Post-Graduation NYC Lunch
I am graduating from university toward the end of May, and I'm looking for an NYC restaurant for a family meal post-ceremony. We're going to be a group of 10-12, so the restaurant should be able to accommodate medium-sized parties, and if said location takes reservations, that would be lovely too. Some of my family members are elderly, and several are picky eaters, so I'm looking for a restaurant that's both festive and approachable (particularly in terms of cuisine...). Simple, delicious food would be ideal. A decent selection of interesting imbibables would be nice too. Upper West Side would be preferable but we're willing to travel a bit for the right location. Any suggestions?
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12 Comments:
We went to carmines at 96th-ish for graduation dinner. It's loud, but my grandparents enjoyed it. Family style Italian, tasty, festive, perfect for large groups, big bar at the front, very atmospheric for out of town visitors. I find myself recommending it frequently
renzata at 2:26PM on 03/26/09
I went to Carmine's after graduation too! I graduated from Columbia, so it was close by and there were a lot of other graduates there, so it was very festive. We all walked there, even my grandfather. My whole family enjoyed it (and we are a highly varied bunch) and I very much recommend it. It's fun to be in an atmosphere like that after graduation. The food is good (but nothing too adventuresome, very much Italian-American food in the traditional sense), the dining room has an old-fashioned feel to it without being hokey, and the service is good. Oh and the portions are enormous. You should wear your gown so that you can allow your stomach to extend a bit. Congrats on your graduation.
laurelie at 3:53PM on 03/26/09
Carmine's does not have great food, but what it does have is size, food that appeals all ages, and decent service. It's a great place for things like graduation and birthday parties. I've only ever been to the place for such things, and usually had a really good time there.
Just be aware that it's not exactly haute cuisine. It's moderately okay red sauce family style Italian-American food. It's fun.
chisai at 4:08PM on 03/26/09
i like tony d'napolis over carmines. i think the food is better. it's also family style italian.
jaf at 4:14PM on 03/26/09
Carmine's is great for the Upper West Side. My first thought though (before seeing your neighborhood preference) was Gotham Bar & Grill on 12th st (or near there). It's a great, upscale restaurant that has awesome food.
allyn at 9:11PM on 03/26/09
I had my graduation dinner last year at Blue Ribbon Bakery and it was a big hit. I had a party of 12 and they gave us a lovely private area downstairs at no additional charge. Wide-ranging but not daunting menu (I had vegetarians, pescatarians, people who wouldn't eat vegetables, all with different palates - and everyone was happy), festive atmosphere - and it takes reservations! The only downside is that it's not on the UWS (which is where I graduated as well), but at least it's on the west side?
kmalladi at 3:10AM on 03/27/09
Oh shoot, I just realized you said you were looking for lunch - no idea what Blue Ribbon Bakery's deal is for lunch. Sorry! Are you graduating from Columbia? If so, Community Food and Juice is great, but I bet it'll be PACKED...
kmalladi at 3:11AM on 03/27/09
@kmalladi: I am graduating from Columbia, and would love to do Community Food and Juice, but I know they'll be swarmed and they won't take reservations.
I've thought of doing Carmine's, and there is a good chance we will, but my boyfriend graduated from CU two years ago and did his post-Class Day meal at Carmine's, so the spoiled child in me wants to try and do something a bit different.
lovesomething at 7:46AM on 03/27/09
Why don't you give Nice Matin a shot? If you call for reservations now, you may be able to get them. The farther you go from campus, the higher the likelihood of getting reservations.
laurelie at 9:52AM on 03/27/09
Congratulations, lovesomething. Looks like there are quite a few of us around SE.
renzata at 8:16PM on 03/27/09
My husband and I have done a big family meal (the meeting of the parents!) at Zucchero e Pomodoro on the UES. Nothing intimidating, simple but tasty Italian food, lots of choices, always good service. We live on the UWS now but I can't think of anything here that I would recommend as much as Zucchero for your purposes. Congratulations on your graduation!
mrsfoodissues at 9:37PM on 03/27/09
We are going to Tavern On The Green. We went there when my brother graduated from NYU and will be going there for my sister's graduation. Such a great place for a celebration. Outside seating is perfect or indoors with a view of the park!
maggieb at 10:39AM on 04/27/09