Small Reception Restaurant Venue?

sbv2b0

Hi there,

I'm a newb. Be gentle.  

I am having a very small intimate wedding--less than 30 people. As a result, we are considering having our 'reception' as a sit-down dinner at a local restaurant.  I am looking at a 30-35 dollar per plate range.  Any thoughts on the following places:
Pierpont's
Blue Bird Bistro
Avenues Bistro
The Farmhouse  (not sure if they would do a large party, but just hypothetically...)

Any advice/help would be appreciated.

Thanks!

Sara

bethbuck

I've not been to a reception there, but Avenues Bistro has amazing food. Went there recently for a friends birthday, and was really impressed with the food. We ordered a few Tapas, thinking they'd be small (like most places are) and they were full plates! They had a great drink menu, both beer and wine, and have yummy sangria. The atmosphere was really nice, so i could defintiely see a reception there.

sbv2b0

What was the decor like? I can't get a feel of it from pictures online...!

kelleyku05

You can use this as a tool in your search.  I used it when trying to find a rehearsal dinner venue.

http://www.opentable.com/info/banquets.aspx?m=87

bethbuck

It felt like a little bistro, the lighting was darker, so it almost seemed romantic. I'm trying to remember the actual decorations, but nothing is coming to me. It didn't seem like the decor was overwhelming, like other places that have huge picture, etc on the walls. It definitely felt like an intimate restaurant, somewhere we are definitely going to go back on a date.

I did find one website that has a picture, but this picture doesn't do it justice. The color is more a dark orange, and when we were there on a Saturday night, there weren't near this many lights on. But at least that gives you some idea:

http://www.insiderpages.com/b/15239592262/avenues-bistrobrookside-kansas-city

And they opened a new one in Mission Farms, in case you may be looking in Joco too.

bethbuck

I didn't add, i've also been to Blue Bird and Pierponts. Blue Bird we went for a Valentines dinner, and the food was great, but it was pretty busy and i just didn't get a good vibe from the staff. It was pretty pricey, but that may have been due to when we were there.

Pierponts we went to for a work dinner, they have some neat rooms that made you feel like you were in the restaurant by yourself, which may be great for your wedding group. The food is wonderful, and they have awesome drinks.

sbv2b0

I'll have to go eat at these places. 

Pierponts is at a minimum 38 bucks per plate, Avenues is a bit cheaper (26 is the lower end), I can order from the menu at BBB or have a menu made.  The Farmhouse is the dark horse. They quoted me a Chef Tasting menu at 45, but wouldn't you think just a 'normal' menu would be cheaper?  They might require us to pay for the room if it's on a Saturday night. 

Anyone have any other ideas? I"d like something quaint, intimate, nothing too corporate-y. Not a chain. I'm from north of the river, so I don't want to make my fam travel TOO far. Brookside is pushing it (they are a bit stodgy).