Hi all—first post here, so be gentle. We’re doing my aunt’s 60th on a Sunday, probably 5:00 or so, in the Bay Ridge/Dyker Heights area. She’s vegan and pretty careful, but not preachy. My uncle is the opposite: meat and potatoes, hates overly fussy food. Eight people including my toddler nephew, who needs space for a stroller and maybe a quick exit if things go sideways. I’m not from the neighborhood originally, so I don’t know which places are actually comfortable sit-down spots versus places that want you out in 45 minutes. I’d love somewhere not crazy loud. Budget is normal restaurant prices, nothing fancy. Any go-to recs?

Tanoreen on 3rd Ave has covered this exact mixed group for me more than once. It’s Middle Eastern, so the vegan side is built into the menu—mezze, mujadara, cauliflower, etc.—and your uncle can get lamb or chicken without it being a steakhouse thing. It’s nice but not stuffy. Book ahead for Sunday 5, especially with a big group; it fills with the early family crowd. Ask for a booth or the front room, not the high-tops by the bar. If your aunt is strict about shared fryers, mention it on the phone. The staff there usually knows what’s up. Mike’s is fine but more diner-ish for a 60th.

Co-sign Tanoreen. Don’t sleep on the fact that a lot of old-school Bay Ridge places will say “vegan” but then cook stuff in butter or chicken stock, especially the red-sauce joints. If your aunt is the careful type, call and say “strict vegan, no shared grill/fryer,” not just “plant-based” because everyone thinks that’s a preference not an allergy. For 5 p.m. Sunday you’ll beat the worst of it, but some spots still treat the early seating as pre-dinner rush and might rush you after 7. If you’re not doing a cake, Tanoreen can do a little fruit or something if you ask. The toddler will be fine; it’s not a white-tablecloth place.

Gowanus_G is spot on. My cousin got a “vegan pasta” once down there and it arrived with parmesan already on it. I’d avoid the old-school Italian places unless the aunt is okay with marinara and plain salad. For a 60th, Tanoreen all day. If you want backup, maybe check Ponte Vecchio for the uncle’s steak and see if they’ll do dairy-free pasta; it’s quieter before 6. But I wouldn’t bank on it for strict vegan. DykerNewbie, does the aunt eat at Mediterranean/Middle Eastern spots already, or is this new territory? That might change whether she’s comfortable with the big shared mezze thing.

I’m uptown, but I ended up in Bay Ridge for a baptism lunch once. We had good luck at a place called Gino’s on 20th Ave, though that was years ago; they were accommodating for a dairy-free kid, not sure about full vegan. For a 60th, I’d still do Tanoreen. One thing: Sunday 5 in those neighborhoods can also catch the post-church crowd, so it won’t be empty. Make a reservation, ask for a table not against the window if the toddler is loud. DykerNewbie, is 5:00 because of the little one? If the aunt hates eating late, that’s another reason to keep it early and avoid places that turn over tables at 7.

Thanks, this is all super helpful. I honestly didn’t know the shared fryer/butter question was the thing to ask—I would’ve just said “one vegan,” and she would’ve ended up with lettuce and a sad roll. I’ll call Tanoreen and be specific. Another question: @MurrayHill_M, you mentioned Mike’s—do you mean the diner on 3rd? I’ve walked past but never gone in. Is it worth keeping as a backup or is it more of a late-night fork-and-napkin situation? @HamiltonHeights_H, yes, 5 is partly toddler witching hour and partly my aunt doesn’t like eating after 7. I’ll ask for a booth. Also this is my first time trying to book for a group this size, so if there’s a trick to not getting squeezed near the kitchen, tell me.

Yep, Mike’s is the diner—good for eggs and a quick bite, but I would not use it for a 60th unless the whole thing falls through and you need a backup. Better backup would be Elegante if you can deal with pizza/pasta and your aunt can get a plain marinara situation. But Tanoreen should handle it. When you call, don’t just ask for “not near kitchen”; ask for a corner booth or the room to the left of the entrance. With a group of eight plus a stroller, they’ll usually note it. You’ll be fine. Let us know how the cake/fruit thing works out.