Celebration Venues: 6 Valley Restaurants Perfect for Private Parties

Barrel & Ashes

Vibe: Fine-dining chefs meet barbecue at this open kitchen Studio City eatery with a patio of picnic tables, kitsch décor including a vintage-looking American flag and the restaurant’s logo: a hog in a barrel. The newly opened private room, whimsically named The Barrel Up, is located upstairs (stair access only). It checks many boxes—for a birthday, sports viewing, graduation or “hoedown” wedding.

Space: The spacious room features windows with a hillside view, full bar and five large HDTVs with A?V capability. Entertain up to 70 guests for a cocktail party or 40 for a sit-down dinner.

(Barrel & Ashes Photos: Sierra Prescott)

Food and Drinks: Customized menus feature hand-rubbed barbecue in several styles: St. Louis, the Carolinas, Texas and Kansas City.  If you want a pig roast, they can handle that too. One thing is for certain: The Hoe Cake is a must. The whiskey and bourbon selection is among the most impressive in L.A.

Cost: $1,500 minimum for food and beverage Monday–Thursday, and $2,000 on weekends.

11801 Ventura Blvd., Studio City  |  barrelandashes.com

Black Market Liquor Bar

Vibe: Behind a hidden door, a dimly lit private room with old-world appeal sits in the back of this casually hip and very buzzy Studio City restaurant, which is as well-known for its modern-industrial design and curved ceiling as it is for impeccable craft cocktails and inventive sharing plates.

Space: The charming room features a wine cellar and accommodates 15 around a rustic wood table. Despite its vintage style, there are high-tech perks aplenty—including A/V capabilities and an LG flat-screen.

Food and Drinks: The eclectic, seasonal menu stars executive chef (and Top Chef alum) Antonia Lofaso’s twists on American favorites and global tastes for weekend brunch and dinner. For dinner, start with dill potato chips and duck rillettes; share chicken baos, cavatelli Bolognese and scallops with sunchokes, Delmonico pork chop and fried chicken. Reach brunch goals with gravlax, challah French toast and chilaquiles. Be sure to order a signature “fancy” cocktail. And finally, no meal is complete without the fluffernutter: two slices of brioche stuffed with peanut butter, bananas and marshmallow fluff, covered with panko crumbs, deep-fried and served with a side of Nutella ice cream.

Cost: No minimum or room rental fee with flexibility to order straight from the menu or customize something special. Dinner: starters, $8 to $18; sharing, $11 to $21; mains, $29 to $36.

11915 Ventura Blvd., Studio City  |  Blackmarketliquorbar.com

Ca Del Sole

Vibe: Channel Italy at this longtime Cahuenga Boulevard destination. Most enchanting is the twinkling, tree-covered patio highlighted by cabanas and a lounge. With indoor/outdoor private space, it works equally as well for a baby shower, Sweet 16, cocktail party, wedding or 90^th birthday party.

Space: Three A/V-compatible, interior, private rooms are designed in classic yet contemporary style with accommodations for 15 to 80 guests. The outdoor portico seats 40, while the large patio fits up to 100.

Food and Drinks: Multi-course prix fixe menus feature Northern Italian specialties, including a salad with arugula and fresh baby artichoke hearts; pumpkin-filled pasta in sage-butter sauce; and roasted Scottish salmon with lemon sauce. The perfect finale? Flourless chocolate cake. Toast with a full bar and an extensive wine collection.

Cost: Food only $35 to $45 per person at lunch; $50 to $75 at dinner. There is also an option for passed hors d’oeuvres. The food and beverage room minimum runs $1,000 to $4,000.

4100 Cahuenga Blvd., North Hollywood  |  cadelsole.com

Firefly

Vibe: With no outside signage, this stylish Studio City restaurant is recognizable by its ivy-covered walls and valet stand. Step inside to the cozy library bar and through to the outside dining room. Designed with a retractable roof, it imbues a romantic vacation destination with a central fireplace, candlelight and wall of cabanas. Open since 2002, it has retained its “trendy” edge.

Space: Designated as “semi-private,” the party space is set against the hillside adjacent to the back bar. It fits 45 for a cocktail-style party and 22 for a seated dinner. For a smaller celebration, reserve a cabana for a party of up to 8.

Food and Drinks: Firefly has gone through its share of chefs over the years, including Michelin and James Beard names. Now heading the kitchen is Patina Group alum and executive chef Viet Pham, who creates seasonal wine country cuisine with a global twist—with customization for events. The new spring menu includes elegant dishes such as pork porterhouse al pastor, quail with fiddlehead ferns, and opah with charred avocado-miso puree. A full bar comprises craft cocktails, an extensive wine list, craft beers and aperitifs.

Cost: Food and beverage minimum varies from $1,500 to $4,000 based on the day of the week. Appetizers run $15 to $25; mains, $24 to $45.

11720 Ventura Blvd., Studio City  |  fireflystudiocity.com

The Front Yard

Vibe: The Front Yard is an all-day restaurant with retro-cool style located at The Garland in North Hollywood. It serves locals as much as it does tourists—don’t be surprised if you spot a neighbor or a TV star sitting in the lounge or on the sunny front patio.

Space: The hotel itself has 13 indoor/outdoor spaces for private events ranging in size from 25 to 650. However if you require a smaller accommodation for a simple celebration, family dinner or a business meeting, The Front Yard provides a mod private room anchored by a dining table for 20 and complete with a flat-screen and A/V.

Food and Drinks: For early birds, a buffet breakfast is available until 11 a.m. Customize brunch, lunch and dinner from the regular menu. Brunch favorites include Nutella French toast and a short rib burger named the Breakfast Royale. Try the Thai Town shrimp salad and the TYF patty melt for lunch, and barramundi and faro butternut squash risotto for dinner. The Front Yard features an extensive wine list and craft beer, as well as a full bar offering fun craft cocktails with farm-fresh ingredients that pair perfectly with appetizers, such as green garbanzo hummus.

Cost: Food and beverage minimum runs $350 to $1,200. Business meetings pay a rental fee.

4222 Vineland Ave., North Hollywood  |  thefrontyardla.com

The Local Peasant

Vibe: Modern, rustic design with reclaimed wood defines this casual, lively “eat pub” with locations in Sherman Oaks and Woodland Hills. A surprising number of party options can be arranged including a lounge setting, cocktail party or sit-down meal.

Space: Both destinations offer full buyout with capacity for 180 to 230. Private party rooms fit 50 to 90, depending on the event type, with options for a projection screen and microphone. Woodland Hills offers an outdoor patio (can be enclosed) for 25 to 50 guests with a private bar. Communal tables can be reserved for parties up to 30.

Food and Drinks: “Local” sourcing is key for food and drinks. The seasonal prix fixe summer menu includes a salad, two main courses and two sides. Don’t-miss eats: deviled eggs, Peasant short rib minis, fish ‘n’ chips, mac ‘n’cheese and roasted portabella cups. SoCal Independent breweries fill the beer on tap, while wine selections harken NoCal. Specialty cocktails like Slushie Frose’ and Toki-oh Lemonade sound appealing for warm weather.

Cost: Prix fixe menu per person is $30 and includes nonalcoholic beverages items. Add-on appetizer platters for 8 to 10 ($40 to $50), beverage packages ($28 to $38) and dessert ($3 to $5).

14058 Ventura Blvd., Sherman Oaks; 22901 Ventura Blvd., Woodland Hills  |  thelocalpeasant.com