I guess we need to understand what you mean by "hosting" a dinner. Is that anything beyond serving a meal and alcohol? Are there some special requirements And I guess we also need to understand why you feel desperate. Have some previous efforts failed miserably or something?? If these questions can be answered, then I'm sure we can help you.......

AlanM

Lucca in the North End has a private dining room that would fit 40 and you can keep it under $100 pp depending on the wine you order.

Just desperate because my boss is breathing down my neck to find and finalize a location. (I've never been to Boston so I'm counting on the internet and your advice to make this choice)There are many mixed reviews out there so I was hoping a local could help me out with their opinion. Just looking a more upscale venue for dinner and drinks. A venue with a private dining room is nice. Thanks again for your time!

The Daily Catch at the Moakley Courthouse (not the one in the North End) seems to meet all your criteria. It's in a waterfront location and you'd likely be able to have the place all to yourself with reservations for 40 people. On top of that, it's pretty reasonable for what you get. Views are spectacular and I'm sure the boss will love you for it.

AlanM

Belleski, Alan is our resident brilliant guy, so it is very unlike me to contradict him. (So, you know what's coming!) I do this sort of thing for a living, and the restaurant you want must have a private dining room or a group menu and a history of taking care of groups. If you were to take 40 people into a nice place and hand them all the menu, the meal would take forever, and it probably would not be very good. Restaurants rely on different meal courses hitting the kitchen, and being served in a more random pattern that what you'd be doing.

If the Daily Catch has that kind of room -- or knowledge of a group, go for it.

Okay, from personal experience, I can recommend Davio's and Avila for groups this size. You'll need to be careful with your budget, but it can be done. Neither are near the water, but I've used both for very high-profile groups. They give you a limited menu -- you develop it with their banquet person -- you pick the hors d'oeuvres and the wine -- and have some control over costs.

Now, I'll be there will be other people with good ideas for restaurants that are perhaps not as pricy -- go for it if you get the limited menu and/or private dining room.

And if you really get stuck, send me a message and we can communicate offline.

Good luck -- you'll do fine!

Try Joe's American Bar and Grille on Atlantic Ave. They have a nice function room on the second floor with views of the harbor below.

Lucia's in the North End also has a separate upstairs room with it's own bar. I've been to a large private dinner there that must have had at least 40 people:

http://www.luciaboston.com/

google "donato fratraroli" for more information about the owner - he is a very successful restaurateur in Boston. Lucia's is one of the best restaurants in the North End.

LoonMountainMan,

You can disagree any time you wish. I just wanted to explain that for the Daily Catch to work, I was envisioning having it exclusively for just this function. I've known the Daily Catch to have done this for other functions, although I can't tell you how many folks were involved. I must admit that the logistics of making this work from the restaurant perspective is just a bit beyond my knowledge level, but I certainly would expect the restaurant to have that level of expertise before they accept the job. Is that an unrealistic expectation? Then perhaps we can let this rest.

Thanks,

AlanM

I would suggest coming in a day early and researching the restaurants. All are good suggestions but you should see if they are a fit for you.

Some of these places may want to run your credit card and get a signature for a job this size.

With a boss breathing down my neck, I would want to know the faces of the people in the rest. before the dinner.

If all of you enjoy seafood, then definitely go for the Daily Catch at the Moakley Federal Courthouse. It has the best best view and getting their long table set up in their Rotunda overlooking this view, is just so awesome! Your boss will go crazy here when he sits down here and sees this place! It's ideal for a group and it's in your price range. No matter what night or afternoon you go here, you'll all really enjoy it here a lot. The sailboats & schooners sail right by here all the time, and this time of year it's breathtaking as usual! You can tell your boss that some shots of "The Departed" with Matt Damon were filmed inside that Rotunda right near where you will be sitting!

Get there in the afternoon later on and right before sun down you won't want to leave the table! It's the best time to be there!

Have a wonderful time no matter where you go!