Venue Spotlight: The Brazilian Room, Berkeley

Intimate, rustic, and classic are all words that come to mind when we think of this spectacular and “very Bay Area" wedding venue option. The Brazilian Room is in Wildcat Canyon in Tilden Regional Park in the Berkeley Hills and seats 150 banquet-style. It’s one of the most popular wedding sites in California, hosting over 200 weddings a year. Think lodge meets elegance. Its historic hall features the original interior hardwood paneling from the Brazilian Pavilion at the 1939 Golden Gate Exposition on Treasure Island. The paneling was donated to the East Bay Regional Park District, who then built a building of local rock and timber to house the paneling and the hall became known as the Brazilian Room. The inside is Old English Tudor style with floor-to-ceiling leaded glass windows, while the outside features a flagstone patio that overlooks the expansive lawn and the beautiful trees of Tilden Park. Perfect place for an outdoor ceremony.

When you inquire about the facilities, you will connect with Michael McNally, who couldn’t be more friendly and passionate about the Brazilian Room, along with the other beautiful venues offered through the East Bay Regional Park District. Michael tells us they host an Open House at the Brazilian Room every Tuesday from 1 pm to 8 pm, except for the 4^th Tuesday of the month. The other facilities are available for viewing by appointment, and we’ll be sure to feature them in the coming weeks and months here on Bridebound Blog.

Lucky for you, Michael tells us they have a list of 13 Approved Caterers who are some of the top caterers in the San Francisco Bay Area. He assures us they know the facilities well and can act as a wedding coordinator as well. Michael is also happy to provide you with other vendors like photographers and florists, though you’re free to bring in your own. The Brazilian Room allows a non-catered option (at an additional fee) where you can provide your own food, however, you cannot bring in a Caterer that is not on their Approved List. Should you bring in your own food, you’d then be responsible for table and chair set up, tear down and the initial clean up. The non-catered option is restricted and can only be used on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays at the Brazilian Room. Note beer, wine and champagne are allowed at the Brazilian Room, but no hard liquor.

The Brazilian Room stands out for so many reasons: price, beauty, location and the attention-to-detail, which you can’t miss as you take a tour of the property. It’s totally Bridebound approved and we think you should hop to it come your next free Tuesday. www.brazilianroom.org

Venue Spotlight: Epic Roasthouse, San Francisco

If you’re looking for an absolutely breathtaking seaside venue for a smaller, more intimate wedding or engagement party, consider Epic Roasthouse on the Embarcadero. We’re calling urban chic on this one. Located on the waterfront and featuring panoramic views of the Bay Bridge, Treasure Island and our beautiful city skyline, Epic seats up to 60 in their elegant Bay Room, on their second floor, purposely set on its own for private events.

Beyond your traditional steak house, Epic offers a gorgeous space and a unique menu that combines the traditional and the contemporary. Chef Jan Birnbaum has packed his menu with fish, fowl, and of course, a fantastic selection of meats and steaks. The wine menu lists over 400, impressive, even considering where we are in the world of wine production. Should you call to take a tour, you will meet Nita Howard, Director of Sales and Business Development and Kevin Biggerstaff, Private Dining Room Director. Both consummate professionals, you will be treated like royalty and they will provide you with personalized, friendly service. They can help with your every need for your Big Day, from on-site planning to vendor referrals.

Besides from Epic being a special venue in San Francisco, Nita tells us about some of the recent events that they’ve been a part of. Rich Bride / Poor Bride just wrapped up taping there and will air in 2011 and Chef Birnbaum recently created a steak tartare birthday cake for Ron Owens at his celebrity studded birthday held there.

Epic is beyond worth visiting; the space is gorgeous and is the perfect place to host a celebration around your Big Day.

Venue Spotlight: Greens Restaurant, San Francisco

Greens Restaurant is a San Francisco favorite for foodies and event planners alike. Built by San Francisco Zen Center carpenters and opening its doors in 1979, the restaurant incorporates 12 types of wood, much of it recycled or reclaimed. Greens also features floor-to-ceiling windows and beautiful views of the Golden Gate Bridge, the Marina and the scenic Marin Headlands.

Ashley Pier, Greens’ Special Events Coordinator, tells us that five years ago Greens converted their storage room into a Private Dining Room with the same floor-to-ceiling windows and views as the main room. The room accommodates up to 50 guests for a sit down and 65 for a standing reception. The main room can accommodate 140 guests for a sit down and 200 standing.

The food is another fantastic perk. Led by nationally-acclaimed chef and author, Annie Somerville, Greens has become one of the most celebrated vegetarian restaurants in the world. Chef Somerville is the pioneer and standard-bearer for the practice of shopping directly with local, organic farmers, selecting the freshest seasonal products. Using produce, herbs, cheeses and veggies from local farms, Greens prides itself in using seasonal and fresh ingredients. Green Gulch Farm in the Marin Headlands provides the restaurant with a variety of organic produce year round. You can expect outstanding dishes created with a balance of colors, a contrast of textures, and flavors from places like the Mediterranean, Mexico and American Southwest.

“Each couple is unique in so many ways which brings such a charm to each event,” Ashley tells us. “We enjoy making all occasions as special and personal as it can be. I make available any extra touch to make it extraordinary, including individual floor plans, décor, photography, music and dancing.” Upon contacting Ashley, you will sit down for a tasting with her and Chef Somerville and then discuss everything about your Big Day. And rest assured. Ashley will be there every step of the way after the initial meeting, helping to ease your stress and worries, right up until the party is officially over.

Having 31 years to perfect itself, Greens is perhaps the perfect waterfront venue in SF to host the wedding of your dreams. Expect nothing but perfection. Just the way Bridebound likes it!