60th Birthday Venue in San Mateo Co. for 30 People
Hello Hounds,
I did a cursory search and did not find any posts really fitting the bill. My Mom is turning 60 and my father wants to do a surprise b-day thing for her. The guest list is mainly people in the same age range, and most, including Mom love good food and good wine.
We had an event at the Village Pub for my grandparents a few months back, and that would work again, I was just hoping to probe the brains of you folks.
Requirements:
1) Private (or semi-private) room or area to have the party in (so my Grandparents can hear everything and so we don't disturb anyone. (30 people)
2) Delicious food (although doesn't have to be fancy)
3) Good wine list
4) Price is less of an object...good food is paramount.
5) Range would be from San Mateo (at the outside) to Palo Alto (I know that is in S.C. Co.)
Anyway, any help would be wonderful, thank you in advance.
JB
By Jeni Bean
on Jul 21, 2009 08:40 AM
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Donato Enoteca has recently opened in Redwood City and has had some favorable reports
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/629816
The website says they accomodates groups of 10 to 80 but they don't get specific. There is a mention in the link above about a back dining room so I don't know how many that seats.
http://www.donatoenoteca.com/events.html
I had a number of place records tagged as having event facilities, but yet once again search has stopped working. If I come up with anything I'll post further.
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Here's the photo from Donato's website of the wine room in the back.
http://www.donatoenoteca.com/photos/d...
It's probably just about the right size for 30 people, and it opens to a lounge on the patio that might be a good place to have a wine reception to start.
Divino in Belmont is split into two dining areas, and one half might suit for a private party of that size.
A little more downscale but still quite delicious is Istanbul in San Carlos. For 30 people you could probably buy out the whole place, which might be advantageous. The wine list is minimal, but I bet you could negotiate a good corkage rate and bring your own.
I attended a lovely birthday party at Vero in Palo Alto for 14 people a year ago. It was originally supposed to be staged on the patio but it was too cold so it was held indoors. I think you'd be close to a buy-out for 30 people here too.
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Mom actually just went to Donato Enoteca and I have rarely heard her so adamant upon not returning. This is all second-hand but she said the food was affirmatively NOT good. She mentioned specifically the artichoke appetizer that she had and sent back, which is not something I have ever seen her do.
I wasn't there, so like I said, that is second hand.
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I have only been in a party of six, but John Bentley's in Redwood City ( not woodside) has a room upstairs for that size group.
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I went to a birthday party for about a dozen guests at RC's John Bentley's a few years ago. The service was great for a big group. We stayed way past closing time and the staff never seemed anxious for us to leave.
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Viognier in San Mateo would fit the bill
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