Celebratory *Non-Noisy* Place for Holiday Dinner

This is similar to earthlydesire's query about the 40th Anniversary dinner, except I'm adding the criterion of "non-deafening" and I don't want to hijack that thread in order to do so.

We're going to be a table of 8, which means that for all of us to hear all of us, the ambient decibel level in the restaurant has to be sane. Places that came up in the 40th Anniv. thread that I know from experience are in this category are Sepia and North Pond. On the other hand, MK also came up in that thread, and while I've loved MK as part of a party of 4, I fear that with the greater distances conversation needs to traverse with a party of 8, the ambient noise level in that restaurant will present a challenge to our group of sixty-somethings.

Given that the difference between deafening and reasonable ambient noise may be in the ear of the beholder, but nevertheless trusting that most people's common sense can distinguish places that are really noisy from places that aren't, what are some other suggestions for a nice, festive holiday dinner at the Sepia/North Pond/MK level that will allow us to hear each other?

I hate noisy restaurants, and I'm usually quite aware of noise levels.

Within the past year or two, I've eaten at all three of the places you mention - North Pond, MK, and Sepia - and I don't consider any of them particularly noisy. I would add Naha, Intro, Acadia, and NoMI Kitchen for your consideration. All of these are at that same level. If you don't mind spending quite a bit more and (with the exception of Oriole) getting dressed up, consider Everest, Tru, Oriole, Sixteen, and Grace as well.

Another option is to buy an entire seating at 42 Grams. The seating at 42 Grams consists of eight seats at the counter facing the kitchen prep area, and a dining table that seats a maximum of ten. At any given seating, they only serve one, i.e. either the counter or the table, not both at the same time. So you'll have the place to yourself. OTOH because of the procession of courses, the experience there is very food-focused, not necessarily a place for a leisurely conversation among friends. Definitely worthy of mention, because the food is superb, and there aren't many places where you can have the entire place to your group.

Two tips, regardless of where you go. An early seating time (e.g. 5:00/5:30) may mean that the restaurant is fairly empty (and quiet) for at least the first part of your meal. And when you make your reservation, you might request a preference for seating at a table that is usually a quieter area. (Some restaurants may even have a small private room of a perfect size for your group.)

Also worth considering - if you are trying to have conversations with the entire table of 8 participating YOU are going to be that noisy table of people shouting at each other that we all hate

leek wrote:Also worth considering - if you are trying to have conversations with the entire table of 8 participating YOU are going to be that noisy table of people shouting at each other that we all hate

Perhaps you meant this tongue in cheek, but my experience has been that restaurants that give proper attention to noise abatement can accommodate parties of 8 (who all want to hear each other) without creating noise problems for other tables. (With the obvious exception of tables who have been "overserved," whom we all find annoying--but I trust you're not talking about that.)

This gets at the fact that there is a Goldilocks-just-right--or golden mean--when it comes to noise in restaurants. You don't necessarily want a hushed environment all around you, because you'll become painfully aware that everyone else in the restaurant is able to listen in on everything you're saying; while on the other hand you want to be able to hear the people at your own table above the din. There are restaurants that get it right.