Okay, so my 30th is coming up (eek/yay!) - trying to find a restaurant to go with my family. Not uber pricey (Charleston is out ha) but at the same time somewhat higher-end is okay. We went to Fogo for both my brothers and we went to the Inn at Perry Cabin for DH's, so something in that general price range and atmosphere (I prefer something a big quieter than Fogo...) I'm considering Cinghiale, but didnt want to miss some option out there. Downtown is fine, Columbia is good, and Annapolis is good. So that's the first thing!
One of my mom's best friends' daughters (who was a BM in my wedding, my brother was a GM in her brother's wedding, etc - we are very close to this family) is getting married in August. My mom and her other best friend are throwing the bridal shower. My mom is toying with the idea of having it at my brother's house in Columbia (since it's always spotless and has a nice setup for a party like this) but knowing her, I'm trying to talk her into doing it at restaurant, bc she will stress herself out and drive everyone nuts prior to the shower if she has it at a house, even if it's not HER house. I'm trying to think of places that have at least private areas that would be good. I suggested Victoria's in Columbia and my mom liked that idea but I'm not sure how private that would be (I guess we don't need an actual private room, just an alcove or something would be okay?) she is obsessed with the idea of having it at the Kings Contrivance restaurant which apparently has a private room upstairs, but that is only because that is the only restaurant she knows with a private room (and that's from my aunt's wedding 30 years ago.) Needless to say she does not get out much. And I am never checking out private rooms.
So any ideas? columbia, Ellicott City, Catonsville, and even downtown would be okay, but places on the east side of town are probably out.
Re: It's slow, so help me find a restaurant (x 2)!
DH and I went to B&O Restaurant for my birthday last year - I'm not sure if they have a private room, but you could easily do a big group there and its fancy and very "American" bistro-ish w/ lots of organic, local foods, etc. w/o being too frou frou.
For the shower - what about Victoria? I called about doing DH's birthday party there a few years ago and it was a little ridic for an evening party, but for daytime it might be easier. Also - we had my birthday party last month @ Stanford Grill, they can do a large group on their patio (heated, etc.), but its not a separate room. Depending on how nice yuo want the shower to be, what about either Eggspectations or Houlihan's - I've seen large groups there. I would avoid King's Contrivance - I've been to weddings there and its just a den of tiny rooms - so its not a good location IMO.
Never been there but I was told that the Mongolian Grill in Columbia is great.
I always love the Melting Pot for special occasions as well.
Another kind of fancy but affordable one is Azul17 in Columbia
We went to the Waterfront Kitchen in Fell's Point, so I could use my Corks gift card. It is in the Fredrick Douglas Museum, right on the water. We were really happy with our meal. They are fairly small, but have a couple of seating options for larger parties.
I love Cinghiale, so we always tend to go there or Woodberry kitchen for special occasions, so I get wanting to find something new.
I love Iron Bridge. Not sure how big your party is, but they have this private couch table thing that I think seats 4.
I went to dinner at Stanford Grill last night and they had a party in that room to the side (covered patio room). It looked really nice in there. Maybe you could reserve the whole room and it would be private. There is a door that separates it from the rest of the restaurant. There was a nice lounge sitting area in there too.
Ah these all good suggestions ladies! the birthday thing is small (H, my parents, my brother and maybe his girlfriend) but the shower could be as big as 40.....but probably more like 20.
I'm going to check out some of these places - thanks!
I definitely agree with Woodberry Kitchen, it's so so good.