Seeking Mpls/St. Paul venue for party of 25-35 in mid-June

[eyanisch]

I live out of town and am looking for a restaurant in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area where I can host a dinner for 25-35 people on Wednesday evening, June 22. I’ve contacted several restaurants but haven’t booked anything yet. Thought I’d check here for additional suggestions.

General criteria:
Sit-down dinner for 25-35 in a single space (not divided between different dining areas)
Leaning toward French or American but open to other cuisines
Very good to excellent quality food ($20-30 entree range?)
Low background noise level is important due to a few guests with impaired hearing
Evening takeover of a smaller restaurant would be great if the space and food are right, but a private/semi-private dining room in a larger establishment would be fine too
Open to lesser-known/smaller restaurants if the quality is there

I appreciate any input local ChowHound folk can offer!
Many thanks in advance.

[Warehouse]

Pazzaluna is a really great Italian place in St. Paul if you're open to that. Seven has been great for large parties I've been to in Minneapolis and have American and sushi . French food - I really don't know of any places tbh :(

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Pazzaluna
360 St. Peter St, St. Paul, MN 55101

[eyanisch]

Thanks to all who have replied. This is really helpful. I'll investigate your suggestions and report back.

[gryffindor249]

Try The Lexington...very classic-and they just brought in a new chef and are updating everything. I think they have a private dining room...but I bet they could accommodate your party in the dining room easily.

http://www.thelexongrand.com/

[AnneInMpls]

I would recommend Vincent in downtown Minneapolis. They have an upstairs area that seats up to 50-70, but would work for 30-40. The place is definitely quiet, and the food is wonderful. And French.

Anne

http://www.vincentarestaurant.com/pri...

[soupkitten]

heartland

[scoopG]

I agree. Loved Heartland and our private dinner there for 23 last month. They do require a minimum of $1500 to book one of their two private rooms though, which are lovely.

http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/7218...

[eyanisch]

Thanks, scoopG. I've been speaking with someone at Heartland. She says their smaller room holds up to 80 people and I'm worried that it might feel vast for a group of ~30. How was it for your group of 23?.

[scoopG]

Wonderful. We loved the food and the service was top notch. The room we were in was off of the main dining room/bar area. It added an aura of elegance to the evening. (I believe it is the same room featured in a photo on their website.) I would think 80 in that space would be very cramped. There were three round tops set up (for 8, 8 and 7.) I believe they have two private rooms.

[kevin47]

You might see what Cave Vin could do. The food there is really excellent, and also French and in your desired price range.

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Cave Vin
5555 Xerxes Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55410

[LauraB]

It has been a while (~5 years ago), but we had a nice experience with our rehearsal dinner at WA Frost. They have a private room that should be about the right size.

[MayrMN]

I had my rehearsal dinner at Firelake Restaurant in the Downtown Radisson Hotel in Mpls. They have a private space that seats up to 42 with glass doors that enclose the space.

They have group dining menus that are all inclusive of app, entree, dessert and non-alc bevs. Really economical.

I also just looked for a private space for my alumni club and truly private spaces are hard to find and most have high F&B mins.

Good Luck!

-MayrMN

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Firelake
31 South 7th Street, Minneapolis, MN 55402

[eyanisch]

That's one I hadn't read anything about. I'll take a look. Thanks!