Dinner for 15 people in OC

[smile4tree]

Hi there. This is my first post.

I'm planning a surprise 30th b-day dinner for my husband. There will be about 15 people (including grandma, so nothing too loud). I'm looking to spend no more than $25-30 p/person including drink. Preferably anywhere from Costa Mesa/Tustin/Irvine area to as far north as Fullerton/Brea.

Thank you!

[torta basilica]

The downstairs Room at Bungalow (or the patio) are great. It does get loud, so I'd ensure you have that room all to yourselves. Room & service are excellent.

Also, outside patio (they have heat lamps & roll down plastic siding) at Sage would be great. Again, excellent food & friendly service.

[pizookie75]

Is that Sage in Corona del Mar, or the one in Newport?

[torta basilica]

I prefer the original in Newport, as opposed to Newport Coast. The patio is more of an L shape instead of a big open space, so you could have a private party in one side of the L - if that makes sense...

[pizookie75]

Good to know! Reminder to (my)self: stop posting when tired...I tend to get cities and names confused :(

[KLV]

Onotria on Bristol in Costa Mesa has really nice, fresh and healthy Italian cuisine, and they have a big private party room. I'm not sure if 15 people qualifies, but it's worth asking about. The owners are very nice.

I love the food at French 75, but we've had serious service issues at the Laguna Beach location a couple of times. Hopefully the Tustin location is better.

[miam miam]

I'd second this post. We had a dinner party for 12 and were able to use the private room. Massimo, the chef/owner, is very passionate about his food and worked with us to make a fantastic 5 course menu with regional wine pairings.

[SouthOCHound]

I second the French 75 and the Zov's recs, heartily.

[Wonginator]

We had my company's X-mas party last year at the French 75 Brasserie next to the Tustin Marketplace, and everybody liked it. We had about 15 people in our party.

Also, Zov's Bistro in Tustin is always a winner.

[pizookie75]

Do you have any food preferences? The price per person in South OC (incl. drink) will be tough to meet....esp. for "nothing too loud" during dinner.

[MEalcentric]

Has 6ix gotten better? It used to get RIPPED here (including by me). I had one of the worst dinners that I can remember there. From terrible service to overcooked unfresh food, I would never recommend this place. I recall that I was urged strongly not to go there by this board and I got a well deserved "told you so" when I reported back on my experience.

Here is my review from last year and a host of others expressing their disapointment

http://www.chowhound.com/topics/show/...

[torta basilica]

Ditto - we had one of the worst meals of my life there. But, in the chef's defense, he had a family emergency & wasn't cooking that night. I think they enlisted the bus boys to man the kitchen...

[monku]

Maybe a little more than you want to spend, but I think Agora
Churrascaria in Costa Mesa is a fun place for a party. $38 not including tax or tip for dinner.

http://www.agorachurrascaria.com/