(picture this outfit with sneakers)
(lose the t-shirt, add a pair of smokin heels)
Dear ESB,
Please help... my girlfriend and I are pseudo-eloping in about 6 weeks at NYC city hall after we decided to ditch 150+ guests wedding we thought we wanted. We are inviting our parents, siblings and our closest friend. I thought our wedding planning was over.
Not so much -- Now we need to find a restaurant in lower Manhattan or Brooklyn to host 18 people for a late lunch with a party that includes a 2 yr old with food allergies, plus 2 school age kids, brother-in-laws that won't eat any "vegetable" beside corn, and a bride that hates stuffy/fancy/can't wear sneakers establishments.
I have spent countless hours yelp-ing and surveying blogs but have come up with little. I am ashamed that after living in NYC for over 10 years I can't figure out where to take my family.
And we have not figured out exactly what to wear. My fiance's style is very androgynous while I am femme but hardly ever wear a dress. We are very anti-gender roles so any suggestions would be very much appreciated!!!
-Need to stop over thinking city hall
*****
Zara Buttoned Blazer + Asymmetrical Studio Blazer cribbed from the comments over here.
Take over Bar Bossa on Elizabeth Street! It's my absolute favorite restaurant; it's superlow-key, but with style, and it's tiny, and I've been able to take over the back room (for 6) several times without paying anything extra just making a reservation, so I'm sure if you could guarantee a lunchtime filled with 20 people, they'd work with you to have the whole place. Prices are fabulous (as are the drinks); it's Brazilian with a ton of vegetarian options and plenty to keep non-vegetable eaters happy.
ReplyDeletePlus, it's three blocks from the Housing Works bookstore/cafe (which I would have suggested as it's fabulous - had my rehearsal dinner there - but rather pricy to close down for a party of 20) so if those schoolaged kids get angsty, someone could walk them over for for 30 minutes of fabulous browsing.
ReplyDeleteL'Asso on Kenmare and Mott! Seriously, I wanted to get married there. It's a fantastic pizza place, fun art on the walls, great staff, you can definitely rock sneakers there, and it is completely not stuffy but somehow still lowkey and special. Congrats!
ReplyDeleteOr, you know, Bubby's. They do weddings.
you forgot to mention a KEY thing-- what day? you could likely go somewhere like Bubby's if you're getting hitched on a tuesday, but forget about it for saturday.
ReplyDeleteFat Radish is fun. Bar Bacaro does private dining. Or go cheap & crazy- Congee Village! Get a room & watch weird kareoke & make this brother in law squirm when he sees a bunch of asian vegetables.
I'm on the LES so somewhat biased in my restaurant choices, as you can see.
I love these outfits, and totally agree with esb about the brother inlaw...seriously
ReplyDeleteI got married at City Hall last November and after wards we all walked across the Brooklyn Bridge and had lunch at Bubby's in DUMBO. Its walkable and its huge - could fit a large group - and it has a beautiful view of the Manhattan and Brooklyn Bridges from the windows. There's a photo booth we used too. Its pancakes and BBQ and totally kid friendly.
ReplyDeletei went there with amanda when i was pregnant. i had a sip of her cocktail, and was sad that i couldn't have more. and yes, it is a lovely recommendation.
Deletenow I really wish I had gotten married in a pink suit
ReplyDelete1) NO SNEAKERS for that first outfit, the shoes and denim are counterbalancing each other perfectly; i got married at city hall in jeans in NYC (with black sandals and a vivienne tam top) and know these things.
ReplyDelete2) another vote for fat radish, the table in the back is perfect for you guys and the food situation should work for everyone.
Seconded on the sneaks.
DeleteThird.
DeleteI second the Bacaro recommendation and would also like to add reBar in Dumbo. My husband and I had our wedding reception there and it was amazing -- food, atmosphere, service, everything. Perfection.
ReplyDeleteAgain, though, which day of the week we're talking about here will come into play, reBar has lots of weddings on weekends these days.
And I also love the pink suit. I do have some weddings to attend this summer ...
Sh*t. Now I want to wear pink suit... and you have a point, why make a fuss about gay or not? Wear whatever you want!! (Although I'm still trying to convince my fiance that jeans aren't acceptable-come to think of it, do you do suggestions for guys outfits ESB?)
ReplyDeleteThe Carriage House at Palma! on Cornelia St. Wedding. Perfection.
ReplyDeleteWear white jeans and a hot tank.
I second the ReBar rec (DUMBO's my hood), but I think the place across the street from it, Superfine, would be even better. It has a similar casual/fun vibe, but I think they will be a little more 'kid' friendly (not in an obnoxious way... personally the thought of a 'kid-friendly' joint makes me shudder). Their food is delicious -- simple, seasonal, homemade, and local -- but still accessible to picky palates (kids, folks w/ allergies, cranky adults). Call in advance and tell them what the plan is, and they will help you out. I had a party there recently and it was an absolute blast.
ReplyDeleteI should add, though, that I fully support ESB's advice to 'let everyone else suffer' ... BUT if you choose not to do that, Superfine is a fun option.
Deleteesb is correct in advising you to pick a place that you two love. your picky eaters will still have fun i'm sure (and you might even open their minds a little to some great new flavahs!) they will be fine.
ReplyDeletehowever, food allergies are a different story. it's not their fault they can't eat what you're serving (unlike the picky eaters who are just being stubborn). i bet you can call the establishment ahead of time and give the heads up and see what can be done to prepare a special plate that is free of the allergenic ingredients.
as far as the clothes...ladies, i understand you both have a certain style carved out for yourselves already, but don't you want to feel special and beautiful on this very important day? please don't wear what you wear every day...go outside the box a little and find something that makes you grin and scream "omg i'm getting married dude!!" on the inside. if a blazer and jeans and sneakers does that then fine, but just make sure you feel awesome in it whatever it is.
If you are willing to go further into Brooklyn (via cab of course, its your wedding day) check out Roberta's in East Williamburg (Bushwick. They do incredible pizza, have a nice outdoor space if its nice and its a really fun place. Its 15 minutes away by cab and they do reservations for large groups. Have a super awesome wedding day!
ReplyDeleteOh and here is their website, http://www.robertaspizza.com/
Deleteroberta's is amazing, but it is always packed. i'm not sure how much it would cost to rent it out for a party, but it is definitely worth looking into. as for manhattan-- i recently went to a party at l'asso (it was mentioned above- the one i went to is their 2nd location in the east village)- the party was in the back room- super low-key (nice atmosphere & wear whatever you want), and as i remember there were lots of pizza options (including vegan).
ReplyDeleteOH GOD ROBERTA'S. I want to move 3000 miles to Brooklyn so I can eat at Roberta's every day.
DeleteThey have group lunch options and take reservations if you have at least 10 people. I cannot even begin to explain how much I love that place.
Thank you everyone for the suggestions! I feel MUCH more confident about our dining options. I LOVE LOVE ESB's suggestions for my fiance... I am going to try like hell to convince her to wear it. I am totally into the white jeans/hot tank and the pink suit.
ReplyDeleteWe are getting married in early May. I promise to document any and all advice taken. Thanks again.
You listen to the brothers-in-law that don't eat vegetables, why? My family doesn't listen to my cousin-in-law that won't eat them; we just call him nuts, and we're major meat people, think farmers that raise cows... for dinner.
ReplyDeleteODEON.
ReplyDeleteAlways perfect. Always cool.
I suggest these ladies kick it old school and hit up somewhere in Park Slope - I think Scottadito would be perfect, they have some lovely private and semi-private areas, and have a great brunch/lunch menu. Also, Fornino is equally huge and I think will be a hit with all. (And "food allergies" is nebulous. I am in the same boat - what are they allergic to? Gluten? Soy? Dairy? Seafood? Avocados? These are all ones that I've had to work around).
ReplyDeleteI live in brooklyn (and love) brooklyn but i wouldn't schlep 18 people from out of town to this side of the bridge.
ReplyDeleteI live in brooklyn (and love) brooklyn but I wouldn't schlep 18 people from out of town to the city.
Deletethat's a lot of brooklyn's for one comment
ReplyDeleteunrelated, but my lesbian neighbor gets so much fucking tail.
ReplyDeletethank you for sharing, gracie.
Deleteisn't she the best?
DeleteLOL
DeleteI went to an awesome wedding reception at Otto Enoteca, Mario Batali's pizzeria. It's downtown NY and the food was delicious. It sounds like pizza could encompass all your picky eaters.
ReplyDeleteFrankie's in Cobble Hill....it has a back garden and an old barn in the back for private events. Fabulous Italian and a cool, relaxed, rustic vibe (but still special.) Kids would be more than fine.
ReplyDeleteSome daring person needs to wear this to her wedding: http://www.reissonline.com/us/shop/womens/womens_new_arrivals/tyler/cream/
ReplyDeleteI would, but I'm short, and that just doesn't work.