Looking for a Thursday-night spot for my in-laws’ 30th anniversary. Six of us, 6:15 reservation, need to catch an 8:48 Metro-North from Grand Central. The constraints: sister-in-law is vegan, father-in-law won’t touch seafood (not an allergy, just a firm no), and my mother-in-law wants “nice but not fussy”—no white tablecloths, no tasting menus, no scene.

My current short list:

• Parker & Quinn: separate vegan menu, comfortable for groups, but the room can get loud and it’s borderline hotel-lobby energy.
• Osteria Laguna on 46th: I’ve had a good risotto there and they take larger tables, but service has been uneven.
• Sakagura: I love it, but it’s an izakaya, so seafood is central. They do have chicken, tofu, and vegetable dishes, but I’d be worried the non-seafood guest would feel sidelined.

Has anyone had a good experience with Le Bonne Soupe for more than four people? I remember the dining room being narrow. Also curious about Mitr Thai. I want something that won’t feel like we’re being shuffled out before the train, but also won’t have us stressed about the clock.

Oh nice, we had a similar thing with visiting family. We ended up at La Pecora Bianca near Bryant Park. They had vegan meatballs and regular Italian for everyone else. It does get loud, but the food came out quick. Is Osteria Laguna better for a special occasion? I’ve walked by but never gone in.

Following this one. Anyone know if any of these places have gluten-free pasta? My cousin is vegan and gluten-free and we always end up at Bareburger because it’s easy. Six people with two dietary things is hard.

Don’t do Cafe China with six at 6:15 unless you enjoy standing in a stairwell with your coat. I’d skip the old-school Midtown spots too. If you can walk a few blocks, Mitr Thai on 46th does solid vegan curries, no seafood problem, and they’ll push tables together for a group. Not fancy, but it works for a family thing.

Good call on Mitr Thai, I’d forgotten it. Cafe China moved, but it’s still over by 37th? Either way, not the fit here. To answer a few: La Pecora Bianca’s vegan options are fine, but for an anniversary I find the noise level unpredictable. Osteria Laguna does have gluten-free penne, but call ahead because the kitchen can get iffy. Sakagura is probably too seafood-centric for my father-in-law, even though they do tofu and chicken. Le Bonne Soupe is charming but tight for six. I think we’re down to Parker & Quinn or Mitr Thai. The train timing is making me lean toward Mitr Thai, but I’m worried it won’t feel special enough for a 30th anniversary.

My mom is vegetarian and we’re doing my dad’s retirement dinner near Grand Central next month, so I’m saving this thread. Is Parker & Quinn actually good with dietary restrictions? The menu online looks heavy. Also do they rush you if they know you have a train? We always feel rushed in Midtown.

I did a small birthday dinner at Montmartre on 51st? They were really kind about dairy and made a nice vegetable plate. It’s French and maybe not as big, but with a reservation it might work. Anyone tried Sinigual? I walked past and it smelled amazing but never went in.

Skip Grand Central Oyster Bar if no seafood, obviously, but you knew that. I’d co-sign Mitr Thai. They bring spice trays and don’t blink at modifications. Sinigual is fine but more of a business-crowd margarita spot. For a group anniversary, the back room at Parker & Quinn is easier; just tell them about the 8:48 and they’ll pace it.

Yeah, Parker & Quinn won’t rush you if you tell them you have an 8:48 train, but get the 6:15 res and don’t linger. Mitr Thai is faster and cheaper, but less ‘anniversary’ if that matters. Depends how much you want to impress the in-laws.