Group dinner party in SF?

October 31, 2005 1:00 AM

Suggestions for Birthday Dinner restaurant in SF? I'm planning on inviting a whole bunch of my friends to dinner for my birthday next weekend and I was hoping to get some suggestions of good places where I could host a gaggle of 20-odd (or 20 odd?) folks.

The last time I did this, we went to Cha Cha Cha in the Mission, which was great. Although I love Cha Cha Cha, I'm always up for something new. So where are the fun restaurants where the food's good and large parties are welcome? I'm pretty open to any genre of food as long as it's well-prepared, but there are a couple of vegetarians in the crowd so it would be good if they don't go hungry. (I know - it's San Francisco, but it's still not unheard of to find non-vegetarian friendly restaurants)

posted by ooga_booga to Food & Drink (11 answers total)

House of Prime Rib was good for one of these. Not cheap, but quite good. Dunno about their vegetarian selection, though.
posted by effugas at 1:13 AM on October 31, 2005

Buca di Beppo exists for this kind of thing. Personally I think it's hideous, but if you want cheap, lots of food, and rowdiness it'll work. On the other end of the scale, many of the finest restaurants in SF have private dining rooms you can have for the night. Particularly the hotel restaurants.
posted by Nelson at 2:42 AM on October 31, 2005

I took 15 to Country Station Sushi, at Mission and 19th. It's, um, here, here, and here. It wasn't the bestest most fantabulous made-with-real-babies sushi I've ever had, but it was damn good for a party.
posted by metaculpa at 7:24 AM on October 31, 2005

Try out Suppenkuche in Hayes Valley. It's awesome German food; I command you to get the meatloaf. They've got vegetarian entrees and enough great beers to drown the largest of birthday bashes.
posted by Loser at 7:48 AM on October 31, 2005

Oh lord, please don't subject your friends to Buca di Beppo! You don't mention a budget, but at the higher end of things, Boulevard and Rubicon both offer private dining for groups of that size.

On a slightly lower level, Town Hall also has options for groups.

Other possibilities: A16, The Public, Frisson or Limon.

For a real 'San Francisco' experience, what about Enrico's?
posted by trip and a half at 8:03 AM on October 31, 2005

Response by poster: Budget-wise, I was thinking of something which would work out to the $20-$25 per head, as some in the group have tighter pursestrings at the moment. Lots of good suggestions so far, though. Has anyone had any experience with the Delancey Street Restaurant?
posted by ooga_booga at 1:47 PM on October 31, 2005

Response by poster: Preview, preview, preview. That should read: "work out to $20-$30 per head not including drinks"
posted by ooga_booga at 1:53 PM on October 31, 2005

One of my favorite places in SF is Primo Patio Cafe near SBC Park. Amazing Caribbean food served in this hideaway open patio that's completely invisible from the street. Entrees are in the $8-$10 range but the portions are huge. The buli-buli cocktail they make by the pitcher is wonderful and the signature Grilled Jerk Chicken is a must have with their homemade sauce.

It's a quiet place and there's not much else in the neighborhood but the couple who run it have always been very accomodating for my parties and even let us stay past closing hours.
posted by junesix at 3:33 PM on October 31, 2005 [1 favorite]

Take 'em to the Tonga Room in the Fairmont Hotel. Good drinks; decent, if far from stellar, Chinese food;and the decor is really something.

No, I mean that. The decor is REALLY SOMETHING. It's awesome.
posted by ikkyu2 at 4:02 PM on October 31, 2005

Get thee to the Chowhound message board!
posted by Triode at 8:48 PM on October 31, 2005

Response by poster: Thanks for all the suggestions, folks! Now it seems that I'll just have to get reservations at this 11th hour.
posted by ooga_booga at 3:11 PM on November 1, 2005