Group dining

related items

Photo tour: Sunda

Photo tour: Branch 27

Photo tour: Eivissa

It always seems easy enough to get the gang together for dinner when everyone's in town for the holidays. All you need is good food, cocktails and, oh yeah ... a reservation. And trust us: No one's going to seat your 17-person entourage when you start calling around two days in advance. Line something up with one of these spots now, and the next dinner party you attend will be the one your friends throw to celebrate your awesomeness.

Sunda
Chef Rodelio Aglibot's (pictured) menu at this new Asian spot in River North is designed for sharing, so come prepared to nibble dim sum and sushi and pass entrees such as Adobo-braised black pork belly and pan-roasted duck breast in a tempura-onion broth.
Table service: The main dining room's communal tables are good for groups of up to 12; communal tables and settees can be combined to seat up to 50. Groups of more than 14 must order from a customized family-style menu (prices start at $55 per person) that includes sushi, a dim sum course, salad, an entree and dessert.
Room service: Reserve the veranda room, a semi-private space seating up to 30 (nightly minimums apply). A private banquet room set to open mid-November will accommodate parties of up to 100 for a seated dinner.
Advance notice: One month preferred

Rocco's Cafe & Pizzeria
If anyone in your group has tots in tow, this family-friendly Lincoln Park pizzeria is the answer. Rocco's specializes in thin-crust pies as well as reasonably priced Italian-American favorites such as chicken parmigiana and shrimp scampi.
Table service: The main dining room easily accommodates parties of up to 20, who can order from the regular menu.
Room service: Nab the private back room, complete with a dedicated bar,  for groups of 20 to 50. A customizable banquet menu (prices start at $12 per person) includes a buffet option, family-style table service or a mix of the two. Drink packages start at $9 per person.
Advance notice: A few days for a large table, one week for private dining

Eivissa
This Old Town tapas spot channels Ibiza with an extensive sangria list and two floors of dining, making it a great spot for a lively group. The recently revamped menu features traditional tapas and pintxos, as well as paellas-all natural options for sharing.
Table service: Eivissa accommodates most groups. If you've got 10 or more, group menus including popular pintxos as well as paella and empanadas are available. Prices start at $18 per person.
Room service: Book the full second floor for groups of up to 100. There's no room fee most weekdays; fees vary Thursday-Saturday. Book before Nov. 30 and receive a complimentary dining certificate for four people.
Advance notice: A week for a large table, two weeks for the upstairs room

Branch 27
This casual West Town bar and grill offers a straightforward menu of crowd-pleasing classics like burgers, mussels and frites, and roasted chicken. Prices are neighborhood-appropriate, with entrees rarely topping $20.
Table service: If you've got a group of 18 or fewer, they'll fit at a table in the main dining room. Order from the regular menu or work with the restaurant to create a family-style menu.
Room service: Book the atrium, partitioned off from the rest of the restaurant for privacy, for groups of 25 to 40. Custom three-course family style dinners start at $18 per person; cocktail receptions (30-person minimum, not available Friday or Saturday) start at $16 per person for apps only. Drink packages start at $21 per person.
Advance notice: Two weeks preferred

Province
Chef Randy Zweiban's menu at this farm-to-table-inspired West Loop spot works well for sharing, with a diverse lineup of American plates such as bite-sized Cuban pork bocadillos that fall into categories labeled "small," "big" and "bigger."
Table service: There's room for groups of up to 14 in the main dining room, where a $36-per-person menu (mandatory for groups of eight or more) includes a selection of shareable bites, an entree and three sharable desserts. Add-ons include salad ($6 per person) and small plates ($7 per person). A $29-per-person lunch menu is available.
Room service: Reserve the private dining room, which accommodates up to 35 ($600 minimum).
Advance notice: At least a week

Mindy Yahr is a Metromix special contributor. metromix@tribune.com