Looking for a space that hasn't been used a thousand times? Here are some event-friendly restaurants that are no more than one year old
Johnny V
Date Opened: December 2003
Why this space is great: Owners Carl Carmen and celebrity chef Johnny Vincenz opened this restaurant on trendy Las Olas Boulevard in mid-December, and the results have been astounding. While the 110-seat restaurant is often filled, they are ready and willing to accept private events. Known for innovative, delicious cuisine, the chef is open to creating menus that will suit the tastes of the groups that come in.
Mangrove Grill & Bar at the Riviera Dunes Marina
Date opened: December 2003
Why the space is great: This waterfront space at the marina occupies 5,000 square feet of prime location. Hand-carved trellis beams with decorative ends in the shapes of local fish adorn the area above a teak-and-holly bar that can be used for parties of as many as 70. The flexible kitchen staff is willing to create a menu for any event. Incredibly versatile in terms of seating, the Mangrove can easily accommodate 100 inside and 200 outside. Its private room and boardroom are both equipped with all necessary audiovisual needs and the restaurant is especially good at making a party as small as 15 or as large as 350 feel equally welcome.
Moroccan Nights
Date Opened: September 2003
Why this space is great: With every piece of décor imported from Morocco, owner Uri Zohar made sure that his space was 100 percent authentic. The only place like this in Boca, Zohar encourages planners to come see the space and fall in love. He and his chef Hassan Zahidy, who is also from Morocco, will customize menus for groups. The space seats 140 to 160 people comfortably, and tables can be removed to open up the space. Colorful silk pillows and wall coverings add ambiance to the festive atmosphere, which is further enhanced by a belly dancer and mint and rosewater tea ritual.
Norman's Located at the Ritz-Carlton Orlando
Date Opened: August 2003
Why this space is great: First and foremost, the food. In the world of food, Norman van Aken is a name you know and you can trust. This space, which is tucked neatly into the lower level of the Ritz-Carlton, offers a private and intimate setting. There is a separate dining area set behind wood and glass doors for smaller meetings or events, maxing out at 36. The main area seats up to 150 people for private events. Clayton Miller, the chef de cuisine, is always willing to prepare special dishes and customize menus for groups as long as requests stay within the broad umbrella of new world cuisine. All audiovisual needs can be taken care of by the hotel. The clean lines and unobtrusive décor will enable centerpieces or additional décor to shine.
OLA
Date Opened: November 2003
Why this space is great: Another great concept by chef Douglas Rodriguez, of Yuca and Patria (New York) fame, OLA serves tapas and ceviche, and features low-carb items and exotic drinks like saffron margaritas and frozen mojitos. This is a two-story space with several bars, a private dining room downstairs and a view of the open kitchen from the main dining area upstairs. With a flexible menu for groups and large screens and monitors for presentations, OLA can seat 12 in the private room or as many as 120 upstairs. OLA Miami offers a total of 6,500 square feet of possible meeting space.
P.L.a.E.
(People Laughing and Eating)
Date opened: July 2003
Why this space is great: The spectacular golf course views from the deck, the rich woods in the cocktail lounge and the private booths and exhibition kitchen in the 200-seat, 6,000-square-foot dining area all promise a culinary and sensual experience unlike any other on Amelia Island. The upscale bistro cuisine, served in either the main dining room or the 24-seat private dining room, is easily adapted to any private event. P.L.a.E. welcomes planners to bring décor, centerpieces and other enhancements into the private room.
Sterling's Downtown
Date opened: October 2003
Why this space is great: Frank Gallo opened this 33,000-square-foot venue downtown with the intention of serving lunch and utilizing the space for private banquets and events. The space is a 100-year-old house complete with a stunning carved-wood entryway, antebellum staircase and a number of charming rooms in which to hold an event. Chef George McGiffin creates American continental cuisine and is willing to create menus for groups.
Zizi Restaurant and Lounge at Bellasera Hotel
Date opened: December 2003
Why this space is great: Zizi Restaurant and Lounge, Bellasera Hotel's culinary jewel serves up Tuscan delicacies just two blocks from central Fifth Avenue in downtown Naples. Though the restaurant seats 138 people and the boardroom seats 14, there are two private catering rooms that can accommodate 90 people and 150 people, respectively. Banquets with a separate menu from the restaurant are no problem because chef Virgil Metcalf will work to create a special menu for any group. Equipped with audiovisual capabilities, the folks at Zizi have no problem with groups bringing in their own décor and centerpieces.
—Rebeca Oliveira and Shari Lynn Rothstein
Johnny V
Date Opened: December 2003
Why this space is great: Owners Carl Carmen and celebrity chef Johnny Vincenz opened this restaurant on trendy Las Olas Boulevard in mid-December, and the results have been astounding. While the 110-seat restaurant is often filled, they are ready and willing to accept private events. Known for innovative, delicious cuisine, the chef is open to creating menus that will suit the tastes of the groups that come in.
Mangrove Grill & Bar at the Riviera Dunes Marina
Date opened: December 2003
Why the space is great: This waterfront space at the marina occupies 5,000 square feet of prime location. Hand-carved trellis beams with decorative ends in the shapes of local fish adorn the area above a teak-and-holly bar that can be used for parties of as many as 70. The flexible kitchen staff is willing to create a menu for any event. Incredibly versatile in terms of seating, the Mangrove can easily accommodate 100 inside and 200 outside. Its private room and boardroom are both equipped with all necessary audiovisual needs and the restaurant is especially good at making a party as small as 15 or as large as 350 feel equally welcome.
Moroccan Nights
Date Opened: September 2003
Why this space is great: With every piece of décor imported from Morocco, owner Uri Zohar made sure that his space was 100 percent authentic. The only place like this in Boca, Zohar encourages planners to come see the space and fall in love. He and his chef Hassan Zahidy, who is also from Morocco, will customize menus for groups. The space seats 140 to 160 people comfortably, and tables can be removed to open up the space. Colorful silk pillows and wall coverings add ambiance to the festive atmosphere, which is further enhanced by a belly dancer and mint and rosewater tea ritual.
Norman's Located at the Ritz-Carlton Orlando
Date Opened: August 2003
Why this space is great: First and foremost, the food. In the world of food, Norman van Aken is a name you know and you can trust. This space, which is tucked neatly into the lower level of the Ritz-Carlton, offers a private and intimate setting. There is a separate dining area set behind wood and glass doors for smaller meetings or events, maxing out at 36. The main area seats up to 150 people for private events. Clayton Miller, the chef de cuisine, is always willing to prepare special dishes and customize menus for groups as long as requests stay within the broad umbrella of new world cuisine. All audiovisual needs can be taken care of by the hotel. The clean lines and unobtrusive décor will enable centerpieces or additional décor to shine.
OLA
Date Opened: November 2003
Why this space is great: Another great concept by chef Douglas Rodriguez, of Yuca and Patria (New York) fame, OLA serves tapas and ceviche, and features low-carb items and exotic drinks like saffron margaritas and frozen mojitos. This is a two-story space with several bars, a private dining room downstairs and a view of the open kitchen from the main dining area upstairs. With a flexible menu for groups and large screens and monitors for presentations, OLA can seat 12 in the private room or as many as 120 upstairs. OLA Miami offers a total of 6,500 square feet of possible meeting space.
P.L.a.E.
(People Laughing and Eating)
Date opened: July 2003
Why this space is great: The spectacular golf course views from the deck, the rich woods in the cocktail lounge and the private booths and exhibition kitchen in the 200-seat, 6,000-square-foot dining area all promise a culinary and sensual experience unlike any other on Amelia Island. The upscale bistro cuisine, served in either the main dining room or the 24-seat private dining room, is easily adapted to any private event. P.L.a.E. welcomes planners to bring décor, centerpieces and other enhancements into the private room.
Sterling's Downtown
Date opened: October 2003
Why this space is great: Frank Gallo opened this 33,000-square-foot venue downtown with the intention of serving lunch and utilizing the space for private banquets and events. The space is a 100-year-old house complete with a stunning carved-wood entryway, antebellum staircase and a number of charming rooms in which to hold an event. Chef George McGiffin creates American continental cuisine and is willing to create menus for groups.
Zizi Restaurant and Lounge at Bellasera Hotel
Date opened: December 2003
Why this space is great: Zizi Restaurant and Lounge, Bellasera Hotel's culinary jewel serves up Tuscan delicacies just two blocks from central Fifth Avenue in downtown Naples. Though the restaurant seats 138 people and the boardroom seats 14, there are two private catering rooms that can accommodate 90 people and 150 people, respectively. Banquets with a separate menu from the restaurant are no problem because chef Virgil Metcalf will work to create a special menu for any group. Equipped with audiovisual capabilities, the folks at Zizi have no problem with groups bringing in their own décor and centerpieces.
—Rebeca Oliveira and Shari Lynn Rothstein
Johnny V opened seven months ago on Las Olas Boulevard in Fort Lauderdale.
Mangrove Grill & Bar has accommodated up to 300 people combining indoor and outdoor areas.
Celebrity chef Douglas Rodriguez opened OLA in an up-and-coming area of North Miami.
P.L.a.E. offers a 24-seat private dining room, cocktail lounge and main function space in which to hold an event.
