Help me plan a presidential dinner and party in Vancouver.
April 25, 2012 7:56 AM
Calling Vancouver Mefites! I am helping one of my boss-doctors at the hospital where I work plan a party in Vancouver, BC in September/October 2013.
One of the doctors I assist has been elected to the Presidency of the national organization for his specialty, which serves doctors from the US and Canada. They are having their annual meeting in Vancouver in late September and early October, 2013, and he will need to plan a fabulous presidential dinner and party. In past years, they have done things like have dinner at the San Diego Zoo, rent the top suite of the San Francisco Fairmont, and eat at Fenway Park (with a tour - there was no game).
I am planning this from Tennessee, and although I have visited Vancouver, it was many years ago, but he will go on a scouting kind of trip so he can look at possible locations. I'd like to provide him with three or four really fun ideas of places to hold the dinner, and some recommendations for caterers assuming the place doesn't do their own food (or if they do food that isn't very upscale, maybe they will allow catering). What are some really great places to visit in Vancouver, with enough space for a large group (I have no ideas of numbers yet, but probably at least 100), that are somewhat classy but still fun? Preferably something that is somehow quintessentially Vancouverian. Would Stanley Park be a possibility? The Aquatic Centre or Maritime Museum or Vancouver Aquarium? The Museum of Anthropology? Is there a famous boat that could be rented for a harbour cruise? And who can provide the best catering?
Thanks for any suggestions!
One of the doctors I assist has been elected to the Presidency of the national organization for his specialty, which serves doctors from the US and Canada. They are having their annual meeting in Vancouver in late September and early October, 2013, and he will need to plan a fabulous presidential dinner and party. In past years, they have done things like have dinner at the San Diego Zoo, rent the top suite of the San Francisco Fairmont, and eat at Fenway Park (with a tour - there was no game).
I am planning this from Tennessee, and although I have visited Vancouver, it was many years ago, but he will go on a scouting kind of trip so he can look at possible locations. I'd like to provide him with three or four really fun ideas of places to hold the dinner, and some recommendations for caterers assuming the place doesn't do their own food (or if they do food that isn't very upscale, maybe they will allow catering). What are some really great places to visit in Vancouver, with enough space for a large group (I have no ideas of numbers yet, but probably at least 100), that are somewhat classy but still fun? Preferably something that is somehow quintessentially Vancouverian. Would Stanley Park be a possibility? The Aquatic Centre or Maritime Museum or Vancouver Aquarium? The Museum of Anthropology? Is there a famous boat that could be rented for a harbour cruise? And who can provide the best catering?
Thanks for any suggestions!
+ 1 Grouse Mountain. I attended a wedding up there with 150 guests and it was lovely. Not sure who did the catering. IIRC it was buffet style with Roast Beast.
posted by crazycanuck at 9:23 AM on April 25, 2012
posted by crazycanuck at 9:23 AM on April 25, 2012
Memail me. I know the events coordinator of the Vancouver Aquarium.
posted by Felicity Rilke at 9:23 AM on April 25, 2012
posted by Felicity Rilke at 9:23 AM on April 25, 2012
Scratch that. Former. But I can put you in touch with him (if he's amenable) if you'd like to ask some questions about the place. He'd probably also have great suggestions of other venues in the city, caterers, who to use, who to avoid, etc.
posted by Felicity Rilke at 9:25 AM on April 25, 2012
posted by Felicity Rilke at 9:25 AM on April 25, 2012
This is really helpful so far. Thanks. I'd love to get more feedback too.
posted by joannemerriam at 9:25 AM on April 25, 2012
posted by joannemerriam at 9:25 AM on April 25, 2012
The MOA Great Hall can be rented. This room is absolutely stunning. Don't know if they will let you eat dinner there though.
posted by PercussivePaul at 9:27 AM on April 25, 2012
posted by PercussivePaul at 9:27 AM on April 25, 2012
I'd be a little wary of letting the Observatory at Grouse Mountain cater your event. The views are fantastic and it's a great setting but, like many touristy restaurants with a view, you could end up with a remarkable bill for very unremarkable food.
posted by fingerbang at 10:46 AM on April 25, 2012
posted by fingerbang at 10:46 AM on April 25, 2012
Thanks - that's exactly the sort of guidance I need.
posted by joannemerriam at 10:58 AM on April 25, 2012
posted by joannemerriam at 10:58 AM on April 25, 2012
How about the Vancouver Rowing Club at the entrance to Stanley Park? Meets your size criteria, great views, central if your guests are staying at downtown hotels.
posted by N-stoff at 12:26 PM on April 25, 2012
posted by N-stoff at 12:26 PM on April 25, 2012
I'd be a little wary of letting the Observatory at Grouse Mountain cater your event. The views are fantastic and it's a great setting but, like many touristy restaurants with a view, you could end up with a remarkable bill for very unremarkable food.
I can't remember ever eating "remarkable" food at any large, catered event. Unless you plan to spend an insane amount on a celebrity chef, that's just how it is. That's why everyone calls it "rubber chicken".
And who cares...no-one will remember the food. What they will remember is (a) was it a cool venue, and (b) did they have a lot of fun? Grouse Mountain certainly satisfies part (a), and an open bar will facilitate part (b).
(full disclosure: I have worked at Grouse Mountain Resort as a weekend ski instructor for 5+ years. But they treat all their employees like shit, so I feel absolutely no loyalty toward them and have no qualms about giving you my full, unvarnished opinion about them).
posted by wutangclan at 1:09 PM on April 25, 2012
I can't remember ever eating "remarkable" food at any large, catered event. Unless you plan to spend an insane amount on a celebrity chef, that's just how it is. That's why everyone calls it "rubber chicken".
And who cares...no-one will remember the food. What they will remember is (a) was it a cool venue, and (b) did they have a lot of fun? Grouse Mountain certainly satisfies part (a), and an open bar will facilitate part (b).
(full disclosure: I have worked at Grouse Mountain Resort as a weekend ski instructor for 5+ years. But they treat all their employees like shit, so I feel absolutely no loyalty toward them and have no qualms about giving you my full, unvarnished opinion about them).
posted by wutangclan at 1:09 PM on April 25, 2012
As for catering, a safe choice is The Lazy Gourmet. I (and many others I know) have used them -- they're reliable, reasonably priced, and the food is decent.
posted by wutangclan at 1:27 PM on April 25, 2012
posted by wutangclan at 1:27 PM on April 25, 2012
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If I had the budget to do this, though, I'd probably look to Grouse Mountain. Take the cable car to the top of the mountain (fun! mountainy!) and then dine overlooking the city (beautiful! classy!) I'm not familiar with their catering, so I don't know that it'll meet your needs, but I'd add it to your list.
The other thing I'd look at would be whether the Rocky Mountaineer could do a private run up to Whistler and back with dinner.
posted by jacquilynne at 8:39 AM on April 25, 2012