| Author |
Message |
    
shh
Citizen
Username: Shh
Post Number: 2183
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 15, 2005 - 5:12 pm: |     |
For my mom's 60th we're doing a smallish family dinner party, which should total about 20 people including 3 kids.
We're hoping for a semi-private space, not necessarily a private room, just an area where we will feel comfortable talking without disturbing other patrons.
It's not a surprise, she'd kill us.
Type of food: Italian, Continental, even Spanish would be ok, but nothing too ethnic, not Chinese.
Location: Central Jersey or anywhere not too far from Staten Island.
Atnosphere: Comfortably elegant, well-behaved child-friendly.
Date: Saturday April 9
Any suggestions? |
jem
Citizen
Username: Jem
Post Number: 1177
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 15, 2005 - 5:22 pm: | |
We had a really nice private party at Huntley Taverne in Summit. They're closed for lunch on Saturdays and Sundays, and so if you book a party there, you have the whole place to yourself. I thought the prices were reasonable, and the place is pretty and the food is great - eclectic, with vegetarian options. If you want to chat about it, feel free to give me a call.
Oh, and if you do the party in the evening, they've got several areas that you could have to yourselves. |
shh
Citizen
Username: Shh
Post Number: 2184
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 15, 2005 - 5:30 pm: | |
Thanks Jem.
Is it BYO or do they have a LL? My dad I'm sure would prefer to have a real drink, though cost-wise BYO is much better of course!
My mom doesn't want a lunch, so I'm thinking early dinner so the kids don't melt on us. |
Meandtheboys
Citizen
Username: Meandtheboys
Post Number: 201
Registered: 12-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 15, 2005 - 5:45 pm: | |
Amanda's in Hoboken has private rooms. Had brunch there to celebrate 2 of my kids baptisms. Pretty sure we had at least 20 people. Don't know how much you're looking to spend, but I seem to remember being surprised at how reasonably priced it was. The folks that run the place, Joyce and her husband (who's name currently escapes me), are really nice. The restaurant is beautiful and elegant, and I don't think Hoboken is too far from Staten Island. Oh yeah, the food's yummy too!
www.amandasrestaurant.com (I think ) |
Meandtheboys
Citizen
Username: Meandtheboys
Post Number: 203
Registered: 12-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 15, 2005 - 6:08 pm: | |
Yup. The Reserve Room was the room we had our parties in, holds 28 (minimum 18 people). See their website (the above "address" is correct).
They serve liquor as well. |
jem
Citizen
Username: Jem
Post Number: 1178
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 15, 2005 - 10:30 pm: | |
Huntley Taverne has a bar, and your dad would most definitely be able to get a real drink. Here's the part of their web site that describes private parties. Looks like you'd only be able to book a private party for lunch there, though, on a Saturday. It might be worth exploring just making a reservation for 20 people for dinner far enough in advance. We had about 40 people at our party, and we were in the Wine Room, a smaller space than the loft, which they don't mention on the web page. Anyway, it's worth checking into. We were really happy with the place. The food is wonderful.
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shh
Citizen
Username: Shh
Post Number: 2188
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 15, 2005 - 10:37 pm: | |
I will look into it Jem. From the website it doesn't seem as if we can do a Sat. night but it's worth a call.
Amanda's is great, but Hoboken is not an option. Parking is just too difficult— we decided againt both Hoboken and the city for that reason alone. |
SoOrLady
Citizen
Username: Soorlady
Post Number: 1780
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 15, 2005 - 11:11 pm: | |
How about Nero's in Livingston? We had our son's rehearsal dinner in one of their private rooms. Nice atmosphere and very good food. |
ajc
Citizen
Username: Ajc
Post Number: 3499
Registered: 9-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 16, 2005 - 3:41 am: | |
Shh,
Just another suggestion. I know the owner, and depending on the time Saturday night, say 5PM to 8PM, 20 people including 3 kids is no problem at H2TA.
The food can be catered: Italian, Continental, or even Spanish. I'd say the atnosphere is comfortably elegant, and BYOB is no problem. If you want we can add some live music and dancing. Don't worry about the parking either at that time of night.
Good luck and best wishes to your Mom on her birthday.... BTW, you said she'll be 60? Damn, that means I'm old enough to be your father! Give her a  for me...
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shh
Citizen
Username: Shh
Post Number: 2189
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 16, 2005 - 7:18 am: | |
Art, I think H2TA would be wonderful, but my mom really wants a restaurant. (We discussed this at length on the ride to visit her new grandson in MD this weekend.)
I'm still trying to narrow down my kids' guests in hopes we can arrange their party at H2TA, otherwise it'll have to wait 5 years 'til my 40th!
(and yes, you are old enough to be my father.  ) |
greenetree
Supporter
Username: Greenetree
Post Number: 3901
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 16, 2005 - 8:09 am: | |
See the Libretti's thread. Someone posted that they showed up with 20-30 people for Valentine's Day & were accomodated. It should be no problem on a weekend with reservations, I'd think. It's not BYO, tho, but at least your dad can get a real drink. |
redY67
Citizen
Username: Redy67
Post Number: 604
Registered: 2-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 16, 2005 - 4:24 pm: | |
What about Verjus? They have the room off to the side, full bar, and great food. |
Me2
Citizen
Username: Me2
Post Number: 106
Registered: 6-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 16, 2005 - 6:01 pm: | |
Regarding Libretti's... we did have a reservation for Valentine's Day. The issue was that the reservation was for 25 and we instead had over 30... and they accommodated us without any problem. I think Libretti's would be great for a small party. |
shh
Citizen
Username: Shh
Post Number: 2197
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 16, 2005 - 8:44 pm: | |
I think because of where my parents live, in SI, and the ton of Italian restarants right there, Librettis might not be the right choice. (I've never been, but my feeling is it's not special enough for this occasion.) I could be wrong. There's a nice place where my parents live that my mom specified she did not want to go, so I think Librettis might be along those same lines. Something a little different, more intimate.
|
Meandtheboys
Citizen
Username: Meandtheboys
Post Number: 214
Registered: 12-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 16, 2005 - 9:29 pm: | |
FWIW: Amanda's has an arrangement with a parking garage a few blocks away, in the new complex that was built where the old Maxwell House plant was. When we went last we had no trouble finding it. You park free and it could be a nice stroll in Hoboken on April evening. |
greenetree
Supporter
Username: Greenetree
Post Number: 3908
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 16, 2005 - 10:07 pm: | |
I can't remember the name of the place, but a friend of mine had a small wedding reception on S.I. about 9 years ago. Being a 2nd wedding, she wanted elegent sit-down, no dancing, etc. Just a very wonderful dinner.
All I can remember about the place is that it was an old renovated Victorian house. It felt like sitting in someone's dining room instead of a restaurant. Very nice. I have no idea if it's still there.
You could also always try Jocelyn's or American Fare and see if they are open to a private party for the evening. |
shh
Citizen
Username: Shh
Post Number: 2198
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, February 17, 2005 - 7:07 am: | |
Didn't know that about Amanda's. Thanks for the tip.
That could make that a possibility.
I am also going to look into the MAnor for their Saturday Night Lobster Buffet. It's $37.50pp. Has anyone been recently? Could be nice if we have an area for ourselves, but they might pack them in.
Greenetree, kind of sounds like the Old Bermuda Inn, which was expanded recently. Not one of my mom's choices for some reason.
I was also thinking that about American Fare as we passed by last night. (And it was almost empty.)
Thanks! I have a lot of calls and websites to check out. |
shh
Citizen
Username: Shh
Post Number: 2199
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, February 17, 2005 - 7:26 am: | |
Oh well. The Manor is out. Reread the fine print and it's $47.95pp for Saturday night. Including drinks, I think my dad would have a heart attack.
Amanda's looks promising if we could take advantage of that Early Bird dinner. Their private party menus were also minimum $50pp. We're got maximum 16 adults, 3 kids and an infant (if my brother and his wife make it from MD) so Amanda's probably could fit us in their 12-16 person room. I'll call today. |
DLB
Citizen
Username: Messyartist
Post Number: 33
Registered: 3-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, February 17, 2005 - 12:33 pm: | |
I HIGHLY RECOMMEND HEART AND SOUL! YOU COULD PROBABLY ARRANGE TO HAVE THE WHOLE PLACE. JESSE, THE CHEF IS WONDERFUL AND WILL MAKE ANYTHING YOU LIKE. FOOD IS EXCELLENT! |
shh
Citizen
Username: Shh
Post Number: 2201
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, February 17, 2005 - 12:52 pm: | |
Great thought. I still haven't been, but I will call Jesse and see. I was under the impression the place wasn't large enough. |
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