Help!--where should I host my Mom's 70th bday party?

[maus]

I need help. We're hosting a surprise 70-th bday party for my mom in
the greater boston/cambridge area and need an affordable place to do
it. preferably with private space and multiple smaller tables or the
capacity for a buffet-like set up. 25 to 30 people. Any thoughts? My mom is young at heart, so she'd appreciate something that's not classically stuffy. Nouveau or ethnic cusine would be great. Doesn't have to be "fancy", but a nice-looking interior would be nice.

[cgj]

And I forgot--the S&S was very, very affordable. Less than $30/pp

[cgj]

I'm not sure of your mom's tastes, but I just hosted an 80th birthday party for my mom at the S&S in Cambridge. It's worked great for a brunch hour party: they use Ryles Jazz Club, across Hampshire Street, and they set up a buffet. It's a great, cafe-style space, the food was really good (surprise to all of you who slam the S&S on the board), you can have music if you want it, and the staff were very friendly. My mom's an East Cambridge girl and was just as pleased as could be with everything.

[taxi]

Hi, Maus!
Thought I'd add my two cents worth to help you out. We just returned from the Langham Hotel as we chowed down on their decadent chocolate feast. They also serve lunch from a menu as I noticed other tables doing. The chocolate buffet was so so yummy. The service was unobtrusive, friendly. The atmosphere is quite nice and elegant and very spacious. Think your mom would enjoy the food and interior - very classy. Don't know when the party is but the choc. bar ends the end of May and resumes in Sept. Have fun and make memories.

[Lucymax]

Here is something we did for out of town guests who came to my wedding -- we had brunch at Skipjack's in Back Bay. The restaurant reserved one large area (which is almost its own room) for us, we could still easily hear the live jazz which is wonderful, and I think the food is very good there. The service has always been great for us, too. Everyone had a wonderful time and everyone just ordered off the menu, so it's easy for the host. Some of the music that the Winikers play (the jazz guys) will probably be meaningful to your mom - lots of the classic jazz and American songbook. They play every Sunday.

[phonelady]

Blue Room in Cambridge?

[chowcat]

Flora in Arlington has a nice room that holds 25-30 comfortably with smaller tables, buffet if desired. Definitely nice interior. We had an excellent gathering there of about the same size. Fresh local ingredients, somewhat new American style. You don't specify what affordable is, so just guessing here.