Move the party to a restaurant
By Tresa Erickson
A special occasion is just around the corner, and rather than spend hours preparing your home for the celebratory dinner, you have decided to throw a party at a local restaurant. Although you won’t have to cook, you will have to plan and oversee the party.
To start the party planning process, make a list of your favorite local restaurants and speak to the manager at each of those facilities to find out if they can accommodate your party.
While some restaurants have separate party rooms where they can accommodate 30 or more guests, others do not and may be able to accommodate fewer guests.
Find out, too, what kind of services each of the restaurants offers for parties. With some restaurants, cleanup is free. With others, a fee is involved. Make notes each time you meet with a manager and select the restaurant that will best work for you and your budget.
Contact the manager of the restaurant you choose and notify them of your decision. Discuss all of the details with them, including whether you will have a buffet and a bar. To cut down on costs, you may be able to bring in your own drinks. Make sure you discuss the matter with the manager first, though, since some restaurants forbid the use of outside products. Get everything in writing and be prepared to put down a deposit.
After you have selected a restaurant and worked out all of the details, you may send out invitations and start thinking about the décor. Keep in mind that some restaurants may not allow decorations, so ask first.
If you are allowed to decorate, do so sparingly. You don’t want to spend hours after the party taking down the decorations, or worse, break something because the restaurant is on a schedule and you only have an hour to get everything down.
On the day of the party, make sure you arrive early and bring some friends along to help decorate for it. Even if you don’t plan to decorate for the party, make sure you arrive early. That way, you can touch base with the manager again before guests arrive and ensure everything is ready to go.
During the party, be sure everyone treats the restaurant employees with respect, including all young guests. Leave at the time requested and tip servers well. Don’t linger and don’t let guests do so either. There may be another party booked following yours; you need the time to clean up. If you have not finished your conversation with a guest, go outside to talk. Throwing a party at a restaurant can provide you with more freedom to enjoy the event. With no cooking to do and perhaps even no cleanup, you will be more apt to have a good time.
Places to go,
things to do?
Let our Night & Day guide help you find
the perfect venue.
Club Texas:
150 Center Street, Auburn, 784-7785.
The Cage:
97 Ash Street, Lewiston, 783-0668.
Dubois Cafe:
Sandwiches. Spaghetti & meatballs. Breakfasts. Daily specials. 906 Sabattus Street, Lewiston. 795-6688.
Fish Bones American Grill:
Open for lunch, dinner, and Sunday brunch. Steak, fish, sandwiches, wraps. Uses locally grown potatoes. Known for its seafood grill concept that blends American cuisine with international flair. 70 Lincoln Street, Lewiston. 333-3663.
www.fishbonesag.com
Fuel:
49 Lisbon Street, Lewiston, 333-3835.
Georgio’s Pizza & Donut Shop:
Breakfast foods, coffee, sandwiches, fries, salads. Delivery service in Auburn city limits. Known for its UFO sandwich. 740 Minot Avenue, Auburn. 783-2981.
www.mygeorgios.com
Gippers:
Award-winning casual dining. Serving appetizers, lunch, and dinner. Function room available. Wide-screen TVs. Known for its variety of burgers. 120 Center Street Plaza, Auburn. 786-0715. www.gippers.com
Gritty’s:
Lewiston/Auburn Brew Pub says to stop in and treat yourself to the very best in real ale, real food and real Maine hospitality. See Lindsey Montana & Friends: Gritty’s L/A, March 15. Main St., Auburn. 376-BREW. www.grittys.com
Kon’s Asian Bistro, Steakhouse & Sushi Bar:
Authentic upscale restaurant. Soups, salads, entrees, wok and grill, noodles and rice, hibachi, sushi. Lunch specials. Happy hour specials. 1140 Brighton Avenue, Portland. 874-0000.
www.konasianbistro.com
LongHorn Steakhouse:
649 Turner Street, Auburn, 784-1807. www.longhornsteakhouse.com
Mac’s Grill:
Southwestern theme. Homemade barbecue sauces & dry rubs. Take-out menu. Retail meats available. Summer/Fall deck. Known for its Black Angus beef. 1052 Minot Avenue, Auburn. 783-6885.
www.macsgrill.com
Marco’s Restaurant:
12 Mollison Way, Lewiston, 783-0336.
New China Super Buffet:
Unique hibachi grill & sushi. Known for its gigantic all-you-can-eat buffet which includes over 238 items ranging from appetizers to soups to entrees to desserts. Banquet facilities for up to 400. Take-out available. 40 East Avenue, Lewiston. 753-6868.
Papa John’s Pizza:
850 Lisbon Street, Lewiston, 786-7272
Pat’s Pizza of Auburn:
85 Center Street, Auburn, 784-8221.
Rolandeau’s:
Complete lunch, dinner & low carb; specials served daily. Child-size meals available. Patio open seasonally. Known for roast beef au jus. 775 Washington St., Auburn. 784-2110. Open for lunch and dinner.
www.rolandeausrestaurant.com
Roy’s All Steak Hamburgers & Golf Center:
Route 4, Center Street, Auburn, 782-2801.
Sam’s Italian Foods:
Casual family dining. Take-out available. Known for its Italian sandwiches, pizza, and pasta. Multiple locations in Lewiston, Auburn, Augusta, Lisbon Falls, Rumford, Brunswick, and Freeport. 268 Main Street, Lewiston. 782-9145.
www.samsitalian.com
Schemengees Bar & Grille:
551 Lincoln Street, Lewiston, 777-1155.
Sea Dog Brew Pub:
Deck overlooking Androscoggin River. Sunday brunch. Big screen. Trivia night, Open Mic, live entertainment, karaoke.
1 Bowdoin Mill Island, Topsham. 725-0162.
www.seadogbrewing.com
The Sedgley Place:
Private wine tastings, weddings, rehearsal dinners, family functions, business meetings. Known for serving MOFGA certified organic vegetables, picked fresh daily. By reservation only. Off Rt. 202, Greene.
946-5990. 800-924-7778.
www.sedgleyplace.com
The Village Inn Restaurant & Capt’n Don’s Loft:
165 High Street, Auburn, 782-7796.
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