re: BYOB for larger group, one that accepts reservations

Hello all,

Couldn't find a thread on this, but I was wondering if there are some BYOB recommendations for a larger group, say around 15-20 or so? I need a place that would accept reservations since I have a specific date in mind. Thanks in advance.

Tom

What style of place are you looking for? Most of your med size byos will able to accomodate that size group.
I was part of a byob 10-15 ppl group at Butterfly on Grand, but it's kinda loud and rowdy, and "hip." Sushi was good though, and the eye candy was plentiful.

I also hosted a stellar fest of eats and potents at Sol De Mexico, but they are no longer byo.


I would also throw TAC quick into the ring. Might be tight, but I've seen them fill that north wall filled with a large table once or twice.

I'm sure there are quite a few others that could accom you. I would HIGHLY suggest however, that no matter which place you choose, you plan out some kind of menu ahead of time. If you opt to let the kitchen prepare ahead of time the ingredients, and staff they will need, your meal will be that much more special. You'll allow the kitchen to prepare and think up those little extra touches instead of trying to whip out 15 plates ALONG with whoever else might be in the restaurant at that time as well. Also, if you're not against it: Family style meals will alow the kitchen to spend less time plating to deliver the food hot all at once, (and probably on an attractive platter.) I'd suggest several family style courses with each course having two or three platters on the table for easy serving - like one platter on one end, one in the middle, one on the far end, each with the same course.
Just some thoughts for you. Most of the good chefs will be HAPPY to work with you on something like this.

I'd recommend Semiramis. We had my birthday dinner there last year and they did a great family style meal for 24 people at $20 or so a pop, I believe. And they are wonderful to work with.

I don't know if they can go this big, but went again to Terra Gusto with a group of 8 a few weekends ago. Fantastic. They have a chef's tasting menu (two actually, a $40 and $48 dollar one. Get the $48 dollar one.)

Fantastic, wintery Italian food served homestyle. BYOB also. Wonderful service. The last course was waygu beef - done perfectly.

Desserts are extra but still the bill was less than $70 per person with tip.

I have not had a better meal in a long time.

stixmano -

Can you be more specific about what types of restaurants and the price range you're looking for? (Or even provide us with the day of the week you'd like to have your party?) I would think there would be a lot of places that can accommodate your request if you're strategic in your approach. Because BYOs are not charging for alcohol, they rely upon turning tables and generating food orders to stay alive. Even though a large group represents a guaranteed large food order, a lot of BYOs I think view large groups as a burden rather than a boon because they tend to sit for awhile after the meal with their wine, which means that the restaurant -- which is dependent upon turning tables and serving food for profit -- is not making as much as it could.

Having said that, if food type and price are not considerations, you could probably get a restaurant to reserve for a group that large if you focus on places that don't do a huge business anyway and would appreciate any uptick in food orders -- GNR winner Smak Tak comes to mind, I'll second Semiramis above or even Mundial Cocina Mestiza in Pilsen. Another alternative would be any of the BYO places in Chinatown which can easily handle big groups (I've BYO'd at Evergreen with big groups in the past) -- they might reserve. Having said all that, I note that Tango Sur, one of the most popular BYOs in the city, accepts reservations only for large groups, so they might be an option, but I'm guessing from having eaten there before that you'd get a bit of a nudge if you stay too long past the time your food arrives.

But if you could give us more specifics, we might be able to better help you.

Smak Tak
5961 N Elston Ave
Chicago, IL 60646
773 763-1123
http://www.smaktak.com/

Mundial Cocina Mestiza
1640 W. 18th
Chicago
312-491-9908

Thanks to all who replied.

My date is 12/27 (a saturday). My friends and I all like our wine, as it were, and I would hate to feel the pressure of having to leave once we finished our meal. At the same time, I want to be sensitive to the restaurant. Being Polish, I love the Smak suggestion and it's in the price range we are looking for. Cuisine isn't much of an issue, my concern was more on if a place takes reservations for that size of a group.

Tom

20 might be pushing it at Smak-Tak, though. Unless a couple of people don't mind sitting on bar seats.

Still, call them; maybe they'll be able to accommodate.

stixmano wrote:My friends and I all like our wine, as it were, and I would hate to feel the pressure of having to leave once we finished our meal.

stixmano- your friends and mine are like-minded with BYO'ing and wine (and staying to drink all the wine). Like I said, I think a restaurant will accommodate you, reservations-wise, if they'll be happy to get the business, which in this economy, is a lot of restaurants. Another BYO place that comes to mind that has more seating is Pizza Art Cafe. If they have your group, they should have plenty of other tables to accommodate their regular Saturday business. It is extremely inexpensive, and they didn't even charge us a corkage fee. You could call them and ask to reserve.

Pizza Art Cafe
4658 N. Rockwell St.
Chicago, IL 60625
773-539-0645

Based on this thread we had a party for my wife's birthday at Semiramis on Saturday. Everything was great - they were really accommodating, the food was excellent, and they let us go at our own pace with no pressure to stick to a schedule. One of the great things about going there was it worked really well for friends who are vegetarians.