4 minute read
The Night Before: Hosting the Rehearsal Dinner
The Night Before: Hosting the Rehearsal Dinner
WORDS BY TWYLA CAMPBELL
PHOTOGRAPHY SUPPLIED
Intimate or extravagant: the choice is yours
The rehearsal dinner is a time to enjoy the company of your bridal party and family. By this point, you’ve planned and executed a monumental number of tasks. It’s now time to sit back, relax, and leave the cooking, serving, and cleaning to the pros. Here are three restaurants that offer a variety of menus and room sizes to accommodate parties both big and small.
Rge Rd
From the capable hands of Chef Blair Lebsack and crew, three options under one roof are available for private gatherings. The Farmhouse is a semi-private space in Rge Rd that is separated from the main dining room by a sliding barn door. Because of its proximity to the open kitchen and its gorgeous wood-burning oven, guests have a view of the team at work while remaining apart from patrons in the main dining room of this highly lauded, awardwinning restaurant. The Farmhouse can seat up to 18 people.
The Butchery by Rge Rd
Next door, in The Butchery by Rge Rd, two other private dining options exist: the communal table in the retail area can seat 14 for dinner. The space may also be booked for a standing reception to accommodate up to 100 guests. Behind the retail area is a completely private space called The Larder which can seat up to 48 people. The room features state-of-the-art audio/visual equipment which means the slide show you’ve put together of the bride and groom from their toddler years to present day can be viewed on a 110-inch drop down screen. Food is executed by the Rge Rd culinary team and is, of course, at the forefront of the experience.
WWW.THEBUTCHERYYEG.CA
WWW.RGERD.CA
Braven
Situated in the luxurious JW Marriott, Braven provides a fine dining experience with prime cuts of Alberta’s best beef in the spotlight. The restaurant features private and semi-private rooms to accommodate small and medium-sized groups, from an intimate gathering of 20 for dinner to a cocktail reception that can serve 48. The wood-paneled rooms painted in dark jewel tones are accented with gold and bronze fixtures creating a cozy, inviting and elegant venue, perfect for photo opportunities. Expect to see some of Braven’s classic dishes like shrimp cocktail, black cod, and beef tenderloin on an impressive selection of menus along with several vegetarian and gluten-free options.
www.bravenrestaurant.com
Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse
A dedicated events coordinator is assigned to assist you and your party, be it an intimate gathering of 12 or a grand event to accommodate 120 people. Richly hued decor in rooms like The Vault, The Library and The Boardroom exude timely elegance. For parties of 15 or more, the restaurant offers a range of price points on set menus with names that pay homage to founder, Ruth Fertel, affectionately known as “The First Lady of Steak.” The “Happy Jack” menu is named for Happy Jack, Louisiana where Ruth was born; “The 1965” menu is named for the year she mortgaged her home and bought the Chris Steak House in New Orleans; and “The Ruth” menu, named for the legend herself, showcases the finest of what the restaurant has to offer.
As expected, the franchise’s legendary steaks feature prominently on the menus but special requests, like vegetarian options can be arranged, as well.
www.ruthchrissteakhouse.ca