Looking for Baltimore Rest. for 12-15 ppl Graduation Dinner

[pmapp]

My brother-in-law is graduating from Hopkins med in May and we're in need of a good place to have dinner for 12-15 people that will be in town for the graduation. Nothing too fancy or expensive but not too casual either.

I'm not familiar with the area at all (live in Texas) and he has been a bit too busy over the last 4 years to get to know the restaurant scene very well. I've found the following from Yelp but not sure how well they meed our needs. Some of these are probably a bit too high of a price point (we'll be paying for everyone), but I just wanted to get a list of options started.

Thoughts? Recommendations? Thanks.

Woodberry Kitchen
Mama's on the Half Shell
Roy's
Clementine
Amicci's
Salt Tavern
Blue Hill Tavern
Cinghiale

[ForFoodsSake]

I love Cinghiale (which can be affordable -- there's a $29/person 3 course menu) and B & O Brasserie. I had groups of about 20 there last August and found both restaurants to be very accommodating. The service and food quality at Cinghiale was a bit more to my liking, but I'd think either would suit for a graduation dinner.

[fldhkybnva]

I graduated from JHUSOM last year and had a wonderful brunch for 12 at Gertrude's. They were very easy to work with and offered a wide selection of menu options to suit the party.

[FoiGras]

I defnitely agree with fldhkybnva with regards to Gertrude's. The only consideration is that this time of year, with graduations and wedding parties, Mother's and Father's Days, they book up rather quickly. FoiGras

[fldhkybnva]

Yea, this is definitely true though I think we started to plan/finalized plans around this time last year. If I remember correctly, my graduation was on a weekday which I think is more convenient in terms of availability if you planned to go directly after the ceremony.

[dining with doc]

I beleve that there is only one way to celebrate a graduation from johns Hopkins medical school and that is to go to The Prime Rib. Although it is a little pricier than some of the other choices, it truly has exceptional food, exceptional professional waiters and is iconic for an achievement of this magnitude!

[FoiGras]

Doc-definitely agree-but the PR is quite expensive and the original poaster did specify the price point.

I believe that you and I could recommend something more upscale then Blue Hill Tavern and meet their price point. FoiGras

[dining with doc]

FG: no re-do's in life. Not every day you get to celebrate a graduation from JHU school of Medicine. Definitely worth the not so great difference in price for what you are getting in exchange.

[pmapp]

Well we are dining with 1 vegetarian and the soon-to-be doctor doesn't really eat red meat so I think a prime rib place might not be a good choice for us, but thanks for the suggestion.

we'll be in town from Tuesday-Sunday so we will have lots of chances to dine elsewhere. is chap's pit beef worth the drive from downtown? we're staying at the courtyard downtown by inner harbour so it looks like there are lots of interesting places in walking distance. any specific recs??

[FoiGras]

Tabrizi's is a nice restaurant located on the water. It offers Mediterranean cuisine and has many options available for vegetarians.

You also should venture over to Federal Hill and Fells Point. Both areas have many different dining venues. Mezze's in Fells Point is fun for tapas oriented cuisine and also a good choice for vegetarians. FoiGras

[pmapp]

Thanks! Will check them out.

[stephanieg]

I think Blue Hill is an excellent choice. Good food and great atmosphere. Definitely a place where you can celebrate a special occasion. I would take Salt off-- it's very small and seems too casual for a special dinner. And while Clementine has good (albeit sometimes inconsistent) food, it also seems too casual for a celebratory dinner.
I'm not a personal fan of Cinghale (I've had great but also bad experiences there) or Roys (loud, not stellar food) and haven't been to the others recently enough to comment. If you want other possibilities, you may want to consider the Olive Room, which has a great harbor view and excellent Greek dishes. I also agree with the Tabrizi's suggestion.

Let us know what you pick and then how it goes!

[pmapp]

We have decided on Blue Hill Tavern. We got their private room for $1k, which won't be hard to get to with 15 people eating and drinking. Thanks for all the suggestions.

[lawhound]

Take Amiccis and Mama's off your list. They are either not that great, or not that nice a venue. Roy's and Cinghiale will be at high end of price, followed by Woodberry Kitchen and Salt. Clementine might strike the right balance of price and quality.

[bordeauxfan]

I'd add the Wine Market for your consideration. They have an intimate but high-ceilinged private room. I have had 3 or 4 private parties there over the last couple of years. Easy to customize a menu with paired wines. And parking is easy, which is a bonus.

[FoiGras]

To begin with, Cinghiale is quite expensive and the portions are small. Some Chowhounds love this place. But, I was quite disappointed when I dined there.

Roy's, too, can be pricey.

"agarnett100" was correct with the parking issue at Mama's on the Half Shell.

Woodberry Kitchen may be an option. I've only dined there one time.

Gertrude's at the Baltimore Museum of Art is quite nice and reasonably priced. If you are interested you would have to book NOW. Many graduation parties are held there as it is close to the Hopkins' campus. Tabrizi's is also one of my recommendations. It's downtown off of Key Highway. The restaurant is lovely and located on the water. There is an outdoor patio where your event could be held weather permitting. They host quite a number of wedding receptions, so your group of 12-15 would be no problem for the restaurant to accommodate. FoiGras

[pmapp]

thanks. is Tabrizi's a normal restaurant? their website makes it look like they are a wedding/event space only.

[FoiGras]

Yes, Tabrizi's is definitely a full serve restaurant and not specifically oriented for wedding/events. One I highly recommend for your graduation party. FoiGras

[kukubura]

Just to be clear, Gertrude's is close to the JHU Homewood campus, not the med school. Although graduation ceremonies tend to be staged at Homewood, but you would want to confirm that before booking Gertrude's just for the convenience.

[FoiGras]

What was I thinking? Yes, the med school is downtown. But, Gertrude's wouldn't be that far away.

Woodberry Kitchen and Clementine are both good suggestions, but bit of a distance away from downtown or the Homewood campus. FoiGras

[agarnett100]

I hear good things about the Woodberry Kitchen.

I would also recommend B&O Brasserie

Mama's on the Half Shell is in Fells Point parking maybe an issue depending on the time of day