Recommendations for: Graduation Dinner in NYC

Mid May is a time of celebration for the high school and college crowds. Finals are coming to an end and graduates are busting out their cap and gown. Oh yes - it's graduation time in the N-Y-C. Exciting, yet scary at the same time. The best way to celebrate and ease the post-grad anxiety is of course, over a scrumptious meal. Whether you're looking for something casual or fancy, below are some delicious options that are sure to be crowd pleasers for your friends and fam:

Yummy pizza for the table!

Rubirosa 235 Mulberry Street nr. Prince St.  NYU grads, we know you've already tried calling Otto with no luck. Probably because it's just so conveniently located. Yes, that's correct, but have you tried Rubirosa? It's probably one of my favorite spots for pizza, lasagna, antipasti, you name it. It's about a ten minute walk from campus, but trust me it's worth every step. They offer a family-style Italiano menu and for $30 per person (excluding tip, tax and booze), you'll get 5 different apps including meatballs that are better than my grandma can make, two different types of pasta, three different pizzas and I can't even get started on dessert - I'm getting too hungry!

wEE recommend asking for the large table in the back!

Atlantic Grill 1341 Third Avenue nr. 77th St.  Family dinners to me mean trying to accommodate my vegan cousin, my Grandma that only eats salmon, and my brother that eats sushi for breakfast, lunch and dinner. That's why Atlantic Grill is perfect for the occasion.  They serve every type of fish in the ocean, including a full-fledged raw bar, meaty options for the carnivores in the group and a wood-burning grill that just makes everything taste better.

wEE recommend starting with the Atlantic Grill crunchy spicy tuna roll.

Community Food & Juice 2893 Broadway nr. 113th St.  Farm to table has become the new trend, and this place started it!  It sounds super healthy, and it is, but only because they only use the freshest ingredients sourced from local farms.  The menu is seasonally driven down to their cocktails - a crowd pleaser for one and all.

wEE recommend starting with the Community Food & Juice grilled heritage lamb chops: with fresh shelled peas, parsnip puree, rosemary baby carrots, and fresh mint sauce.

Imperial No. Nine 9 Crosby Street nr. Grand St.  This restaurant fits the bill if you're looking for great food in a very fun, trendy atmosphere.  Located in the Mondrian hotel, it'll feel like a special night.  Before dinner, enjoy drinks at their bar and continue the party in the main dining room that looks like a beautifully decorated greenhouse!

wEE recommend sitting in the garden room.

Telepan 72 W. 69th Street nr. Columbus Ave.  If your family is as picky as mine, this restaurant will please everyone. It's located in a charming, understated yet very elegant townhouse on the Upper West Side.  Bill Telepan is a legend among NYC chefs for many reasons, but his local, farm-to-table dishes are really something to talk about.

wEE recommend the four course tasting menu for $69 (dependent on entire table participation).

DBGB Kitchen & Bar 299 Bowery nr. Houston St. I could honestly recommend all of Daniel Boulud's restaurants as being fit for a graduation dinner, but DBGB stands out as the perfect place for such an occasion.  However, it's probably not the best place for the vegan graduate, but if you are a meat lover, this is the place for you. They offer 14 varieties of sausage and words can't describe how insanely yummy the Boulud burgers are. For dessert, enjoy one of their ice cream sundaes.

wEE recommend the menage a trois: three DBGB burgers with the works - perfect for the indecisive foodie that wants to try everything! 

Ask to sit in the Macondo green room!

Macondo 157 E. Houston nr. Allen St.  Family gone and want to celebrate with friends?  Choose from a variety of Macondo's yummy Spanish tapas and cocktails. They offer a group rate - 10 people for $280 or 15 people for $420 ($28 per person!).

wEE recommend their specialty drink, pouron.