Vinegar Hill House
For an eclectic group of up to 90 guests, this Brooklyn sweet spot offers a moody, candlelit interior and a quaint backyard for patrons to spill out into during warmer weather. The off-the-grid eatery’s seasonal menu has featured delicacies like octopus risotto, duck-liver mousse, and Red Wattle pork chops. Per guest, $90, brunch; $125, dinner. 72 Hudson Ave., nr. Water St., Vinegar Hill; 718-522-1018; vinegarhillhouse.com.
Riverpark
Tom Colicchio and Sisha Ortúzar’s farm-to-table riverside gem accommodates as many as 575 guests for cocktails and 300 for dinner. You may choose from three dining rooms, a lovely terrace, or The Farm, a 15,000-square-foot area adjacent to the restaurant. There’s also The Cube, a glass structure with its own outdoor patio, boasting panoramic views. Prices vary. 450 E. 29th St., nr. First Ave.; 212-729-9790; riverparknyc.com.
Daniel
For the most formal of culinary experiences, Daniel Boulud’s Daniel is as good as it gets. Guests can dine on haute French food in the main dining room (capacity 140) or the private Bellecour Room (up to 90). The wedding cakes are custom-created by pastry chef Sandro Micheli, named one of the country’s top ten by Dessert Professional. Guests are also served madeleines and petit fours. Per guest, from $84, lunch; from $140, dinner. 60 E. 65th St., nr. Park Ave.; 212-288-0033; danielnyc.com.
ABC Kitchen
Chefs Jean-Georges Vongerichten and Dan Kluger specialize in locally sourced, organic dishes for up to 140 guests. The spot’s handmade ceramic dinnerware, recycled wood tables, and painted mirrors complement the menu. Prices start at $20,000 (day) and $60,000 (evening). 35 E. 18th St., at Broadway; 212-475-5829; abckitchennyc.com.
Frankies 457 Spuntino
A converted blacksmith’s stable tucked behind the restaurant stands in as the perfect country setting for an untraditional city affair. Guests can retreat to roomy tables to sip prosecco and enjoy platters of mouth-watering, housemade Italian specialties. Capacity is 75. Prices start at $60 per guest, lunch; $85, dinner. 457 Court St., nr. Luquer St., Carroll Gardens; 718-403-0033; frankiesspuntino.com.
Eleven Madison Park
Find out why Daniel Humm, a James Beard Foundation Chef of the Year, has racked up three Michelin stars. His innovative dishes include black bass with lemongrass, cucumber, and coconut. The restaurant is nestled in a landmark 1920s Art Deco building with views of Madison Square Park. Capacity is 50. Prices start at $195 per guest for 16 courses. 11 Madison Ave., at 24th St.; 212-889-0905; elevenmadisonpark.com.
Gramercy Tavern
If you’re on the hunt for an intimate space that serves about 20 of your food-obsessed family and friends, look no further than Gramercy Tavern, Danny Meyer’s quintessentially New York restaurant. Indulge in a seasonal menu; recent dishes have included sweet-pea custard and Arctic char with spinach, ramps, and radishes. Prices start at $65 per guest, lunch; $130, dinner. 42 E. 20th St., nr. Park Ave.; 212-477-0777; gramercytavern.com.
Mable’s Smokehouse
This kicked-back joint, with a horseshoe bar and wagon-wheel chandeliers, is the real deal for Southern comfort. Meat is smoked for fourteen hours, and recipes come from the owner’s grandmother Mable. Instead of wedding cake, serve pie—peanut butter, strawberry, key lime, and pecan. Capacity is 100. Prices start at $5,000, evening; $9,500, weekend. 44 Berry St., at N. 11th St.; Williamsburg; 718-218-6655; mablessmokehouse.com.