5 Tips for Planning the Best Dinner Party – Restaurant Edition
Who isn’t going out to eat these days? From dates, family gatherings, birthdays, business meetings, and more; sitting down for dinner is usually a part of the plan. But planning a dinner party isn’t easy.
We’ve all heard, seen, or even been a part of some horror stories surrounding dinner parties, but there are ways to avoid such things by properly preparing yourself and the group.
1. Who’s Invited?
Getting a proper headcount of the group is key when planning a dinner party. Initially, the majority of the guests invited will be eager to join the dinner. But of course, once more information is revealed and time passes that can easily change. Taking the time to consider the celebration and who it is intended for is important. If it’s a dinner party related to work, no need to extend the invitation to your aunt.
Taking into consideration the intended date and time, budget, reason, and lifestyle.
We want to be able to give an exact number when making the reservation so the restaurant can be properly prepared for us. Having prepared staff helps everyone involved.
Keeping strong RSVP guidelines within your group can help. For example, if you’re planning a birthday dinner, a month out, give 2 solid dates for the group to RSVP, so you’ll have a solid headcount. That’ll weed out last-minute attendees and consistent changes with the restaurant.
Tip: I usually always add one more guest to the count when making the reservation. I don’t let the group know but use it as more of a safety net and a little more table space. This is case by case, as some restaurants could use that extra seat.
2. Where Are We Going?
Picking a restaurant that is fitting for your large group can be a challenge, but it is a key part of making it a great dinner party.
One key aspect in deciding a restaurant is making sure everyone’s food palette is satisfied. Do your guests dine out often and have a wide range of tastes? Or do they tend to be a safe foodie and stick to the few foods their comfortable with? Or is this experience being used to help open your guests up to new foods?
Check-in with your group, do a quick poll, and see what types of food they may be interested in. This can help narrow down some options for you. If you’re experienced with dining out, have a few restaurant options ready with the poll.
Aside from picking the restaurant, knowing the price range is key. Some may want to evenly split, while some may only want to pay for their lemon water. You have to be realistic when planning a large group dinner and scout restaurants that fit everyone’s tastebuds and wallets.
Tip: It’s easier for the party and restaurant to pay a bill on one card, so narrowing down a restaurant that fits everyone’s budget is key.
3. Picking a Date
Being proactive is key for this step. When we plan dinner parties, it’s typically due to a specific occasion that revolves around a certain time frame. That’s why these steps are important if we want to secure the best day possible.
If you are planning a dinner party around a major holiday, or event happening in your city, making a reservation can be challenging.
A few ways to help with date picking: ask your guests if they have prior engagements, inquire about work schedules, consider those with families, check restaurant hours, and have a backup date.
4. Making the Reservation
Once you have your headcount, food preference, and date, it’s time to make the reservation. For large parties, I recommend calling the restaurant and trying to speak with a manager. If calling isn’t an option, usually online bookings have some contact info along with it. If you have more time, physically going in can be great as well. Reach out and make sure your party needs will be accommodated.
A few things to ask when making a reservation: how is parking? Is there a dress code? Is there a time limit? How are bills allowed to be paid?
After getting the necessary information and completing the reservation: always make sure you give them a clear name with spelling, and reconfirm the date and time. Making sure the “ins & outs” are covered will help with smooth dinner plans.
5. Informing the Group
Now that you’ve officially booked the dinner reservation, you want to send the details to your group in a very detailed and outlined way that isn’t too overwhelming.
Give the date, time, restaurant, and location, and even encourage your large group to look over the menus ( I’ve linked the menu in the group chat before) also give them any other details that are important like parking.
Tip: Always tell your group a different time than the actual reservation. I call it the grace period. If dinner is at 7:00, tell them 6:30. That’ll give you 30 minutes to smooth over any hiccups. If you have a more punctual group, you can advise them to arrive a few minutes early.
And remember, always double-check your bill with a large group, while restaurant staff is good with their notes, sometimes requests can get jumbled and extras may be added by mistake. Make sure everyone has a chance to add any corrections if needed.
Have a great dinner!