I know this gets asked in different forms, but the specifics are killing me lately. I’ve got five of us meeting after work next Tuesday at 7 near Union Square—three adults, two older teens, one vegetarian, one person who won’t eat anything with tofu or mushrooms, and nobody wants to drop $70 a head. We don’t want a reservation because two people are coming from different offices and one may be late. I’ve tried walking into a few places after 6:30 before and gotten the “we can seat you by 8:30” brush-off, which is worse than just saying no.

I’m not looking for a hidden gem, but I do want: actual chairs, food that isn’t only small plates, noise level where we can have a conversation without leaning in, and not a Chipotle. Union Square Cafe’s bar can work for two but not five. Friend of a Farmer seems brunch-heavy and I’ve seen a line. I’m open to walking ten or twelve minutes—east towards Flatiron, west a bit—but not all the way to the East Village if the guest is running late.

Does Tuesday take some pressure off, or is this just a “put your name in and get a drink” situation and I should lower expectations? Any place that consistently fits a walk-in five at 7 on a random Tuesday? Also open to a good diner/coffeeshop with real entrees if the room is comfortable.

Tuesday is a lot easier than Thursday, but 7pm with five is still the worst walk-in size—four is easy, six is a party, five is awkward. I'd call ahead 30 minutes before you leave and don't mention walk-in, just ask if the waitlist is open. Tarallucci e Vino on 18th has put together a table for us around that time; it's not cheap but not insane, and the pizza/pasta gives the picky one an out. Westville is a good call if they're not slammed—veggie-heavy but not preachy. If you can go slightly early, like 6:45, it changes everything.

do places actually let you call ahead for a walk-in table? I'm new to doing group dinners here and got burned at a place on Park Ave South—I thought Tuesday would be fine, they told me 90 min. We ended up at a taco spot but it was all high tables. Following this because I need a backup too. Do any of the spots you guys mentioned have actual booths or is that asking too much?

DykerNewbie, some places will run a waitlist over the phone, but it's not the same as a hold. Flatbush_Fi is right that five is the awkward size, because most floors are set with two- and four-tops, and pushing tables together blocks the aisle. I’d skip Tarallucci e Vino for this group—the room is small and they'll give the table away if the late person isn't there.

My own suggestion would be The Smith near Madison Square Park if you want real chairs and enough menu for a vegetarian and a picky eater. Ask for the back room, because the front gets loud. Another option is Friend of a Farmer on Irving—it's not just brunch, but the kitchen can come out unevenly when they're full. If you're willing to walk over to 18th, Old Town Bar has actual booths, a real burger, and shouldn't be crazy on a Tuesday before 8.

The best move is to send one person at 6:30 to put your name in for five at 7; that way the late person isn't holding up the whole table.