Pane e Vino for Mom's 60th Bday - Thoughts?

[gengrace]

We're planning a Saturday lunch party (15 ppl) on the patio of Pane e Vino for my mother in law's 60th. I've heard some mixed reviews -- some say it can get too loud and crowded on the patio. Others say the ambiance is great. Would love to hear some recent feedback on this restaurant. Has anyone used the group menus before? Was it a good venue for mixed ages? (I'm planning this from SF and have never been to the restaurant before.) Thank you!!

[chica]

I recommend it, too. Not only is the patio superb for a birthday party, the food delish, but the staff is very warm and accomodating. I'm treated like the neighborhood regular when I go.

[Emme]

We've done several parties for older family members here, and have always had good experiences. Never had a problem w/ noise level on the patio, and I just find it very Tuscan quaint. I've never used the group menus, but then again the largest party I've done there was 12 ppl IIRC. There's a good variety of dishes on the main menu, few meats, poultry, few fish, and then a couple of specials, plus the pasta and pizza selections. The artichoke appetizer is very good, and the last time we had a birthday there, they did a great dessert sampler plate. I'd highly recommend it for your occasion.

[Chowpatty]

Sounds like it should work out fine. I don't think it would be that loud or crowded in the daytime, although I usually go there on weekdays. It's a nice patio, the food is good if not extraordinary, and as it's a pretty standard pasta-and-proteins Italian menu there should be something to please everyone. Don't know about group menus though.