I am hoping to get some help from the very knowledgeable group of Boston Fodorites (and also those outside of Boston who know Boston restaurants). I am in the beginning stages of planning restaurant options for a convention that will take place in Boston in the fall. I need restaurant recommendations for the attendees (we will need to make reservations for 15-20 people at each restaurant). While I live here and am familiar with many of the local restaurants, I am interested in hearing your suggestions. We want to make reservations at a number of restaurants in the same area (Back Bay, Beacon Hill, South End, Harvard Square, etc.). Also, we want a variety of price ranges to accommodate people (some will want a fine dining experience and others not). I would really appreciate your thoughts. Thanks.

Back Bay:
Brasserie Jo
Eastern Standard Kitchen
Sel de la Terre (@ Mandarin Oriental)

South End:
Rocca

Harvard Sq:
Upstairs at the Sq (Monkey Bar Room)

Are you looking for a separate room or just a restaurant willing to accommodate a large party? I don't know about the separate rooms but I think I've seen a large group of people at just about every restaurant I've been to in Boston.

For fine dining I'm sure these restaurants will take a large group since I've either been in a large group at these places before or saw large groups while there:

Radius
Sibling Rivalry
Hammersley's Bistro
Rialto

Moderate:
Stephanies on Newbury
Sonsie
Eastern Standard

Thanks for the replies. Sharona, we are not necessarily looking for a separate room, just a restaurant that can accommodate a large group. Because it is for the fall, we also want places that will still be in business then (the economy being what it is!).

I am confused. You want seating for 20? Or you want option for seating for 20 and will cancel reservation if no one chooses that restaurant?

I''m just not clear on what you are looking for. 4 nights with a single destination for a group of 20 or a group of restaurants for them to choose from.

Did that make sense?

Hi gyppielou! Sorry I confused you about this - we need multiple restaurants (2 or 3 in each neighborhood of Boston) that can accommodate 15-20 people at each restaurant. This is a rather large convention with people coming from all over the US and Canada. The purpose is to have organized reservations for people that are not in a group, or wish to go it alone and meet new people. We will have people sign up in advance and in the past the slots go quickly. Thanks.

My first thought are two newish places.

First is Max and Dylans on West Street. they will close off the upstairs dining are and bar for private parties and are a great staff that try real hard to accomadate in these hard times

http://www.maxanddylans.com/downtown.html

Another newcomer in that neighborhood would be Marliaves for their lighter fare. They too, are trying real hard to accomadate during these hard times.

http://marliave.com/home/

you might also get them to accomadate a large party on a week night at their original restaurant Grotto

http://grottorestaurant.com/home.html

I really like Via Matta - they have a seperate area that might accomadate 20

http://www.viamattarestaurant.com/index_flash.htm

for a high end room, I'd go with Mistral

http://www.mistralbistro.com/

I only like the apps, and would not recommend it for a nice meal , but Rustic Kitchen has a couple of nice private rooms or they section off a whole area of the bar http://www.rustickitchen.biz/locatio...uare/index.cfm

That should keep you busy! With the other great suggestions!

One more place that I like a lot, is Kingston Station
http://www.kingstonstation.com/private.php

Again, thanks to everyone. I really appreciate it. You've given me some places to consider that I wouldn't have thought of.