Thanks, everyone! Great suggestions--appreciate it. This time around we decided to go with Amali, a new Mediterranean restaurant on East 60th. It was a toss-up between that and Cafe Boulud, but we're going to go out on a limb and try a new spot.

I'm planning a dinner for 10-12 guests for a Thursday evening in October. I am looking for a private dining room on the UES that would accommodate 10-12 people for a reception and dinner. Any suggestions? We did something similar at Felidia last year. We had a good experience there, but would like to try something new this time. Budget is not really an issue.

Thanks in advance for your ideas!

One of my favorite things to do in Brooklyn is eat at the food vendors that set up around the Red Hook Ballfields. The vendors are only open on weekends (not sure when exactly you are going to be in town), but they have lots of vegetarian options that are very affordable and tasty. http://www.redhookfoodvendors.com/Hom...

Kin Shop? I have also heard good things about Murray's Cheese Bar but haven't had a chance to go myself.

The okonomiyaki from the Okadaman truck is very tasty and there usually isn't much of a wait. I also like Luke's Lobster if I'm feeling flush, but I usually don't have $18 to spend on lunch. Taim is also good, but the waits can get crazy. I also like MexiQue for pulled pork sliders.

I second the suggestion of checking out Midtown Lunch. They have a Twitter Tracker that aggregates locations and other updates from a huge number of food trucks. http://midtownlunch.com/twitter-tracker/

Frej is closed this month (renovations), but I second that suggestion too.

In Queens I like Dutch Kills. In Brooklyn, Maison Premiere has nice cocktails as does Nights and Weekends.

I'd cast my vote for Sneakers or Penny Cluse. Magnolia can be inconsistent at best.

Sadie Katz is now closed.

I second the suggestion of Fiore.

What about Parm?

You could also try Gramercy Tavern for lunch. It's just 4 blocks north of the Greenmarket.

Highly recommend Pistou in Burlington and Kitchen Table Bistro in Richmond. Also second the recommendation for Hen of the Wood in Waterbury.

I looked into the chef's table for a family event this spring. We ultimately decided to go somewhere else, but I got a very friendly and fast response from the hostess: erika@battersbybrooklyn.com

The chef's table accommodates only up to 4 people.

That's a tough neighborhood for good food, but if you don't mind beer instead of cocktails, you could meet at Beer Authority (40th and 8th).

I should also mention Pistou -- a new(ish) restaurant on lower Main Street. The food is truly excellent and the service is great too.

I grew up in Burlington and travel home frequently to see family (I live in Brooklyn now). The Blue Cat is new to me, so I will have to check it out next time I visit.

Some favorites of mine are:
Bluebird Tavern
Farmhouse Grill
El Cortijo
Sneakers (in Winooski -- a good brunch, on par with Pennycluse, which is also a favorite)
Vietnam Restaurant in Essex (total hole in the wall, but the food is superb)
Pho Hong in Burlington also does nice Vietnamese food.

Slightly outside of Burlington, I would highly recommend Hen of the Wood (Waterbury) and Kitchen Table Bistro (Richmond).

If you can get a reservation, the tasting menu at Torissi ($65) might fit the bill. Their style is slightly reversed from what you described (an Americanized take on Italian food) but it's definitely playful and very delicious.

I would classify ABC Kitchen as "Seasonal New American" and would highly recommend that as another higher-end option.

Other suggestions would be Prune or Shopsin's (open on Saturdays until 2pm).

I can also suggest a number of restaurants in the outer boroughs that would be perfect if you are willing to travel to Brooklyn or Queens. My top picks would be Do or Dine in Bed Stuy or Salt and Fat in Sunnyside.

If you are willing to travel into Manhattan, I love the fish tacos at Papatzul in Soho.

In Brooklyn, Calexico has pretty good ones. They have a location in Red Hook and one in Greenpoint.

Congratulations! Paulie Gee's in Greenpoint could work well for a brunch/lunch event. They rent out the restaurant on Saturday afternoons from 12-4:30 so you would have the whole space to yourselves (they accommodate up to 55 people comfortably). They have packages which includes salad, beer, selected wines, mimosas and pizzas from $50/pp. I looked into this for my recent wedding, but the space was too small for the size of our group.

Enoteca Maria. It's just a few blocks from the ferry terminal. The menu changes each night, and the food is created by Italian 'grandmothers' from different regions of Italy. I found the food to be excellent, the portions generous, and the atmosphere welcoming. Another bonus...the open-plan kitchen allows you to see the grandmas in action.

Kefi would definitely fit the bill. If you are willing to travel to Williamsburg, I'd recommend Fiore on Grand Street. It's pretty casual, but the atmosphere is lovely and the food is consistently good. L'Artusi in the West Village would also work, I think. It's a little more upscale than Kefi and Fiore but it won't totally break the bank.

Has anyone tried the new menu at Isa in Williamsburg (Mediterranean wood-fired food)? I have a reservation there on Saturday night which I made before the chef swap, and I'm curious about the new menu and concept.

Thanks in advance!

Locanda Verde or the Little Owl could be good options. Also consider Hearth.

I will be in Chicago on business this weekend. The only free meal I will have is Sunday lunch/brunch. Most of the restaurants I've researched are not open on Sundays at all, or are only open for dinner: Girl and the Goat, the Rick Bayless restaurants, Slurping Turtle, Blackbird, etc.

Are there any recommended restaurants within walking distance of the Millennium Knickedbocker hotel? A walk of 2-3 miles is fine.

I'm considering The Publican or Mexique. Any other suggestions?

Type of cuisine does not matter, nor does fine dining vs. casual. I'd like to go somewhere with entree prices under $20.

Thank you!

La Grenouille (a little stuffy, but it's an interesting scene to be sure).
Aquavit

For Szechuan, I definitely recommend Lan Sheng (39th b/w 5th and 6th). Favorite dishes are the Dan Dan Noodles, Crispy Cucumber, Crab Soup Dumplings, Sliced Lamb with Sichuan Pickles, and Braised whole fish with chili sauce.

I like Tiffin Wallah for southern Indian food (28th b/w Park and Lex). I usually get the Tiffin Wallah Dinner there, but the dosas and chaats are also very good.

I love Motorino, and they have a great lunch special M-F. I'd recommend fitting that in if you can. The Breslin would also be a good option for lunch. It's not quite as crazy during the daytime hours.

Zabb Elee, Russ & Daughters, and Katz's are all good options too. Katz's can be especially hectic during the day, and personally I find it stressful, but it's a pretty classic tourist experience. You could conceivably go to Russ & Daughters and just get a couple of things to nibble on, rather than a full meal. Make sure to take a ticket at the door!

As far as Brooklyn goes, I would suggest Saltie, a sandwich shop in Williamsburg. I usually get the Scuttlebutt or the Clean Slate, but I've never had a bad sandwich there. If you go on Saturday, you could also visit Smorgasburg on the Williamsburg waterfront. Lots of tasty food from local vendors and a great view of the Manhattan skyline. Berry Park in Williamsburg has a huge rooftop (also with a view of Manhattan) and decent bar food.

I would recommend one of the Terroir wine bars (there is one in Tribeca, East Village, and Murray Hill). I have only been to the one in Tribeca, but the food is excellent and they have some tables/booths that would work well for a larger group. They usually don't get crowded until the evening hours. The only caveat is that I don't think they have any outdoor space.

Birreria (on the roof of Eataly) is huge, and would probably not be too crowded in the late afternoon.

If you are looking for cocktails, you could try Lani Kai in Soho.

Hope that helps, have a great time!

In addition to the suggestions already mentioned, I often find some good intel on Gothamist and Serious Eats NY.