548774 Thu Aug 14 15:51:34 -0700 2008 11 1 San Francisco Bay Area 0 3958005 Hello N. Cal hounds, I could really use your help! I've been scouring your boards (I'm down in the L.A. area), and I've found a lot of useful information, but I'm still not sure if I'm on the right track. My mother, sister and I are throwing a baby shower lunch for my cousin. There will be about 25-30 women attending. We need a restaurant in either Palo Alto or Menlo Park. It should be a nice place, nothing too casual or chain-ish. The places I've been thinking about are : Evvia, Tamarine, St. Michael's Abbey, Osteria and Carpaccio. We'd really like somewhere that has a private room, too. So, what do you all think? Thanks so much! Thu Aug 14 15:51:43 -0700 2008 55224 chazar 1 3958328 Lisa's Tea Treasures has a Menlo Park location. I've never been there but I bet it would be a fun place. Thu Aug 14 18:03:16 -0700 2008 3958005 10992 katya 2 3958451 Can't speak for the Menlo Park location as each one is franchised, but last year I attended a bridal shower at Lisa's Tea Treasures at Santana Row. At first I wasn't very excited about it, but ended up being pleasantly surprised. We had the front room reserved for us and it nicely accommodated 28 people. If cutting edge food is not a requirement and you could be happy with a more homey menu of tea sandwiches/scones/sweets, it was a very successful venue to host a woman's rite-of-passage kind of celebration. We brought in cupcakes and a 3 tiered stand and they were kind enough to set up a display table for our use and also to serve them at no charge. The desserts that were included in the set menu were provided to our hostess ahead, so she could box them up and give them out as favors. Thu Aug 14 18:59:22 -0700 2008 3958328 20781 buoncibo 1 3959842 Allied Arts might be a fun and picturesque spot. Fri Aug 15 09:24:03 -0700 2008 3958005 12154 Concetta 2 3981508 Did the cafe reopen? Last time I was there the cafe was shuttered and no longer in business. It's a beautiful spot, I hope it's back. Sat Aug 23 17:27:28 -0700 2008 3959842 130031 Shane Greenwood 1 3960126 Lisa's Tea Treasures sounds like a great idea but according to their website, the maximum the Menlo Park location accommodates is 25. I haven't been for lunch but perhaps Four Seasons Palo Alto. They also have a Sunday brunch. What's your budget? Tamarine & Evvia are very good but pricey with the latter a bit cramped (not sure if there is a private area/room). There's also Zibibo, a "pan-mediterranean" restaurant with a pretty setting, & La Strada in Palo Alto. La Strada has a semi private area but not sure how many people it can hold. Osteria is too small & Carpaccio probably too stuffy (haven't been there in YEARS). Fri Aug 15 11:00:11 -0700 2008 3958005 108661 ceekskat 2 3981088 Thank you all so much for your good ideas! We have a new wrinkle, however. My cousin, who the shower is honoring, also had some suggestions. My mom would like to look at these first. So here's her list: Zibibbo Restaurant (Palo Alto) - they have private rooms Stanford Park Hotel (Palo Alto) and/or The Duck Club Restaurant (inside the hotel) Tamarine Restaurant (Palo Alto) - they have a private room, I believe Il Fornaio (Palo Alto) - they have a private room Straits (Menlo Park) have a private room So, any comments on these specifically? The guest list is now down to 20-25. We are still looking for a private room (and it looks like most or all of these have one based on my cousin's list). We are also hoping for really good food, and a place that is nice and pretty for a baby shower. Thanks again, everyone! Sat Aug 23 13:35:14 -0700 2008 3960126 55224 chazar 3 3981224 You can check what reports there are on Chowhound by plugging in the restaurant name in this link to places http://www.chow.com/places/regions/1 Il Fornaio is a chain with locations in Southern Cal. At least I know of one around Encinitas. That being said, for a chain it isn't horrid. I get confused on which Straits is good and which isn't. You might check board reports. Sat Aug 23 14:51:12 -0700 2008 3981088 10264 rworange 3 3981396 I haven't been to Stanford Park Hotel, but I would choose Tamarine among the others. Stylish restaurant with good food & service. Straits Palo Alto was great when it first opened, but has steadily gown downhill over the years. I don't think it is part of the rest of the group anymore. If Tamarine doesn't have a private room or doesn't work out for any reason, I'd choose Zibibbo. Sat Aug 23 16:24:13 -0700 2008 3981088 108661 ceekskat 3 3981513 Egads, not Straits. Not this one. Not if you like good food. I think they are working with good recipes, but they use a hackneyed, unbalanced hand in the preparation. On par with Olive Garden and Cheesecake Factory. Sat Aug 23 17:31:24 -0700 2008 3981088 130031 Shane Greenwood 1 3981280 I vote for Stanford Park having been to most of the others. It is serene, service is good, food is average but ambience woud be memorable Sat Aug 23 15:19:06 -0700 2008 3958005 73699 Giselle 1 3981654 Of the choices your cousin listed, I think Zibibbo is the best for ambiance and service. They have a nice courtyard area as well, although I think there are people passing through it from the front of the restaurant. With a large group Zibibbo has something for everyone including some small plates and shareable items like flatbreads. Sat Aug 23 19:11:13 -0700 2008 3958005 51699 jsgjewels