661543 Thu Oct 22 15:05:51 -0700 2009 9 2 Los Angeles Area 0 5123610 So, I'm stepping in pretty late in the day to find a spot for a work-related Christmas party. The specs: we're on the West Side but folks will be coming from all over (Hollywood, SF Valley, SG Valley, maybe OC), so that's not the key. Hollywood would be fine, Beverlywood, maybe inner Valley. It's a lunch for 50-80 and it's got to come in under $25 a head for food and (non-alcoholic) drink. Mingling room and a cash bar are essential ('cuz, come on, it's work-related - if you can't get tipsy and find a path away from the dullest person in the office, you probably won't make it through an hour). I'm bringing it here in the hopes that there are good options out there that will mean I don't have to cave in to the Bucca di Beppo-Maggiano's-Saddle Ranch axis*, but as time's a bit limited and the number of guests is a bit uncertain, I'm thinking it's going to have to be somewhere that does such things semi-regularly (i.e. no talking favorite holes-in-the-wall into whipping something up), though maybe I'm wrong about that. Any help in the matter would be much, much appreciated. Thanks! Thu Oct 22 15:05:51 -0700 2009 157413 asadasam 1 5123685 i had two random thoughts for Westwood, though they may be outside your price range - would Palomino or Napa Valley Grille work? Thu Oct 22 15:48:19 -0700 2009 5123610 103920 goodhealthgourmet 2 5123734 Love NVG, but Palomino is not very good. I'm having a hard time coming up with suggestions for that many, at that price point. Try Westside Tavern in the Westside Pavilion. They have the room, and if they want to work with you, they can come up with a set menu to fit your budget. Thu Oct 22 16:08:52 -0700 2009 5123685 90755 Phurstluv 1 5123718 Maybe, just maybe, a restaurant that normally isn't open for Lunch your group could take over: http://mounoftunisrestaurant.com/client/mounoftunis/homepage.htm Budget = Food $22 + Drink $3 ? Thu Oct 22 16:02:12 -0700 2009 5123610 11205 JBC 2 5123931 Thanks for all the suggestions so far - I'm not ruling anything out yet, so that adds several places to check out to my list. Thu Oct 22 17:22:15 -0700 2009 5123718 157413 asadasam 3 5124005 if you opt for Moun of Tunis, i'd skip the belly dancers...otherwise you might also find yourself responsible for organizing a workplace sexual harassment seminar ;) Thu Oct 22 17:52:01 -0700 2009 5123931 103920 goodhealthgourmet 2 5125689 More like armpit of tounis...All those drapes and throw rugs smelled like they havent been cleaned since Ali Baba was born... Fri Oct 23 11:53:16 -0700 2009 5123718 125536 luhkee 1 5124515 does it need to be a hard liquor bar or will a beer/wine bar be adequate? Thu Oct 22 23:35:31 -0700 2009 5123610 11935 westsidegal 1 5124520 i'd see if antica pizzaria will let you take over the restaurant with their least expensive party menu. be aware, though, that the normal beverage that is included is coffee, tea, or milk. also, like almost everywhere else, they will add a gratuity to the tab. i believe they only have a beer and wine license. http://www.anticapizzeria.net/menus/parties.html Thu Oct 22 23:41:14 -0700 2009 5123610 11935 westsidegal 2 5125287 I think beer/wine would be enough - definitely hadn't thought of Antica - will add that. Fri Oct 23 09:35:27 -0700 2009 5124520 157413 asadasam