Where to Eat: New York City
We’re talking indoor pavilions, prix fixe deals and informal hangs.
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Once upon a time, there was no Venmo. Going out to dinner with a group was an eternal nightmare because servers mostly refused to split the check more than two ways.
This led to a couple of scenarios: 1. Someone would put the entire bill on their card and for the next two to three business days become a loan shark. 2. Half of the party would bring cash, cover their portion of the bill and then run out the door, leaving the other half to spend a full 30 minutes after the meal haggling over who owed what.
These days, group dinners are much less nightmarish — at least where the check is concerned. Now, the only thing standing in the way of getting a dozen of your closest friends together for dinner is finding a venue (and a mutually agreed upon date). Here are three options for your next gathering.
Party in the pavilion
Over the winter I stopped by Phoenix Palace, the nearly one-year-old restaurant on Bowery from the Chinatown natives behind Potluck Club, for a group dinner.
During my visit, I noticed what could only be described as a beautifully appointed pavilion at the back of the restaurant that would be great for a dinner party. A server told me it can seat 10 to 18 people, so consider this ideal for those extra-large gatherings. For bookings in the pavilion — gazebo? pergola? — they serve a six-course prix fixe menu (not “PRE” fixe, please!) for $75 per person. If you’re generous enough to cover everyone, that’s $750 to $1,350 before tax and tip.
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