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Your holiday party dining options.

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Karri Peifer
Richmond.com
Friday, November 16, 2007

In my dream life, I am a gracious party hostess.

I imagine throwing semiannual galas in which hundreds of guests gather in my spacious water-front home to sip themed martinis and sample rare wines from my private collection. My fictional guests are well-dressed, well-behaved and never, ever spill red wine onto my sleek, ivory living room chaise or drip cocktail sauce onto my antique Persian rug.

In reality, though, my current home shows the battle scars of parties past. There's the mangled fireplace poker that lost its shape when it was used to chop instead of prod; a cigarette burn on the quilt in my nonsmoking guestroom that no one can account for; and a water-stained lampshade that was the victim of a bathroom flood during an outdoor cookout.

Yes, my typical party guests are far from the sophisticated gala-attendees of my dreams. And, frankly, I am too.

So when it comes to party planning in my regular life, I'd rather go out than stay in. With private rooms, corner nooks and second levels, Richmond's diverse and ample restaurants have plenty of party hosting options. These restaurants provide the room, food and drinks and, best of all, take care of the mess.

So as you contemplate gathering your loved ones for a Christmas get-together or New Year's Eve blowout, ask yourself: do you trust each and every one of them not to spill, slop, burn, rip, maim or scratch anything while they're in your home? I didn't think so. This holiday season, spare yourself the headache and let one of Richmond's restaurants deal with your inappropriate friends for the night.

Acacia Restaurant: This is the last year that this Carytown favorite will be in its current home, so it's a perfect place for a celebratory event or year's end farewell. Acacia can handle parties ranging from 12 to 70 people. Room charges may apply, depending on party size. Call for reservations or additional information.
3325 W. Cary St., 354-6060

Acappella: This German and Italian Church Hill favorite can accommodate anywhere between two and 50 people and there is no room charge for the courtesy. Call for reservations or additional information.
2300 E. Broad St., 377-1963

Bank: Vault, Bank's companion club, may not be ready yet, but The Martini Room at Bank can host up to 45 people for a private party. Room charges apply and vary based on the day of the week. Call for reservations or additional information.
1005 E. Main St., 648-3070

Beauregard's Thai Room: This downtown Thai place has plenty of space for private parties. Beauregard's can host 30 to 70 people and there are no room fees. Call for reservations or additional information.103 E. Cary St., 644-2328

Bottega Bistro: Bottega has one of the nicest private party set ups in the area. Its private rooms feature working fireplaces and audio/visual rentals so you can customize your event in this Southside restaurant. Bottega is equipped for parties between 15 to 100 people. There is no charge for a lunch event, but dinner parties require a $150 room charge, which is offset by Chesterfield County's 5 percent meals tax (compared to 11 percent in the city of Richmond). Call for reservations or additional information.
11400 W. Huguenot Road, 379-9899

Cabo's: This fabulous little corner Fan bistro can handle all kinds of private parties. With one big room that can be made into two, Cabo's can squeeze in as many as 200 people. Best of all, there are no room charges. Call for reservations or additional information.
2053 W. Broad St., 355-1144

Café Gutenberg: Café Gutenberg's quaint upstairs room can be rented for private parties. It has its own bar, a comfy chaise lounge and spectacular downtown views. For a nominal fee the room can be yours and your guest list can include up to 35 people. Call for reservations or additional information.
1700 E. Main St., 497-5000

Can Can Brasserie: Three small rooms, two medium or one big … you can customize your space in Carytown's favorite French restaurant. The large room can host up to 100 people. The best part of Can Can's set up is that each party gets its own chef, meaning the food is sure to be hot and delicious. Room charges may apply. Call for reservations or additional information.
3120 W. Cary St., 358-PARIS

Carlton's: Carlton's has an intimate upstairs space for private dining and can accommodate 20 to 50 people. Room charges may apply. Call for reservations or additional information.
2526 Floyd Ave., 359-3122

Chez Foushee: Chez Foushee has one of the best private dining areas in town: for a fee you get the whole restaurant to yourself. What could be better? This downtown restaurant can serve up to 100 people. Again, you'll be getting the whole restaurant, so charges will apply. Call for reservations or additional information.
203 N. Foushee St., 648-3225

Europa: Europa rents out its entire downstairs for private parties, starting at around 12 people and can handle as many people as you can invite. Room fees apply. Call for reservations or additional information.
1409 E. Cary St,. 643-0911

The Hard Shell: The Hard Shell's private dining space is a fabulous brick and glass room that can serve as few as six or as many as 60 people. Best of all, there are no room charges. Call for reservations or additional information.
1411 E. Cary St., 643-2333

Infuzion: If you want to host your holiday party in the coolest bar that no one has ever been to, then Infuzion is the place for you. This Scott's Addition ice bar hasn't even opened its doors (it's slated opening is early December), but reservations are already being accepted (and coveted) for this space. It can accommodate parties as small as two all the way up to 350 people. Room charges apply. Call for reservations or additional information.
1401 Roseneath Road, 249-COOL

Julep's New Southern Cuisine: Julep's upstairs dining room can accommodate 12 to 50 for a sit-down dinner and up to 125 for mingling and appetizers in the oldest restaurant building in Richmond. And with valet parking on the weekend you can avoid the headache of Shockoe Bottom parking. Room charges apply. Call for reservations or additional information.
1719 E. Franklin St., 377-3968

Michelle's at Hanover Tavern A historic Hanover plantation with old Southern charm makes a unique and upscale location for a holiday event. Its two rooms boast rustic charm, southern grace and gorgeous scenic views and can accommodate 15 to 350 people. Room fees may apply. Call for reservations or additional information.
13181 Hanover Courthouse Road, 537-5250

Morton's, The Steakhouse: Mahogany wood paneling, parquet floors and oriental rugs make the Boardrooms, Morton's private spaces, a swanky, intimate place for a private event. With three rooms to choose from, this Shockoe Slip steakhouse can host eight to 150 guests. If the room's guest minimum is met it waives any room fees. Call for reservations or additional information.
111 Virginia St., 648-1662

Old Original Bookbinders: The historic feel of this Shockoe Slip spot makes it perfect for a special occasion. Bookbinders has several rooms that can accommodate six to 70 people. There are no room charges, but a minimum food charge may apply. Call for reservations or additional information.
2306 E. Cary St., 643-6900

Richbrau Brewing Company and Restaurant: For years Richbrau has been one of the coolest places in the city to host a private event. With several private rooms, many of which include amenities such as pool tables, a dance floor or darts, this Shockoe Slip spot is a great place to start the evening and then party into the night. Richbrau can accommodate parties of any size. Room charges apply. Call for reservations or additional information.
1214 E. Cary St., 644-3018

Ruth's Chris Steak House: This Southside plantation's private rooms can seat from 15 on up and room charges may apply. Call for reservations or additional information.
11500 W. Huguenot Road, 378-0600

Sam Miller's: This Shockoe Slip restaurant has two private dining rooms for parties as small as two on up to 70. Room charges may apply. Call for reservations or additional information.
1210 E. Cary St., 644-5465

  • Can you accommodate private parties and don't see your restaurant listed here? Email karri.peifer@corp.richmond.com and we'll add you to the list.
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