Berkeley/Oakland group dinner...
You would think that when the reunion was coming around, they would ask someone who actually LIVES in Berkeley (this is my professional school's 30th...I'm having a hard time with that number. I can't possibly have been out of school that long....)
But, no, somehow I've been volunteered to help plan. I figure we may have about 30 to 40 people there...maybe as many as 50. Somewhere easy driving distance would be good; accessible by BART would be even better for those that never left town. Some of us will be staying at the Marina Doubletree for another meeting that weekend, but I'd rather find something fun away from there...and maybe a little less pricey as well....
A private room would be ideal. We could even conceivably be outside, as it will be October and probably pretty warm. It is NOT a football weekend, but the UCLA/Cal game is scheduled for that day, and could be in the evening, so available TVs might be a plus.....
Bonus points for "Berkeley" atmosphere.....
TIA!
By janetofreno
on Jun 11, 2009 10:56 PM
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What's the budget like? If the budget runs to it, getting the back patio at A Cote would be great, and I think there would be room for 40. No TVs, though.
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I haven't been to this place. The reviews have been mixed, not unusual for CH. It is, however, in Berkeley, convenient to the Marina, has TV sports, convenient to BART. Call and see how your group would fit.
Meridian International Sports Cafe, University near Shattuck.
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/576887
Oct 17 Cal at UCLA, time TBA can, of course, cause a problem with hoardes of Young Blues competing with Old Blues for places to watch. Berkeley atmosphere for sure.
2050 University, Berkeley, CA
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I'd consider downtown Oakland if that is Berkeley enough for you, pretty easy to get to from the Doubletree driving or by BART. I can't remember the TV situation, but (again, assuming it fits the bduget, which would be helpful to know), "B" in Oakland might be workable. I saw them handle a group in there and they did well. You might be able to take over the entire place as it isn't that big. Also, though I am not crazy about the restaurant, I went to a nice group event for about that many people in the private back room at Soizic about a year ago. The new restaurant owned by the same people, Mua, has been getting positive reports; no idea if they have a private room or no. Their website does say they are good for large, private parties:
http://www.muaoakland.com/
If you want to stay in Berkeley, Sea Salt has a private room for up to 50, and very good food. (but not as BART accessible). It fits my definition of Berkeley atmosphere.
http://www.seasaltrestaurant.com/
T-Rex is also a possibility, though I don't think they have a private room, and it could be noisy.
I also like the A Cote suggestion.
499 9th St, Oakland, CA 94607
1300 10th St, Berkeley, CA 94710
300 Broadway, Oakland, CA 94607
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It's often pretty cool in the evenings in October. An outdoor location would be problematic unless it has heaters.
A Cote is a couple of blocks from Rockridge BART. The back patio is really nice and it wouldn't be as noisy as Mua. You could probably bring in a TV. They can close it off with a sort of tent and there are heaters so it works in any weather.
Restaurant B is a couple of blocks from 12th St. BART. Food and service are great.
Maybe the back room at Downtown.
If there's a Cal game on, conversation will be impossible at Meridian and difficult at T-Rex. Meridian's oppressively noisy even when it's empty.
2102 Shattuck Ave, Berkeley, CA 94704
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Downtown has an almost ideal location (downtown Berkeley, right next to BART) but Sea Salt has better food and would probably be cheaper. However, if location is important...
Yes, though I haven't been to Mua I suspect it might be a bit too noisy and hip for a group 30 years out of professional school, even if the school was at Berkeley :-)
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Mua has just a very noisy setup, and also not a good one for a dinner/party like this one. There are lots of nooks, which might be nice for a smaller and younger party, but it might be a little off for this one.
T-Rex would be fun, but they don't have a private room, and while I'm sure they would work with you to reserve half the restaurant, etc. it would be really loud in there, and not particularly kind to vegetarians.
Sea Salt would be great, and has a lovely back patio with heaters...though I don't know how many it can hold, my instinct is about 20, but you might ask the restaurant. That side room is nice, though.
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Mua's private dining room seats 10, I think. There is a mezzanine upstairs that might be fun for a party, but don't know if it's quite big enough.
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Yeah, I've only been on the mezzanine -- it would be fun for a happy hour type party, but I don't think for this kind.
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Opentable says Mua can handle parties up to 300:
http://opentable.com/info/banquets.as...
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Hey, I resent that remark!! (about the noisy and hip, that is...:-) But considering I was one of the youngest in my class I should be careful about such things....:-)
I like some of these suggestions, and will follow up. As far as budget goes, I think the group would be willing to go to around $50 each including tax and tip (drinks will have to be no-host) but I am trying to avoid high room charges (or any room charge, for that matter....). Fifty would be the high end, somewhere around 35 to 40 would be better if its doable...
We have had a couple of family events at a hotel in Richmond (was it Richmond Hotel?) that had a room, do you remember details? I liked that place, even though its not BART friendly.....
And vegetarian friendly is a good idea too....
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Hotel Mac?
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Richmond or Point Richmond?
http://www.hotelmac.net/restaurant.htm
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You do know that Point Richmond is in Richmond? It is a neighborhood, not a city.
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you are thinking of Hotel Mac, but I think in your budget you could do Sea Salt, if you don't care about BART, or B if you do, and I like both better...
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Brennan's (in its new incarnation across the street from its old incarnation) would probably be able to hold your entire group, has cafeteriaesque serving so no problems with the bill, is close to the marina, and just -imagine- all that old school nostalgia!
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lol....maybe a little too much "old school" nostalgia!!
I wish that Italian place was still around...you know, the one with the triples for a buck fifty and dirt cheap semi-edible meals...on Telegraph in Oakland..what was that called? It would be the perfect reunion spot for these guys..:-)
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Bertolas.
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I recall the well drinks at 50 cents (75 cents for a double and a buck for a triple).
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I agree with Wolfe...Meridian would be perfect. I'm currently a grad student at Cal, and we held a few events at Meridian during March Madness.
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