Okay, having casual (non meeting-related) parties larger than 6-8 doesn’t appear to be the norm for any of these restaurants, both from a seating and a serving standpoint. I’m open to talking with a meeting coordinator at Alma De Cuba, but don’t want to take the time without having fairly firm numbers. It looks like we’re up to 10, so I would want make a reservation for 12 to give us a little padding (and I can downsize more easily than I can add to the number). Going with this means the restaurant will recommend a fixed menu (vs. allowing us to order a la carte) which doesn’t thrill me, either.
This is a bit foreign to me because in Milwaukee you show up with a dozen people and the hostess says, “How many? 12? Okay, we’ll push some tables together for ya. Ashley, your section isn’t full so Jason’s gonna help you with this large party right here.” I have seriously had that happen more times than I could count.
So I want a decent sit-down place with a solid menu, preferably NOT a chain restaurant (local chain would be fine, but definitely not national), that won’t freak out when I say I want to make a reservation for 12. Thoughts, DLC staff?