Most welcome. Look forward to hearing about where you go and what you eat!
Wow. This thread is something else. If anyone ever needed proof of the way some people look down on others for what they choose to eat, here it is. The supposed superiority of some people’s perspective on taste is mind boggling.
I like what I like. Other people like what they like. Why the dumping? I eat at Taco Bell regularly. I love a Doritos locos taco supreme. I am a huge fan of the McD McRib. I’ve also dined at several of the top 50 restaurants in the world. I love some cuisines and really don’t care for others. It’s all fine and not an indicator of anything else other than what I like to eat.
To get back to the original question from @mig, I would venture to say that there is a huge number of restaurants that you can sit down and order a meal for $50 a person before tax and tip if your not including alcohol. In fact many typical neighborhood places would fit as long as you’re not expecting three courses.
You can find places even in midtown. Places like Taam Tov, Real Kung Fu Little Steamed Buns or whatever the ridiculous name is, La Bonne Soupe, Sugarfish. It doesn’t always have to be pizza. I just had dinner at Au Cheval with several friends. If you took away the alcohol, I don’t think we spent more than $50 a person on food. It’s not that hard.
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138 posts were split to a new topic: DC Ethiopian
Pure Thai Cookhouse is a good Thai on 9th Ave which would be in the OP’s price range - we have had tasty dishes there over the years. Its not big though so you should reserve if you decide to go there. https://www.purethaicookhouse.com/dinner But there are quite a lot of thai places around town, including in Elmhurst Queens where there is a large community - if you use the search feature you will find some suggestions from people who are more uptodate than I am.
There are egyptian fish places like Abu Qir in Astoria which could be a novel adventure for your group
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Many replies in this discussion, including my restaurant suggestion, were split off and posted elsewhere. Before I repost that suggestion or add others, may I ask: Have you settled on a restaurant or, at least, narrowed down your possibilities?
Where is this “elsewhere”? I received notification that mine have been moved, too, but was not told where, and as far as I can see, they (mine) are still here.
(post deleted by author)
Linked below. But maybe there are multiple split-off threads?
(Note to @hungryonion: I replied to @fooddabbler twice – once just above in the post I deleted, and again just now – and both times my post says that it’s a reply to @DaveCook. Seems like a bug?)
I do now see my recommendation (thanks, @Saregama).
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I arranged a team dinner at don antonio that worked well, great pizza but maybe does not scream nyc. Still, It’s easy if you’re working in that area, nice space.
Haven’t been to John’s in many years but it doesn’t scream team meeting to me. There used to be 45min-1 hour lines, cramped space, feel pressure to leave quickly for next group. Also, last time I was there, pre-pandemic, wasn’t nearly as good.
I had a team dinner at turntable LP, we were able to get there for happy hour: pint of beer is $8, twenty wings for $30, you can basically fill the table with apps, wings and beer for your $50 budget, it was fairly empty so we had the place to ourselves to talk.
best,
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I called Hug Esan (Thai) in Elmhurst today to make a reservation, but they don’t take cards of any kind, and we have to pay with a corporate card (we cannot pay cash and then expense it.) So, back to the drawing board.
I think Zaab Zaab might be the only one of the Elmhurst Thai places that takes reservations and cards?
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My recommendation of Zaab Zaab, seconded by alan_henderson, still stands. It’s less than two blocks from Hug Esan. I can’t vouch for reservations and cards, but you might be able to avoid the drawing board by placing another phone call.
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Saranrom accepts reservations and credit cards. small place, suggest you book asap.
best,
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SaRanRom is excellent.
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i made a rez at zaab zaab. i’m a wimp about spice, so i hesitate to try my luck at SaRanRom.
i live in the neighborhood where Ugly Baby was and i had waited months to be able to eat there, finally venturing out in a brutal storm because i guessed i’d be able to score a lone seat at the bar, given the weather. i was right! i had carefully researched which entree had the mildest spice level, and after arriving I talked to a bunch of others eating the dish, before ordering it excitedly… only to abandon it after one single bite. i was honestly ASTOUNDED anything could taste that spicy, and even more astounded that i couldn’t muster the fortitude to keep going.
so, i am a wimp.
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my experience has been that generally zz is spicer than SaRanRom.
Never made it to ugly baby but I had a similar experience at Sri where I ordered their jungle curry thai spicy. The server let me know it would be far too spicy for me but I’d happily eaten quite a bit of their menu one level below that spice level.
One bite, another nibble to confirm, and that was that.
best,
oh no.
You’re not going to find mild Thai food in that neighborhood
