How to Choose a Restaurant for a Business Function

When you're wining and dining clients at a business lunch or dinner, match the venue and food to the style of your business function. Is it a brainstorming lunch with colleagues, a yearly review with an employee or a dinner with an important client? Pick the right venue and menu, and get the job done right.

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions

1. Set your budget. Most businesses have a cap on event expenditures. Look at the price range of each restaurant that's in the running, and factor in beverages and tip.

2. Have the restaurants send you a menu so that you can evaluate your options. Choose one that serves a variety of choices or traditional favorites (chicken, meat, fish and vegetarian dishes such as pasta), where all of your guests will find something they enjoy.

3. Visit the restaurants where you're considering holding the event. Look for appropriate space to mingle before the meal starts (for evening affairs), take the noise level into consideration, check out the bathrooms, read the wine list and scope out seating arrangements.

4. Note how far the restaurant is from your office and figure out how everyone will get there. Is there a parking lot or a valet? Convenience is key if you need to maximize available time, particularly for lunch.

5. Make a reservation. Request a special area of the restaurant, or better yet, ask for a private room or banquet hall if you have a large group.

6. Consider setting up seating ahead of time. Decide who sits where: Pair dining partners strategically, facilitate access between key people, and show respect to the top dogs.

7. Decide whether you'll have a prix fixe meal served or have guests order off the regular menu. If you're putting together a special menu, you may want to ask clients or business colleagues if they have any food allergies or dietary restrictions.

Tips & Warnings

• Never order for everyone in the group, unless it's a prix fixe meal you've set up prior to the event. Otherwise, let everyone order for himself or herself.