Best Restaurants for Birthdays in East Village

My friends and I recently attended an amazing pasta-making class at Aunt Jake’s with the incredible Chef Anthony, and it was such a fun and memorable experience! Chef Anthony not only taught us how to make pasta from scratch but also kept the whole class laughing throughout. His humor was the perfect touch, making the learning process even more enjoyable. He had everyone smiling as he shared tips, tricks, and a few hilarious stories from his time in the kitchen. The hands-on part of the class was a blast! We learned how to make pasta dough, roll it out, and shape it into beautiful creations. Chef Anthony’s clear instructions and funny anecdotes made it feel effortless, even for us beginners. We also ordered separate dishes, which were delicious, and got to take home the pasta we made to cook later. The pasta, drinks, and dessert we enjoyed at the end of the class were the perfect reward for all our hard work. The warm, welcoming atmosphere at Aunt Jake’s, combined with Chef Anthony’s lively personality, created an unforgettable evening. If you’re looking for a fun night out that’s both entertaining and educational, I can’t recommend this class enough. Chef Anthony’s humor and expert guidance made the experience even more enjoyable.

Grilled Octopus was delicious and so was the bruschetta on crusty bread. Our table had Salmon, snapper Steak,and veal Milanese, Chicken Milanese - All Were great We felt a little rushed on a Sundayafternoon after Christmas because we had asked the waiter to delay our entrees because we had some appetizers to finish Other than that —everything was great Highly recommend the chocolate mouse and chocolate layer cake for dessert. The restaurant was decorated with pretty holiday decorations

I rarely write reviews but wanted to share this. This is a restaurant primarily attractive to a young crowd eager for the drink special in the prix fixe menu. When we arrived (7 months pregnant and two kids under 10) they immediately worked to seat us quickly, then dispensed with the prix fixe because it didn’t make sense for us since 3 out of 4 of us couldn’t drink. Love the thoughtfulness. Food came out quickly, hot, kid friendly pasta options without insane portions. Great option.

I'd heard good things about Hawksmoor, and it didn't disappoint. Although the server got off to a rocky start with a rattled-off, rushed list of offerings, the food was stellar and arrived in a timely fashion. We tried raw oysters, which were pristinely shucked, scallops on the half shell, caesar salad, and sourdough bread before digging into the mains. A rib chop that was succulent and tender alongside a porterhouse, seared to perfection, was devoured alongside lobster mac 'n cheese, spinach, mashed potatoes and Brussels sprouts. Everything was delicious, and the elegant room makes a grand backdrop for feasting.

The food was very good. Delicious PEI Pink moon oysters and other great selections. Hamachi crudo was great and I love the idea of local fresh ingredients. I’m glad we came- the halibut was a little too hard on the outside for me but the inside was nicely cooked. Brussels and potato purée were simply delicious. The brûlée cheesecake and cappuccino to finish helped power the 20 block walk home! It’s up there with the best of the restaurants I’ve been to. Prices were a little high but that’s what you expect in NYC.