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Sydney Brown / February 8, 2020
East Village staple Lil Frankie’s is your ideal dining destination for a group dining and classic Italian. The menu is affordable –no-prefixes– and they offer a little something for everyone. Their Margherita pie is always a safe bet, and the whole roasted eggplant cooked in a pizza oven is always a hit for the table, so you may want to order more than one! We also love their wood roasted chicken, perfect for those who might be looking to cut back on the carbs.
What screams group birthday dinner more than a pizza party? Emmy Squared is the ultimate pizza party destination. In addition to offering some of the best Detroit style pizza we’ve ever had, Emmy Squared also makes an amazing spicy chicken sandwich served on a pretzel bun. And, of course, we can’t forget the Le Matt burger, with grass-fed beef, melty American cheese and pickles. We promise you’ll leave here feeling full and happy.
Wu’s Wonton King is our top pick for an affordable celebration featuring traditional and truly delicious Cantonese cuisine. Located on the Lower East Side, the restaurant is designed with several large round tables with lazy susies making it the ideal spot for sharing family style dishes. Some standouts include the snow pea shoots platter, glazed half duck, sauteed clams with black bean sauce, egg drop soup with crab, and of course, an extensive dim sum selection. Pro Tip: If you want to experience the whole suckling pig or the famous Dungeness Crab, be sure to call ahead.
Tacombi serves up classic Mexican food with an emphasis on taco culture, bringing bold flavors and bright colors to the table. This affordable, good vibes taqueria brings you the fun party mood you need for a great group birthday dinner. Reserve ahead for parties of ten or more and rest assured your meal will stay in the $50 range. As for go-to’s, the barbacoa taco is to die for, the chicken tamale with mole sauce packs a flavorful punch, and the street corn is irresistable.
No group dining list could be complete with this classic New York establishment. Sammy’s Roumanian is an old-school, no-frills, jewish-style steakhouse with live entertainment and some horribly funny jokes by the one and only Dani Luv. Come here and expect a lot of meat, vodka and some gribenes spilled on your top by the time you roll out of here.
Brought to us by the same people behind Red Farm comes Decoy, our top pick for a peking duck in NYC. If you’re looking for a serious feast, consomme and fancy dipping sauces included, this is your spot! Starting at $79 a person, you’ll get to try a variety of appetizers, sides and mains to accompany your peking duck. Standout dishes include the octopus salad with wasabi dressing, oxtail dumplings, and the crab and scallop fried rice.
If you’re planning to go to HaSalon for a group birthday dinner, make sure you don’t leave before 10:30PM. Around that time, the makeshift garage doors come down and the restaurant turns into a serious dance party with a mix of Israeli and American hits. Aside from the aesthetic, this Middle Eastern restaurant delivers great food with unique presentation and descriptions to match – they’re not kidding when they write “terrifying hammer-slammed carpaccio.” HaSalon is an all-in-one destination that guarantees a great time but has a price to match. Expect to spend around $200 a person if you’re a group of 10+ as the restaurant requires guest order with a pre-fix menu.
Located in an old opera hall on the infamous Doyers Street is Chinese Tuxedo, a super charming yet trendy restaurant offering modern chinese fare. Must orders here include the crispy eggplant with sichuan and peanut caramel, the classic tuxedo dumplings with scallion and the confit duck chow mein. If you’re looking to go all out, we suggest opting for their banquet menu at $88 a person which offers a variety of menu highlights. Be sure to check out the bar downstairs, Peachy’s, before you head out!
Cote brings a blend of Korean Barbeque and classic American Steakhouse to the table. We know what you’re thinking, and you’re right – it’s pretty cool. Located in the Flatiron district, Cote offers great group deals like the $54/person butchers feast which includes four kinds of quality steaks and side dishes like the egg soufflé, scallion salad, and two types of stews.
Momofuku Ssäm is one of David Chang’s first ventures, featuring Korean-Fusion with extraordinarily unique offerings like foie gras over rice with matcha furikake and preserved sour cherry or the roasted bone marrow served with milk bread. Ssäm bar is also home to our favorite pork buns in the city. If you’re dining here with a group of over six people, go for one of their large format meal offerings which includes options like king crab, rotisserie duck and Bo Ssäm.
Sydney Brown / May 31, 2023
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