Rehearsal Dinner and Post wedding brunch in Champaign

My fiance and I are getting married in Champaign, Illinois later this year. We have decided on what will happen foodwise on the day of the wedding itself, but are not nearly as prepared for the day before and after. We plan on having around thirty people for the rehearsal dinner and would like to spend at most $30-$35 per person including tax and tip (most of the people do not drink so alcholic drinks really are not a factor). We are openminded as to the what type of cuisine will be served and are concerned primarily with the quality of the food, although we would still like to have a nice environment. So far, we've considered Jim Gould's, Biaggi's and Radio Maria's (although I must say that I've called them twice about getting information and they never respond so it's not looking good).

However, we've not eaten at any of those places! His mom is such a fantastic cook that we always eat at home. We welcome any suggestions and would appreciate any comments on the places we've thought about as far as feasibility as to price and quality.

Also, a casual and tasty breakfast suggestion would really help.

Thanks in advance!

Congratulations!

Radio Maria, when they opened were at the top of their game with a nouvelle mexican cuisin in a fun room in the historic downtown Champaign area, what else would you expect from a restaurant owned by architects. Sadly, over the years, the quality has slipped and we have stopped going.

I would recommend the brunch at Silvercreek in Urbana on Race street just south on University. They food is very good and the atmosphere is nice enough that you won't feel out of place in wedding attire, but by no means stuffy. They usually served good quality brunch standards, some of their warm stew items (beef burgundy), cold smoked salmon, etc.
http://www.couriersilvercreek.com/silvercreek/

As for your second request, Silvercreek is owned by the same people as The Courier Cafe - this is where I would go for breakfast, since the Elite Diner closed a few years ago. Good food, made to order, for breakfast and lunch.


On your other choices - I have been to Biaggi's - it's basically a Maggiano's knock-off - there is one near the Barrington 30 movie theater on Barrington Road just north of I-90 if you want to take it for a test run.

http://www.couriersilvercreek.com/silvercreek/

Hi,

I visited a Biaggi's in Bloomington, which I also recognized as a Maggiano's knock-off for medium sized markets. For your purposes, it can be quite appropriate.

The Bloomington restaurant had a private room or could partition the diningroom for parties.

Regards,

kafein wrote:I have been to Biaggi's - it's basically a Maggiano's knock-off

You could probably figure this out but I spent some time (4 years to be exact) in Champaign and would argue that Biaggi's is quite different (and in my opionion, much better) than Maggiano's. It opened when I was a Junior and became my defacto nice place to eat. Granted, my taste in food has changed since then but I still consider it good to great for a chain restaurant. Unlike Maggiano's, the food is not served family style so they focus a little more on flavor where Maggiano's gets by on portion size alone. Overall, I think Biaggi's is nice, elegant, formal and off-campus enough for a special occasion. They even have a private room which is quite nice. And, the Chicken Piccante pizza is damn good.

Um, I don't work for Biaggi's and I am not saying it is the absolute best choice (I would rather go to Bacaro but that may be too small/pricey for you) but I think it definitely fits your criteria.

Of the three places you mention, the only one I've eaten at is Jim Gould's. This is basically a steak house (though they have other items), and I'm not a big steak eater, so I don't have much basis for judging it. For what it's worth the steak didn't strike me as remarkable. I haven't eaten at Radio Maria in years (and I wasn't impressed at the time) and I've never eaten at Biaggi's at all.

Two other places you might want to consider are Hedgerow Bistro and Bacaro (398-6982). I've only eaten at Hedgerow Bistro once, but it was very good -- probably as good as you'll get in C-U. Bacaro, which is contemporary American, is also good. Both these places are small, but they might be able to accomodate your group if you reserved the entire room as a private party.

I would reccommend Kennedy's at Stone Creek for either meal. They have a well appointed and attractive private room. Chef/owner Luke Kennedy runs a first class operation with excellent food. The restaurant is located at Stone Creek golf club, which has the ambiance of a country club.

There is plenty of convenient parking, something that's difficult in downtown Champaign.

Menus, and more can be found at:
http://kennedysatstonecreek.com/

Second choice would be Biaggi's, a regional chain, also with private dining room. I don't believe they serve a breakfast brunch, although they are open Sunday noon. Their food is Italian and the quality is excellent.

Hi,
I would second the rec for Kennedy's. It's a lovely place and the food is just fine. I think they would offer you a meu that will please you. Also Biaggi's is a nice place and the food is good. I think their banquet room is quite nice and we have always had good service there. We tried a rest. call Millo's a few months back and thought the food was pretty good. It's a small place in Urbana, but quite a nice room. From what we could gather, the staff and owners seem to want to accomidate all they can, so they may be worth a call as well. Hope you have a great time and find the perfect spot!