Restaurant picking block

[Schielke]

Hey all,

I am having a serious case of restaurant picking block.

I am trying to set up a nice b-day dinner for Katie and a bunch of friends. I am estimating we will end up with about 15 people depending on turnout.

Can anybody think of a reasonably affordable (in case some people dont want to spend as much) place with good solid cooking that can handle a large group?

I am sure I will slap my self when I hear the recs, but my brain isnt working today.

Ben

[Schielke]

One I did think of was Marrakesh since it could be fun.

[little ms foodie]

I think that always happens when you have to pick something!

I had a great birthday dinner at Palace Kitchen in the private room. If you wanted to go more casual Via Trib has a really cool private room with huge communal table also.

Crow has a big table for 10 or 12 if your party gets smaller.

Brasa has the upstairs area and I think they have a large group table?

[Schielke]

Do you konw if most of those private tables have minimum bills? I checked out Wild Ginger and there was a 40 pp minimum. It probably would be met for sure, but I dont want to put pressure on people to spend $$.

[ScorchedPalate]

Palace Kitchen has a minimum, even midweek. Pretty steep, as I recall.

~A

[Schielke]

Via Trib sounds like it might work. hmmm.

[LEdlund]

Eight of us celebrated a birthday at Marjorie a while back. They don't have a private room, but they should be able to set you up in the back of the main dining room. We had a great time.

I've also used the private room at Sazerac, which is fun too. I know there was a charge for the room but I can't remember what it was.

Happy birthday to Katie.

[laurel]

La Carta Oaxaca has a big table, I wonder if you can reserve it? Vios might also have enough space (they have a big table in the back, and two in front, but they looked more like 10-12 size).

[little ms foodie]

Do you konw if most of those private tables have minimum bills?  I checked out Wild Ginger and there was a 40 pp minimum.  It probably would be met for sure, but I dont want to put pressure on people to spend $$.

←

as Anita said Palace had a minimum but by the time everyone had apps, dinner and drinks we were over it so I didn't worry. Can't recall what it is though- you can email them from their site

Tom Douglas Private Dining

[reesek]

tango hooked about 15 of us up about a year ago. you can set a per-person price and they'll feed you. the room was lovely too.

i think the palace minimum is $500.

i hated marrakesh, but i'm kind of a spoiler. i wanted a fork. or bread that wasn't baguette sliced into thin rounds. it really was a little perverse. also i was there with a very large (30) person party and they sat us at 3 large adjoining tables and then sat 3 people (woe is them) in the tiny 2-top corner table next to us.

i know that (i'm blanking on the name) the wood pizza place in columbia city has a private space. i've done events at brasa upstairs - that's a great rec. no minimum i don't think and i've always had excellent service when in a group. they're always super cool about bringing off menu wines.

Edited March 19, 2005 by reesek (log)

[elswinger]

I usually celebrate my birthday with a dozen friends and over the years we've gone to the China Gate, Bush Gardens, and Pancho Villa's when we wanted to spend little, and to Waterfront, Palace Kitchen, the Met, and El Gaucho when we were willing to spend a lot.

[BastilaShan]

Do you like Chinese food?

Most of the chinese restaurants in the Int. District are used to serving large groups of people and they dont have a minimum.

The prices would also be cheaper than other places.

I'll suggest Jade Garden, Seven stars pepper.

Hey all,

I am having a serious case of restaurant picking block.

I am trying to set up a nice b-day dinner for Katie and a bunch of friends.  I am estimating we will end up with about 15 people depending on turnout.

Can anybody think of a reasonably affordable (in case some people dont want to spend as much) place with good solid cooking that can handle a large group?

I am sure I will slap my self when I hear the recs, but my brain isnt working today.

Ben

←

[Abra]

Cafe Lago is really nice and a good value. Since the owner, Carla, is an eG member, she really treats you right. I don't think they have a separate room, but they could put 15 people all in one area, as far as I know.

[malarkey]

I'll suggest Jade Garden, Seven stars pepper.

Seven Stars Pepper, Yes, Yes, Yes!!

HEY BastilaShan, where the hell you been?! I was wonderin' if you were still hangin' around!

[LainerX]

I took a group about that size to Crave last year for my birthday, and we had a great time. Took up almost the entire restaurant, though. :)

[cookingclassjunkie]

I went to a party for 12 at Via Tribunali a few weeks ago and it was fun. You have to be a pizza lover though since there are not alot of alternatives. It's pretty reasonable too.

[Schielke]

How many people do you think Via Trib could hold? My RSVP list is growing...akk!

[SparrowsFall]

Cafe Campagne could do a table that size nicely.

[Schielke]

Ok, I am now looking to have about 20-25 people. Does that eliminate any of the aforementioned places?

Ben

[little ms foodie]

I just attended a birthday dinner at Marjorie on friday. There were 10 of us and I have to say that it seemed like they were having a tough time with service. The food was still good but our service was kindof bad.

I know that the limit at Palace is 14. 25 is a lot! That was the size of my rehearsal dinner. I think you will need someplace with a big private room?? Maybe email the people at Tom Douglas about the big room at Dahlia or the new Palace Ballroom. Or 7 Star Pepper or similar in the ID? Hey Brasa sat 30 of us for the Bourdin event right??

[tsquare]

Try Crow.

[Schielke]

I called them and they think that it is a little too big for their space. Doh!

[laurel]

I went to Ipanema last week with a group of about 20. Would your friends consider $35 affordable (and do they like meat?).

[Schielke]

Most of my friends like meat, but there are some vegetarians.

Hmmm, perhaps I will go the chinese route. Or Malay Satay.