Hi, I’m trying to plan a small birthday dinner for Saturday and I keep going in circles on OpenTable. We’ll be six people, two don’t drink at all, and one person really can’t handle loud rooms. I’d love something in Park Slope or Prospect Heights, nice but not fancy, table service, and not so loud that we have to lean across the table. I’m new to booking group dinners here—usually I’m just a counter-order person. What’s actually good right now, and do I need to call instead of using an app?

I’m following this because I planned a four-person dinner last month in Carroll Gardens and definitely got it wrong. The place looked quiet in photos, but the music was loud and the only nonalcoholic option was lemonade with mint, which one friend just stirred around and didn’t drink. Do most places in the Slope take reservations for six, or is it walk-in only at the smaller ones? Sorry if that’s a basic question, I’m still learning how Saturday service works here.

I’ve been doing group dinners in this area for years, and the main thing is to avoid any place where the bar is the center of the room or the ceilings are low and tin. For your situation, I’d look at maybe three:

• Miriam on Fifth Avenue has a back dining area that’s much quieter than the front window section. They take reservations, the Mediterranean menu is broad enough for six people, and they do a fresh mint lemonade and hot mint tea. You can ask to be seated toward the back room, not the bar wall.
• Palo Santo on Union Street is another good option if you want pan-Latin food. It’s small, so a six-top fills a good part of the room, but the music is kept low and there’s no TV. The fruit drinks are not too sweet, and the staff is used to slow dinners.
• Fonda on Seventh Avenue is fun, but I’d only book it for the first seating, around 6 or 6:15 p.m. It gets very loud by 7:30. The agua frescas are solid, especially if they have a cucumber version, and they can do a large table if you call. Saturday is the hardest night. If you want an 8 p.m. table, I’d steer you toward Miriam or somewhere with booths. If you’re okay with early, you’ll get better acoustics and more patience from the kitchen. One caveat: always mention the two non-drinkers and the noise concern when you reserve. Hosts are better about placing you well when they know in advance.

pam is right about Miriam. I’m usually up here, but I dated someone in South Slope and that back room was the move. Fonda is great until about 7:15, then it’s a straight-up scream-fest. I’ll also throw in Krupa Grocery if you’re open to South Slope—it’s low-key, they’ll do a six top if you call, and they won’t rush you out. It’s not a big NA cocktail program though, so if the non-drinkers want more than sparkling water, go with miriam.

Okay wait, I am so glad someone asked this! The non-sweet NA thing is the real issue. A lot of spots will do a true no-ABV cocktail if you ask the bartender directly, not just the server. Have you tried asking for a preserved lemon and tonic with a pinch of salt? It sounds weird, but it’s super dry. At Miriam they’ll usually do something with orange peel and mint tea if you explain you don’t want sugar. Also, first seating is not weird at all—it’s the only way to get the quiet room before the crush. Does anyone in your group like bitter stuff? If yes, ask for unsweetened grapefruit with seltzer. But skip bitters, because some really do have alcohol. Please report back!

I'll keep it a buck: for six on a Saturday, don't overthink the 'cute' room. Pick an old-school Italian or Mediterranean spot where the booths absorb sound. Convivium Osteria on Fifth? It's quiet enough in the back if you call. The service can be slow, but for a birthday that's not a bug, it's a feature. Patti Ann's is a little far but solid for group. As for non-drinkers, sometimes an espresso and a cheese plate beats a fake cocktail, especially if they don't like sweet. Just make sure they don't put you by the door.

Flatbush checking in. Miriam is the answer if you can get the back table. I did a six-top there last winter and we actually talked, not shouted. It’s tight but works. Make sure you get the host to confirm the back room, because the front bar area is a different vibe. For the sober friends, the mint lemonade is good but yeah, it’s on the sweet side. If they like fish, ask about the branzino special; it’s usually simple and not heavy. Palo Santo also a yes if you want more pan-Latin and nobody in the group is too picky.

Okay this is so helpful, thank you. I was definitely overthinking it and probably would’ve just picked a place with a big bar and hoped for the best. I called Miriam and they said they have a back table open at 6:15, but now I’m torn because Fonda sounds fun but too loud for us once it gets busy. Is 6:15 weird for a birthday dinner? We usually eat at 8 but two of us will be starving by then. Also, one of the non-drinking friends doesn’t like sweet drinks—can I really ask for something not on the menu, or is that annoying?

Not weird at all. On a Saturday in Park Slope, 6:15 is the sweet spot for a group with noise concerns. You’ll be seated before the kitchen is slammed, and you can stay a while. If you wanted an 8 p.m. table, I’d choose the quiet back room at Miriam over Fonda anyway.

And yes, you can absolutely ask for a no-ABV drink that isn’t on the menu, but the wording matters. Instead of asking for a mocktail menu, tell the server: one friend avoids alcohol and doesn’t like sweet drinks, can the bar do something dry with citrus, cucumber, or tea? Ask them to skip bitters unless you know the bottle is nonalcoholic—many bitters have alcohol. At Miriam, a hot mint tea poured over ice with club soda and a lemon peel is a good dry move. If Fonda still appeals, call and ask for a first seating, and see if they can do a cucumber or jamaica agua fresca without added sugar. The early reservation is your best tool.

Yes yes yes. 6:15 is the pro move, not the sad earlybird move. If you get the back table at Miriam, keep it. Ask for the hot mint tea over ice with orange peel and a tiny pinch of salt—it’s so much better than lemonade. And if the kitchen is chatty, ask them not to seat you by the pass through the window into the back. I know that’s super specific but it matters! After dinner, walk over to Prospect Park for the sunset/dog parade if the weather’s decent. Have the best time, and please come back and tell us whether the back table actually stayed quiet enough. I’m saving this thread for my own group birthday.