Berkeley Parents Network: Restaurants

Berkeley Parents Network

Restaurants

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Restaurants for Parties & Special Occasions

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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

Inexpensive Restaurant for Party for 60+ adults

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

Restaurant for 40th birthday party

11/99

Does anyone know of an affordable restaurant with a private room for a 40th birthday party? Further complication is that we are doing it soon, and in December. Any suggestions would be much appreciated....

Restaurant for party - I don't know what your level of "affordable" is but Santa Fe Bar and Grill has a beautiful garden room for private parties and their caterers will work with you on price and service.

Venezia on University Ave. in Berkeley has a private room, as does Milano in Emeryville (their restaurant in Oakland on Grand may as well). The Pelican Inn in Muir Beach (Mill Valley) has a beautiful private room called the conservatory, but I believe you need to pay to rent it (this room is larger than those at Venezia and Milano). All three have great food, and I believe Venezia and Milano are both moderately priced; Pelican Inn is on the higher end. Good luck!

Try ZZA'S in Oakland on Grand Ave. They have a smallish banquet room for private affairs. From what I understand the food is very good.

Kensington Bistro which is a very lovely restaurant at Colusa Circle in Kensington is available for private parties. 525-1530.

A new restaurant on University Avenue in Berkeley next to Wild Oats called Pomegranate (1500 block, north side) has a private room. Reasonable prices.

I recommend Cafe de la Paz for the 40th birthday. They have a great room and great food and are very reasonable. I had my 50th birthday there. They are located across from Chez Panisse.

For the person looking for a restaurant with a private room: Mandarin Garden is a chinese restaurant in downtown Berkeley. The food is excellent and they can provide a private room. Just tell Bob Wong, one of the owners how much you want to spend per person and he will propose a menu.

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)

Restaurants - Pleasant Hill area

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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