La Forge Casino Restaurant

This restaurant was recommended as a possible venue for a rehearsal dinner in late Fall....since their web site is ';getting updated';, I can%26#39;t even see what the place looks like....is anyone familiar with this place? How%26#39;s the food / prices/ ambiance?

Another venue is the Brick Alley Pub.....any comments about this place?

I%26#39;m looking for a ';smart/business casual'; type of place that will accommodate 50 / 60 people in a private room...........thank you in advance for your feedback...........

La Forge Casino Restaurant

I would go La Forge, it is larger than Brick Alley and not as noisy and touristy. La Forge has been around a long time - the owners also owned Christies and many local politicos hang out at the jazz bar on Sundays. La Forge is next to the Tennis Hall of Fame and the location is nice- I would say the atmosphere is casual, somewhat cozy -good deserts, good sandwiches.

La Forge Casino Restaurant

I had my rehearsal dinner a couple years ago at La Forge, they were so accomodating. I got married in the Summer so it was a little more busy than the late Fall....so I can only imagine they%26#39;ll be even more helpful.

They gave us a private room in the back, that was divided off from the rest of the restaurant by some removable lattice dividers (so they can make the size of the room as big or as small as they needed. The room overlooked the Tennis Hall of Fame and a grass court. Since it%26#39;s fall, I don%26#39;t know if they%26#39;ll have people playing on it .....we were lucky enough that they were playing while we were there. (It%26#39;s an exhibition court where people dressed up in late 1800%26#39;s early 1900%26#39;s tennis outfits) It%26#39;s still nice to look out over even if nobody is playing.

It will definitely be less crowded than the popular Brick Alley. It had a more cosy feel to it for that night...and I%26#39;m a Brick Alley regular, but for that night we went with La Forge. My mother took care of the rehearrsal dinner so I%26#39;m not sure of the exact cost, but she was surprised at how reasonable the prices were, and how helpful the Crowley%26#39;s were.

Thank you both for your input....I spoke to Peter Crawley earlier today and plan to fly up to RI to meet with him in two weeks to look at the place %26amp; also their menu.....

Another question....know anything about ';Sparks';...it%26#39;s a BYOB place that is pretty new...seems that these people had a catering place for the last 4 yrs or so and now have a ';restaurant'; as well.

thank you...................

Yes Spark is a new BYOB restaurant on Broadway. Been by, but haven%26#39;t eaten there yet....always busy though...friends say it%26#39;s good.

sparkrestaurantandcatering.com/spark-index.h…

IMO, it would be a little small and cold for a rehearsal dinner, but again that%26#39;s just my opinion. It sort of reminds me of a NYC small bistro.

If you%26#39;re making a trip, you might also want to check out:

Sardellas: www.sardellas.com

It%26#39;s right down the street from La Forge

Thank you! I had Sardella%26#39;s on my list as well; although, I was trying to stay with a menu that was more ';local /regional style cuisine'; as opposed to Italian which is available in a lot of places....by the way, that%26#39;s not to say I don%26#39;t love Italian food --- I do ---having come to the U.S. from Sicily when I was a little girl, Italian food is ';comfort food'; for me. Thanks a bunch for your advice........Ciao for now....

How about the second floor of the Newport Blues Cafe.

Check them out on myspace.com/newportbluescafe or NewportBlues.com. They do rehearsal dinners and private parties all the time on their second floor. Nice atmosphere, GREAT view, you wont be dissapointed!

Thanks for the info on Newport Blues Cafe.....will check that out as well.....appreciate the recommendation......Ciao.....

two very good websites for you

www.YourNewportWedding.com

www.TableHound.com

LaForge, Brick Alley and also check out the former Cheeky Monkey while you are in town. Great function space on the second floor. It is now called Christie%26#39;s at 41 North and is right across the street from the Red Parrott. This could really fit the bill for smart/business casual. You would really miss out on a great option if you missed this one.

I got married in Newport just this May and had my rehersal dinner at La Forge. I have been going to Newport my whole life- I am pretty much the most local tourist there. My mother%26#39;s family comes from there and are pretty well known. The LaForge has house many family dinner and countless other events- the owner are close family friends. This being said I must tell you I encountered the most rude manager there. My girlfriend wanted to buy me a drink before dinner- so I ran to the ladies room while she orderd. Well NPT is very strick on carding (anyone under 21 will not be served and if you happen to have an old NJ licence you may have problems). So she was unable to get the drinks since I wasnt there. I came back and she told me to give him my id so we could get drinks- I was like sure no problem. We give him our ids and he goes ';I%26#39;m sorry I do not have time for this, you can order your drinks at your table.'; (I WAS POed). I spoke with the owner the next day (my wedding day!) to tell him what happend. I doubt much came of it- but I thought you should be aware.

Also thou it is a beautiful and unique restuarant - the privacy is a bit hard- I will not be like you think- I complete seperate area- but they do a good job in trying to make it as private as possible (definitly A+ for effort). Food there is ok- I would give it a B - I have definitly had better. Also you can get a preset menu for your guests- but I don%26#39;t think it is worth it.

Not sure were you are getting married- but my wedding was at Johnny%26#39;s Atlantic Beach Club (or ABC) they have a lovely small room in the restuart for partys that are smaller 50 guests would def fit). FOOD- to die for (but I am biased). Also sits right on the beach- so its got a great view. Only down side maybe for you would be there is live music and what not- so it gets rowdy outside during peak season. PS- my contact person was LORI- she is # 1 - i would request to speak only to her- Hope this was helpful.

http://www.atlanticbeachclub.com/