Baby Shower Sat. Brunch/Lunch for 10-20??

[blissin]

My good friend from TX has decided to fly in to L.A. to have a last-minute baby shower with family and friends. There will be about 10-20 folks for this Saturday brunch that happens 3 weeks from now. Any ideas for a lovely brunch or lunch? I was thinking along the lines of quaint, affordable, private room, and Los Angeles/Westside area. I've browsed the boards and this is what I've found so far that sounds appealing:

Upscale

Hotel Bel Air
Chez Mimi
Lily’s French Cafe
Shutters on the Beach

Casual

Cha Cha Cha
Rose Café
Off-Vine

Any suggestions?? Thanks!!!

[maudies5]

I recently attended a small, private celebration for lunch at Back On Broadway in Santa Monica. We were about 20 people, private room, nice service, very casual and the food was very good. Do not compare to Hotel Bel Air. It was a comfortable, welcoming venue which suited our needs very well. Definitely, not a luxe venue--but nice.

[westsidegal]

you might see if cafe del rey will let you use their private room for your party.
(i'd imagine that their brunch business will be less than it was because they just raised their prices.)
for a 3 course brunch in the restaurant, with a glass of champagne, it will cost about $40/pp before tax and tip and coffee.
dunno what arrangement they would want for the private room.

[perk]

It's on the high end price-wise, but I don't think you'll find a lovlier setting than the Bel Air Hotel.
The food and the service is also very reliable.

[blissin]

I'll have to save the Bel Air Hotel for a bridal shower or some such event... Thanks so much for all the help, guys!

[rdflig]

Joe's in Venice is one of my favorites. I would also look into The Buffalo Room, which has an incredibly beautiful garden and maybe even the Little Door. Have fun!

[bite bite]

Campanile is another nice one to consider. Love their brunches.

[Emme]

Definitely try to get the patio at Lilly's if you go that way.

Chez Mimi has private rooms.

Orso's patio is quite nice as well.

Personally, I'd consider Campanile for their brunch and they're always so accomodating; Jar and Joe's in Venice are certainly also good in that particular price range.

[blissin]

Thanks! Think I'll check out Lily's after all. Looks like her list of guests is only 10 people, not 20 like I'd anticipated.

[comintern17]

Lily's is absolutely disgusting. I'm amazed it's still there. Please save yourself the aggravation of horrendously low quality food, high prices and bad service. nearly any restaurant in venice is better.

[glutton]

Lilly's and Rose Cafe are not that far apart -- both are priced about the same, both are fairly casual. Rose Cafe definitely plays up it's beach-casualness, but they really aren't that different. I don't think there is a private room available at either location.

Private rooms are tough to come by on the westside, so you might be left with finding a place that will handle a large group well. I think Rose Cafe and Lilly's would do well. A bit more expensive, but definitely a good option would be Joe's on Abbot Kinney. James Beach in Venice would be another good option (at a lower price than Joe's).

Hotel Bel Air would definitely be the fanciest, loveliest of spots listed. And the priciest.