50th Anniversary Party

[WestsideLisa]

I'm in Los Angeles, trying to help plan a 50th anniversary celebration in the Arlington area. The party will be a luncheon on a Saturday in July, with approximately 40 guests (including some children). I am looking for a restaurant that has a private room and solid food...it doesn't have to be the best food in the world, but I'm hoping for a step up from banquet food.

To put things in perspective, the top contender right now is the Army Navy Country Club. The guests of honor are members, so there is a push to have the event there. I think it will be very expensive for yucky banquet food. Please help me...if I have no better suggestions, then I will be destined to eat rubber chicken and wilted salad! Something near Crystal City, Shirlington, etc., would be ideal.

Thanks!

[MrsWheatie]

The Carlye in Shirlington might work for you. It has been several years since I've been there so hopefully others will provide feedback.
http://www.greatamericanrestaurants.c...

[ktmoomau]

You might also check with Eventide, which I believe has a private room, it's in Clarendon.

Not sure if any of the Shirlington restaurants have private rooms. What about Alexandria is that too far? Lots of options there.

[Indy 67]

The suggestion of Eventide makes me very conflicted. Ever since chefs Vaden and Frank left in the spring, everything I've read and heard about Eventide has been mediocre. I wish that weren't the case; I had many very delicious meals there.

One last practical note: If you follow up with Eventide, discuss the private room size with the appropriate folks. I think 40 will put you just over the capacity for the private room and you may have to take over the whole restaurant. That will definitely have financial implications.

[ktmoomau]

But compared to a buffet at a country club it would be an improvement... I am not sure what their private room capacity is though, it's probably on opentable.com.

That's why I asked about Alexandria...

[WestsideLisa]

I looked at their site, and it doesn't look like they serve lunch. Or did I miss something? I agree that the food MUST be better than the country club!

Depending on where in Alexandria, I actually think it could work as it would be less than a 15 minute drive. So I'm open to suggestions there as well.

Thanks everyone!

[chowser]

If you're willing to go to Old Town, that would open up a lot more choices. For Italian, you could try Landini Brothers. I don't know if they have private rooms but the restaurant is divided by rooms so you could probably get your own section.

Also check out Willow that I mentioned above that is in Arlington. Their site isn't as nice but the restaurant is elegant. Much nicer than the Army Navy Country Club, as food goes.

http://willowva.com/about.html

[chowser]

How formal do you want and what is the price range? Is there a particular kind of food you want, or want to avoid? That would help narrow it down.

[WestsideLisa]

It does not need to be "formal", but I would like it to be nice (e.g. maybe "business casual' in nature). There are going to be a lot of people in their late 60's and 70's as well as some kids, so I want something relatively tame...maybe sticking to American or Italian, nothing exotic. We are flexible on budget, but was hoping for something around $25/person to include all food & soft drinks...will pay additional for alcohol, tax & tip.

Thanks!

[chowser]

Thanks, that's helpful, and eliminates the ones I thought about suggesting. I'll think about it and hopefully others will be able to come with something.

[WestsideLisa]

Is the budget the reason it doesn't work? If so, we are flexible on that.

[chowser]

Yes, a big part of it. My first thought was Willow Restaurant, has a private room that would fit your party, solid food. But, I think you'll get more suggestions with the added info.

[Indy 67]

If you're willing to travel a bit farther west, Osteria Assaggi in McLean is a good possibility. There's a private room and the food is nice but not transcendent. I've provided a link to the luncheon menu which offers a $14 lunch special to include an entree and house salad OR soup OR dessert.

http://www.assaggiosteria.com/menus/l...

[WestsideLisa]

Thanks for the suggestion. I mapped it out, and it looks to be about a half hour away...which I think is too much for this particular crowd. But thank you for the suggestion!

[WestsideLisa]

Bumping up since there were no replies. Did I post on the wrong board? Or...maybe I'm looking for something that doesn't exist in the Arlington area? Thanks.