Tips for Dining, Eating, and Food Shopping in the SF Bay Area (including Berkeley, Oakland, Napa, Sonoma, Marin, and San Jose)
Start New ThreadPlease help us. We live in the Southern California area and need a wedding rehearsal dinner restaurant in the Berkeley area for 20 people with a private room.
By cookstr
on Jul 18, 2011 01:21 PM
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I have some suggestions for places that will either let you rent the restaurant, or have private rooms. That is my old neighborhood, and I do the events for my company - we are always looking for a private room!
Oliveto on college. http://www.oliveto.com/ they are consistently solid and the restaurant is classy, rehearsal dinner level.
Revival on Shattuck Avenue has a private room.
Five in the Hotel Shattuck - they may let you seat 20 in the restaurant, but if you're giving speeches you may want to get a small room in the hotel's meeting space.
SeaSalt on San Pablo has a Semi-Private room not technically campus area, but close.
Lake Chalet at Lake Merritt is lovely but a little far.
Venus on Shattuck may be available for a private event.
Bistro Liason on Shattuck will let you rent the place but they have a high F&B Minimum
Taste of the Himalayas - Indian! Good! Private room.
I have heard Rumors that Cesar on Shattuck has a private room, but have never seen it or been quoted. Call them and ask if they know of anywhere that offers a private room. They are well connected in the neighborhood.
There are tons of places on Solano Avenue in Albany, too - which is about a 10 minute drive. Sounds like you may need to reach the places on foot? In that case, Revival is a good bet. Right by Bart, and campus - food is a solid 4 out of 5.....
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Oliveto Restaurant
5655 College Ave, Oakland, CA 94618
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Bistro Liaison has a private room, capacity 22. It's on the other side of the garage, the servers have to carry plates down the sidewalk!
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Bistro Liaison
1849 Shattuck Ave., Berkeley, CA 94709
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The Claremont hotel provides beautiful views and old world charm. I have been to many parties, dinners, banquets etc hosted at the Claremont over the years. A moderately short cab ride from campus.
http://www.claremontresort.com/
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FIVE at Hotel Shattuck is beautiful...newly renovated and with beautiful and fun decor. They have a few banquet rooms, and a great patio if the weather is nice. The food is delicious, and they have a full bar. Highly reccomended.
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I would agree that the food at FIVE is better than anything I've had at the Claremont.
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Cookstr, where did you end up going for your rehearsal dinner this summer? Were you happy with your decision? I'm also looking for a place close to UCB for about 20 people for my rehearsal in March. Any advice would help!
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After looking at several venues, we decided on Le Bateau Ivre in Berkeley and was very pleased. Arlene, the owner tried to help in all ways possible. We had a private room and set menu for a reasonable price compared with other restaurants. The building was built at the turn of the 1800's and was converted to a charming, quaint restaurant with delicious food. I highly recommend this place.
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Le Bateau Ivre Restaurant
2629 Telegraph Ave, Berkeley, CA
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Thanks for reporting back! Le Bateau Ivre sounds like a great choice -- it's one of those places that's been around for so long (and that most people think of as a breakfast/brunch/lunch place) that it flies under the radar. It is very romantic, charming restaurant for an event like yours.
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Le Bateau Ivre Restaurant
2629 Telegraph Ave, Berkeley, CA
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Thank you both!
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