Rehearsal Dinner ideas (Raleigh: fit in, rent, receptions) - The Triangle Area - City-Data Forum

sowk09 · 11-10-2011, 05:33 PM

I promise, I've read the other threads. Maybe I'm just difficult

.

From these threads, we pretty much decided on Casa Carbone for our 4/13 rehearsal dinner. But... we went there tonight and were less than impressed with the food and atmosphere (especially when they told us we have to share the banquet room since we have <50 guests).

Everything else we've looked at from the threads costs as much or more than we are paying per person for our plated dinner reception, which is just crazy to me. So maybe someone can help. Here's what we are looking for:

No more than $22 per person INCLUDING tip and tax... $18-20 would be ideal but I know is difficult. (We aren't expecting alcohol to be in that price, no worries.)

Not horribly far from downtown (Casa Carbone's distance was fine) since that's where our church is and everyone is from out of town. A parking lot would be nice too, but we can give on that if it meets all our other criteria.

It can be unique (and preferably non-chain) but it needs to be a restaurant, ie. no rent out a place type suggestions because we need to not worry about set up/clean up since his parents are coming from out of town that day to the rehearsal.

Thanks in advance for help and ideas!

evaofnc · 11-10-2011, 05:59 PM

What places have you looked at?

What about some place like Humble Pie, Tir Na Nog, Solas, or Buku?

sowk09 · 11-10-2011, 06:18 PM

Humble Pie and Buku's lowest before tax/tip is $25pp. If that was after tax/tip it might be doable, but we are looking for $20-22 including tax/tip. I know the difference of a 5 or so dollars doesn't seem like much, but it adds up when you multiply it by ~30. Solas starts at $39- ouch!

We also looked at Cafe Luna, Taverna Agora, and also couple of chain places before deciding we'd love to not do a (national) chain. We are going to look into Busy Bee (email sent to them- prices look good and they have a private mezzanine area).

I will look into Tir Na Nog. They don't list private party prices, but their regular prices are really good!

leighbhe · 11-10-2011, 06:27 PM

We were at the Busy Bee a couple of weekends ago and there was a reception going on in the upstairs patio (a wedding reception) it looked like a great place to have it! I don't know if you have checked it out, but it is close to parking (a deck) and to many other places to go downtown, plus I thought the food was excellent.

Another thought is the siti? The downstairs is pretty cool, and private, plus I liked the food there as well

Leigh

sowk09 · 11-11-2011, 06:10 AM

Gravy might be our answer but in the mean time (while we wait for them to email back and fit in a dinner out to test the food

, we'd still love any other ideas to check out. Top 3 right now are Gravy, Busy Bee, and Tir Na Nog, but would love a couple non-downtown alternatives as well.

Mr. Woodrow · 11-11-2011, 06:18 AM

We did ours at the Farmer's Market Restaurant. Can't remember how much it cost, but it seems to meet your other criteria.

goldenncmom · 11-11-2011, 06:52 AM

Have you looked at 518 West? One of my favorites.

There are also some places in Brier Creek or Brierdale that might work

Oh, and how about Brio at Crabtree?

North_Raleigh_Guy · 11-11-2011, 08:02 AM

Busy Bee Sounds Like a Cool Option. Have you checked out Red Room. It is A tapas place so by design people share plates so I think you could create some kind of combination of food offerings that averaged below $22 a person. There isn't a private room but some of the seating areas are a bit rerlaxed with couches and such that might make it easy for people to mingle. And there is a parking lot right around the corner from them. Might be worth checking out.

Red Room Tapas Restaurant, Raleigh, NC (http://redroomraleigh.com/ - broken link)

Might also check out The Market on Blount Street near Mordecai. It is a cool space, with easy on street parking and if you have 30-40 people you might be able to fill the place on your own and have essentially a private event. Not sure about price, but again may be worth a call. Good Luck!

http://www.eatatmarket.com/menu/

LoopDeLoop · 11-11-2011, 08:14 AM

i was going to recommend market, as well. but contact them now as they are small & the place will fill up fast unless you have reserved for a party.

caffe luna is not a chain (as i understand it) - is that why you ruled theym out? if so, i'd recommend reconsidering. i think they are a great deal for small receptions or parties & could probably meet your $22/head requirement. some people may consider 518 west a similar restaurant, but i prefer caffe luna over 518 for food, price, & ambiance.

sitti is a good option, as is busy bee. i will tell that if your rehearsal is on a friday/saturday night at busy bee, it will be LOUD upstairs in the area where i assume you would be seated (inside). the outdoor patio would be awesome but cold for now. if you can assume that you'll get the outdoor patio for april, you'd probably be fine. but we went to a birthday celebration where we seated in the inside lofted area & it was so loud it was deafening & conversation was not much of an option.

tir na nog has that great small room area that would work. i assume they could meet your headcount charge.

have you checked irregardless cafe? i think they may be over your budget, but it can never hurt to ask.

Since72 · 11-11-2011, 08:43 AM

You get Applebees, Longhorn or maybe the Golden Corral for $18 to $20 a head. Most places will charge a standard 20% for large parties. Or you might get some finger food for that. As for the non restaurant. You can do that with a caterer. You have no clean up. You go to them and say here is what I want. Here is what we have to spend and go from there. I will say for that budget. It will be a challenge either way. Might want to look at $30 per.