Affordable foodie restaurant (not chinese, mexican or street food) - for 6 mothers taking 20 something daughters

[1cw]

3 women are taking their 20 something daughters out for dinner in nyc. I work in NY, but the others are from CA and DC. I think they would like to pay in the $20's for an entree....so we can't go to some of the real foodie recommendations for mothers and daughters that I have seen on the board....I have been too Otto and think it is too bustling ....I was thinking of Capsouto Freres or Central Park Boathouse....but wanted to see if there were other great suggestions! Manhattan only!

Thanks in advance for your thoughts!

[Love to Eat]

Lupa - great meal, something for young and mature.
Most entrees in $20s.
However, may need to be willing to take a 5:30 or 6p reservation there for a group of that size.
Then go for a walk and have dessert somewhere else in the neighborhood to make evening not end too early...

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Lupa
170 Thompson Street, New York, NY 10012

[Pan]

The tartufo at Lupa is a great dessert, though, with whatever panna cotta they're serving a distant second, but always good and reliable.

[1cw]

Do you have another suggestion than Lupa, just ate their last week and aside from the two desserts that you mention and the gnocchi, I didn't love it. Also, just a bit more than we wanted to spend.

[peter j]

The cacio & pepe and the carbonara are always good. I've had mixed experiences with the secondi and some of the antipasti.

As an alternative to Lupa, look into L'Artusi.

[kathryn]

The secondi at Lupa look to be about in your range (mid-$20s), did you mean to write you wanted mains to be < $20?

If $20-30 mains are still OK, I would also look into:
Peasant
Sorella
Hearth -- while at the very top of your budget ($29+ entrees), their gnocchi is amazing
Maialino -- if you can get in, they are pretty popular, you'd need to book THIS Weds morning at 9am, over the phone (they don't do big parties over OpenTable).

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Hearth
403 East 12th Street, New York, NY 10009

Peasant
194 Elizabeth Street, New York, NY 10012

Sorella
95 Allen St, New York, NY 10002

Maialino
2 Lexington Avenue, New York, NY 10010

[1cw]

I found some great restaurants on this board that are what I am aiming for:
Crispo
Cacio e Pepe
Da Andrea
Cinque
Osteria Morini
Via Emilia
Does anyone have any advice regarding which one to pick....I have listed in my order of preference based on read of menu, scan of reviews and pricing....Thanks.

[kathryn]

If price is a concern, Morini is probably out of the running..

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Osteria Morini
218 Lafayette St, New York, NY 10012

[1cw]

Thanks....

[TrishUntrapped]

Haven't been in about a year, but I always liked the pricepoint for the quality at Cibo. It's a block or so from Grand Central so always convenient for me when I take the train.

They have a three-course prix fixe dinner special for $35 which I consider a bargain, or a la carte options.

See more here:

http://cibonyc.com/

And here:

http://www.menupages.com/restaurants/...

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Cibo
767 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10017

[Pan]

Crispo is no cheaper than Lupa and probably a bit more expensive. Of the ones on your list, I've so far only been there and to Cacio e Pepe, of which their signature dish is probably not as good as Lupa's version. I prefer their sister restaurant, Cacio e Vino, which makes very good wood-fired pizze and schiacciate and some good appetizers and such and when I've gone, has had a good special of a half-price bottle of wine each time. Mains are rather spotty, though.

I like Crispo; I don't consider it in general to be quite as good as Lupa, but others differ, and if you decide to go there, do consider the duck main (their current version may be the best they've done, though I miss the endives and watercress from the version that used to have figs in it) and get the creme brulee and pot de creme tasting for dessert. I can give more recommendations of appetizers, etc.

I'm not sure I really understand your budget, but I think that any full-service Italian restaurant that's cheaper than Lupa won't be as good. That said, I like Supper as a reliable place that serves food made from fresh ingredients that's cooked well, but I think it's a couple of levels down from Lupa. It is somewhat cheaper, though, and not as hard to get into. If you do go, consider their pollo arrosto - it's just about perfect roast chicken with excellent mashed potatoes. Their fish dishes are also reliably good, and their vegetable sides are reliable. Good and well-priced wine list, too. I just don't know if the food will satisfy you, though.

Can you name any restaurants in New York that you've really liked?

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Crispo
240 W 14th St, New York, NY 10011

Supper
156 E 2nd St, New York, NY 10009

Cacio e Vino
80 2nd Avenue, New York, NY 10003

[1cw]

Thanks for the additional detail. I think I am going to go with Crispo of what has been provided. So many on the board seem to love Lupa...but I guess our experience just wasn't that great. From a price point, I would say Lupa should be at the high point.
As for other restaurants that i have eaten at and liked...that is my issue, I have liked many, but they are at a higher price point i.e.
River Cafe
Bouley
Asia De Cuba (now closed)
Tao
Illili
Craft (loved their short ribs)
Zengo
Modern
Sea Grill - not my favorite, but ok
David Burke Townhouse
These would all be above the price range of the people I am going with.

[Monica]

Lupa used to be my favorite restaurant but i had 2 very disappointing dniner in last 2 yrs so I don't plan on returning there.

[Pan]

Look at Crispo's menu before you go: www.crisporestaurant.com

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Crispo
240 W 14th St, New York, NY 10011

[Pan]

Capsoute Freres is kind of interesting in that it's a real old-fashioned room, you get gracious service, and the place is kind of a relic, but based on one trip there last year, I think it's really not worth the price. Their souffles are good (I preferred my dessert souffle, which was with figs, to my dinner souffle), but other dishes really seemed to be hit or miss. My bottom line is, if you want to go there for the experience, fine, but if you want a better value, look elsewhere.

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Capsouto Freres
451 Washington St, New York, NY 10013

[thegforceny]

Capsouto Freres or Central Park Boathouse are far from 'foodie' destinations, fwiw.

[1cw]

Agree and am rethinking those choices...but do you have an alternative suggestion?

[thegforceny]

Sure. Now it looks like you're leaning towards Italian.

http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/838445

[xpicassox]

Affordable Food? When you cut out Chinese, you cut out a lot of affordable food. You can get an order of Tasty Dumplings for just $1.25 & Sesame Beef Pancake a Buck .50 ...
Affordable Food, "Forget Capsuto Feeres and The Boat House, they'r not cheap. You want affordable food, but not Chinese or Mexican, then head to East Sixth Street between !st and Second Avenues for some tasty Indian Food.
Veselka (corner 2nd Ave at 9th Street) is a good choice. Cool East Village Diner where you can get a great Burger or anything else for about $10 and sit down and relax in a great atmosphere.
Mamoun's (McDougal St at Minetta Lane) Best and most Famous Falafel in New York $2.75 or Percy's Pizza, 1 block south at Bleecker and McDougal where you'll get Thee BEST $1.00 Slice of PIZZA in town, a BUCK a SLICE or 2 Slices and Soda just $2.75
Oh, and Don't forget The SHAKE SHACK at madison Park 23rd Street at Fifth Avenue for Thee BEST BURGER in the City, $4.50 for a Cheeseburger, $2.40 for a Soda, $4.00 The SHAKE ...Wait on The LONG LINE (The Girls will Love It), order your Burger, wait for you Burger to be made, the buzzer they give you will virate n light up when it ready, Get Your BURGER, sit down in Madison Park and Enjoy the BEST BURGER in Town regardless of price ($26 Black Label Burger at Minetta Tavern is good, SHAKE SHACK BURGER is BETTER...Sorry KEITH)
Hope this was helpful
Good Luck and have a Great Time !!!!

MINETTA TAVERN ............ photo Daniel Bellino Zwicke

PS...Minetta Tavern is not a recommendation for you. Just added the pic in reference to The Black Label Burger for $26 being quite renowned, but you'll get a Better Tasting Burger (but not Ambiance) at the SHAKE SHACK for just $4.55 ... I LOVE The MINETTA TAVERN, but .......

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Shake Shack
Madison Ave and E 23rd St, New York, NY 10010

Mamoun's Falafel
119 MacDougal St, New York, NY 10012

Minetta Tavern
113 MacDougal St, New York, NY 10012

Veselka
144 2nd Ave, New York, NY 10003

Capsouto Freres
451 Washington St, New York, NY 10013

Central Park Boathouse
Central Park East Drive E 72nd St, New York, NY 10021

Percy's Pizza
190 Bleecker St, New York, NY 10012

[kathryn]

6 mothers each taking their 6 daughters? Or 3 women with 3 daughters? So a party of 6? You might want to edit the title of your post to reflect your actual party size.

When is your dinner? Your group is on the larger size, so you may have trouble booking if it is very soon.

[1cw]

Our dinner is on April 11th....our part is a total of 6. Appreciate your advice...

[kathryn]

Hard to make recommendations without knowing what kinds of cuisines you guys would be into, but if you're looking for places that can easily accomodate a party of 6 and are somewhat hip but not TOO loud...

I would look into these, where most of the mains are under $30:
Saxon and Parole
Public
L'artusi
Empellon Cocina (maybe -- it's creative Mexican, not the standard Tex-Mex stuff)

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Public
210 Elizabeth Street, New York, NY 10012

L'Artusi
228 West 10th Street, New York, NY 10014

Empellon Cocina
105 1st Ave, New York, NY 10003

Saxon + Parole
316 Bowery, New York, NY 10012