The Citiblog

Photo: Dagon

Dagon (2454 Broadway, 212-873-2466)

Located on 91st Street and Broadway, Dagon is different in the best way possible - set in a mod, 70's centric atmosphere with glazed Moroccan tiled floors, a wood slatted ceiling, and a central buzzy bar – the restaurant’s atmosphere is truly la dolce vita Tel Aviv style (decorated seasonally of course). The private dining area, set in the back of the restaurant, overlooks the main dining room and can seat up to 20 people. For private events, Chef Ari Bokovza brings youthfully global dishes to the table via a prix fixe menu, sticking within the soul of Levantine food, while finding fun ways to incorporate seasonality. To work with the team on a private party, inquiries can be directed to dagonnyc@gmail.com.

Aquavit (65 East 55th Street, 212-307-7311)

Located in the heart of midtown, the two-Michelin star restaurant Aquavit offers private dining rooms perfect for private holiday gatherings. There are three spaces to choose from: The Linné Salon that seats up to 32 guests, and the Nobel Room that seats up to 80, both located beyond the bar and lounge and featuring their own dedicated kitchen. Aquavit’s Bar Lounge can seat an intimate group of up to 12 guests or 20 for standing in a semi-private setting. The Scandinavian aesthetic of the restaurant provides the perfect backdrop for a variety of events. Guests can enjoy banquet menus with a Scandinavian fare by Chef Emma Bengtsson. Guests can call Aquavit’s Private Dining department at 212-957-9045 or email events@aquavit.org for inquiries.

Photo: Osteria La Baia

Osteria La Baia (129 West 52 Street, NYC, 917-671-9898)

Osteria La Baia is a brand new stylish dining destination bustling with action. Their menu includes antipasti, salumi, crudo, pizze, and secondi plates, capturing the beauty and range of complex flavors from regions along the coast of Italy. With a flair of casual elegance, the space provides multiple spots to host private events including Il Salone (The Lounge), their communal table Tavolo Comune, Il Mediterraneo in the main dining area, and their sectioned off private dining room La Festa (The Feast) which accommodates 30 guests seated and up to 40 standing - all offering an inviting atmosphere ideal to enjoy with both friends and family. Private event inquiries can be made through the contact form on their website linked here and a photo of the space can be found here.

Carmine’s (Times Square: 200 West 44th Street, 212-221-3800, Upper West Side: 2450 Broadway, 212-362-2200)

Carmine's iconic Times Square restaurant offers the Jimmy Durante Room, a private dining room that seats up to 200 and can accommodate cocktail receptions of up to 175. Located on the second level of the restaurant, it has its own private entrance, bar, restrooms, and coat check. A variety of semi-private dining options are also offered, ideal for groups of 20 to 60 guests including the Perry Como Space (28 seated), Tony Bennet (36 seated), and Tetrazzini Space (58 seated).

On the Upper West Side, the original Carmine’s restaurant features the Bellini room, an intimate private dining room that seats up to 42 and comes equipped with complimentary A/V equipment. Semi-private areas include the Alcova, seating up to 50. Both restaurants are also available for full buyout.

Photo: Market Table

Market Table (54 Carmine Street, 212-255-2100)

Another of Chef Mike Price’s concepts, Market Table offers an intimate private dining room hidden below the bustling, market-driven restaurant. Formerly a wine cellar, the room’s vaulted ceilings are warmly lit by candlelight, creating a welcoming atmosphere for any special event, especially around the holidays. The PDR can comfortably accommodate 20 guests for a seated brunch, lunch, dinner, or cocktail party. Guests have access to a dedicated service team, their own bar, chalkboard wall, private washroom, and their own sound system - just a few of the amenities that help create a truly memorable experience at Market Table. Event inquiries can be directed to events@markettablenyc.com.

Portale (126 West 18th Street, 917-781-0255)

In the heart of Chelsea, Portale offers the Etna Room, a private dining room located on the second floor of the restaurant, easily accessible by elevator or the restaurant's main stairwell. The space is completely independent from the main dining room so guests have full control over the built-in speaker system as well as temperature control and light settings. The room accommodates up to 36 guests for a seated event and up to 45 guests for a standing reception. Portale also offers semi-private events in its main dining room and full or partial restaurant and outdoor patio buyouts. For Private Event inquiries, reservations@portalerestaurant.com.

Photo: Socarrat

Socarrat Paella Bar (Locations in Chelsea, Midtown East and Nolita, socarratnyc.com)

Classic Spanish dishes are meant to bring people together and with three locations in NYC, Socarrat Paella Bar offers multiple options for meetings, holiday parties, rehearsal dinners, and other special events. Socarrat's Midtown East location offers a private dining room that seats up to 25 guests, or guests can rent out the entire floor seating up to 65. The Chelsea outpost can accommodate up to 50 people for dinner in its Andalusian-inspired backyard patio. Socarrat Nolita offers seating for up to 16 people in its street-side outdoor tables. For all parties of 10 or more, the restaurant offers several family-style menu options including their signature Paellas and various tapas; menu choices are pre-selected by the guest prior to dining. Guests can inquire via email events@socarratnyc.com or on their online form.

The Mary Lane (99 Bank Street, 212-597-9099, themarylanenyc.com)

Chef Mike Price’s newest addition to the Blackfoot Hospitality group (known for the Little Owl, The Clam, and Market Table, The Mary Lane is set in the heart of the West Village. Featuring a bright, airy main dining room surrounded by floor to ceiling windows, the restaurant offers a completely separate 20-seat private dining room downstairs. Opening up to an interactive mural by artist Steven Fragale, the PDR can be curated by Blackfoot’s events team with a custom menu created by Chef Mike and Chef de Cuisine Andrew Sutin—representing the fresh, seasonal American fare they’re known for. Guests can book via email events@themarylanenyc.com.

Happy Holidays!