Looking for a Boston restaurant that can accommodate a large group (approx. 30), preferably a place with a private room. Looking for something upscale with great atmosphere. Boss is retiring and we're having a farewell dinner for him. We'll be staying at the Lenox Hotel so something in that area (Newbury Street) would be preferable. Personal recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

This is not within walking distance of Lenox, but not too far at all - and we have had private birthday parties there -
Les Zygomates - www.winebar.com
they have great bar, and a private room off of the bistro part where there is live music - they close the doors for you to the private room, serve lovely dinner (fabulous cassoulet, osso bucco, short ribs, salmon, swordfish, much to choose from at what I think are reasonable prices for the excellent food)
also offer a reasonable price fix or you can choose for a private party. If you want, after dinner, you can have them open the doors and you can still eat and talk while hearing the music... we just took some clients there for dinner last week and they loved it - when they don't have it booked for a private, they use it as a dining room and we could still talk while hearing great jazz. valet parking, or you could cab or they are only 2 blocks from the south station T which would be easy for you to do.
We had our fathers 70th there and a friends 40th and both groups had a wonderful time.

Stephanies on Newbury Street has that 'above room' it is still open to the restaurant, but separated and seats around 40. www.stephaniesonnewbury.com -
excellent food and within walking distance of your hotel. I've never been disappointed with this restaurant

the Hampshire House on Beacon St has several rooms of different sizes - www.hampshirehouse.com -

you can also rent the Old State House and I've been to luncheons/dinners there which were lovely -
www.bostonhistory.org/rent_state_house.php

If I think of anything else I'll post those too.

I should add that one of the reasons I liked holding those two dinners at Zygomates was they were so accomodating: (as I'm sure the others would be too, but I was a guest at those events and not the organizer of them). A few things I liked about Zygomates - I could choose how I wanted the room set up/ where I wanted the tables/ separated/ in a u shape, etc - and I was able to arrange for table decor/arrangements privately (chose to one time not the other), have a separate table for gifts/photos/etc - with door to music area shut we were able to do the toast/speech thing - and afterwards, those who wanted migrated into the bar/music section and stayed later if they chose to.

The room at Stephanies is in the back, adjacent to but above the open cooking area - it wouldn't disturb you at all, the only thing is other diners have to go up the stairs to where you are to access rest rooms, but they don't have to cut through your room. There is no music. You may prefer the overall atmosphere at Zygomates if you want somehing with a little 'fun' -
Hampshire House is more old boston, elegant type style - I've been there for engagement parties.

If you have any specific questions about the ones I've mentioned, please ask -

oh jus tthought of another - have eaten there but not private dining, but have seen people have them at Sonsie's - also on Newbury St. I'm sure they have a web - private might mean in the wine bar.

Thanks, escargot, you're incredibly knowledgeable in this area. Les Zygomates sounds fantastic. This is probably where we'll end up. We're very familiar with Stephanie's as it is walking distance from the Lenox. It is very nice but we wanted to find something different where we hadn't been before. The Old State House sounds good too but on their website I think they say you have to be a member. The Hampshire House looked kind of dark and unfestive.

I think you will have fun at Zygomates - it's a good mix of many things for many people. And if you can get there early, they make great martinis and the bar area, although small, is fun. Also, cool wine in racks behind glass in the function room and a few nice pieces of art. If you need more suggestions or start batting zero on scheduling availability, let me know and I'll think of some other places with a bit of a flair (you could also look at Mistral, but I like Zygomates - a little more , I don't know - Mistral is just 'so hip' it's almost too hip if that makes sense.
But you can see there private room on the web also.

Hi, escargot, just wanted to update you. Our big retirement dinner got cancelled by upper management I think we're going to have a much smaller group at Stephanie's as that's the boss' favorite Boston restaurant. Thanks for your help anyway.

ah, upper management.....the ones who usually get all the perks .... but you will have fun at Stephanie's - and if he loves it he'll be happy and it is his night have fun !