By KIM HARWELL / The Dallas Morning News
With the holidays looming large, it's a given that most of us will be
attending at least one seasonal shindig, whether work-related, a
gathering of friends or a family celebration. But for those charged with
planning the festivities, the amount of time and energy that often goes
into the preparation is enough to bring on a bad case of the bah humbugs.
That's why many savvy party planners turn to area restaurants for
hosting their holiday get-togethers; in most cases all you have to do is
choose a menu, pony up a credit card and show up for the fa-la-la-la fun.
We've chosen a dozen local spots with private rooms designed to make
your holiday functions merry and bright. Reservations fill up fast at
this time of year, so book your party as soon as possible. And unless
otherwise noted, all locales are strictly BYOM
(bring-your-own-mistletoe).
For a chef-centric experience
•
Abacus
Executive chef Kent Rathbun is one of the biggest names on the Dallas
dining scene, and diners who want to get a closer look at the man behind
the myth can opt for a ringside seat in the five-star restaurant's
kitchen. The chef's table, which seats eight to 12, features a
nine-course tasting menu available with or without wine pairings. For
something a bit less intimate, set up shop in Abacus' private dining
room, which can accommodate parties of 12 to 50 and features the same
stylish decor as the rest of the restaurant.
4511 McKinney Ave.; 214-559-3111; www.abacus-restaurant.com
For a casual pizza and pasta party
•
Angelo's
If the idea of getting all dolled up for a fancy soiree sounds as
appealing as finding a lump of coal in your Christmas stocking, consider
some no-fuss festivities at this cozy neighborhood joint. Downstairs,
the main dining area features the kind of ambience that comes from
plastic grapes and candles in chianti bottles. Upstairs, a private room
offers seating for 18 to 50 and a decidedly come-as-you-are feel. Or, as
management puts it, "As long as you have a shirt, shoes and pants on,
you're OK with us."
6341 La Vista Drive; 214-823-5566
For an evening of wining and dining
•
Arcodoro and Pomodoro
This Sardinian getaway offers two different private rooms for small
groups of oenophiles looking to share the holiday spirit. The Reserve
Wine Room holds a table for six and features a 10-course chef's table
dinner, personally prepared by chef and co-owner Francesco Farris, set
among a portion of the restaurant's extensive wine holdings. The Cork
Room seats up to 13 in a room dominated by co-owner Efisio Farris'
private wine collection and a barrel ceiling papered with Sardinian
cork. Larger parties (up to 48) can enjoy a taste of Italy in the light
and airy upstairs Balcony Room.
2708 Routh St.; 214-871-1924; www.arcodoro.com
For an evening of Old World elegance
•
Arthur's Prime Steaks and Seafood
For a polished setting with a continental flair, head to this Addison
establishment that bills itself as "a Dallas legend since 1948." In its
current locale, Arthur's offers private dining for up to 90 guests in a
VIP room dominated by rich, dark woods; eye-catching chandeliers; and
two walls stacked with racks of vintage wines. If the gold foiled
poinsettia leaves on every table aren't festive enough, right outside
the door is a 20-foot decorated Christmas tree sure to get your guests
in the holiday spirit.
15175 Quorum Drive, Addison; 972-385-0800; www.arthursdallas.com
For a German beer-hall celebration
•
Bavarian Grill
If your wish list includes a six-pack of Paulaner Hefe-Weizen or
Hacker-Pschorr Dunkel Weisse, you'll feel right at home among the
revelry of Bavarian Grill, where live accordion music and large steins
of German beer draw crowds year-round. Four banquet rooms outfitted with
Internet, video and telephone hookups offer groups of 12 to 40 a
high-tech taste of old Europe. For one-stop shopping, an adjoining gift
shop sells authentic German nutcrackers and other festive goodies.
221 W. Parker Road, Plano; 972-881-0705; www.bavariangrill.com
For a grande taste of the Southwest
•
Blue Mesa Grill
With five area locations and private rooms that can accommodate groups
from 20 to 150, Blue Mesa Grill adds a spicy accent to your seasonal
celebration. Party rooms are decorated with fresh produce and sunflowers
for a festive marketplace look, perfect for when your inner Grinch can't
take another faux-snow Frosty tableaux. A variety of a la carte and
buffet options are available featuring Blue Mesa's signature
Southwestern fare as well as traditional holiday dishes.
7700 W. Northwest Highway, 214-378-8686; 5100 Belt Line Road, Addison, 972-934-0165; 8200 Dallas Parkway, Plano, 214-387-4407; 1600 S. University Drive, Fort Worth, 817-332-6372; 1586 E. Southlake Blvd., Southlake, 817-416-0055; www.bluemesagrill.com
For a Lone Star celebration
•
Bonnell's Fine Texas Cuisine
Groups of 20 to 40 can cowboy up at this Fort Worth spot where haute
cuisine hits the Chisholm Trail. Bonnell's private dining room features
its own sound system and lighting, and, during the holidays, blends
seasonal touches such as poinsettias and flickering candlelight with its
standard Texana setting. You can bet your boots Santa would approve.
4259 Bryant Irvin Road, Fort Worth; 817-738-5489; www.bonnellsrestaurant.com
For when you've got the Christmas spirit
•
Lawry's the Prime Rib
Nothing lends a touch of the holly jollies quite like carolers, and
Lawry's brings in a cappella singers in Dickensian dress nightly from 6
to 8 p.m. Halls are decked throughout the restaurant (including private
party rooms that can accommodate groups from 25 to 190) with tiny white
lights, poinsettias and plenty of festive garland and greenery for a
holiday setting that's impossible to Scrooge up.
14655 Dallas Parkway; 972-503-6688; www.lawrysonline.com
For a historic holiday event
•
Newport's Seafood and Steaks
This West End landmark has been serving fresh seafood for more than 20
years in a historic building once inhabited by the Dallas Brewery and
Bottling Works. The center of the restaurant still features the
55-foot-deep well once fed by artesian spring waters and used to make
beer. Today the well is a focal point for the main dining room, but a
private room in the rear of the restaurant has space for 10 to 50 diners
in a setting that embraces the building's storied past in a less
vertigo-inducing way.
703 McKinney Ave.; 214-954-0220; www.newportsrestaurant.com
For a warm holiday glow
•
St. Martin's Wine Bistro
It's doubtful that we'll see a white Christmas this year, but that
doesn't mean you can't enjoy a seasonal cold snap in front of a
crackling fire. The party room at this Lower Greenville institution
seats up to 50 guests and features a fireplace, private bar and vintage
chandelier for a gracious touch. A smaller private dining area is
located next to the restaurant's baby grand piano for a holiday
celebration set to musical accompaniment.
3020 Greenville Ave.; 214-826-0940; www.stmartinswinebistro.com
For an artistic touch
•
Seventeen Seventeen
"Elegant simplicity" is the inspiration behind designer Paul Draper's
dining space at the Dallas Museum of Art. Multiple rooms lend
availability for groups of 40 to 160 guests, while the current
weekday-lunch-only hours add flexibility – you can schedule private
events during the restaurant's off-hours. An outdoor terrace with a
stunning view of downtown Dallas adds to the sparkle. For a classy,
sophisticated holiday gathering, Seventeen Seventeen is a masterpiece of
good taste.
1717 N. Harwood St.; 214-880-0158; www.seventeenseventeen.com
For when you want the whole place to yourself
•
Ziziki's
Sometimes – say when Uncle Ernie's had a wee bit too much eggnog – you
might want your private party to keep the emphasis on private. Ziziki's
private dining space is a separate facility across the patio from the
main Travis Walk dining room. Here, family-style platters of
Mediterranean cuisine are served to groups of 25 to 35 ... and no one in
the restaurant has to be subjected to your cousin's off-key rendition of
"Silent Night."
4514 Travis St.; 214-521-2233; www.zizikis.com
Published in The Dallas Morning News: 11.26.04
