Looking for a good, not so expensive restaurant for a birthday/cockatil party in Hollywood, Los Feliz, Silverlake area

[jabinla]

A big B-day is approaching fast and the woman hosting my party suddenly cannot. I'd like to have a cocktail party in a restaurant or nice bar but not someplace outrageously expensive. I live in Silverlake and anything in Hollywood, Koreatown, Silverlake, or downtown would be best. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

[bebala]

The best thing to do is call Silverlake Wine......they will
host a wine tasting.....you tell them your budget....they will
pick the wine and pour it.....describe it.....and you can have
a cheese tray made by the Cheese Store of Silverlake.....give them your budget and the kinds of wines you will be drinking...
Happy birthday.........

[revets2]

great idea! they'll do cheese, but you can also coordinate some yummy spring rolls from gingergrass across the street. try them first and see if you like them.

[bebala]

that's funny that you said Gingergrass....I just replied to someone else that they should go to Gingergrass.....the other
sounded more like a "cocktail" party and the cheese and meat seems to sound more elegant.....

[revets2]

electric lotus makes for a great and festive party.

i also like cobras and matadors on sunset for large parties as well.

[jabinla]

I cannot thank all of you enough for your thoughtful suggestions. I love the idea of both the Pantry and Casita del Campo. And I'm a regular at Electric lotus. Didn't know they had private rooms. I'm getting on the phones now. But if anything else comes to mind -- please let me know!

[Clare K]

I think Cha Cha Cha in Los Feliz can accomodate you and stay within your price range. It's a festive and fun atmosphere and the food (tapas) is great.

[russkar]

THE PANTRY (New Side).
They do a whole dinner for 19- pp. Min 20 people.
I think you can bring your own Booze, call them to make sure.

[OliveBelle]

How about Electric Lotus on Vermont? Good Indian food, good space, appetizers are much more inexpensive, plus they have a full bar and great Indian beers.

[charissa]

One year I had a birthday at Electric Lotus with 15 friends or so. They gave us a great room, big with loungy couches, and food was probably $15 a person before drinks. You can try a lot of dishes and everyone will chill out on the pillows.

[jabinla]

Thank yopu for all your great ideas. I will check them all out. The Thai place sounds interesting and I know Taix well. UGH. There are times when I consider why I work in Not-For-Profit. Love the cause but hate not being able to throw a good party for a major B-day.

[charissa]

I haven't tried it yet, but I know Malo has tapas and drinks, right on Sunset. Instead of a prepared menu your friends can share plates and pay for drinks as they go.

[DanaB]

I'd really doubt you could do a party at Malo for under $30 per person. The menu is more "upscale" Mexican than tapas, and Margaritas/cocktails are around $8 or $10 a pop. Food's decent and there's a nice patio, though.

[Silver Lake Guy]

I think the only way you can accomplish such a party at that rate is to set parameters (e.g., serve only beer/wine or one type of drink like margaritas). To that end, you might want to check with Casita del Campo. They have a private room, opening to a patio and will work with you on a budget, providing X number of pitchers of margaritas, chips and salsa, hot hors d'ouevres, etc. Not the most stylish, but certainly a comfortable place, filled with history and camp.

[DanaB]

It's hard to make a recommendation without knowing what is in your price range. IMHO, there aren't too many nice bars or restaurants where you will be able to do appetizers and drinks for under $30 a head.

One place you might want to check out is the pool bar at the Hotel Figueora in downtown LA. A friend of mine threw a 30th birthday party there last summer and it was pretty affordable. He only served finger food and I believe it was a no-host bar, though.

http://www.figueroahotel.com/

Another idea would be to talk to Taix. They have several party rooms and a prix fix menu that's quite inexpensive.

http://www.taixfrench.com/

You might also want to talk to any of the local Mexican or Thai places -- for instance, Sompun (on Santa Monica right before it hits Sunset) is inexpensive and has a pretty patio. You'll get better thai food in thai town, but it might work for your purposes.

Another idea is to go for one of the party rooms at the Formosa. A couple of my friends and I threw a party there once, and their party spaces are really quite fun -- although the food is not anything to write home about. We paid for the appetizers and reserved the space, but again, had a no-host bar. I think it was around $250, and we had food for around 50-75 people.

Formosa Cafe
[phone]
7156 Santa Monica Blvd
West Hollywood, CA 90046

[jabinla]

Thanks again. I will call both, Cafe Des Artistes also quoted me 30 a head. That's just out of my price range. Looking for something I can afford so I don't have to have my friends pay anything. I don'tmind if it is a silly but fun place.

[jabinla]

I know cliffs edge. Isn't it expensive?

[russkar]

What's expensive? We have had decent food and the prices seems fair? Call ahead and see what they will do for a group?

How about OPUS? Heavy Appetizers or 3 course TM , 30- ea and Good Drinks, friendly corkage.

[russkar]

Cliffs Edge, large Bar, nice Patio dining outside.