431746 Wed Aug 15 18:20:55 -0700 2007 11 1 San Francisco Bay Area 0 2849804 I'm organizing a small reunion next week and I'm looking for a good place on the Peninsula that will offer some sense of privacy -- secluded booths, some kind of partition, or even a generous amount of space around tables. Also, I'd love the food to be great, on the American or mediterranean or Italian side of things. (That is, not Japanese or Chinese.) The only suggestion I have so far is the old-school Iron Gate in San Carlos, which has too... odd a vibe. My home base is San Mateo, but it's been 20 years since I lived there, so I'm at a loss. Anywhere from Palo Alto up to Millbrae works. many thanks! longtime reader, first time poster. D Wed Aug 15 18:20:55 -0700 2007 119419 dbrown 1 2850190 Kuleto's in Burlingame has two smaller rooms -- one good for about 10-20 people, the other 30-40. If you choose wisely you can get some good food. Wed Aug 15 21:40:49 -0700 2007 2849804 15168 snw 1 2850691 LEft Bank in Menlo Park has a private room. Kingfish or Cappelini in San Mateo may have some as well, though I'm not certain. Thu Aug 16 06:34:21 -0700 2007 2849804 10722 Wendy_san 1 2850834 You might look at the Parkside Grille in Portola Valley. Secluded spot, easy access from 280, decent food, very friendly servers, small private room, mediterranean-ish menu. Thu Aug 16 07:24:53 -0700 2007 2849804 11473 doc 1 2855878 You can reserve the back patio at Tied House brewery in Mountain View, and NOLA in Palo Alto has at least two pretty nice private rooms. Both should fit your American bill. Fri Aug 17 13:42:43 -0700 2007 2849804 118253 juliunruly 1 2859416 There's a small private room at Marche in Menlo Park. Pricey, but arguably the best food on the Peninsula. Sun Aug 19 09:16:19 -0700 2007 2849804 120413 h_ryder 1 2859499 How many people? Sun Aug 19 09:59:35 -0700 2007 2849804 50041 whiner 1 2859830 You didn't mention the number in your "small" group, but since you are in San Mateo, I'm surprsed you haven't considered the Left Bank in the shopping center near 10l. I had a wonderful birthday party there and was assisted ably by the private party planner. We only had about 11 people, but we got the smaller of their two private rooms. They have another such room that is considerably larger for at leat 25 people I believe. Both rooms can be closed off. The food, wine and service were all delightful. Hope you have a great reunion wherever you end up, and report back! Sun Aug 19 12:34:43 -0700 2007 2849804 13294 vivian 1 2859835 Oops -- I just re-read your post and see you are no longer in San Mateo. However, the parameters still work for my just-posted suggestion. Sun Aug 19 12:37:07 -0700 2007 2849804 13294 vivian 1 2862435 Have you been to Viognier above Draeger's Market? They have a private dining room enough to seat 45 people. I had a small meeting in their private dinning room and the service was great, food is well prepared. Made it a great private gathering/dining venue. See the link for description: http://viognierrestaurant.com/pdr_info.html Good luck with your search & reunion Mon Aug 20 11:15:27 -0700 2007 2849804 92425 roberthu 1 2882035 Don't sell the Iron Gate short - it is a delightful trip back in time to what was then called the Continental Dinner House - you will find nothing like it anywhere anymore - and the food was good, you will be reminded of the flair of tableside flambee dining and culinary classics that never should have been forgotten. The service is formal, the setting a little tired but with the right spirit of fun and adventure and tender kindness to this lost world of "continental" dining, it might be just the place for you to have a very fun evening. Be sure to dress up for the occasion too to give it just the right touch. Sat Aug 25 22:50:59 -0700 2007 2849804 12522 glbtrtr 1 2882144 I don't know if this has already passed, but there is a big private room at 231 Ellsworth (expensive, very good food). And a wine cellar that comfortably sits 6 (maybe 8) at Central Park Cafe (moderately expensive, pretty good food). Sun Aug 26 02:21:30 -0700 2007 2849804 50041 whiner