Casual dinner for 40 near FQ

[cwalker1977]

Hi. I'm looking for a casual spot for a private dinner for 40 people near the FQ. A few kids will be included in that count, and it will take place on a Thursday night in May. We like the idea of po-boys, fried or BBQ shrimp, and passed plates/family style. Not a formal prix fixe, no carving station, etc.

My contenders so far:
Tujaques
Acme Oyster House
Mother's
Mr. B's

Reactions? Any other thoughts/suggestions? Thanks in advance!

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Acme Oyster House
1202 N Highway 190, Covington, LA 70433

[marthasway]

My first thoughts were Deanie's and Cochon.

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Cochon
930 Tchoupitoulas St., New Orleans, LA 70130

[TaTee]

I think Mother's might be your spot. Or, you could take the group on a streetcar ride and take the Red Lady to Mandina's on Canal Street.

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Mandina's Restaurant
3800 Canal St, New Orleans, LA 70119

[Bill Hunt]

Have you contacted your listed restaurants? Can they handle a party of 40?

I agree with others that this might be a tough one.

We've done up to 250 at Broussard's, but that was not quite what I'd call "casual."

I might be temped to contact both a catering company, and then look for a venue. A party of 40 is fairly large more many restaurants, or will likely elevate the event at others.

Good luck,

Hunt

[Littleman]

I suggest Napoleon House. Their menu looks like it fit's your group and their minimum # of guests is 40. Perfect and I like the food there.

Napoleon House Bar & Cafe @ 500 Chartres St., New Orleans, LA. 504 - 524 - 9752.
http://www.napoleonhouse.com/

Here's a link to their party options. You would be in a private room on the 2nd floor. Their sit down party options are nice but they are much higher. I would do a stand up cocktail party with hot and cold items passed around.

http://www.napoleonhouse.com/Napoleon...

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Napoleon House Bar & Cafe
500 Chartres St, New Orleans, LA 70130

[Bill Hunt]

I would never have thought of Napoleon House. If that is their standard, then great call.

Hunt

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Napoleon House Bar & Cafe
500 Chartres St, New Orleans, LA 70130

[CharlieH]

I don't think Mr. B.'s fits that criteria (too upscale), and I question whether Tujaques would do something along those lines, that's not their type food. They are more of a three course fixed price place. Personally, not a big fan of either Acme or Mother's. To put it mildly. Seeing as I have shot down all 4 suggestions, I would recommend Parkway Bakery. They have a great patio/courtyard area that is perfect for a casual get together of 40 or so, with a large covered dining area on two sides and a big open space in the middle for mingling/dancing etc. You could get small band for entertainment. Plus they make the best po-boys in town and are fry kings. Ownership is easy to get along with too, and they are typically pretty slow at night so they should be interested. Have fun.

[hazelhurst]

LOgically reasoned..I could not see a mob in Acme..it might work but makes me uncofortable. Mr B's? I've been thinking it would be fine but, again, you'd have to pack the crew in somewhere. Parkway is a great idea.

[collardman]

That is a tough set of specs.

I would say for 40 people you will have to have a private room. Then for family style it would definitly be a private room. I don't think you're contimplating a buy out.

Most retaurants with private rooms don't have that downscale dining menu.

It might work in one of the smaller FQ hotels that does weddings, etc, like Hotel St. Louis. Or, some of the suburb sea food places that do crawfish boils. A place like Mulate's comes to mind but I don't know if they have a private room