special occasion dinner

Any recommendations on where to go for a birthday dinner tomorrow night? We're looking for great food and unpretentious service. We want to try somewhere new and are currently considering Applewood or Convivium Osteria, but open to other ideas as well.

Depends on the group and the person celebrating, I'd recommend Aunt Suzie's. I've never been disappointed and the place predates most--if not all--of the new restaurants on 5th Avenue.

I haven't tried Applewood, but have heard very good things. Convivium is excellent- I would especially recommend trying to get seated in the wine cellar downstairs. Also consider the Garden Cafe on Vanderbilt if your group isn't too big. Tempo was good and fairly "festive." I've also heard a strong recommendation for Saul (on Smith St) from someone whose opinion I respect, but I haven't tried the place myself. I had a really good meal at Crave (in Carroll Gardens), which might be a good option if you're willing to go a little further afield.

I would not recommend Aunt Suzies.

I would never recommend Aunt Suzie's, let alone for a special dinner.

You already have 2 good ideas - and Al Di La is the only one I'd add but I think they are on the last day of summer vaco today...call there first if you're interested in them.

I really liked Miriam's, a new middle eastern place on Fifth Ave close to Flatbush, but it might not be fancy enough if Convivium is on your list.

Subject: Re: special occasion dinner

ppwgal wrote: Any recommendations on where to go for a birthday dinner tomorrow night? We're looking for great food and unpretentious service. We want to try somewhere new and are currently considering Applewood or Convivium Osteria, but open to other ideas as well.

i tried applewood for brunch and it was fabulous. but i have no idea about how they would do for dinner.

i like Al Di La, personally. or the brooklyn fish camp.

Anonymous wrote: I would never recommend Aunt Suzie's, let alone for a special dinner.

Why all the Aunt Suzie's hate?

Thanks for the suggestions. It's just my husband and I going out tonight. I made a reservation for Convivium and will report back.

I would also say a big no to Aunt Suzie. I was also going to recommend Garden Cafe. I ate there for my birthday, and loved it.

Jack wrote: [quote=Anonymous]I would never recommend Aunt Suzie's, let alone for a special dinner.

Why all the Aunt Suzie's hate?
Aunt Suzie's reminds me of the successful but soulless restaurant in "Big Night."

Carnivore wrote: Aunt Suzie's reminds me of the successful but soulless restaurant in "Big Night."

Fair enough. But they've always been good to me.

It's not HATIN' on Aunt Suzie's - but the facts is:
it's just a mediocre red sauce slingin' joint. Almost anyone I know, and most pizza parlors, can make better red sauce. Plenty of folks love it because it's cheap, and they don't know what Italian food can taste like . . . I GUESS . . .

Which reminds me of a kid I met who was excited on his high school trip to NYC because they went to A Real Italian Restaurant.
Sabaro's

people just don't know, and THAT was beautifully portrayed in 'Big Night'

I guess we're going to have to agree to disagree. I will gladly defend Aunt Suzie's anyday! But I find it funny that 'Big Night' was used to portray both sides of the opinion in a way.

But I will draw the line at comparing the place to Sbarros. Now that's a nasty place!

Subject: Aunt Suzie's

I know it's not that great, but I love it. There are a lot of great restaurants in Park Slope now, but I'll never forget the great times I've had at Aunt Suzie's. How can you not love those "fancy pastas"?

I support your right to enjoy Aunt Suzie's without hesitation. I am condemned to make my own red sauce!

yum

I think in Big Night there were 2 restaurants -- the bigger more successful one who gladly served up the slop people wanted, and the one run by the 2 brothers where they insisted on real Italian deliciousness unsuitable to American palates and driving them out of business circa 1950.

Convivium turned out to be an excellent choice -- We had a fantastic meal out in the garden. I had no idea they had such an oasis tucked back there - it was very private, candle-lit, and beautiful.

ppwgal wrote: Convivium turned out to be an excellent choice -- We had a fantastic meal out in the garden. I had no idea they had such an oasis tucked back there - it was very private, candle-lit, and beautiful.

yeah, it's a great place. have they started accepting non-amex credit cards yet?

alafairnadia wrote:
yeah, it's a great place. have they started accepting non-amex credit cards yet?

nope - still amex or cash only.

ppwgal wrote: [quote=alafairnadia]
yeah, it's a great place. have they started accepting non-amex credit cards yet?

nope - still amex or cash only.

so irritating. don't they realize my family and I would buy MORE wine if we could charge it to our normal-people mc or visa? yeesh.

Aunt Suzie's is disgusting. Fun, family kind of place, but truly gross food... like ketchup on pasta.

Subject: Park Slope restaurants...

Thanks for all the above info. I feel bad for Aunt Suzie's. But, they do have to work on their red sauce!

there's a new place on Seventh Ave where Cornbread Cafe used to be - 14th/15th St

"Little Dishes"
littledishes.org
(.org? yeah, beats me. you can see the menu on the site)

my friend, cousin of somebody involved, ate there last night and said it was great - oysters, lamb shanks, black olive spatzel . . . fancy mezze and little dishes. sounds expensive, and tasty.

pitu wrote: there's a new place on Seventh Ave where Cornbread Cafe used to be - 14th/15th St

"Little Dishes"
littledishes.org
(.org? yeah, beats me. you can see the menu on the site)

my friend, cousin of somebody involved, ate there last night and said it was great - oysters, lamb shanks, black olive spatzel . . . fancy mezze and little dishes. sounds expensive, and tasty.

I looked at their menu last night. There doesn't seem to be much for a vegetarian to eat. I liked Cornbread Cafe -- too bad it's gone. And Max & Moritz -- that was my favorite restaurant in Park Slope.

Subject: Little Dishes

My wife and daughter and i ate at little dishes on 7th and 14th st tonite and it was EXCELLENT. about the most incredible sauteed mushrooms, salads were fantastic, my wife's chicken was superb and my shell steak and potatoes absolutely excellent. some of the hosts are former blue ribbon employees and the service was also top notch. great simple menu- can't wait to go back- it's similar to applewood but they moved a lot quicker- we've never made it through a full meal at applewood with our 3 year old (so slow, but worth it, applewood is excellent, but no good for a 3 year old). this was just a great vibe at little dishes- highly recommended. enjoy, frank

Aunt Suzie's is ok for generic (very generic) italian food-but, I would never recommend it for a special dinner.

for special try Al Di La-get there at 5:45 right before they open and stand online-it is worth it. Or, try Magnolia's on 6th Avenue and 11th Street-good food and very nice atmosphere. I heard Applewood is good-haven't been myself yet.

Stone Park is deeeeeelicious, but I'd definitely recommend reservations. Gets crowded quickly. The cocktails are creative and gorgeously mixed, as well, but if that ain't your bag, the wine list rocks.

Since my post above, I've been to Saul twice (once for my wife's birthday and once for my own). It is in a different league then all the other places discussed here. I love Convivium, Al Di La, Tempo and Garden Cafe, but Saul is now my place of choice for a really special night out. Especially recommended: the duck confit appetizer.

Where is Saul?

We have not been to Saul in a while but we were unimpressed with the steak there. This was 2 years ago so it looks like we should give it another chance.

Nishi621 wrote: Where is Saul?

140 Smith St
Brooklyn, NY 112201

The easiest way to get there is the B67 bus.
For those who live near the F train, you can also take the F to Bergen.

They're even on OpenTable, so reservations are easy:

http://www.opentable.com/rest_profile.aspx?rid=849

Also, FWIW, they were the only restaurant in Brooklyn besides Peter Luger to get a star in the new New York edition of le Guide Michelin.