[CTKel]

We are trying to plan (from a distance) a family birthday lunch at a restaurant. There will be about 20-25 people attending and we are looking for places that take large parties, or have special luncheon banquet or buffet menus that are reasonably priced (under $15/16/person.)

Does anyone have suggestions? We're looking into Adams Mill but the banquet menu for the right price range isn't exactly what we're looking for. Wood n Tap in Vernon is a strong possibility menu-wise but I don't know anyone who has been there- is it good food?

My sisters and I have moved out of the area and are unfamiliar with what is around now aside from the big chain restaurants. The birthday girl's favorite restaurant is the Outback but I don't think they do large parties and it would be quite noisy. People will be coming mostly from MA... my parents are the ones who live in the area, but it's a surprise party for my mother, and my father isn't quite up to date on restaurants for this type of event.

Any recommendations would be helpful! Manchester, Vernon, & Enfield are the more obvious areas I could think of, but the birthday girl lives in Ellington, so anywhere close by is good. Thank you!

[DawnMTL]

Originally Posted by CTKel

We are trying to plan (from a distance) a family birthday lunch at a restaurant. There will be about 20-25 people attending and we are looking for places that take large parties, or have special luncheon banquet or buffet menus that are reasonably priced (under $15/16/person.)

Does anyone have suggestions? We're looking into Adams Mill but the banquet menu for the right price range isn't exactly what we're looking for. Wood n Tap in Vernon is a strong possibility menu-wise but I don't know anyone who has been there- is it good food?

My sisters and I have moved out of the area and are unfamiliar with what is around now aside from the big chain restaurants. The birthday girl's favorite restaurant is the Outback but I don't think they do large parties and it would be quite noisy. People will be coming mostly from MA... my parents are the ones who live in the area, but it's a surprise party for my mother, and my father isn't quite up to date on restaurants for this type of event.

Any recommendations would be helpful! Manchester, Vernon, & Enfield are the more obvious areas I could think of, but the birthday girl lives in Ellington, so anywhere close by is good. Thank you!

I think Wood n Tap's food is good -- and there's quite a variety.

The fact that the birthday girl likes meat made me think of another place for you, though:

Ted's Montana Grill.

There's a location in Evergreen Walk in Manchester.

I looooove the place -- the bison burgers are to die for -- and there's quite a varied menu there too, although not as varied as Wood n Tap.

[skel1977]

We threw a bachelor party at Shaes I think its spelled which is in vernon right near the video game place/par 3. We rented out half of the bar which they taped off for us as well as made us a ton of appetizers and such. The only thing is the food wasnt so great. Wood N tap is another good choice.

[ctguy13]

Outback Steakhouse: I know that my wife has been to a Bridal Shower at one, so I know that some do host large parties. I'm not sure if the Manchester one does.

Ted's Montana Grill (per a previous poster) in South Windsor (Evergreen Walk): Their food IS delicious, but they don't have a separate party room, and I'm not sure that there would be a way to sit everyone together.

Wood N' Tap: I've heard that their food is good, but I've never been there. The restaurant that was in their location before they moved in closed down, so you may want to make sure Wood N' Tap is doing good business (which I'm pretty sure they are!) in that location! )

Mill on the River (South Windsor): Great restaurant, very beautiful, banquet info: (The Mill on the River Restaurant - Banquets). Great atmosphere and food. I think their banquet prices (for lunch) are $18-$20 per person (which I know is above your budget), but we've always had great food there. I'm sure they book up in advance, so make sure to check their availability!

Adam's Mill: In case you reconsider, their food is very good!

Manchester also has all the typical "chain" restaurants: Applebee's, Fridays, Chilis, Friendly's, Unos, Bertuccis, Outback, etc.

Hope this helps a little! If you name a restaurant in the South Windsor/Manchester area, there's a good chance we've been there...

[skel1977]

OOh mill on the river is a good spot by the way. Yeah its high priced but its fancy schmancy and really on a river

[KH02]

In Enfield try Figaros' it's a family favorite. Great italian food and a nice environment. It's right near the outback.
Here is the website. Figaro Restaurant - Enfield, CT serving Springfield & Hartford

[CTKel]

Thanks for all of the suggestions. I had forgotten that I'd posted this question! We did discuss Ted's, but in the end went with something simpler, easier, and cheap. We decided that any of the chains would be too noisy... the group decided that a private room was important. So we're sticking close to home and going with Pastori's in Ellington.

I am now intrigued by Wood n Tap and want to try it soon! Ctguy13- I do remember it being other restaurants before. I'm pretty sure it was something else more recently, but I mostly remember a Damon's being there.