I have a call into them, actually. They might be the place.

Ugh- Striking out still. Lots of no-callbacks, a coupl;e that were way-way over budget, and the rest were booked. Ugh!

Hi. Thanks for the suggestion- they look great! But, they can onl;y accomodate up to 14 people.

These are great ideas- No one called back from earlier today at the 3 I sent out feel;ers to, so I may need a few more suggestions, haha! I'll for sure look into Rialto and Harvest- The cooking/studio class sounds like a ton of fun, but not the right kind of venue for this event, I don't think.

Very much still looking, so thank you for the suggestion. I have left messages now with Locke-Ober, Scampo, Marcos- North End, and Mistral, though they seem out of my budget (prior years, would not have been a problem...).

Crud! The BPL/Catered Affair is totally booked for the night I'd need- back to the drawing board- Any other ideas?

I think I'll put a call into them and Scampo today, but if there are other ideas, I am totally game for listening. Tha nk you all so very much for the assistance.

Ha! I love it! You've accidental hit on a hit, I think- They are librarians, in fact! I'm still loving all these that are coming in- THANK YOU, and keep them coming!

They look wonderful- The Salon seems especially attractive, per our needs/their expectations. I wonder perhaps how much more of a budget I would be neediing to squeeze. Thoughts on their likely costs?

Thank you!

Hi! Story/history are all 2nd (or 3rd) to dining experience. Very sorry if I implied a great story was a must.

Woops! Sorry about that. The John B. Hynes Veteran's Convention Center.

Greetings Chowhounders! Every year, I entertain my 30 best clients one night at an annual conference that, this year, is in Boston. I am completely unfamiliar with the dining scene there, but very excited, as I always hear great things. The goal of the evening every year is amazing food, a great atmosphere, and a chance to NOT talk business for a night. This is the 7th year running now, and we've had some simply amazing experiences at the following places:

Araka- St. Louis
Restaurant August- New Orleans
The Carlyle- Portland
Kevin Taylor- Denver
Restaurant 1789- Washington DC
J.G. Domestic- Philadephia

All great experiences, wonderful places to dine (I highly recommend each of them, if ever you find yourself in those towns).

I am looking to duplicate/improve upon those for this year- My goal is a wonderful night, with great food.

Budget (cut a bit this year- darn recession!): $100 a person
# of attendees: 25-30
Private Dining space/room: Highly desired.
Location: Prefer near the Convention Center, but willing to cab it (a reasonable distance).

If the venue has a great local story/flair to it, all the better. Many of the attendees are (actual) historians, so a bonus there.

Chowhound has helped in each of these events every year in the past- I am so hopeful for the same excellent guidance for this year in Boston! Thank you!!!

Incorrect. Triple sec is a low-end version of Cointreau, at best. you are backwards. There is no subbing Cointreau in a marg, or any other drink calling for Cointreau. Ever.

Just put an RFP out to their event coordinators. Fingers crossed! and thanks!

Osteria is not able to accomodate us that night, so i am back to the drwing board.

Other suggestions? Starting to 'sniff' at a time crunch for reservations now, haha!

I put a call into their event coordinator, and am (eagerly) awaiting her call. Looks perfect.

Thanks. They looked great, but were unable to accomodate a group of our size. Good suggestion though!

Hi! Thank you for the suggestions here. I looked at the menu's though, and they aren't really what my guests are expecting. They are looking for a bit more of a 'food adventure'. The dishes sound wonderful, but pretty tried and true classics. Nothing wrong with those by any means.

These are great ideas! Thank you! I already called Amada (Garces' whole chain, actually- they were highly recommended), but they are either booked, or can't accommodate- Except for is newest one, JG Domestic. Thoughts on them?

I have thought about renting out a place, but it is for a Saturday night, and most places aren't going to want to give up a whole sat for 30 people. I'd love to be wrong though!

Keep 'em coming, or vote for the ones here if you agree! I've never let these folks down, and don't want to start now, haha!

Greetings, foodies! I am doing an annual 'Big Deal' dinner for about 30 of our best clients for a meeting held (this year) in Philadelphia in about 2 months, and I am unfamiliar with the better dining establishments in town there. I am not a local, but have had wonderful success, year after year, in inquiring from all of you fabulous Chowhounders in helping me make perfect choice.

For traveling foodies, in recent years, we have done the following (to give an idea of what we are looking for-

New Orleans- Restaurant August
Portland- The Carlyle
St. Louis- Araka
Denver- Restaurant Kevin Taylor
Wash DC- 1789

All magical experiences, and I would love to maintain/beat that high bar that has been set for our best clients.

So, where can I take them for an utterly unreal experience, and that can handle a group of this size? If it has a 'Philly Phlair' to it, great. If not, just as good. I am just looking to provide them with my usual annual amazing taste journey.

So, what are some good ones? : -)

Anyone?

Hello Hounders! Every year, I entertain roughly 20-25 of my best clients at an annual conference to an exquisite meal in the choosen city of that year. This year, I am very pleased that we are in Denver, a city which (while I don't live there) I very much love.

In prior years, we've eaten an some of the best restaurants in DC, Portland, New Orleans, and St. Louis. Meals have ranged from excellent to positively sublime, and so (for good or bad, ha!), my guests have come to expect quite a bit.

However, the economy has hit the corporate bottom line, and they want me to try to reign this puppy in a bit, to keep it around $100 a head.

So... in the Denver area, where can I can a truly amazing dinner experience (and not just food- ambience, decor, service... food of course), and not break my budget. Also, the venue has to be able to accomodate a group of up to 25, so likely private dining would be required.

Thank you all SO much!

I actually debated Komi, but I assume that to rent their whole place out... on a Saturday night... would be prohibitively expensive, even for my budget (haha!), and wouldn't make a lot of sense for the restaurant. I'm actually starting to lean towards 1789 Restaurant, but would love thoughts on it. Again, I have never been to DC, so I have nothing to go on here.

Loving the help, all!

Thanks for the suggestion, msJess. I am actually looking for something a bit more... 'more', haha! Not so much spendier, but with a bit more adventurous/eclectic of a menu, and maybe a bit more private/semi-private for a dining option. In the past, we've had Chef Besh in New Orleans, as a gauge of kinda 'what they are expecting'.

Gotta seriously recommend a little dive of a souvlaki place called 'Luckys'. It is right by the bustop in Fira, and is FAB... and about the cheapest place to eat on the island.

Hello again, gang! I am doing my annual Director's Dinner for all 20 of my coproate director's (clients- I am in sales) for an even tin the DC area in mid July. Every year, the city changes, and the expectations increase, haha!

What I am looking for a a great, progressive, delicious restaurant that is able to accomodate 20 or so guests. Atmosphere is a huge plus, but excellent food is the centerpiece. I do not know the DC area at all, and this will be my first 'real' trip there. If possible, semi-private or private dining would be great, but not required.

You all have never let me or my clients down! So... suggestions, fellow gourmands?

Cheers, and bon appetite!

The point has been made here well, I believe. While I am all for adventure and such, I also have to be assured that it will be perfectly executed, and has a marked sense of style and elegance. Were it just me and a date (or me and 3-4 of my closest), I'd want something a bit more off-beat. I've contacted 4 places so far. Carlyle did seem to be 'on the ball' so to speak with what it was I am looking to do, but I haven't decided for sure yet. Wow factor is important with these, as the next day, they will run across 120 of THEIR colleagues... and (hopefully) brag. A chef's tasting, in the kitchen no less, lends itself to that.

Still, the Pok Pok place sounded good as well. These are all GREAT suggestions, and VERY much appreciated.

Kris

These are great suggestions. Higgin's was one that the concierge had recommended also.

Any others I may be missing? I'd hate to miss a real gem!

Kris

Greetings, foodies! I am doing an annual 'Big Deal' dinner for about 20 clients in the Portland area in about a month, and I am unfamiliar with the better dining establishments in town there. Where can I take them for an utterly surreal experience, and that can handle a group of this size? If it has a 'Pacific Northwest' flair, great. If not, just as good. I am just lookin to provide them with my usual annual amazing taste journey.

So, what are some good ones? : -)

Kris

Great suggestions guys! Some names keep popping up, and there are some good new ones on there as well. Making this harder rather then easier, haha! Trying to get an idea of narrowing this down to 2-3 now. Brigsten's said they can't do a group of that size, which bums me out, because the menu was the fav I looked at so far.