bankbabe

Yes, that's right. I am co-hosting a bridesmaid luncheon for my niece who is getting married on campus of UVA June 17th. We need someplace nice in Charlottesville for the Friday afternoon before. Minimum 20 -25 people, and it may be more. We are trying to keep the number below 30, but there are a lot of aunts and female relatives. None of us are from the area. It looks like a lot of nice restaurants are not open for lunch. Hamilton's has a private room, but the max is 20 seating.

Is anyone able to suggest some place that would fit?

Thanks as always!

schlegal1

Hi bankbabe:

Sorry Hamilton's won't work.

I don't know if any of these do large events:

Red Pump is nice:
http://www.redpumpkitchen.com/

And if you decide to do something catered since your group is so large, then these are two terrific event spaces. I have been to events in both and they were great:

http://oldmetropolitanhall.com/ - they have in-house catering, which is what our event used and it was delicious.

http://www.thespacedowntown.com/home -again, in-house catering was good.


If you can go a little more casual I have some other suggestions. It might be hard to find someplace nice on the downtown mall for a large group because spaces tend to be small there. Let me think about whether there's anything outside that area that would work.

Is the Boar's head Inn out of the question? I am betting they could do a large luncheon:
http://www.boarsheadinn.com/?NCK=855...FYeNswod9B0LMA

Or Keswick Hall:
http://www.keswick.com/?&utm_source=...campaign=Brand

Or a winery if you want to get fancier. There are tons, as you probably know.

BigRuss

Don't scandalize your niece. She's getting married on the Grounds, not a campus.

Birdie

Ivy Inn and C&O are good and worth checking to see if they have a large enough room.

http://www.ivyinnrestaurant.com/home

http://www.candorestaurant.com

When you are looking at places near the Mall, make sure you ask about parking.

Keswick and Boars Head are beautiful venues. I would also check Clifton Inn.

http://www.clifton-inn.com

A winery would be fun. Most do not offer food and you'd have to get a caterer but I do know that Pippin Hill hosts events.

http://www.pippinhillfarm.com

Farmington is a private club but it would be worth it to call to see if they'd host your lunch.

http://www.farmingtoncc.com/club/scr....asp?NS=MOB_HP

I've found the Visitors' Center in Cville to be very helpful. I bet they could give you some direction too.

https://www.visitcharlottesville.org...dinner-venues/

(Don't bother to look at Mitchie Tavern.)

schlegal1

Good call warning her off Michie Tavern, Birdie. Hahaha. Good suggestions overall.

Let us know what you find Bankbabe.

bankbabe

Thank you very much for these suggestions.. we are staying at Boars Head Inn, and that is also the location of rehearsal dinner, so we wanted some place else. I will check these other plavyour. The reception is at del Fossey winery.

Birdie

Right, schlegal? Blech.

Bankbabe, give Farmington a call. It's right across the street from Boarshead.

You might check to see if Duners will do a private event. It's just down the road. They're food is wonderful but they're only open for dinner.

http://www.dunersrestaurant.com/

obxgirl

I second the motion for the Ivy Inn -- I've attended a couple of special events there, indoor and out. Beautiful and they specialize in this kind of thing. It's not in any way to early to get on their schedule.

I love Duners.

(Don't bother to look at Mitchie Tavern.)

Agreed. Unbelievably awful.

bankbabe

Hi Gang - I just wanted to update you all and thank you for your suggestions. We have decided to go with the Farmington Country Club. It seems there are smaller venues in the mall area and very few nice ones are open for lunch. We may have parking issues and there are 2 attendees that are in wheelchairs. Farmington looks nice, and my sister is very good friends with a member there who will sponsor us.

Thanks again!

schlegal1

Oh that sounds like an excellent place. Have a wonderful event!

Birdie

Farmington is lovely. I hope everything goes well for you and the bride. If you have the time, drive around through that neighborhood. There are some really pretty houses back there.