Venue for a large party?

[sfchowchick]

Hi hounds -

My sister is getting married in late October and is looking for a venue for a pre-wedding casual dinner for out-of-towners. She thinks there will be 50 - 70 people and wants a casual, fun place with great food that will do a no-host dinner. Easy, right?

I am thinking we should get a private room at a Chinese restaurant, and would love to hear suggestions for that (particularly downtown, FiDI, or close to good public transportation), as well as any other thoughts (except Buca di Beppo - not really our type of place).

Thanks in advance!

[Foodrat]

How about the private room at Empress of China?
Also, how about: Thirsty Bear? The upstairs area at Perbacco?

[Benny Choi]

It's become a bit of a conventioners' bus stop, but I'd say Tres Agaves, which has the party room space, the popular tequila bar for fun, and generally good food, although they get inconsistent reviews here.

If it's a weeknight, you could go to Henry's Hunan at 2nd and Natoma. They've got plenty of space and aren't crowded for dinner. Very popular Chinese food. Easy walk from BART Montgomery Station.

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Tres Agaves Restaurant
130 Townsend St, San Francisco, CA 94107

Henry's Hunan Restaurant
110 Natoma St, San Francisco, CA 94105

[shellshock24]

The Last Supper Club in Noe Valley (Italian food) has a private downstairs that may be reserved. I've been there twice, once with a large party where we reserved the downstairs room and once with just my wife. Liked the food once, was okay the other time. In general I hear its a bit hit or miss in terms of food.

http://www.lastsupperclubsf.com/

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Last Supper Club (CLOSED
)1199 Valencia St, San Francisco, CA 94110

[Robert Lauriston]

LSC's maximum capacity for private events is 40.

Valencia St. is the Mission, Noe Valley's up the hill.

[shellshock24]

I didn't realize it only hold 40 people. They always advertise themselves as "Noe Valley," but I guess who doesn't fudge their neighborhoods a bit in the City (especially if you're located in a not so desirable neighborhood).

Thanks for the clarification

[Benny Choi]

I've eaten downstairs at the Last Supper Club once - it's dark and cramped feeling, not ideal for pre-wedding party even if it was just for 40 people. The food was not impressive the time I went.

[cjp]

You should call Pauline's pizza - they have that whole upstairs dining room and it would definitely be fun and casual. And everyone loves pizza.

More info about their group dining here: http://www.paulinespizza.com/upstairs/

[Robert Lauriston]

If by "no host" you mean people order and pay separately, I don't think anyplace will do that.

[Tay]

I was also just going to ask what was meant by "no host"

[sfchowchick]

The assumption is one check, everyone chips in. So "no-host" is irrelevant, actually - unless there is a place that would do separate menus for a group that size which seems unlikely. Thanks for checking!

[manraysky]

I think that anyplace that would allow a party of that size would require a credit card deposit from someone, even if everyone chips in for the bill.

[Concetta]

Not only that, but a "set" menu would most likely be required as well (with a per head charge). Thirsty Bear might be an option -- fits the fun and casual criteria.

[sfchowchick]

Thanks Concetta - Thirsty Bear is a great suggestion!