Help! Group Dining somewhere between San Diego & LA

[jwed01]

I've been asked to arrange an "after holiday" dinner gathering at a location between San Diego and LA for our San Diego and LA offices. So, I'm looking in the south Orange County Area - would like something interesting that has a fixed menu with nice options to make 40 people happy but have been limited to $60 per person including one or two drinks, tax, and gratuities. I found Cafe TuTu Tango online and it looks like the type of place that would be great, the fixed menu looks interesting, - but it's just not far enough south - I'm thinking closer to Costa Mesa or Laguna would be good... maybe I shouldn't worry about the San Diego folks having to drive further. Not being a native Californian - not sure I should worry about the drive distance?
Anyone have any great ideas on places in the further south portions of Orange County? Thanks!

[jwed01]

Thank You Thank You to everyone for the great suggestions - now to make the contacts and get the quotes - I feel like an event planner!

[jackattack]

Not sure what the price range is, but Villa Nova has a really nice waterfront banquet room for groups over 25.

www.villanovarestaurant.com

[Scott the Poet]

I had lunch last week at Ramos House and it was fantastic. Started with apple bignets (sorry, I can't spell) and fried green tomatoes with goat cheese. Then had a really nice beef stew with a wonderful wine flavor with blue cheese mashed potatoes. My friend had the lentil soup and loved it. Good wines by the glass. Very reasonably priced. Setting is a patio outside a rustic wood house (with heaters). www.ramoshouse.com

[nikinaka]

Maggiano's in Costa Mesa.

[notmartha]

Never been, but Roy's at Newport Beach near Fashion Island may fit the bill. They have a fixed priced dinner menu (don't know cost).

[eatemup]

I have had excellent lunches several times at Cedar Creek Inn in San Juan Capistrano. Right across from the mission. I have never had dinner. www.cedarcreekinn.com

[jwed01]

Thanks! I took a look at the website - may be a good possibility!

[DiningDiva]

I know nothing about Cafe TuTu Tango (where is it in OC), but as a San Diegan I'd say, yeah, you should probably worry about the drive distance. Traffic getting out of San Diego can be brutal. The drive to San Clemente or Newport is more appealing than the drive to someplace like Brea or Yorba Linda.

What day and what time is the function? That can make a difference in the location too. Some places are going to be easier to get to when there aren't all the business commuters.

Good luck.

[jwed01]

Hoping to hit a Saturday night... maybe early - 5PM or so - so we can have a very liesurely dinner - finish by 8 0r 9, so folks don't have to be rushed, can talk with colleagues they don't see very often, and so they don't feel like they're driving back to San Diego or LA real late.