaurant.com or other coupon.

Thanks to all for your help.

[coasts]

i don't know that it's quiet - it's actually not - but savored.com can offer 30% off at Havana Alma de Cuba for a table for 4 on Saturday at 6:30. The restaurant is already quite affordable, so 30% off may allow you to order a few extra apps or desserts. I have always enjoyed the food there, but it's been over a year that I haven't been. Tables in the back are quieter than those in the front, where sometimes there's a band playing. It's in the West Village, but right off the 1 stop at Christopher.

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Havana Alma de Cuba
94 Christopher St., New York, NY 10014

[michelleats]

May I assume that is $25 to $45 / person for food, only, not including tax and tip?

La Vela (W. 78th) is a cute, cozy, unpretentious place that serves good, house-made fresh pastas. It's been a while since I've been, but I remember it as a quiet, low-key place most nights. The fresh pastas are the strongest menu offerings; other dishes are fine, but not remarkable. It should easily be within your price range. http://menupages.com/restaurants/la-vela/menu

Bodrum Mediterranean (W. 88th) is nothing remarkable for Manhattan, but an all around solid and pleasant restaurant. It's not hushed, but quiet enough to talk. http://www.bodrumnyc.com/menus.html

Also look into Pasha (Turkish, W. 71st) and Thai Market (W. 107th). Neither are quiet, but they're not horrifically loud, either. Both serve well made, if not completely authentic, food at fair prices. Pasha has white tablecloths and can get slammed by pre-theater and pre-opera crowds.

If you or your friend are partial to specific cuisines, please don't hesitate to mention them. There are a lot of restaurants in Manhattan and $25 to $45 for dinner is a perfectly reasonable price range for many, especially if you're willing to explore a range of neighborhoods.

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Thai Market
960 Amsterdam Ave, New York, NY 10025

Pasha
70 West 71st Street, New York, NY 10023

Bodrum
584 Amsterdam Avenue, New York, NY 10024

La Vela
373 Amsterdam Ave, New York, NY 10024

[AubWah]

65 is a big deal, should do something fun like go to chinatown