italian dinner for 30-50 people

I'm looking for a nice Italian restaurant that can handle 30-50 people for a rehearsal dinner. I'm thinking 30-40 dollars per person (or cheaper) before alcohol, probably something like a pre-selected menu. I'd prefer a location between the loop and either logan square or lakeview.

I think Maggiano's would be the only place that could handle this.

????? I'd think there are plenty of places that could handle this. Club Lucky has a nice room that seats 35-55. I've used it 3-4 times. Not Spiaggia (which also has private rooms), but pleasant. Then there's Sabatinos, which has a room for 30-100. For the range of people and prices you are talking about, I'd say those are two nice choices that aren't Maggiano's or Buca.

JeffB wrote:????? I'd think there are plenty of places that could handle this. Club Lucky has a nice room that seats 35-55. I've used it 3-4 times. Not Spiaggia (which also has private rooms), but pleasant. Then there's Sabatinos, which has a room for 30-100. For the range of people and prices you are talking about, I'd say those are two nice choices that aren't Maggiano's or Buca.

didn't know about the Club Lucky private room - thanks for pointing it out. I'm not sure I'd choose Club Lucky's food over Maggiano's, but it's close. Sabatino's is not within the OP's geographic desires.

La Villa also fits this bill easily. We've had a few things there. It's not gourmet, but everything is homemade and it's a head and shoulders above Maggiano's

http://www.lavillabanquets.com/
La Villa Restaurant and Banquets
3636 North Pulaski Road
Chicago, Illinois 60641
773.283.7980

kafein wrote:La Villa also fits this bill easily. We've had a few things there. It's not gourmet, but everything is homemade and it's a head and shoulders above Maggiano's

http://www.lavillabanquets.com/
La Villa Restaurant and Banquets
3636 North Pulaski Road
Chicago, Illinois 60641
773.283.7980

only if "this bill" is something other than the OP's location preference.

it's not much north of Logan Square.

Our rehearsal dinner (albeit for much more than this) was at Petterino's and the food and service was quite good. You'll have to check on price though- they have a great private room.

Cafe Tuscany at Wacker & Clark might be an option - they do private events, & you could probably rent the entire cafe for the evening as it would be more business than they usually have at that time of day (they serve dinner, but its much more busy at lunch).

We had our rehearsal dinner at Vinci (Halsted and Willow), and they did an outstanding job. They have a very nice private party area in the back of the restaurant. I believe that they could accomodate a group your size (we got married in 2000, but, IIRC, more than 30 people attended the rehearsal dinner). The food was very good, and we were able to put together a nice menu. In fact, several out of town guests commented that it was one of the better meals that they had ever had. Not sure if it's within your price range, but they probably would work with you.

Bella Notte on Grand is a great little Italian restaurant. For my brother's rehearsal dinner, they shut down the restaurant. Also I have been there for a birthday party, where they shut down their sister restaurant, a Mexican place next door, and served the Italian menu to us there. Great calamari app, either fried or grilled. Perfect hand-made cavitelli. Other highlights are the chicken Vesuvio, and most of the pasta menu. The owners are former cooks at the old Gionotti's on Lawrence. There are a few favorable mentions of Bella Notte on this board.

Bella Notte
1374 W. Grand Ave
Chicago, IL 60622

312-733-5136

Bella Notte shut down the restaurant for the rehearsal? Very cool! I have to remember that, my friend is getting married next year and this would be a cool idea.

GNR Winner a tavola would make a classy place for a rehearsal dinner. I have been there many times and the food is great.

According to the website, for parties of more than 25, the main dining room is available Monday through Thursday at a price point slightly higher than your original post-$50 or $65. For parties with less than 25 people, the private dining room is available and you can choose from menus at $40, $50 or $65.

You can probably cut a deal with them on some items if you would like to tweak the offered menus.

a tavola
2148 W. Chicago Ave.
Chicago, IL
(773)276-7567
http://www.atavolachicago.com/happenings.html