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Help Me w/ Husband's Bday Gift?

Jaytee501Jaytee501
1000 Comments Combo Breaker
in New Jersey
I do feel a little lame, asking for input or suggestions when it should be such a simple thing but so be it.

Situation:
His birthday is June 10th.
$200 is the max- and a stretch for me right now- that I can spend* (*yes, I realize the $$ is not the most important factor...I could have a picnic for nearly free but I'll probably do something like that, too)
Loves Yankees but I can't get 2 decent seats to a game I'd want to see, too (like vs. the Sox), not that he'd have to go with ME...but also, his friends sometimes get tix through work).
No more cufflinks, ties, shirts as he'll likely be in a more casual environment by Sept.
No more jewelry because I'm scared he's leaning towards the Mr. T. look lately.
Loves cooking & grilling, just bought a grill & all the accessories.
Loves golf, just bought himself new clubs.

I thought of surprising him & taking him to one of Bobby Flay's restaurants in NYC (he likes Flay) for dinner, not a lunch, but I think with drinks & ordering "happily" I'm over $200 & nearing $300.
 
I know there are less $$ restaurants but we do go out a lot; if I go with that idea, I wanted it to be different & a bit novel.

If you're bored enough, I"d welcome suggestions!
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Re: Help Me w/ Husband's Bday Gift?

  • rlb81rlb81
    500 Comments
    edited December 2011
    If he loves grilling, how about an Omaha steak package?
    http://www.omahasteaks.com/servlet/OnlineShopping?Dsp=1

    I agree that a Bobby Flay restaurant will definitely exceed $200- and TBH you're really just paying for the name. There are plenty of great steakhouses in NYC but after drinks and ordering "happily" and including tip it can get expensive.

    So why not incorporate a steak house w/ his love of grilling... and throw in a nice bottle of wine and enjoy a night at home?
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  • smw42smw42 member
    2500 Comments Combo Breaker
    edited December 2011
    If he's into TV chef stars- we've gone to Becco many many times and loved it. It's Lidia Bastianich's restaurant (from PBS).

    http://www.becco-nyc.com/

    Every bottle of wine is $25 and you can do an ulimited pasta for $23. The place is fantastic and very nice. If you do try to get reservations they almost never have any available on open table, you're better off calling or just showing up. We've never had to wait for a table very long or been turned away.

    So my suggestion would be to go to a place like that and then get him a smaller gift. I just don't see spending your whole budget on dinner but my FI always disagrees with me on that idea so you know your husband best!
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  • peaches85peaches85
    2500 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Not sure if you'd be interested, but last year I suprised FI in the city (he works there) and took him to dinner at Dopo Teatro Trattoria (delicious and AMAZING chocolate mousse cake... they sang for him) and then to see Rock of Ages on Broadway (AWESOME show if you or FI like old school 80's rock hits). - http://www.rockofagesmusical.com/broadway.php
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  • peaches85peaches85
    2500 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Omaha Steaks package is a great idea too!  Got one for my uncle for Christmas and he said it was amazing!

    Oh!  And with that you could get him a personalized steak iron! 
    Something like these:
    - http://www.williams-sonoma.com/products/monogram-forged-steak-brand/?pkey=x|4|1||4|branding%20iron||0&cm_src=SCH

    - http://www.steakbrandingirons.com/
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  • smw42smw42 member
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    edited December 2011
    What about a brazilian steakhouse? Those are fun.
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  • Jaytee501Jaytee501
    1000 Comments Combo Breaker
    edited December 2011
    I know Bobby Flay would be for the name; just to say he'd been & tried it. It is, however, a bit much at the moment.

    Omaha Steaks is a good idea but DH LOVES going out, too...

    & he's the type to appreciate an experience rather than experience + (in MY case) whatever material trinket (& trust me, it'd be a trinket! lol) I could give so I'm not opposed this time to spending the $$ all on...

    some sort of experience.

    Hmmm.
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  • rlb81rlb81
    500 Comments
    edited December 2011
    In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_new-jersey_w-husbands-bday-gift?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local Wedding BoardsForum:90Discussion:9e4db83e-5722-47cf-a614-011a904b8c47Post:e749a055-c81c-4368-a8a2-d12f3e054b57">Re: Help Me w/ Husband's Bday Gift?</a>:
    [QUOTE]What about a brazilian steakhouse? Those are fun.
    Posted by smw42[/QUOTE]
    Like a rodizio?! LOVE those... and if your husband is a meat eater I'm sure he'll love it. Haven't been there in years, but the Mediterranean Manor in Newark was delicious for rodizio... my favorite was always the bacon wrapped fliet mignon ::drooling:: haha.
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  • uppereastgirluppereastgirl member
    2500 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Would he enjoy cooking classes?  I bet you could find one that would be more grilling-based.

    Wine tasting classes?  A brewery tour?  A NYC food tour?
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  • smw42smw42 member
    2500 Comments Combo Breaker
    edited December 2011
    Yeah, I meant Rodizio as the Brazilian steakhouse- it is definitely an experience if that's what you're going for!

    http://www.churrascariaplataforma.com/

    I've been to this one and it was always fantastic. We usually go mid-afternoon.
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  • maddie7maddie7 member
    500 Comments
    edited December 2011
    http://www.classicthyme.com/privatecookingparties.html

    Go cook a meal together here, its romantic!
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  • Jaytee501Jaytee501
    1000 Comments Combo Breaker
    edited December 2011
    We do sometimes go to Newark for Rodizio :)

    The suggestions are great- I admit the steak iron is adorable & something he'd get a kick out of~

    *uppereast*~ I think you've got it.  Why can I no longer think creatively?
    We live an easy enough drive into the city or park in Hoboken & go in carless, which I prefer.

    Any NJ or NYC suggestions for a (one-time) cooking class, wine tasting or food tour?? :) Anyone??
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  • mrs.ammamrs.amma member
    Sixth Anniversary 500 Comments Combo Breaker
    edited December 2011

    I don't know if you ever watch Man vs Food on the Travel channel, but they did an episode in Brooklyn last season. My FI and I are both from Brooklyn originally, so for his birthday recently we did a food tour based off the episode. Roast beef sandwiches at Brennan and Carr, pizza and spumoni ice at L&B Gardens, and wings or burritos at Buffalo Cantina. While you're in the area you could tour the Brooklyn Brewery too. We were stuffed but very happy  lol

    Also, if you google Manhattan food tours or NJ food tours a bunch of things come up. I'm sure you could find the right tour for you and the hubby! =)

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  • mrs.ammamrs.amma member
    Sixth Anniversary 500 Comments Combo Breaker
    edited December 2011
    also, the weekend after his birthday on the 19th there is a beer festival in NYC that has tons of microbrews and food stands. if he's into beer its definitely a good option
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  • ffbride_0813ffbride_0813
    1000 Comments
    edited December 2011
    There is a brooklyn beer tour that goes to the brooklyn brewery and the navy yard.  I cant get to this link from work but I think its there.  http://www.urbanoyster.com/navy-yard-tour.html
    The brooklyn brewery is a ton of fun.

    I also heard from a guy in my town that cricket hill brewery in NJ bottles on thursday nights and they allow people to come in and help with the bottling and you get to taste the beer.  You would have to call and see if they really do it but that could be a neat experience. 
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  • curlejycurlejy
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    there is the Viking cooking school in Fairfield...i have been twice and LOVE it...i know in the summer they offer grilling classes! :)
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  • Jaytee501Jaytee501
    1000 Comments Combo Breaker
    edited December 2011
    I was thinkig of Viking Cookig School as a possiblilty! It's very close by.

    To the ladies who suggested breweries/tours, tastings: that may work well as he's likely going to be a microwbrewery manager in northern FL by the fall!
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