Our executive team is heading up to Napa at the backend of July. We’ll be staying in Napa at the Westin Verasa. I’m looking to plan some dinners for our folks/spouses on a Thu/Fri and Sat night (total count is 22-26) each night. Would love to have some ‘wow’ dinners planned - and also with a wine angle.
Any thoughts and recommendations? This is an exec crowd - so looking to spend around $150 or so per/head all in (including wine). Any thoughts or recommendations?
We’ll charter transportation to take us to/from restaurants. Weekend days can go further afield.
Something really unique would be awesome… field dinner?
Good luck on this one Mark. Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights are the busiest nights at all restaurants and high end restaurants are booked a week in advance. You might be able to arrange a table for eight each night at three different restaurants each night so everybody can try all three restaurants.
Otherwise, you will have to deal with restaurants that can/will accommodate that large of a group or try for three separate reservations for 8 at each restaurant.
Either way, I suggest calling now for reservations. PS the $150 per person for wow food AND a wine angle might be unreasonable. Good food and good wine maybe doable, but most places handling a group that large want a set or limited menu.
OK, good to know. However, I’m looking to book now, so it is almost 3 months in advance. I assume that a number of restaurants are used to corporate groups and have private rooms, perhaps?
Since you’re staying at the Westin, you could look at La Toque, an outstanding restaurant that gets less attention than it deserves, and is actually in the hotel. We recently ate at The Thomas, on Main, not far from your hotel. Food was very good, wine list is very creative and interesting. They have a top floor area that might be large enough to hold your entire party, and has an outdoor patio which looks out over the Napa River.
Have to agree with Randy on the per head amount. I think you may need to raise it a little bit. Another option is to see if a winery could host you and have it catered. If you go that route the per head cost would be in the $200 range (rentals). If you go to La Toque say to Daniel Sanchez for me. Let us know what you end up doing. Would be good for reference.
Check with Bottega in Yountville. They may have space for your group. http://www.botteganapavalley.com/ Very good food and reasonable wine prices
Bistro Don Giovanni’s has a semi enclosed section that would easily handle your group. The food is good but limited and you may want to check their corkage prices, though they have eclectic wines at restaurant prices. http://www.bistrodongiovanni.com/