Venue for 80th birthday party, Westside or East SFV, (slightly) kid-friendly

[Kochav]

My parents will be turning 80 soon, so we are planning on a joint Saturday evening party for about 30 people in February over President's Day weekend. The honorees live on the Westside, so I looked through the board archives and came up with Napa Valley Grille and the Westside Tavern.

The one fly in the ointment is that the group will include 18 month old twins and a 9 year old boy. My parents would feel more comfortable if we could be in a location that had a little space so that the younger ones had a little lebensraum, just some space for them to stretch out, toddle around, and have some toys away from busy waitstaff.

Does anyone have suggestions for a location that might fit the bill, either on the Westside or in the east San Fernando Valley (Sherman Oaks/Encino/Studio City)? We have a tentative budget of $3k though we can go higher. Another option would be to find a place where we can rent a room and have an outside caterer come in, though this might be prohibitively expensive on a holiday weekend. Still, any suggestions for a location along those lines would also be very welcome.

Handicapped accessibility is a must. We also need vegetarian options.

Thanks for any ideas.

[Kochav]

Who'd a thunk that yes, the carnivore heaven restaurants are the ones that sound the most attractive? I remember reading one of the original Fogo De Chao reviews back in 2005 and salivating over the salad bar description, so that sounds very enticing. The 'rents might like the idea of Lawry's. My parents and I have happily eaten at Campanile, but it feels a tad cramped and busy for this kind of gathering. Border Grill, maybe. Not sure.

I'll pass these on to the honorees and ask for their impressions, but more suggestions are very very welcome.

[Servorg]

You might check with Fogo De Chao in Beverly Hills. They have one of the best salad bars in town as well as all the meat one could wish for carved off of skewers brought to the table.

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Fogo De Chao
133 N La Cienega Blvd, Beverly Hills, CA 90211

[wienermobile]

I second Fogo De Chao. Wonderful salad bar maybe the best in LA.

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Fogo De Chao
133 N La Cienega Blvd, Beverly Hills, CA 90211

[ipsedixit]

Yes, indeed. The salad bar at FdC is probably worth the price of admission alone.

[goodhealthgourmet]

see, i love this. i specifically didn't recommend Fogo because it's such a carnivore-friendly place. once again, my fellow Hounds have enlightened me :)

[goodhealthgourmet]

my initial thoughts (all wheelchair-accessible & can accommodate your party size and vegetarians):
26 Beach
Pane e Vino
Campanile
Border Grill

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26 Beach
3100 Washington Blvd., Venice, CA 90292

Border Grill
1445 4th St., Santa Monica, CA 90401

Campanile
624 S La Brea Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90036

Pane e Vino
8265 Beverly Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90048

[wienermobile]

I really like Lawry's the Prime Rib in Beverly Hills. It has everything you are looking for. Take a look at their party menu and prices in this link. http://www.lawrysonline.com/media/bro...

[goodhealthgourmet]

Lawry's could be a challenge for the vegetarians, no?

[wienermobile]

Lawry's is very accommodating and can do almost anything you request for vegetarians.

[goodhealthgourmet]

wow, i never would have expected that from a place with "Prime Rib" in the name :) good to know!

[ipsedixit]

Lawry's is very accommodating and can do almost anything you request for vegetarians.

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You've piqued my curiosity ... what does Lawry's prepare for vegetarians?

[wienermobile]

As you know there are many different levels of vegetarians. They will try very hard to accommodate want you want or what you don't want. They will do various salads, veggie plates, potatoes, and etc, Can you do better at a vegetarian restaurant...yes. Would I recommend Lawry's to a vegetarian...no. But you have to give Lawry's an A for effort.