Family Dinner: Help Please

Tiffany · Post by **Tiffany** » Mon Apr 09, 2007 5:50 pm

Hey everyone,
Need your help with more wedding planning. All of our family will be arriving on the island the Thursday before our wedding (in July). Some will have had a LONG day of travel and others will arrive early in the afternoon. Can you recommend a good, but casual place for dinner? I don't want everyone to feel like they have to get all dressed up, and we just want a relaxed, fun evening. Thanks in advance..~Tiffany
ps-there will be 24 of us.

cat · Post by **cat** » Mon Apr 09, 2007 5:59 pm

We went to Polly's in the lumberyard for lunch one day. It is air conditioned and casual.

When our group of 17 got there after travelling all day I thought that some of us were going to leave the next morning. I wish we had done this for dinner that night.

The AC in the house had not been turned on and it was hot so tempers were just as hot. Just in case you rgroup has teh same travel issues we had it may help to be somewhere that is at least comfortable. It gets hot in the summer.

Pia · Post by **Pia** » Mon Apr 09, 2007 6:42 pm

FYI - Pollis is now closed

Pia

Bandit · Post by **Bandit** » Mon Apr 09, 2007 6:53 pm

I would recommend Morgans Mango. Relaxed and casual atmosphere.

Ron_L · Post by **Ron_L** » Mon Apr 09, 2007 6:57 pm

We had a nice dinner at Morgan's Mango so Bandit has a good suggestion. If you want to go even more casual Cafe Roma has good food. I'm not sure if they could fit a party of 24, however.

RickG · Post by **RickG** » Mon Apr 09, 2007 7:08 pm

Not to put a damper on things, but I find trying to get a big group to a restaurant on the first night (when tempers are running high) can be a challenge. I had one bad experience with one bad actor and avoid the situation now.

We had 24 on our trip in November across 3 villas. Once we got settled our 8 had a quick meal and then went to the other 2 villas to visit and talk about plans for the next day. You're likely to have a different dynamic. Catering in at one house is another good option - something that can accomodate late arrivals waiting for late luggage! Good luck!

Cheers, RickG

Marcia (Mrs. Pete) · Post by **Marcia (Mrs. Pete)** » Mon Apr 09, 2007 7:12 pm

Banana Deck, perfect spot for casual, good food for your group.
Marcia (Mrs. Pete)

cat · Post by **cat** » Mon Apr 09, 2007 7:23 pm

Pia wrote:FYI - Pollis is now closed

Pia

Is there any other air conditioned resturant there?

martini girl · Post by **martini girl** » Mon Apr 09, 2007 8:10 pm

I second RickG's catering suggestion at one of the villas. We had our first-night dinner at our villa and it was the best thing for travel-weary people. You didn't have to dress up, you didn't have to wait on possible slow service,especially given the size of your group, and they cleaned up! We used Katilady and the dinner was delicious, it included appetizer, salad, entree, and dessert, even had kids meals. We are definitely doing that again on our next trip in 2008.

Perhaps they could do a buffett which would keep everything hot for those arriving at varied times. All you'd have to buy separately would be the alcohol which, I understand, can be delivered by Mixology based on previous postings. Good luck!

waterguy · Post by **waterguy** » Mon Apr 09, 2007 8:12 pm

Don't worry about dressing up for any of the resturants they are all pretty laid back but that being said I'd pick up uncle joes and sit around the pool have a few drinks and get into island time that way if you want to eat in your suit or pj's who cares

Xislandgirl · Post by **Xislandgirl** » Mon Apr 09, 2007 8:19 pm

I have to agree with the rest of the group. It will be hard to find a place that can accomodate 24.

I would think that Morgan's Mango would be your best choice but you will have to call well in advance.

I would invite everyone over for appetizers and drinks at one villa and then let everyone go their own way. They will all be tired from traveling.

AnyTing · Post by **AnyTing** » Mon Apr 09, 2007 8:52 pm

I agree with Morgan's Mango. They seem to do a very good job accommodating large parties and it has a very laid back atmosphere with very good food. It's where we always seem to end up our first night on the island.

nothintolose · Post by **nothintolose** » Mon Apr 09, 2007 9:54 pm

Oh Cat - that brings back memories - yep, we ate frozen pizzas from Starfish if I recall correctly...and drank ALOT (O:

I don't know what I would suggest except to warn everyone NOT to panic about the ferry ride - that there is always another one and it will all come together - an when it's daylight and they see how beautiful it is there will be no worries!

nothintolose

cat · Post by **cat** » Mon Apr 09, 2007 10:55 pm

nothintolose wrote:Oh Cat - that brings back memories - yep, we ate frozen pizzas from Starfish if I recall correctly...and drank ALOT (O:

I don't know what I would suggest except to warn everyone NOT to panic about the ferry ride - that there is always another one and it will all come together - an when it's daylight and they see how beautiful it is there will be no worries!

nothintolose

Very Scary but mostly good Memories!! The drinks make them a little fuzzy but I do have an awful lot of pics to remind me!

cypressgirl · Post by **cypressgirl** » Mon Apr 09, 2007 11:33 pm

If you want a relaxed evening on the actual travel day, especially when some are arriving late, I say some how arrange to bring food into the villa. You can do a fancy catered dinner or easy take-out.

I can't imagine getting 24 people that arrive at different times of the day and into the evening to a restaurant that first night. What if some flights are delayed? Too many variables. Try to keep it simple and have less to worry about. It's only a meal. I'd get a bunch of trays catered and let everyone eat as they are hungry.

They can hang by the pool and enjoy the views, relax, drink, and eat whatever you decide to provide.

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Family Dinner: Help Please

Family Dinner: Help Please