Cafe del Rey | street food | Irma’s Restaurant | Marina del Rey

Celebrate With A Party

by American Way Staff

Banish boring holiday get-togethers by throwing a fete of your own. Personally, we like out-of-house parties the best — less hassle and no cleaning. You get the picture. So, whether you’re hosting a group large or small, here’s a slew of restaurants with halls worth decking. Fa la la, baby, fa la la. — J.S.

New York City
> Strip House: With its sexy red rooms and decadent menu — crisp goose-fat potatoes and steak, steak, steak — Strip House offers up the perfect recipe for a little holiday love. Main dining room seats 100 people. 13 East 12th Street, (212) 328-0000, www.striphouse.net
> Spice Market: Top chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten puts his own twist on street food from around Asia. Private alcove room holds up to 22; restaurant accommodates 350. 403 West 13th Street, (212) 675-2322, www.jean-georges.com

Chicago
> Pops for Champagne: Perhaps people who say they don’t like Champagne just haven’t found the right one. With the more than 125 Champagnes and sparkling wines on offer at Pops, now they can. Champagne bar holds 150, Jazz Club seats 60 to 65. 601 North State Street, (312) 266-7677, www.popsforchampagne.com
> Beat Kitchen: There’s something slightly “college party in the basement” about Beat Kitchen’s private room. The food (and the music) simply rocks. Private-party room holds up to 75. 2100 West Belmont, (773) 281-4444, www.beatkitchen.com

Los Angeles
> Cafe del Rey: From this restaurant’s dockside location, you can gaze out over the water and have a bite of whatever fish were brought in that day. Seats up to 250; for cocktail parties, capacity is 400. 4451 Admiralty Way, Marina del Rey; (310) 823-6395; www.cafedelreymarina.com
> Royale: Old Hollywood gets a dose of the ultramodern at this swank restaurant inside the Wilshire Royale Hotel. Multiple spaces in the restaurant make it ideal for parties of 35 to 400. 2619 Wilshire Boulevard, (213) 985-0676, www.royaleonwilshire.com

Washington, D.C.
> Brasserie Beck: A brasserie menu that offers plenty of delectable dishes for pairing with the more than 100 Belgian beers available. Private room seats 60 (or accommodates 100 standing). 1101 K Street NW, (202) 408-1717, www.beckdc.com
> 1789 Restaurant: It’s like dining at home, if your home is a Federal-period house with a stellar chef at work in the kitchen. Three private rooms can accommodate 18 to 120. 1226 36th Street NW, (202) 965-1789, www.1789restaurant.com

Houston
> Irma’s Restaurant: You’re so lucky — this legendary institution is closed for dinner, so it’s ready and waiting for your party every night of the week. Let the margaritas flow, and bring on the fajitas. Accommodates up to 150. 22 North Chenevert Street, (713) 222-0767
> Mark’s American Cuisine: Your guests will want to get to the church on time, since that’s where the party is. This former church (built in 1920) is a striking setting and makes a fine match for the culinary talents of chef Mark Cox. Three private rooms seat up to 40. 1658 Westheimer Road, (713) 523-3800, www.marks1658.com