Thank you!!
They DO have brunch on Sat/Sun, so will check it out. :)

Pressure!
Just got word that friends are flying in and want :
12 pm lunch Saturday 29th. We will be eight.
Gramercy Tavern, front room, would be my go-to place for this group, but no tables for eight.
Next, thinking of Jean Georges Nougatine. They won't reserve for 8 on line, and reservations
closed until tomorrow a.m. Am drawing a blank about fitting restaurant that would have availability on such short notice. Prefer comparable to those two favorites, in quality and space, not too far downtown, SOHO, Flatiron, UES , midtown. Thanks!

Well, our lovely 94 yr. old grandmother passed away.
So, after the funeral / burial at Cypress Hill Cemetery, in Queens,
we need a pleasant restaurant close by to offer about 20+ people lunch.
Any suggestions? I know this is a hard one! Thanks.

Thank you all! We've decided on Indus Valley, and will keep your
other suggestions handy for the future!

We are going to see Chinglish this Saturday night and thought
Chinese dinner before would be a nice thematic touch.
Any Chinese restaurant recommendations, in or near the theater district (though not
Sezchuan)?
You hounds have all been so helpful in the past.
Many thanks!

Hi all. We (two couples) need a good restaurant in Columbia U. area.. Old friends (into to food) coming to city and staying there. Someplace w/ really good food and a pleasant atmosphere where we could sit and talk for a while (Friday night!) . Not a student scene..or bar........ American- continental, French, Indian...
Many thanks!

THANKS! Much obliged! Will check it out.

We have out of town guests and need either Italian or Indian or some favorite tasty restaurant for tonight (Fri) early dinner
Either UWS (M. of Nat History) or theater district.
Thanks!

Just had lunch at Ai Fiori today. Delicious! Very pleasant space, too.
I had the cod. subtle, perfect, and to start, squid ink pasta? w/ a crustacean ragout. Sublime. Husband had
short ribs. All perfect. Desserts very good. Good choice of food, for Restaurant Week, even on Sunday, when regular menu was a brunch menu. Highly recommend.

-----
Ai Fiori
400 5th Ave, New York, NY 10018

Thanks !
I have eaten at Ma Peche and really enjoyed the food. Will probably go back sometime.... agreed, that lower level dining room, lacking!

Seasonal looks promising! And it's not too noisy?
It goes on the list! Any dishes you especially like?
Many thanks again.

-----
Ma Peche
15 W 56th St, New York, NY 10019

In area of the MOMA need restaurant for dinner.
We are old friends, in need of catching up. so some place on quiet side.
The Modern would be lovely, but not sure if it fits everyone's budget..
Haven't been to Vong in years. Is it a contender?
Thanks.

Thanks!

Sorry, premature 'send'
I also would love some Lincoln Center restaurant recommendations for early, pre-theater
dining. Thanks.

Any suggestions for good restaurant in 58th/ 3rd area (w/in 6 blocks +/-), for a midweek, after work celebratory dinner, for two? Would consider any sort of cuisine, just good eats. Price not an issue. Thanks all!
A

Anyone know where to buy Giovianni Rana Mushroom Ravioli? A delightful surprise briefly offered in A& P, which does still carry the GR cheese raviolis, which are good, but not rapturous like the mushroom ones.

Help! I always flounder around w/ pre-theater dining. We are booked at Maria Pia, but wondering if it is too far to walk in case of inclement weather. I know this is asking a lot,
but...not too noisy, good food, close to 48th, two 6th/7th . Thanks!

Help! I always flounder around w/ pre-theater dining. We are booked at Maria Pia, but wondering if it is too far to walk in case of inclement weather. I know this is asking a lot,
but...not too noisy, good food, close to 48th, two 6th/7th . Thanks!

Hi. We are also currently considering China Spree, and spending a lot of time investigating other China tours, and have the same apprehensions re; food. All the tours seem to have a lackluster food experience. A pity. China Spree offer three levels of tours and their "Affordable Luxury" claims to focus on culinary experiences.. this option raises the price by approx 50%, over the "First Class" (touristy meal) option. I toyed with the idea of going w/ the Culinary trip, but as price matters to us this year, we have just decided to accept the trade offs, try to break away whenever we can, use our free evenings and afternoons....Please let me know if you learn of any other tour company
that has a better reputation for food... Happy trails.

Thanks so much. looks great. shall try. soon!

Thanks!

Any suggestions on where to find delicious, exquisite mushroom ravioli?
In
1. Restaurants
2. Stores/ ravioli brands, to take home and try to cook

Thanks!

Hi. Have never eaten at restaurant Mas, but planning to have dinner there in few weeks.
Any feedback, recommendations, etc., most welcome. Thanks!

THANK YOU, ALL. What a gift is this site, and all your research and experience!
Sooo excited! Will try to sample them all! :- >

Hi. We usually get Lavazza Espresso (already ground) from Amazon.com
delivered monthly. Like it a lot. However, we are interested in trying something new for home brew. We're fine with grinding beans. Any suggestions, given our taste for Lavazza?
Many thanks. :-)

I recommend Valbella.
www.valbellany.com

Very nicely designed space. Elegant w/ edge. Various attractive party rooms, well designed, as well. We were seven..all liked the food very much. Service excellent. A contender!

Hi Hounds,
Please help me out here. Looking for restaurant in East Fifties +/- 10 blocks...walking. Will be six or seven people. Early Thursday night dinner....would like it to NOT be too pricey, but good food and pleasant atmosphere. We want to talk, catch up. Prefer low noise level!
Any suggestions most welcome.
Thanks so much. :-)

Please help!!!
We need a casual but nice bar for after 'grown up' rehearsal dinner, a Friday night in May, big enough to absorb 35 folks in early 30's, who will be buying their own drinks. Food can be minimal, not the focus.
Prefer West Village or Meat Packing District.
Should have a New York feel, as many out-of-towners in group.
Thanks!

Valbella. downtown. Lovely place, physically. Newly done, spiffy. Excellent party rooms. We were a group of seven, and all liked the food. Have read some mixed reviews here, but we are discerning diners, and found the food was gooood.

Hi all, We're looking for a place for an after party, after a Saturday night, May wedding. For 30-ish, professional, creative crowd (maybe 20, 30 people) ...food probably nominal consideration, more for drinks and for those who hate to call it a night....go to at about 1:00 a.m. A place with some New York flair....(half the guests from SF) Perhaps downtown...Suggestions most welcome...
Thanks all in advance.

Have been looking on line at your suggestions. Think we need something a little larger, w/ good food. Petit Oven sounds good but so small...might not have that holiday vibe, esp on a week night.
Any more suggestions most welcome. Thanks.