Looking for casual NYC restaurant to appease my family?
May 4, 2017 5:52 PM Subscribe
(aka: there's probably a nice unassuming restaurant in an ungentrified part of southern Brooklyn, right? )
While in town for a relative's wedding, 13 of my family members, from 12 months to 70 and all ages in between, are looking for a casual sit-down dinner in New York City on a Saturday evening in June. Could you recommend us some restaurants that would be suitable for us despite all of our clashing requirements & preferences listed inside?
* Cuisine must be American or a European (bonus points if it's Polish).
* kid friendly
* Also have some healthy/vegan options for a family member who is allergic to HFCS
* other family members are very 'American traditional' eaters who generally don't stray far from Brown Derby and Olive Garden
(I am fighting suggestions of a chain restaurant, so I am turning to you mefites)
* prefer a place close to a subway stop or relatively hassle-free (for NYC standards) to drive to (Pops is unable to walk more than 1/5 mile at a time because of health issues); we'll have 1 car that would be able to transport the youngest and oldest; the rest will likely Lyft/Juno or subway it up.
* We're staying in the financial district that night (well aware that we'll likely not find what we're looking around there, only staying there because it's the wedding hotel and a great deal).
* ~$25 or less/person(pre tax/tip) for an entree.
With all of that, anything goes. Most of them never have been to NYC before (and likely won't come again) so anything that would be uniquely NYC as vague and loaded as that is, would be super.
* Cuisine must be American or a European (bonus points if it's Polish).
* kid friendly
* Also have some healthy/vegan options for a family member who is allergic to HFCS
* other family members are very 'American traditional' eaters who generally don't stray far from Brown Derby and Olive Garden
(I am fighting suggestions of a chain restaurant, so I am turning to you mefites)
* prefer a place close to a subway stop or relatively hassle-free (for NYC standards) to drive to (Pops is unable to walk more than 1/5 mile at a time because of health issues); we'll have 1 car that would be able to transport the youngest and oldest; the rest will likely Lyft/Juno or subway it up.
* We're staying in the financial district that night (well aware that we'll likely not find what we're looking around there, only staying there because it's the wedding hotel and a great deal).
* ~$25 or less/person(pre tax/tip) for an entree.
With all of that, anything goes. Most of them never have been to NYC before (and likely won't come again) so anything that would be uniquely NYC as vague and loaded as that is, would be super.
There are tons of red sauce Italian joints in Carroll Gardens that would fit your requirements. The hood is something they won't expect and I think uniquely New York.
posted by sandmanwv at 6:48 PM on May 4, 2017
posted by sandmanwv at 6:48 PM on May 4, 2017
Right next to Veselka is the "Ukrainian National Home" which has a very affordable Ukrainian restaurant where having a table of 12+ people will not be a big deal.
Veselka has a bit more of a modern NYC diner feel and does not take reservations, but the National home is probably easier and cheaper to have a big party
posted by larthegreat at 6:54 PM on May 4, 2017 [6 favorites]
Veselka has a bit more of a modern NYC diner feel and does not take reservations, but the National home is probably easier and cheaper to have a big party
posted by larthegreat at 6:54 PM on May 4, 2017 [6 favorites]
Maybe Teresa's in Brooklyn Heights?
posted by 168 at 4:53 AM on May 5, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by 168 at 4:53 AM on May 5, 2017 [1 favorite]
NYC local chain Parm is basically Olive Garden. There's a location in Battery Park, so easy to get to from where you'll be staying. They take large reservations.
posted by greta simone at 6:32 AM on May 5, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by greta simone at 6:32 AM on May 5, 2017 [1 favorite]
Take some cabs to Patrizia's in south williamsburg. Old time italian, big place with plenty of space around the tables, big portions.
Parm is too fancy for your group I think.
posted by hyperion at 3:23 PM on May 5, 2017
Parm is too fancy for your group I think.
posted by hyperion at 3:23 PM on May 5, 2017
Response by poster: We went to Tony di Napoli's on Saturday night and everyone in my family loved it! It was suitable for us and the family style options ended up working out well despite each of our food quirks and preferences.
posted by fizzix at 9:12 AM on June 6, 2017
posted by fizzix at 9:12 AM on June 6, 2017
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by charlielxxv at 6:18 PM on May 4, 2017 [8 favorites]