I'm in, Friday night the 3rd, Saturday the 4th and Sunday the 5th look good (assuming my kids don't make it to the all star meet on Sunday, which I doubt ).
I should be in town during that time as well. It would be great to finally meet some fellow slow travelers. Let me know if you guys want me to throw out some suggestions for restaurants.
Holy smoke tuscanartist - 22 years!! You may not recognize this city when you get here. Crime is way down, the streets are a lot cleaner, and Ronald Reagan is no longer President! You're gonna love it!
Okay - who wants to start throwing out some restaurant suggestions? Angie, would you be more comfortable eating somewhere in midtown, near where you're staying), or do we have free range ?
May I suggest for you, one of my favorite restaurants in New York, Peasant. The chef, Frank DeCarlo is very talented, the atmosphere is cozy, and they can take larger parties! I had a late dinner there the other night and it was fantastic!
I will likely have to work that night, but will be with you all in thought!
I love Peasant; haven't been there in a while though! How does the menu look to the vegetarians in our group? Prices (if I recall, it's higher than our previous outings but not out of line with the city).
The menu looks great, but not real vegetarian-friendly, and a bit higher than what we've typically been spending at our GTGs. I vote for that general downtown neighborhood, though.
M
Posts: 6944 | Location: Montclair, NJ, USA | Registered: 16 March 2003
I really like walking on Elizabeth Street as there is always a new boutique to check out. And, Peasant is quite good but if you decide to go make sure three are a few pocket flashlights in the group because Peasant is dark which makes reading the menu a challenge without good light.
I like Ballato in that neighborhood a bit better (I wish there was a restaurant as good down here in Sarasota!).
Ballato ($7.50-$25) 55 E. Houston St. (btw. Mott St. & Mulberry St.), 274-8881 M-F 12pm-11pm, Sa 3:30pm-12am, Su 4pm-11pm This trattoria reportedly is a great value serving fine Italian cuisine.
Peter
Posts: 1366 | Location: Essex Fells, NJ and Longboat Key, Florida | Registered: 21 July 2002
Originally posted by Pecepe: I really like walking on Elizabeth Street as there is always a new boutique to check out. And, Peasant is quite good but if you decide to go make sure three are a few pocket flashlights in the group because Peasant is dark which makes reading the menu a challenge without good light.
I went to Peasant about four months ago for the first time, and thought it was great for all the reasons already mentioned. Indeed, it is dark, but that didn't really bother us at all.
May I make a couple of suggestions? There are four well-priced Italian restaurants on the stretch of East Fourth Street between Avenues A and B. My all time favorite is Perbacco, with In Vino coming in at a VERY close second. Never had a bad experience at either, and all the guys that work there are recent arrivals from the old country.
If you want French, Cafe Deville fits the bill perfectly, and has lots of room for a large party.
Finally, in Februay, I put together a "boardie" party at a place called Sala down in the Bowery. This is a Spanish place that has authentic tapas and killer Sangria. What I did here was to reserve the lower floor (no charge for the space) ordered a bunch of tapas (lots of veggie friendly offerings due to the fact that I had a couple of veggie boardies present) and let everyone order and pay for their beverages individually from the bar that's down there. It worked out really well because everyone got to mix and walk around instead of being stuck at a table and only being able to speak to those immediately around you.
Anyway, those are my suggestions. I think it'll be fun to meet everyone regardless of where we go!
Yes, I just realized that's the restaurant my daughter raves about. I would say rethink for the GTG, but I think it's somewhat more expensive than what we usually do for a GTG.
M
Posts: 6944 | Location: Montclair, NJ, USA | Registered: 16 March 2003
I agree with Janet. Somehow we are getting away from an finding an affordable restaurant where we can relax and have pleasant food in a crowd, and moving toward a dining experience.
What about this place, Gigino? It's a Tribeca trattoria that I ate in a couple of years ago and enjoyed. For those of you who saw the movie "Dinner Rush" ---- that's the restaurant.
M
Whoops! Just checked e-gullet, and saw that Gigino has been included in the new NY Michelin Guide, whatever that means.
Posts: 6944 | Location: Montclair, NJ, USA | Registered: 16 March 2003
Slow Travel Talk 
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