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Looking for a high end restaurant to celebrate 40th birthday (adults only) in September

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Hoping for some help on a great restaurant to celebrate my 40th. We will be about 10-12 people. Looking for great, great food and an atmosphere that will allow loud conversation. We're not going to be obnoxious but don't want other tables glaring at us if we are laughing a bit loudly. It would be great if the restaurant had a small private room or better yet, a chef's table so we can watch the professionals at work. Thanks for your help!!

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  1. For a private room, the cheese cellar at Enoteca Socale is great for a group of 10-12. You an be as loud as you like, and it's a neat space. Not super high-end, but I think it's a great place for a 40th birthday party.

    If it was my 40th, and I was looking for something more upscale than Enoteca Sociale, I'd also consider Scaramouche and Joso's.

    Let us know where you end up.

    4 Replies
    1. re: prima

      ES is a good call...Scaramouche maybe for your 60th...definetely not your 40th. How 'bout Mortons....great food...young, fun vibe and no problem with volume. We were here last Saturday and it was hopping!!

      1. re: robb

        I'd still do a 40th birthday party at Scaramouche, even if some people might be celebrating their 60th or 80th birthdays at neighbouring tables. Even if some of the clientele is geriatric, the food at Scaramouche is delicious and birthday-worthy. While I like the food at ES, the food at Scaramouche is better. ;-)

        Guess I'll throw Jacobs and Buca out on the table as other possiblities for the OP, if the OP wants a younger vibe than Scaramouche provides.

      2. re: prima

        I second the cheese cellar at Enoteca Sociale. Great space to celebrate in, and the meal is served family style so it's very convivial and really just a lot of fun. And man oh man, they give you a LOT of food.

        1. re: prima

          +1 for the Cheese Cellar. It does get a little squishy with 12 though. If everyone's close, it's no big deal.

        2. I'd say the private half-room at Jacobs and Co.

          1. Thanks Everyone!! Much appreciated. Campagnolo was also recommended to me. I think I'm narrowing it down to the following: Enoteca Cheese Room or the Chef's table at Campagnolo, or half room at Jacobs. Thoughts?

            6 Replies
            1. re: ahcli

              Hmm, I'm not sure that the chef's table at Campagnolo is in a private room, I thought it was just a small table near a window to the kitchen, but I could be wrong. If it's not, you should be aware that it's a very loud restaurant and you might find it a challenge to hear your friends.

              1. re: TorontoJo

                oh, thanks TorontoJo. Then that restaurant might not work out.

                1. re: ahcli

                  But please do give them a call and ask, as I'm not 100% sure!

                  1. re: TorontoJo

                    Agree with ES. It's not high-end (at all), but the food is v good, there's some decent wine choices, and it's really fun.

                2. re: TorontoJo

                  We had the chef's or tasting menu at Campagnolo for a birthday party of 12. Food and service were excellent. They gave us a long table in middle of room but I never felt we were being too loud. The room was loud (people and music) so that you couldn't reliably hear anyone beyond your neighbours so we just switched seats and we all got a chance to talk. it was a fantastic evening!

                3. re: ahcli

                  As far as I know, there's no separate room for Campagnolo - the chef's bar is right along the kitchen and is a lovely spot, but seats only four people.

                4. Another option is Colborne Lane, but I've heard some not so positive reviews lately?

                  1 Reply
                  1. re: ahcli

                    The private room at CL only holds 6 people, and it's tasting menu only, which (last I looked) is $179/person. So for your group, you'd need to sit in the regular space, and it's not a loud "buzzy" restaurant, so a loud group of friends having fun might stick out.

                    For your needs, I really do recommend you look at Enoteca Sociale. You'll all be able to hear each other and be as loud as you want.

                    Another alternative is the wine cellar room at Chiado or Adega. Both have excellent food. More upscale than ES, so that may or not be what you're looking for.

                  2. Thanks for all the recos. And I apologize for posting so late but I ended up at Campagnolo for my birthday. We did the family style prix fix and everyone raved about the food and we all left stuffed. The service was great, the room is loud but not unbearable. Very good vibes at this restaurant. I would definitely recommend this restaurant for large groups. We are thinking about going back to do a Christmas dinner. Cheers!