Restaurants for Parties & Special Occasions
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Nov 2010
My husband and I own a small home based company. We'd like
to have a company Christmas party at a nice restaurant and
were wondering if there were any recommendations out
there. Here is what we're looking for:
- Would like to bring the kids (2.5 & 4) but would still
like to go to a nice place. Is there a kid-friendly nice
restaurant for lunch or dinner?
- What restaurant would you recommend if we ended up not
taking the kids?
- Prefer the East Bay but San Francisco is ok as well
- Would like to spend about $1000 for about 8 adults (and
the 2 kids if we take them)
- any other ideas if you think a restaurant isnt a good idea
with the kids?
Thanks in advance!!
Sara
My small work group loves going to Buca de Beppo in The
City. It's not far from BART, very kid-friendly, and fun for
all ages! We share dishes and spend much less than $1000
(how about getting the staff gift certificates with the
money you save). We've also enjoy Bucci's in Emeryville. We
always go late afternoon, so we miss the lunch and dinner
crowds. Love holiday parties!
Hi.
In Oakland: the people at Pizzaiolo, Sidebar and Dopo have
all been really excellent with my toddler, and the food at
all three is excellent. T-Rex in Berkeley is another place
where they're ok with kids, and the food is good.
If you want to make sure you stay within budget, simply tell
them what you're looking for-- most places are more than
happy to accommodate and will work with you to offer a
plated or family style menu that fits your needs. --
Good Oaktown restaurants bars for 40 somethings?
Sept 2010
I have several friends coming to visit in a few weeks. We
are all women in our early 40s and I'd like to take them out
a couple of nights to some of Oakland's newer nightspots.
I'm thinking a combination of dinner and then on to a bar
for drinks. I'd like some place with the Oaktown vibe but
where you can have a conversation of sorts. I've been to
Lukas Taproom and Flora but otherwise am pretty much a
newbie. Your recommendations are greatly appreciated!
Looking for some nightlife
There are loads of new places in Oakland to try! Sidebar,
near the lake, Camino on Grand Ave, Mua (clubby vibe), Chop
Bar. Drinks and apps at Adesso on Piedmont. Boot and Shoe
Service...Oakland is happening these days.
Have a great time with your friends!
www.leaveittodee.com
Try Levende East next to Ratto's in Old Oakland. I had
drinks there with colleagues and it was really nice.
For dinner, Le Cheval is always reliable - very good
Vietnamese/California fusion. Also by Old Oakland.
Rachel
I really like Tamarindo - Mexican tapas for foodies in a
really pretty, upscale setting with an Oakland vibe and
delicious food. It's lively but not as noisy as Luca's.
Right next door to Tamarindo is The Trappist, which
specializes in Belgium beers on tap - very cute place with a
Euro feel. Yoshi's is pretty fun if you want to do dinner
and a show. Haven't been to Mua or Nex yet, but heard they
are fun and Soizic (same owners) was always really good.
There are lots of other places! Check Yelp and also this
long-standing website has reliable reviews for Berk/Oakland
restaurants: http://www-rnc.lbl.gov/Restaurants/
Check out Mimosa or Somar.
Also Yelp is a great resource!
Angela
We always have fun at the bar at Mezze on Lakeshore. The
bartender, Terry, on Thursday and Friday evenings is
especially fun and makes great drinks (likes to make them up
on the fly as well). Tip him well!!
You can also order from the full menu while sitting at the
bar. Lakeshore local
Great Restaurant for a Big Party
April 2008
I'm looking to book a restaurant for a big party (around 30 people).
This will be adults only and I'd love to find a place that's not CRAZY
expensive but which has great food and a good atmosphere. The ideal
would be to find a place with a separate room for parties - although
this is not a requirement.
I'd love some suggestions from folks out there - Thanks!
Everyone's version of ''CRAZY expensive'' is different, but I have always
really enjoyed dinner at Hotel Mac in Point Richmond. My sister had her 40th
birthday dinner there and though I don't remember the exact count, it was a
good sized crowd.
anon
Picante's has great food and a private room upstairs!
Brenda
There is a cool new restaurant opening on Solano Ave. next to the Albany Twin
Cinema called Rendezvous Bistro. They will be able to accommodate you as I
know that they will be hosting a bridal shower there soon, and closing their
doors for the occasion. Good luck.
Ana B
The Lark Creek in Walnut Creek has a nice private room, very good food, and
easy parking. I had a dinner there a few years back for about 25 people and
it worked very well.
Leslie
I hosted my husband's 40th birthday party at Pyramid Brewery on Gilman St in
Berkeley and had a lot of fun. I can't remember how many people were at the
party but I would guess 20-30. We had our own separate room. It was casual
(pitchers of beer; buffet style eating), so if you're looking for something
fancy, this is not the place. The food was good and reasonably priced; I
particularly remember that the barbecued ribs were delicious and that they had
great root beer (I'm not a beer drinker). Good luck.
happy with Pyramid
The Bateau Ivre on Telegraph in Berkeley has a nice dining room in back
with a European bistro feel that can be rented for private parties. I
recently attended a wedding reception there, and it's our favorite go-to after-movies
drink place. The food is pretty good, and they have a full bar.
Festive Venue for Graduation Party
March 2008
I am looking for a venue locally to hold a graduation party in
May. Ideally, something in Berkeley or Oakland, festive, and
with combined indoor/outdoor space for an afternoon or evening
event. Any ideas of great places for celebrations with 50 or so
people? I'm open to various environments (restaurants, art
spaces, homes, parks). BPN recs are a bit old on this front.
Thanks.
ABD ready to celebrate
There are two Oakland restaurants that spring to mind - the Tropix
Caribbean Restaurant on Piedmont tropixrestaurant.com which has great food
and a back garden patio.
And Tamale Queen on 29th near Fruitvale BART that also has a back garden
space - a bit of noise from the BART but probably cheaper/more available
for private parties.
If you go for a Sunday night you can also try LaPena in south berkeley - no
outside space but lots of room and sound stage for a band or DJ etc.
Congrats and have fun!
Final Four Birthday Party?
Jan 2008
I'm looking for a place to hold a big birthday party for my husband.
Since this will take place during the Final Four, I'd like a place with
a private room that has a big screen tv so we can watch the game. It
would need to hold about 40 people and preferably where we could bring
in our our own food. Something in the east bay would be best, but San
Francisco is also a possibility. Does such a place exist? Thanks!
Wife of Basketball Fan
I don't know a place specifically, but I do know that
friends have rented huge televisions for sporting-event
viewing parties. I think many electronic-rental places can
set up where ever you want.
There is a great sports pub in San Leandro on Parrott Street
called The Englander which may be a perfect venue for your
Final Four Fiesta (they are close to the San Leandro BART
station which could be convenient for those without a
designated driver). They have several private rooms with
projection tvs. I am not sure if you can bring your own
food but they have a HUGE menu with all of your favorite pub
grub staples!
Good luck,
Zohre
I threw my husband a surprise 40th b-day party in December
at a great sports bar in downtown Oakland called Arsimona
Bar & Lounge. It's an upscale bar with lots of plasma TVs
and they have a private VIP room upstairs. I had about 50
guests and I was very pleased with the venue and the food.
Not sure if you can bring in your own food, but it doesn't
hurt to ask. The owner is Tem 338-2195 and they have a
website www.arsimona.com.
Gina
Suprise 35th Birthday Party for my Husband
Sept 2006
I've checked the archives and would love some more updated and specific suggestions
about a fun place to throw a suprise party for my husband's 35th birthday in
November. No kids, just adults. I'd love somewhere that has yummy cocktails and
food ... and maybe a private room? Thanks!
Party momma
Trader Vic's in Emeryville has yummy cocktails, food and
private room. May be expensive however
Cafe de la Paz in Berkeley on Shattuck.
http://www.cafedelapaz.net/ I have attended several private
parties there (in a private room downstairs) and the food is
always great, and the bar is in the next room and they make
great Latin cocktails like Mohitos, caipirinhas, margaritas,
etc., plus any other drink I'm sure you would want. The
restaurant isn't always that great when you dine there in their
normal restaurant, but the private parties have always been good
Anon
My *favorite* restaurant in the East Bay is Olivia (on Dwight
nr. Sacramento) in Berkeley - stop by & see: it's just the
right size to ''take over'' - there are 2 rooms, one larger than
the other, plus a small bar in the larger room. It's intimate,
romantic, affordable, and the kitchen is AWESOME (we're NYC
transplants, and this chef could cook _anywhere_)b& I've never
rented the place, but definitely want to in the future (my
husband's 50th?). Swing by, take a look, and here's the
website: http://www.oliviaeats.com/ Happy Party!
carollyon
SF Restaurant for my graduation party
May 2004
Hi there,
I am graduating this May and my family and I are looking for a
good restaurant in the City to have dinner.
There will be about 15 of us, and it would be great to not spend
over $12 to $15 per dinner plate.
We are a rowdy bunch, so we don't need a fancy quiet place.
Any leads would be great!
thanks
cris
I would recommend Pauline's Pizza on Valencia in the city. I don't have their phone
number on hand but I'm sure it's listed.
They have gourmet pizzas, salads, and more and a lovely large room upstairs for
bigger parties. We had our family get-together/rehearsal dinner there and it was a
lot of fun.
snowshoebunny
Try Alegrias on Lombard. It's a Spanish restaurant that
serves tapas--but very generous portions. Great sangria,
too! The owners are really nice and it is a great place for a
party--if you have enough people they'd probably let you take
over the back room.
I'm not sure exactly what their prices are as I haven't been
there in awhile.
me gusta comida
Try Bucca Di Beppo in SF. It's a fun place and they can
accommodate large parties. I threw a party there (20 people)
two years ago and the total bill (including wine) was less than
$400.
Anon
Sounds like you would be a great group for Buca de Beppo; 855
Howard Street (between 4th & 5th Streets). Fun atmosphere, huge
family style servings.
http://www.bucadibeppo.com/
Buca di Beppo is great for large parties. The food is about $16-30, but they
have these family platters (Buca Large) that are HUGE and make it much more
affordable, because 3-4 people can share one plate. Be forewarned, it's not the
best Italian food you'll ever have, but it's a fun place and can accommodate
large parties easily. They're located at 855 Howard street. You can make
reservations online through Open Table.
anon
You didn't say what type of food you preferred but I'd like to
recommend this buffet restaurant on Market and 8th street
called Moonstar. They have a website:
http://www.moonstarbuffet.com. You can print out coupons for
free drinks from their website. They offer a great spread of
sushi, seafood and Chinese dishes. The atmosphere is pretty
casual and noisy but the service was good. They were very
accommodating when I had dinner there with a group of about 30
people. Another plus is that they are located right as you exit
the Civic Center Bart station.
Donna
March 2004
I am seeking recommendations for a restaurant where we could
host a party for 60+ adults and children. We would like to have
lunch served and are looking for something on the inexpensive
side; possibly Chinese? Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Thanks!
Vivian
Le Cheval, which is a Vietmamese restaurant in downtown Oakland, might work for
you. They have a very large dining room, with several round tables that seat groups
of a dozen. I've had birthday parties there (granted, with no more than 14 people)
and I highly recommend it. It is fancy enough to make me feel like I am actually
going out, the prices are totally reasonable, it has a full bar for the grownups, and I
usually see families with kids there (I usually am in one.) The best thing about it for
my family is that there is something for everyone- for the picky pre-teen, for the
younger kids, for the vegetarians, for those with wheat and dairy allergies, etc. And
we always get a banana flambe for desert- a flaming banana just makes me feel
like it's a party. I don't know if they do groups of 60, but they are definitely worth a
call.
laura
From: Cathy (9/98)
I attended a birthday party at Chef Paul's on Piedmont Ave. On Monday nights
(I think), Chef Paul closes his restaurant and holds a "cooking school" for
private parties. The guests are instructed on how to make the wonderful food
Chef Paul makes that evening, and are entertained by his wit. The food is
great and it's a great environment/scene for a birthday party.
Re: REcommendations for a party for 50 people - Santa Fe Bar and Grill has
a garden room (added last year) which will hold more than a hundred, I
think, but feels smaller and friendlier. It is lovely and they certainly
do cater. -- Barbara (7/99)
March 2004
I'm so tired of eating at mediocre restaurants in Pleasant Hill.
Can anyone recommend any GREAT restaurants in this area? Any
price range. I have a 6 month old who normally accompanies me.
Thanks very much.
Frustrated in suburbia
Amalfi Trattoria-Walnut Creek
The Duck Club-Lafayette
Melissa
Try Left Bank. It's in the shopping center there by the Century
Theatre and Bed, Bath & Beyond off of Contra Costa Blvd. I've
been a few times, it's good.
There is also a chinese food place in the mall at the corner of
Geary and North Main (across the street from Wendys). It's
called the Golden Wok, or Garlic Express, or something like
that. Never been there, but a few friends have and liked it.
Bob
Well, do you like Thai food? If so, you are in luck. You have
to drive a little way from Pleasant Hill to get to THE best
restaurant in the area. But it is worth it, for both the food
and the cordial service. (and reasonable prices) We live in
Walnut Creek, and our family LOVES Siam Orchid in Orinda for
Thai food. (23 Orinda Way, across from the new Community
Center. Go right at the bottom of the Orinda off ramp, then
left on Orinda Way at the gas station. They are on the left
side in a tiny strip mall right across from the library, etc.)
We started going there over ten years ago on the recommendation
of my Montessori teaching assistant who just raved about it.
We have sampled other Thai restaurants all over the bay area,
and we are always disappointed by comparison, because the two
brothers at Siam Orchid make the freshest, best Thai food in
the land. They make their curries right there at the restaurant
from good fresh ingredients. Yum! They are about to move into
the larger space next door to them, so there might be a little
adjustment period soon, but they will rise to the occasion.
Please say ''Hi'' to Nake, Pepfi and Kong for the Glass family.
Let me know if you go there and like it.
Mimi
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