Business Dinner for party of 10
A DC hound here...trying to schedule dinner for a party of 10 next Friday evening, September 7. We'll be there on business, attending an event at the Convention Center and staying right next door at the Westin. Most (if not all) of us are unfamiliar with Boston and the dining scene there, so any restaurant rec's would be great. A plus if it's near the convention center, but this isn't mandatory.
We're looking for entrees in the $20-30 range. This is a laid back group (we don't need a jacket or anything like that), but still need to keep in mind that it is a business dinner (nothing TOO over the top or funky).
Thanks for any advice you can provide.
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I would recommend Tapeo on Newbury Street. They actually offer a nine course tasting menu for large groups. I think its about $40 per person for the tasting menu, but you would have to call to double check that. I have had a lot of people from my company take clients there (plus Newbury Street is one street away from where your clients are staying) The atmosphere is laid back with European decor. www.tapeo.com
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Of course one of the issues is which places will be able to take a group that large on a Friday night. Mamma Maria, which serves great Italian food in the North End, almost certainly could, as they have a number of separate dining rooms that could accommodate you.
A quick search on opentable shows that Hamersley's could take you at 8:30 and that reservations are available at Brasserie Jo (French bistro) at 8:00 and Grill 23 (high end steakhouse) at 7:00. All three of these places get generally positive reviews on this board, although all have detractors. Certainly many other places will be able to accommodate you, but this is what opentable is showing as of this moment.
›1 Reply-
re: Blumie
KWynn
Aug 28, 2007 03:18 PM
Thanks Blumie. I realized I mentioned the wrong date--it's Thursday 9/6, not Friday 9/7. That might change things in terms of availability. Also, I'm a big fan of opentable, however I find that many of the restaurants which are able to cater to larger parties might not allow you to make reservations online for that large of a party--instead you have to call directly.
If anyone has any additional suggestions, please send them my way! Thanks.
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I went to dinner with a group of about that size at Union Bar and Grill (http://unionrestaurant.com/home/) a couple of years ago. We all liked it at the time (although to be perfectly honest it was a like, not a love) - it was a good "group" menu since everything was well prepared, but not too far out there. It is in the South End which would be somewhat close to both hotels. This is the same neighborhood as Hamersley's. I have enjoyed Hamersley's the two times I have been - but it is a little more expensive than Union (but not quite Mistral/Sorrelina expensive). I have loved the dessert both times at Hamersleys and liked the food.
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Small Plates
Aug 28, 2007 11:18 AM
We just moved back after 3 years living in DC... will you name a restaurant or two in DC that would compare to something you would like here??
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re: Small Plates
KWynn
Aug 28, 2007 11:23 AM
Perfect--thanks. I think along the lines of Oceannaire, Zola, or Butterfield9 would be ideal. Even a steakhouse like Charlie Palmer.
Some of the people are doing Italian the evening before, so let's scratch that off the list of possibilities. Also, prefer a non-chain.
Thanks!-
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re: KWynn
Hi KWynn,
Although a lot of people enjoy Hamersley's, I wasn't "wowed" by my experience there. I would suggest checking out Sel De La Terre -- it's fairly close to the Convention Center and most main courses are $26.
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re: KWynn
Small Plates
Aug 28, 2007 12:04 PM
I think you are best off by getting away from the convention center - there really is nothing comparable there. I love Zola, and the closest restaurants to that in Boston would be Sorellina and Mistral (same owner). Sorellina (www.sorellinaboston.com ) is a bit more hopping (like Zola) than its sister Mistral, but alas, it is Italian. Modern Italian - so if your previous night is a North End red sauce meal, then you still may want to consider it. Otherwise definitely look at Mistral (www.mistralbistro.com) which is a few blocks away. It too has the solid upscale-ish menu and good wines. Both have a vibrant scene and ambience. Both are in the Back Bay and an easy cab ride over the Broadway Bridge from the Convention Center.
Downtown is KO Prime on the top floor of the Nine Zero Hotel on Tremont Street - a modern steakhouse with a menu prepared by (James Beard Foundation award winning chef) Ken Oringer. I love the steaks there as well as the seafood, and the wine list is very good. (www.koprimeboston.com
)There really is no Oceannaire-like place here - too bad - we used to go weekly to Oysters-for-a-dollar happy hour - but Great Bay (www.gbayrestaurant.com/)in the Commonwealth Hotel in Kenmore Square has a delicious raw bar menu and a wide variety of local and regional fish entrees. The only thing to watch out for there would be the Red Sox schedule - it tends to be jammed right before the games, and the traffic is abominable. Any of these places can accommodate a group your size. There are lots of reviews about each of these places on this board. Hope this helps. Let us know.
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Mistral
223 Columbus Ave., Boston, MA 02116Great Bay
500 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, MA 02215Nine Zero Hotel
90 Tremont St, Boston, MA 02129Sorellina
1 Huntington Ave, Boston, MA 02116 -
re: KWynn
Small Plates
Aug 29, 2007 05:26 PM
I knew the prices were a bit high, but I was erring on the side of matching DC place to Boston place. The advice to check out Eastern Standard (while I am not a fan of the food at all - many on this site are) is good for a large group as it is surely a convivial atmosphere with an excellent bar and bartending and serviceable food. Union is also very good, and so is Brasserie Jo (which others have recommended). Certainly both places have better food (than ESK) - but neither has the cool of Zola nor the freshness and quality of Oceannaire.
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