Rehearsal poll!

sboston06

FI and I are down to two options for the rehearsal dinner.  We have about 25 guests and it will be on a Friday night.  Both of the options would be family style or buffet.  Kowloon would probably allow us to include drinks in the final bill, but Exchange St is slightly more expensive so it would probably be cash bar (final word depends on FMIL's choice).

For those who don't know...Exchange St is a trendy bistro type place.  Food would be something like: Chicken Parm, Sausage Peppers & onions, Mac & cheese, Roast Beef, etc.  We'd have a private function room to ourselves.

Kowloon is a loud, totally tacky (in a good way) Chinese restaurant.  The food is pretty basic.  There is a band about an hour into dinner.  Our party isn't big enough to get a function room so we'd be in the main dining room.

So...what do you ladies think?  A lot of people gave me ideas last time I posted but now that we're down to two (and are SO indecisive) I wanted to poll you.

ipuella

Sounds like there are pros and cons to both. I've been to both as well, and they definitely have completely different feels to them. I guess the question is, which atmosphere are you more interested in? Loud relaxed fun, or a little bit classier and private? I love the idea of the relaxed, more casual setting (case in point: we are doing a Firefly-catered BBQ for our RD) since the next day will obviously be a lot more formal.  For me, though, the final decision lies in the fact that you'd have a private room at Exchange St Bistro - do you want to be standing up in front of the whole restaurant at Kowloon to say your thank-yous and give out presents and stuff? 

...Not sure if all that helps - but it's my two cents, at least.

jonchrissy

I selected the exchange st. bistro based off the private room as well.

jquirke9881

Private room gets my vote.  We had my RD in the middle of a restaurant and it was total chaos. 

sboston06

ipuella, that was where the indecision came in.  We dont' really know what we're going for.  We love Exchange St and go there often, and the food is fantastic.  But then again, we love Kowloon and the Border Cafe.  The Border was our original choice but the manager wouldn't let us have it there on a Friday night because it gets too loud.

Seems like the vote is a landslide lol. 

emilyinboston

My vote is for Exchange St. Kowloon can get a little loud and rowdy at times and agree that a private room would be a much better setting for your guests.

crimsonlily

I agree with everyone else.  I heart kowloons (scorpion bowl!) but it would be a little crazy doing all your thank yous and present etc in front of the whole restuarant.   I would prefer the private room.

BostonGirl82

I love both places, however, since you can have a private room at the Exchange Street Bistro- my vote goes to them. I can't imagine the chaos on a Friday night trying to have a rehearsal at Kowloons.

vtbm

My friend had her rehersal dinner at Exchange Street and it was great! I had eaten there a few times prior to the rehersal and wasn't too impressed so wasn't sure what to expect. Food was great and private room is a plus!

JBs_Bride

I haven't been to either, but I voted for Exchange Street since it has a private room.

Galaxy8227

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_massachusetts-boston_rehearsal-poll?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local Wedding BoardsForum:89Discussion:933eaffd-0b5e-4293-bcc8-ccc51e954e6bPost:8d53e150-c159-4253-8acc-626074574e4a">Re: Rehearsal poll!</a>:
[QUOTE]I haven't been to either, but I voted for Exchange Street since it has a private room.
Posted by JBs_Bride[/QUOTE]

Ditto JBs

jwatts23

Ditto to JBs and Galaxy

jaguarjen

Kowloon is a blast, and my first instinct was to choose that -- but I've been there as part of a large group in the dining room, and it was pretty awful as far as being able to talk to anyone other than the 3 people you were seated next to and across.  It really didn't feel like we were a group at all.  I think not having a private room can work fine for an RD, but not at a place as crazy as Kowloon.

jc0n15

I voted for Exchange St. I have never been there but my thoughts were more on the lines of quite and intimate and the fact that if it was me and my BP we would be drinking too many scorpian bowls and be hung over for the wedding!!

Ishaba11

Exchange St is so much nicer. I live in Malden so I'm a little bias. Kowloon reminds me of after prom activities and bachelorette parties. Especially where yours will be on a friday Kowloon will be filled with large parties like that.

Kit483

sigh...exchange street is the better choice because of the private room (i've been to both) but i love love LOVE the kowloon. can't lose either way.

GardenBryd

Definitely Exchange St. In a loud room, you won't really feel like you're with a group--just the person next to you (because you won't be able to hear anyone else)!

jacquikev

Kowloons can be too crazy at times and  I dont think it would be good especially if you choose a thursday - sat. because i know alot of people around here go there to get drunk on those nights.