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Is it possible to have a birthday dinner for 15 under 2000$????

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I am planning my husband's 40th birthday party for approx. 15 people. Currently I am scheduled to have a tasting menu at Blue Hill-very trendy, beautiful, but a bit pricey. Also, I don't want to appear as if I am over-indulgant. I scanned many restaurants and found them at least 2000--many were more. Any thoughts? Or is 2000 the minimum anywhere for a party of this size?

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  1. About $130 a head? That's high end. There are many restaurants which will charge much less than that - it depends what you're looking for. I am very surprised if that's the deal you've negotiated with Blue Hill, as their regular tasting menu is under $70.

    Does your price include anything other than food cost? Drinks? Service?

    1 Reply
    1. re: Wilfrid

      The price is 120/person, and includes a 4 course tasting menu with hors d'oeuvres, a semi-private space, our own server, and a menu coordinated with the chef. This is good deal considering places like Hearth are going for 80/person, but we wouldn't have a private server, etc. Bar Boulud was over 3000, but included wine. Blue Water Grill was crazy. I'm probably getting a great deal considering Barber's spread in the August 2008 Gourmet. But I still am trying to feel better about dropping almost three grand on one meal. It's like Babette's Feast.

    2. My wife organized an excellent meal for my most recent birthday at Artisanal for about 15 people, they made up special, personalized tasting menus for the group, and prepared in advance to accomodate some picky eaters. All in all I think it was well under $100/head including plenty of wine. I'd definitely recommend Artisanal to other groups of similar size.

      But we definitely didn't have a private room (Alas it was already booked for that evening) nor did we have a private server. But, we did have very good food and a raucous great time.

      1. If you're willing to go out to Brooklyn, Frankies 457 has a beautiful carriage house and is about $40 a head before wine and whatnot. Excellent italian.

        Or, there's always Congee Village. :)

        Frankies 457 Spuntino
        457 Court St, Brooklyn, NY 11231

        1. I was thinking about doing this a few months ago for DH's 40th. Do you plan on getting a private room or are willing to be split between 2 tables in the main dining room? The only place I remember being seated at table for 16 was at Blue Water Grill. At the other restaurants, the max they could seat at one table was generally 8 people.

          1. Consider the private car at Diner in Williamsburg.