Help! I am planning a 27th Birthday Brunch for myself next Sunday 3rd March in NYC (open to Manhattan and Brooklyn). Ideally, it would be something a little unique, that doesn't require my girlfriends to shell out alot of cash. We will be a group of around 10.

As inspiration, ideas I am toying with at this point are the brunch at Mari Vanna, or a Dim Sum feast in Chinatown.

Any suggestions or recommendations are very welcome and will be much appreciated, thank you in advance!

I would like to get my friend a unique and special 25th Birthday gift that is food related. I read about a tour of a dumpling factory in Brooklyn which would be ideal, but it doesn't sound like they're open to the public. Any other suggestions?

Similar to a reccent blog post, I need a great restaurant, in Brooklyn or Manhattan, for about 15 girls to host my birthday. We're in our early 20s, so not somewhere hugely expensive. But something a bit 'different' would be great, off the beaten track a little. I'm considering Fatty Cue's pig head meal, but would love to have some more suggestions. BYOB would be a great advantage, but not necessary.
Thank you!