Paris - large group - best place suggestion

[NewNordicTraveller]

Hi.
I am hoping for a little help from the board...

I am hosting a dinner party in Paris and need to find a nice place for about 25 people. It is scheduled for mid january and my budget is about €100-150/person including wine.

I have been looking at a few different places but (since I am not a Paris local) I am unsure of whether or not it is feasible to get a booking for such a large group and secondly which places are the best choices right now.

The group is mostly lifestyle journalists, so it needs to be somewhere that is not yesterday's news and it needs to be great food, preferably very modern. I have been looking at these:

• La Chateaubriand
• Septime
• La Bigarrade, Paris
• Saturne
• L’ami Jean
• L’agape Substance

Are they outdated/cool, too expensive, food great/not great etc.

Any input is greatly appreciated.

Best regards from Copenhagen

[NewNordicTraveller]

We ended up at Saturne. Wonderful food and impeccable service from Swen the chef and the rest of his crew! Much recommended!

[PhilD]

All very well known and known to the media so they should be familiar to a lifestyle journalist (although as I type that I realise it is an oxymoron). My advice is to read JT's renteree posts where he lists some really brand new places then get on the phone to see if they can do such a large group and probably close to the public for the night to accommodate you.

[NewNordicTraveller]

Hi guys.
Thank you for the input. I have a list together now, that i will try calling right away:

Septime
Le Chateaubriand
La Biggarade
Saturne
Spring
Le Caius
Pierre Sang Boyer
Pirouette
Vivant Table
Abri

Again, thanks!

[Nancy S.]

Great list! It'll be interesting to hear which places will accommodate your group.

[John Talbott]

"Pierre Sang Boyer" Good luck sweet talking him into closing the place.
Recall that Spring has a cellar room (Buvette) where they have loved to do private parties with plates of ham, oysters, etc as you stand around chatting, then sit for dinner.
Pirouette too big for you to take 50% of the place and derange te other customers.
Vivant Table has no more that 18 spots to sit, maybe fewer.

[NewNordicTraveller]

Hi John.
Thanks for that extra information. Vivant is off the list then.

[Nancy S.]

Just out of curiosity, what have your responses been so far?

[NewNordicTraveller]

Hi Nancy.
La Biggarade was too small and Caius has sent an offer. And I am waiting for an offer from Saturne.
Still trying to get through to the rest :)

[Nancy S.]

I'm a fan of Saturne. I have a dinner reservation in 2 weeks.

[ChefJune]

Maceo in the 1er has a beautiful private room that would be perfect for your group. Although the venue is "historic," the food is very modern -- and delicious, not to mention being in your price range.

[John Talbott]

There are threads elsewhere and a section in the Red Michelin with Private Rooms and there are places like Spring, the Bastide Odeon, Les Papilles and Les Saisons that have private rooms in good food venues.

[Maximilien]

L'Agape Substance is too small (if I remember correctly).

[John Talbott]

I dont think any are they "outdated.... not great etc.
Chez L'Ami Jean is older, Chateaubriand oldish, both highly popular with Americans as is Septime.
The issue as I see it is getting a small place (Bigarrade, Septime, Saturne's front room) to close for an evening for a private party. I've booked places out for private parties three times but they were very new and not yet booked solidly like your options.
Sometimes places will open on their closed days for a private party as well.
Another issue to consider which has been raised on this board is that if you go to a bigger restaurant where you just have 25 folks off on one side it definately will annoy/distract diners desiring a quiet romantic dinner.
I think you'll have to start calling and see what happens.