Beast

opossumqueen

Picking places for 4-6 people to have dinner on Vanderbilt or Flatbush tonight around 6:30-7. Beast is the only option I don't know but it's close to a friend's party later in the night.

Is Beast very crowded at that time on a Friday (do I need a reservation)? How's the food? Other advice?

whynot_31

Yes, Beast is crowded. Food is yummy. Portions are small by design.

...The Vanderbilt is across the street, also crowded. Also yummy.

If you wanted uncrowded, but less nice, I would head to Cornelius (Vandy and Pacific).

...just go to the place with the shortest wait before seating you, and you'll be fine.

opossumqueen

Thanks.

We are aiming to get to our next location by 8pm so I don't want to roam around looking for a good spot. I may just go with Piquant on Flatbush since it's closer to the train the others will use to get here and def. has plenty of seating for however many show up.

ridonkulous

Beast takes reservations. The others might also.

carnivore

whynot_31 wrote: Yes, Beast is crowded. Food is yummy. Portions are small by design.

...The Vanderbilt is across the street, also crowded. Also yummy.

If you wanted uncrowded, but less nice, I would head to Cornelius (Vandy and Pacific).

...just go to the place with the shortest wait before seating you, and you'll be fine.

Personally, I like the food better at Cornelius than at Beast, and they're about equivalent "niceness," with Cornelius' bar scene being a little quieter most nights. If you're there before 7, you probably won't have too much trouble getting a table at either spot. The Vanderbilt is nicer but still casual, and will cost you a bit more unless you're a light eater. The Vanderbilt now also has a fairly large outdoor seating section, which might make it easier to get a table. James (on St Marks and Carlton) is also very good, but you'll probably have a 45-60 minute wait tonight if you don't have a reservation, although you never know if it's before 7. If you're on a tight schedule, I'd go with Ridonkulous' advice and try to get a reservation somewhere to take the guesswork out of it.

opossumqueen

All good ideas. I haven't spent time on Vanderbilt in a while so I don't really know what's over there.

A lot of these places (def. James) don't take reservations

Cornelius' menu looks tasty! Even if we don't go tonight, it's now on my list of new places to try.